For more than 60 years, the Champaign-Urbana Noon Kiwanis Club has sponsored Little League baseball in Champaign-Urbana. Thousands of local youngsters have taken part in the national pastime on Champaign-Urbana diamonds.

It was Tom Jones’ dream of providing the chance for physically and mentally challenged children to have the opportunity to participate in a sport just as their brothers, sisters, and friends have done. In 1999, that dream was realized as Tom along with Bob and Marilyn Abbuehl and Kirk Bedwell founded, with the sponsorship of the C-U Kiwanis Club and partnership of the Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation Department,  the Tom Jones Challenger League.

The league has grown from 2 teams and 13 players to the present ten teams and nearly 100 participants.

Tom Jones Challenger League also mentored Challenger Baseball in Danville, which now has 100 players.

A board comprised of Kiwanis club members, parents and volunteers oversee the Challenger League activities. There are no paid positions within the Challenger League structure.