ANDERSON COUNTY — Upstate Challenger Sports has about 70 participants in the baseball program this year, as the Piedmont-based non-profit continues to grow.

“We’ve pretty much got it now so that there’s something year round,” says Director Jesse Hunsinger, who helped start the non-profit in 1999.

The program initially began by offering baseball for children with mental, physical or developmental disabilities. Since then, it has expanded to offer several other sports.

Football, soccer, golf, basketball, baseball, cheerleading and dance.

While the athletes congregate at Piedmont Presbyterian Church in Piedmont, UCS draws children and young adults from all over.

“They’re from all over the Upstate,” Hunsinger said.

For more information about UCS, visit its Web site at www.upstatechallengersports.org.