Cheers and chants filled the benches at Bloch Park Friday evening as Alabama Teen Challenge faced off against Selma Young Professionals at Bloch Park for an annual softball game benefiting Teen Challenge.

The game was close, but the Professionals held on for a 20-18 win. In the end, the real prize was community fellowship.

“It’s not so much about the money. Of course any amount of money is going to be great, but it’s more about the fun, the fellowship and being able to be with the people of the community,” said Teen Challenge intake director and pastoral councilor Ken Schroeder.

“It’s a great time.”

Teen Challenge is a 12 month residential Christian discipleship program for men 18 years or older with life controlling addictions.

Selma resident Pat Davis sat in the bleachers holding a sign that read, ‘Go Teen Challenge.’ She said she made the sign before coming to the game.

“I was driving around down and said, ‘I’ve got to make a sign, I’ve got to make a sign, they need the encouragement,’” Davis said. “I believe in what they do and I like to see the change in the men’s lives and what they do for them.”

Schroeder said community supports means a lot to Teen Challenge.

“I tell every one of our new students, ‘You’re going to love it here in Selma. This community is so supportive,’” he said.

“From day one, Teen Challenge has been accepted in the Selma-Dallas Community and it means so much to these students to be loved.”

Schroeder said because of the community, some students stay after they graduate the program because they have become close with the city.

“They love the community here,” Schroeder said.

This year, the Selma Charity League helped organize the event.

The league’s community relations chairman Taylor Namburu organized the competing team, Selma Young Professionals.

Each player represented a different organization in town.

For more information about Alabama Teen Challenge, visit www.alabamateenchallenge.org.