Wheelchair Softball Hits Homerun at MLB’s FanFest
The United Spinal sponsored wheelchair softball exhibition at John Hancock’s All-Star FanFest, which took place July 8-12 in Detroit, Michigan, was a success for our Association. Representatives from the United Spinal Mets and Yankees wheelchair softball teams, along with nine other Major League Baseball-affiliated wheelchair softball teams took part in demonstrating the sport to enthusiastic Fanfest attendees. “It was the best opportunity wheelchair softball has had for public exposure in a sports venue in the past 20 years. The fact that [the] venue was MLB’s FanFest, the prelude to baseball’s mid-summer classic, made it superb,” said Larry Labiak, president of the National Wheelchair Softball Association.
FanFest activities also included 40 baseball-themed attractions, as well as daily interactive programming on The Diamond, where fans had the opportunity to “learn the secrets of sliding into home, striking out batters with an elusive curveball or delivering the game-winning home run” through seminars and clinics.
“Being a part of wheelchair softball has given me back a sense of athleticism that I thought I lost when I was first injured. And to be able to play with other athletes is incredible,” said Victor Calise, a player for the United Spinal Mets and Director of Sports Marketing for the Association. “United Spinal Association is proud and excited that FanFest is giving us the opportunity to share this unique game with baseball fans who appreciate and love the sport as much as the players of wheelchair softball.”
Marty Barker, a member of the Philadelphia Phillies wheelchair softball team explained the importance of the exhibit. ” I feel that the softball exhibition [gave] the nondisabled an opportunity to see the sport up close and helped to promote the growth of wheelchair softball,” Barker said.
United Spinal Visits NY Rangers Youth Hockey Camp
On July 19th, the United Spinal Rangers sled hockey team held a clinic during the first- ever week-long New York Rangers Youth Hockey Camp at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. United Spinal Rangers players Victor Calise and Billy Hannigan addressed 50 able-bodied camp participants, ages 7-14, on the basics of sled hockey and the meaning of spinal cord injury. Calise and Hannigan then helped the kids strap into sleds to try out the sport for themselves.
“It was great to be able to come out to Tarrytown and offer the kids participating in the Rangers Youth Hockey Camp a chance to experience the sport of sled hockey. I think most of them took something very valuable away from our clinic and have a better understanding of the sport and spinal cord injury in general,” said Calise.
Campers were divided by age into two groups for small scrimmage games. A majority of the kids found maneuvering in the sleds to be very challenging, but fun. “I spent most of my time on the ground. It was really tough,” said 8-year-old George Maxwell.
Former New York Rangers star Adam Graves was also on hand for the clinic and tried out a sled, as well.
“The sled hockey demonstration that the members of the Rangers sled hockey team hosted for our campers was the highlight of the week. I am proud to have been able to participate and learn from Victor and Billy. Seeing the joy on the kids’ faces as they used the sleds is something that everyone involved in the camp will always remember. As we consider the United Spinal Rangers members of our family, we look forward to creating memorable experiences for all children during the upcoming hockey season,” said Adam Evert, manager of Fan Development for the New York Rangers.
United Spinal Mets Travel to Boston
On July 9-10, the United Spinal Mets geared up and headed to Beantown for the NEPVA Red Sox wheelchair softball tournament. Unfortunately, the team didn’t fair well against their Boston rivals and faced surprisingly stiff competition from teams they’ve battered in the past, losing five of their six games. It was a tough tournament for the team, which was missing a few big bats in their line-up due to the John Hancock’s All-Star FanFest festivities in Detroit, Michigan.
Pre-National Tournament in Long Island
On July 30th, the United Spinal Mets and Yankees participated in this year’s second tournament on the Duck’s turf in Brookhaven, Long Island. The Mets pulled out a thrilling victory against the Red Sox, 5-3, thanks to solid defense and some outstanding plays in the field. The Yankees shot down the Ducks, 10-7, but lost to the rival Red Sox 15-4. The Red Sox gave the newly-formed Yankees team a taste of the competition they’d be facing in Columbus, Ohio for the National Wheelchair Softball Tournament.
The Nationals
On August 11-14, the United Spinal Mets and Yankees joined wheelchair softball teams nationwide in Columbus, Ohio for the 29th Annual National Wheelchair Softball Tournament. Although both the Mets and Yankees did not make it deep into the tournament, which is sponsored by the National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA), United Spinal players did take home numerous MVP awards. “It was an exciting tournament for the United Spinal Mets and Yankees. All the players felt privileged to have an opportunity to compete against the best wheelchair softball teams in the country, said Victor Calise, United Spinal’s director of Sports Marketing. “Our participation in this tournament was great exposure for our teams and our association’s mission,” Calise added. Please check out the next issue of Orbit for more coverage and highlights from the Nationals.
Tom Scott is an editor in Communications.
