By Jennifer M. Rodriguez-Khadir
6th Annual MLB Wheelchair Softball
Tournament at Shea
Despite the steady rain throughout the games on Friday, September 15,
each team came to proudly represent the wheelchair softball
counterparts of Major League Baseball teams. United Spinal fielded
three teams: Mets I, Mets II and the Yankees. The rest of the contenders
included the NEPVA Red Sox from New England, the Vaughn PVA White
Sox from Chicago, and the Courage Rolling Twins from Minneapolis.
The teams competed as they have in the past six seasons, on
diamonds “cut out” of the Shea Stadium parking lot. United Spinal
Mets II chalked up the best record among the New Yorkers, but the
championship on Saturday came down to the Midwesterners.
On Saturday, United Spinals’ Mets I and Yankees teams played
perhaps the most exciting game of the tournament. Down 4-1 and with
only three outs remaining, the Mets I staged a rally, scoring three runs to
tie the game. Catcher George Taborsky was thrown out trying to score
the winning run, forcing extra innings. The Mets I team then wasted no
time, scoring in the next frame for the 5-4 victory and a fifth place finish.
The Championship game had the Courage Rolling Twins facing
the Vaughn PVA White Sox for the second time. While the final score was close, the
outcome was never in doubt as the Courage Rolling Twins won 6-2, giving them the
title of Champion of the 6th Major League Wheelchair Softball Tournament.
SportsNet New York and Newsday covered the event. SubwayTM and GatoradeTM
supported the tournament through donations of beverages and lunches for all participants.
Final Standings
First Place: Courage Rolling Twins
Second Place: Vaughn PVA White Sox
Third Place: NEPVA Red Sox
Fourth Place: United Spinal Mets II
Fifth Place: United Spinal Mets I
Sixth Place: United Spinal Yankees
All-Tournament Team
Pitcher: Charles Clausen, Courage Rolling Twins
Catcher: Pam Fox, United Spinal Mets II
First Base: Will Smith, Vaughn PVA White Sox
Second Base: Scott Rickford, Courage Rolling Twins
Third Base: Victor Calise, United Spinal Mets I
Shortstop: Ricky Salinas, Vaughn PVA White Sox
Left Field: Jeff Gustafson, Courage Rolling Twins
Center Field: Bart Salgado, Vaughn PVA White Sox
Right Field: Sly Flis, Vaughn PVA White Sox
Short Field: Ron Gendron, NEPVA Red Sox
Best Quad: Ryland Page, NEPVA Red Sox
Sportsmanship: Luis Dalmau, United Spinal Yankees
Most Valuable Player: Jeff Gustafson, Courage
Rolling Twins
Best Rookie: Ryland Page, NEPVA Red Sox
Jennifer M. Rodriguez is Public Affairs officer.
