On September 19-20, the 8th Annual Major League Wheelchair Softball Tournament set the stage for another round of classic battles between Major League Baseball (MLB)-sponsored wheelchair softball teams from around the country. This year’s participants included the RIC Cubs, New England Rolling Red Sox, United Spinal Mets (Black), United Spinal Mets (White), and United Spinal Yankees, all of which fought valiantly for the coveted “Kelly Cup” trophy, named after United Spinal’s former executive director Gerard M. Kelly.
Unfortunately there could only be one winner. That title went to the RIC Cubs, winner of two National Championships in the past six years, who finished the tournament undefeated and corralled a pesky Rolling Red Sox team in the championship game, 9-4. In other exciting games, the United Spinal Mets (Black) showed the United Spinal Yankees just who owned the City, in a 15-13 hitting clinic.
“We have loved coming down to Shea Stadium as the NY Mets are wonderful hosts,” says Mike Gilbault, coach of the Rolling Red Sox. “This is a social event for us as well as a softball tournament. You do not need to be athletically fit to play here versus other sports. I call this rehabilitation through recreation.
“On behalf of the players and coaches, I’d like to thank Jill Knee, Robert Hines and the NY Mets for their continued support as well as the NYC Parks & Recreation Department and United Spinal Association” says John Hamre, president of the Wheelchair Sports Federation. “Without their help, we could not have a premiere Wheelchair Softball Tournament in New York City and one of the better events for Adaptive Sports in the United States.”
This year will be the last with historic Shea Stadium as the backdrop for the tournament, as the new Citi Field, set to open for the 2009 MLB season, waits on the horizon. But that didn’t dampen spirits as Mr. Met and Victor Calise, accessibility coordinator for the New York City Parks Department entertained and instructed local school children with disabilities during Friday’s wheelchair softball clinic while the pros played nearby. Eric and Abraham from PS 286 were excited to have a chance to participate in the clinic and watch many of wheelchair softball’s premier players compete. Eric, whose favorite player is Derek Jeter, and Abraham, a big fan of Michael Jordan, both said they enjoy playing wheelchair softball and basketball.
Pete Schuyler, of the United Spinal Association Mets, who was injured in 1996 thought his sports life was over until he discovered the value of adaptive sports such as wheelchair softball in assisting with rehabilitation and giving his quality of life a big boost. “This was my second tournament and although it is a little bit different than what I use to play it is just as competitive,” Schuyler says.
Final Results
- 1st RIC Cubs
2nd New England Rolling Red Sox3rd United Spinal Mets (Black)
4th United Spinal Mets (White)
5th United Spinal Yankees
2008 All-Tournament Team Awards
- Pitcher: Alez Parra, RIC Cubs
Catcher: Mike Guilbault, NE Rolling Red Sox1st Base: George Norton, NE Rolling Red Sox
2nd Base: Bill Hannigan, United Spinal Mets (Black)
3rd Base: Jason Soricelli, United Spinal Mets (Black)
Shortstop: Curtis Lease, RIC Cubs
Left Field: Paul Moran, RIC Cubs
Right Field: Yusuke Makino, United Spinal Yankees
Center Field: Wataru Horie, RIC Cubs
Short Field: Ron Gendron, NE Rolling Red Sox
Best Quad: Pam Fox, United Spinal Mets (White)
Sportsmanship: Yusuke Makino, United Spinal Yankees
Best Rookie: Brian Genovese, United Spinal Mets (White)
Most Valuable Player: Wataru Horie, RIC Cubs
Al Youakim Volunteer Award: Jill Knee
