Wheelchair softball brings national pastime to people with disabilities

By Karie Angell luc For Chronicle Media
Yahdiel Robles of Chicago pitches.

Yahdiel Robles of Chicago pitches.

Pedestrians or motorists passing 3843 N. California Ave. in Chicago might not expect to see wheelchair athletes playing softball in California Park.

They also might not see the field the players are practicing on. It’s not turf or typical baseball dust, but an impervious hardtop surface.

With familiar Chicago Cubs colors, the RIC Cubs, a cross-disability, competitive wheelchair softball team, practices at the McFetridge Sports Complex, using 16-inch softballs renowned in Chicago sports lore.

Newcomers to the sport often have first practice experiences there.

“People are just walking by and seeing guys hit it over the fence,” said Derek Daniels, manager,

Paul Moran of Northfield, a 1985 New Trier High School graduate who teaches tennis for the Winnetka Park District, is in his element.

Paul Moran of Northfield, a 1985 New Trier High School graduate who teaches tennis for the Winnetka Park District, is in his element.

sports and fitness programs for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

“We’re right here, in the middle of a park and guys are doing it at high levels.

“Baseball is America’s game and here we are making it everyone’s game again,” Daniels said.

According to the National Wheelchair Softball Association, wheelchair softball was launched approximately three decades ago by Midwest patients with spinal-cord injuries and lower extremity impairments. They wanted to pursue athleticism and opportunities for competition.

The RIC Cubs is a member of the National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA) and is the first wheelchair softball program sponsored by a major league baseball team.

Paul Moran of Northfield, a 1985 New Trier High School graduate who teaches tennis for the Winnetka Park District, is in his element.

Paul Moran of Northfield, a 1985 New Trier High School graduate who teaches tennis for the Winnetka Park District, is in his element.

“I think recreation is important for people with disabilities,” said Daniel Ferreira of Chicago, adaptive sport program event facilitator for the Chicago Park District. “Sports create purpose and there’s a lot of fire and passion.”

In June 2003, the Chicago Park District, with the assistance of Cubs Care, the City of Chicago, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago opened the first wheelchair-accessible softball field in Illinois.

Wheelchair softball is governed by official rules of 16-inch slow pitch softball.

“Disability doesn’t get in the way of their life,” Ferreira said.

The Amateur Softball Association of America allows for exceptions designated by the National Wheelchair Softball Association, according to http://www.ric.org/services/sports-and-fitness/sports-programs/softball/.

“It doesn’t matter what one’s challenges are,” said Dan Hermle of Chicago, a coach with the Chicago Park District. “Recreation is always available for any level.”

He doesn’t use a wheelchair for personal mobility, but this coach does during practice. This is Dan Hermle of Chicago who works for the Chicago Park District.

He doesn’t use a wheelchair for personal mobility, but this coach does during practice. This is Dan Hermle of Chicago who works for the Chicago Park District.

At a July 19 practice, players practiced pitching, fielding and batting.

Juan Ortiz of Lombard, a parent, college graduate and wheelchair softball player, was paralyzed from the waist down at age 14 from a wound from a random gunshot.

“A lot of our players are victims of gunshots,” Ortiz said. “It’s a trend in the United States.”

When asked about their personal journeys, others described how they started using wheelchairs.

Curtis Moore of Chicago, center, leads players in motivational fellowship.

Curtis Moore of Chicago, center, leads players in motivational fellowship.

“I got shot,” said Shakie Tory, 25, a player who recalled what happened while he was walking on Chicago’s West Side on Dec 6, 2012. “It felt like hot lava burning.

“The bullet is lodged in my spine and it’s still there now,” Tory said. “It’s been hard. But whatever obstacles come your way, don’t give up.”

Paul Moran of Northfield, a 1985 New Trier High School graduate who teaches tennis for the Winnetka Park District, was injured in 1985 in an accident in Boston.

“I got run over by a trolley car,” Moran said.

Moran, then 18 and a Boston College freshman, was close to death on the operating table. His right leg was amputated below the hip and two fingers were lost on his left hand.

Isaac Fretz of Chicago, legally blind with hearing challenges after being shot in the head during his U.S. Army military service in Operation Desert Storm, participates.

Isaac Fretz of Chicago, legally blind with hearing challenges after being shot in the head during his U.S. Army military service in Operation Desert Storm, participates.

A 1990 Boston College graduate, Moran was motivated to compete. He played basketball and exceled in adaptive sports overseas, becoming a Paralympian in volleyball.

While in Barcelona, Moran considered wheelchair tennis. By 2001, Moran was ranked No. 23 globally among wheelchair tennis players, according to the RIC website.

Fast forward to 2016 on a hot Chicago summer evening and Moran’s tennis swing switched to softbal

“I love it,” Moran said. “It’s [California Park] one of my favorite spots on the planet,” Moran said.

The National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA) oversees more than 30 teams worldwide.

Flicking the ball to the pitcher, Curtis Moore of Chicago is at first base during.

Flicking the ball to the pitcher, Curtis Moore of Chicago is at first base during.

Team partnerships include associations with Major League Baseball teams. Wheelchair players wear official MLB logos and uniforms. Competitions and tournaments are part of the experience.

Visit http://www.wheelchairsoftball.org and http://www.ric.org/services/sports-and-fitness/sports-programs/softball/

 

 

— Wheelchair softball brings national pastime to people with disabilities —

(All photos by By Karie Angell luc For Chronicle Media )