2015 NVWG Softball. Photo by Christopher DiVirgilio
Utah is ready to bring it all on the courts and play ball
In less than a week, athletes from across the country will travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to compete in the 36th annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG), sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of American and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Several of the competitors will take part in the wheelchair softball games when the NVWG begin on June 27. Representing their military branch, they will aim for gold in the tournament.
Events will occur throughout the week, so check back here or on Facebook for scores and photos.
8 things to know about wheelchair softball
- The first wheelchair softball team, the Sioux Wheelers, was formed in Sioux Falls, S.D. in 1970.
- In 1976, the National Wheelchair Softball Association was formed.
- Several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams sponsor a wheelchair softball team. The teams wear the official MLB logos and uniforms including the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays.
- After 38 years of being called the National Wheelchair Softball Tournament, the name was changed to the Wheelchair Softball World Series in 2014.
- The game is played with a 16-inch slow pitch softball.
- A team must consist of 10 players, including one or more quadriplegic.
- In 2003, the American Divas became the first all-women team.
- The only essentials to play the game include a manual wheelchair, softball and bat.
Keep track of your events with the NVWG mobile app available for download for Android and iPhone.
