Article Contributed on: 8/2/2007 8:12:40 PM
Colorado's only wheelchair softball team - the Rollin' Rockies hosted it's first-ever game at the Jason Jennings Mile High Adaptive Field in a friendly match-up against Johnny's New York Pizza owner
John Keiley and his staff members.
Keiley's team left their cleats at home and played sitting down in wheelchairs - just as the Rollin' Rockies do. The game is part of the Rollin' Rockies Colorado Challenge League, which pits able-bodied or "stand-up" softball teams to play against the Rollin' Rockies on what the Rollin' Rockies consider "an equal yet competive playing field" (in wheelchairs). This was the second of seven games scheduled this season.
While the game was not close or even close to being fair for the opposing team -- most of whom never even sat in a wheelchair before -- the game did prove to be filled with excitement, lots of laughter and a great time for all on a sunny Sunday.
Johnny's New York Pizza did score one run in the last inning to shake off a potential lopsided victory for the Rollin' Rockies. Johnny's New York Pizza also provided breakfast as well as delivered free pizzas and pop to all in attendance - including all the spectators, after the game. Keiley and his crew continue to be one of the Rollin' Rockies most committed sponsors.
Wheelchair softball follows the same rules set forth by the Ameteur Softball Association of America (ASA) with a few exceptions geared toward the wheelchair. Since it's inception in 1976, the National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA) has acted as the national governing body of the sport in America and is comprized of 47 teams nationwide including several junior teams. For more information about wheelchair softball, visit the NWSA's website at www.wheelchairsoftball.org. For more information about your Colorado Rollin' Rockies, visit their website at www.rollinrockies.com