Wheelchair Softball

Wheelchair softball began roughly three decades ago in the Midwestern United States. It was originated by a group of individuals that had spinal cord injuries as well as similar conditions that forced them to live their lives using wheelchairs for mobility.

The standard game, as played in the United States, utilizes a hardtop location such as a parking lot or other paved locale for the play field. This is due to the necessity of wheelchair mobility. Many times the game will be played indoors. Due to the need to keep one hand on a wheelchair for movement and catching purposes the softball is larger than standard. The ball utilized for play purposes is sixteen inches in sized. It will also be pitched slowly and is capable of being caught one handed without a glove once struck.

Currently in the United States alone there are over thirty official teams registered with the National Wheelchair Softball Association. Many of these teams have managed to seek out and receive sponsorship from their local Major League Baseball team as well. These sponsored teams are allowed to wear the official team jerseys and colors of their sponsoring team. This allows them a sense of pride as they compete using their MLB team's logo.

Outside of major professional sporting events this game is a common pick-up game variety in many areas where enough people can be gathered to play. These games may occur in parking lots, indoor basketball courts, or in apartment complexes, depending on the area. It is a fun and interesting sport for all ages.