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Adaptive Sports
Adaptive sports refers to the process of modifying existing rules to suit disabled players’ needs.
For softball, referees have to allow the game to be played on asphalt, and the bases are shorter—50 feet, rather than 90. Adaptive sports games at the tournament level use the same referees as able-bodied sports.
Other sports played by paralyzed, partially paralyzed, or amputated persons include basketball, sled hockey, tennis, and rowing.
Many of the 300 players participating in the tournament are either paralympians or war veterans.
The New York Mets pitch to former national champions the Nebraska Barrons. The Barrons won 21-6. (Henry Lam/The Epoch Times)
Mets softball player Eddie Lopez was on a United States Aircraft carrier in the 1980s, working on flight operations in Africa when he had his accident, resulting in the loss of his leg at age 19.
It took him seven years to discover wheelchair sports. He said a lot of rehab centers have programs to attract accident victim to sports, and with the help of the Wheelchair Sports Federation, they visit schools and educate children about sports.
“In today’s world, a lot of these kids, especially these kids coming home from the service, I believe the best medicine for these kids, and for anybody that is newly injured, or anybody that has been disabled for a long time is recreation,” said Leatherman.
On Thursday, the New York Yankees suffered a 28-1 loss to the Columbus Pioneers. The New York Mets, after an initial win, lost 21-6 against the three-year national titleholders, the Nebraska Barons.
Many onlookers consoled themselves by saying they were still impressed with the Mets’s ability to hold their own.
“We are stressing our game against theirs and we are making them think about it and showing that the Mets still represent,” said Lopez.
The teams still have at least two games each left to play.
