Rays Wheelchair Softball

The very first adult wheelchair softball team in Florida, the Rays Wheelchair Softball Team, is a product of a sponsorship outline from the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball Club’s Community Outreach Department called the Rays Baseball Foundation.

The agreement allows the team to use the Rays name and logo for it’s affiliated  Rays Wheelchair Softball team, as well as provide funding resources for the program. In return, the Rays Wheelchair Softball team provides opportunities for adult wheelchair users to participate in America’s greatest pastime on an equal yet competitive playing field.

Rays’ Team History - (most current first)

In August of 2007, the Devil Rays placed 1st in Division II and 7th in the NATION at the National Wheelchair Softball Tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota! This was their best finish ever!

We also had several of our players selected to the ALL Tournament Team (voted on by all of the participating teams)

Dennis Mason - Pitcher

(pitched every inning of 9 games but one!)

Doyle Mann - 2nd Base

(hit the "walk off" single to win championship!)

Shelton Mobley - Leftfielder

Paul Schulte - Left Centerftfielder and

MVP of Division II (Rookie!)

Jeremy Day - Right Centerfielder (Rookie!)

Dave Christiani - Catcher (2nd year in a row!)

In August of 2006, the Devil Rays placed 2nd in Division II and 9th in the NATION at the National Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Chicago, Illinois! This was their best finish ever! Player highlights include: Ron Richardson batting an impressive .724. Dennis Mason pitched all 8 COMPLETE games! Shelton Mobley scored 9 runs and drove in an additional 16! Dave Christiani was voted onto the All Tournament Team as the Best Quad in Division II.

In July of 2006, the Devil Rays placed 2nd at the Mid Atlantic Wheelchair Softball Championship in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Orioles, Brookhaven Ducks and the Columbus Pioneers also participated.

In May of 2006, the Devil Rays placed 2nd and hosted the second annual "Spring Training in Florida” tournament.  It was played at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church  on Memorial Ave. in Tampa, Florida. The Nebraska Barons (ranked #2 in the country) and the Chicago White Sox participated.

In September of 2005, the Devil Rays placed 4th in a tournament at Shea Stadium in New York, in which only Major League affiliated teams were invited. First baseman Ron Richardson led the team in hitting with a .615 batting average and 6 RBIs. Close behind were pitcher Dennis Mason with 7 RBIs and outfielder Shelton Mobley with 4 RBIs each batting .600!

In August of 2005, the Devil Rays second year, they placed 12^th overall and 5^th place in Division II at the National Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. Pitcher Dennis Mason and first baseman Ron Richardson hit the team’s first-ever homeruns!  Mason batted .545 with 5 RBI & 5 runs scored while outfielder Jose Rodriguez posted the team’s highest batting average at .647 while driving in two and scoring three runs in the tournament.  Outfielder Shelton Mobley batted an impressive .588 with 4 RBI and a run scored. Team Captain and shortstop Doyle Mann was selected to the All-Tournament Team in Division II.

In May of 2005, the Devil Rays hosted the first Florida Wheelchair Softball Tournament. It was called “Spring Training in Florida.”  It was played at Hit Masters on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, Florida. The Columbus Pioneers and the Chicago Cubs (ranked #1 in the country) participated.

In August of 2004, the Devil Rays first year, they shocked the wheelchair softball community by taking 10^th place overall and 3^rd place in Division II at the National Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska. This team was comprised mostly of novice first-time players! Tracy Wilkerson was voted to the All-Tournament Team by representatives of all other participating teams as the best “second baseman”, and this was her first year!

In March of 2004, the Devil Rays (original name) formed a team and began practice!