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 July of 2008, the
Rays were honored by a visit from the crew at DeMarini (of Wilson Sports) to film a segment
of their show "The Ultimate Softball Show" and present the team with various bats for our upcoming National tournament
including the mighty bat called "The Juice". We were also treated to long ball hits from their traveling long ball promoters,
Larry and Ray! They even tried hitting and fielding from a wheelchair! See our group shot to the right. Click on the DeMarini
logo to the right to see the segment they did at our practice here in Tampa. (available in mid-August)
In June of 2008,
the Rays went to the RIC Cubs tournament in Chicago and played "the big boys". We won one awesome game against the #4 ranked
Cubs and notched our first-ever win against the #1 ranked Nebraska Barons. You can see both of these SUNDAY wins at:
http://xable.com/sports/wheelchairsoftball/chicagotournament2008/main .
In May of 2008,
the Rays hosted the 4th annual "Spring Training in Florida" Tournament on their NEW field at Rowlett Park in Tampa with the
Nebraska Barons and the Chicago Cubs. The City of Tampa provided us with the first adult wheelchair softball field in the
state of Florida! Mayor Pam Iorio threw out the first pitch after dedicating the field!
The following links to
the right (Channel 10, TBO.com) go to different articles about the team from the weekend and the xAble link allows you
to WATCH selected games and the Mayor's presentation!
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 May of 2007, the Devil
Rays hosted the first ever wheelchair softball tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports© complex in Orlando,
Florida. This was the 3rd annual "Spring Training" tournament for the Rays. The Nebraska Barons, United Spinal Yankees, RIC
Cubs, Midwest Flyers from Chicago, the Center Coast Confluence from St. Louis and the Devil Rays helped make this
inaugural event a success.
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 12th overall and 5th 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 10th place overall and 3rd 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!
