It is a damp sunny day in Oklahoma City in Devon Park. The sun shines from the north -western corner of Oge Energy Field, with shade that covers part of the third basic line. It is the home base of USA Softball and the pinnacle of what College Softball stands for. Some of the greatest athletes of sport have etched their names in history with performances here. Now it’s a different set of Athletes’s turn.
Spectators and special Olympic softball teams from the United States fill the stands as the Special Olympics Oklahoma Fighting peacocks and the USA Patriots start the Special Olympics Noord -Arikika Softball Championship With an exhibition game at a high level. Cheers roars from the seats. Athletes can be heard to shout Chants of Encouragement. After an interruption of 13 years, the event is back in Oklahoma City.
“It’s an honor,” said Michael Wolfe, the first base coach of Peacocks, about playing in such an iconic location. “It is an honor that we get to these areas that not everyone is allowed to play [on]. I am happy that we are in our home. “
The game shows Slow-Pitch softball Between the Patriots, a team of military veterans who have been traumatic injury during their service, and the Vechtpauwen, a Special Olympics Unified Sports® Team consists of top athletes with and without intellectual handicap.
Through three innings, the Patriots had taken a 6-2 lead. But the fighting peacocks responded quickly with runners at first and second base, earned an RBI, followed by a few runs, which limited the shortage to one. But during the middle of the fourth inning, the patriots found their rhythm and never looked back. They had solid hits and clear communication with a clean ball movement. Every time something went on their way, the patriots built it and let the momentum rise.
“It is always difficult, especially if you have Close game at the beginning,” said Saul Monroy, a Patriots player, over a tight game and being able to pull away at the end. “Staying positive always changes the outcome. Once you make a good game, I would like to think that a single is a ray. You will always get better from there.”
For the rest of the game, the teams led an exciting battle that present the skill and athletics of both teams. Although the score was due to the fifth inning 11-6 in favor of the Patriots, the fighting peacocks continued to play a solid game in the outfield, but the Patriots benefited through the peacocks on a handful of mistakes in the field. During the next two innings, the Patriots continued to score consistently, and while the peacocks were never out of the game, they fought out of a shortage that turned out to be too much. The Patriots won the ball game 15-9.
Wolfe knows that the Patriots are an excellent team, but emphasizes that the peacocks are too. He and his teammates refuse to let one competition derail from their goals. The last time the tournament was held in Oklahoma, the Vechtpauwen finished third. It was their first time, and they had not built up expectations or fixed standards. They know what their vision is and they are ready to chase a title in their home.
“We enjoy this, our partners enjoy this, our athletes enjoy it and we coaches enjoy coaching these guys,” said Wolfe.
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