RIC Wheelchair Cubs
Cubs Care funds an adult wheelchair softball team through the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). The RIC Cubs have been in existence since 1993. During the last 10 years, they grew in numbers and talent. The RIC Cubs were National Champions in 2002!
The RIC Cubs requested the assistance of the Chicago Cubs and Cubs Care last year to help build the first wheelchair baseball park in Illinois. We said yes, and the Cubs Care Wheelchair Park will open this summer. This park will be available to all athletes with disabilities and was funded in partnership with the Chicago Park District. In kind support was received from RIC and The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.
RIC Testimonials:
"The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is very excited to partner with Cubs Care and the Chicago Park District on the new wheelchair softball facility at California Park. The financial contributions from both organizations are tremendous. An accessible wheelchair softball facility that can be used by the RIC Cubs wheelchair softball team and the Buddy Baseball program has been a dream for a number of years.
"This facility will greatly increase the opportunity for individuals with physical disabilities to enjoy the great sport of wheelchair softball. We feel very fortunate to have been affiliated with Cubs Care since 1993. During this time the number of individuals who have been able to participate in wheelchair softball has increased dramatically.
"The play of the team has improved significantly as well. In 2002, the RIC Wheelchair Cubs won their first National Championship and the Wheelchair World Series. This success is a direct result of the contributions from Cubs Care. I think the future will only get brighter now that we have the opportunity to practice and play in the new wheelchair softball facility at California Park."
- Tom Richey, RIC Sports Coordinator
"I am so excited about the opportunity to play on our own wheelchair softball diamond. I have been a member of the RIC Wheelchair Cubs for 8 years. During this time we have had to change the location for practice and games 6 times. Each of these places were either a parking lot or a school playground, which we adapted the best that we could.
"During construction, I stopped by the site several times and I am so excited about the quality of the diamond. The asphalt surface has been painted green and the base paths are tan, just like a real diamond. The fences for the outfield and dugout are great. It will be our "Wheelchair Wrigley" and myself and my teammates can not wait for the opportunity to practice and play on it this summer.
"We are so grateful for all the support that Cubs Care has given our wheelchair softball team over the years. It is great to know that a professional sports organization like the Chicago Cubs believes enough in our athletic ability to make the tremendous financial contributions over the years to the RIC Wheelchair Cubs and now to our Field of Dreams wheelchair softball facility."
- Jorge Alfaro, RIC Wheelchair Cubs 2nd Base
Click Headlines for website or go to: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/community/com_wheelchair.jsp
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