Sun City resident Alex Schank is behind the plate from May to August officiating for 16-inch and 12-inch slow pitch softball games. Schank travels to Chicago Suburbs and all over the United State to ump for various leagues. One of the leagues that Schank has umpired for a number of years is The National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA).
“I have been involved with the Wheelchair Softball League since 2001. I have been umpired every year since 2001 except for covid,” he said.
Alex Schank holds his trophy given to him for His Umpiring in the National Wheelchair Softball Association. (Photo by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
Are the rules the same for wheelchair softball?
Schank said, “We follow the rules and regulations for 16-inch softball generally established by USA Softball with some modifications. The playing field is a smooth surface like blacktop and the playing field is smaller.”
How did the league start?
Schank said, “Wheelchair softball started in the midwest by a few individuals with spinal cord injuries who still wanted to enjoy the sport. The game had to be played on hard surfaces, such as a parking lot, instead of the normal grassy infield. We use a 16-inch softball.”
The 16-inch softball has deep roots in Chicago. The game originated on Thanksgiving Day 1887 at the Farragut Boat Club. The first game was played between a group of Harvard and Yale alumni. The size of the ball eliminates the need for a glove. Wheelchair players can keep one hand on the wheelchair while catching a softball without a glove.
Schank said, “We have over 40 teams in the United States. Some of the teams have a partnership and sponsorship with their Major League Baseball teams: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, and San Francisco Giants.”
The league involves some traveling.
“I have traveled to other states. There are teams in Illinois, California, Nebraska, Iowa, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, New York, and more states. There are also international teams that compete in the World Series. Teams in South America, Africa, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Europe. Team USA Wheelchair Softball has traveled to Japan to compete,” Schank said.
There are sponsors involved as well.
Schank said, “A number of the players are Veterans who have returned from their tour of duty, partially or totally disabled, some with a loss of limb. The Paralyzed Veterans of America {PVA), has contributed to the league and sponsored the 2022 Wheelchair Softball World Series.”
Where was the event this year?
“This year, The Wheelchair Softball World Series was at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, Illinois. The top teams in the World played to see who is the best and this year Japan won the Series.”
Schank was a winner this year also. His years of dedication to the game and his ability to umpire games fairly and impartially have earned him an induction into the Wheelchair Softball Hall of Fame. On August 6, family and friends gathered in Crestview, Illinois to see Schank inducted into The National Wheelchair Softball Association Hall of Fame.
