Special athletes went to A&M University’s Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station the first weekend of October. Our local Bowie’s Best athletes participated in the annual Special Olympic of Texas Softball Tournament held at College Station October 3-5. Bowie’s Best had two teams competing with twenty-four athletes.
SOTX softball has three divisions, depending on skill level. Coach-pitch is the lowest level with the teams’ coach pitching the ball to the athletes. Each athlete gets five tries to hit the ball and the team is allowed six hits (unless they get three outs first) before switching with the opposing team. The Traditional division is played using the same rules as regular softball. In the highest division, Unified, teams are half special athletes and half non-special athletes. Unified allows the special athletes to go to second base after hitting the ball, giving them a chance to run to home plate before getting out.
Bowie’s Best Athletes standing outside the church before opening ceremonies Friday evening
Bowie’s Best Team One plays Traditional softball and Team Two plays Coach pitch. Team One qualified for the Cubs group, one of the higher groups for the traditional division.
Just like regular Olympics, SOTX had an opening ceremony with the parade of the athletes held at Central Church in College Station.
Taking a quick group picture before the line-up of the athletes.
The athletes played two games on Friday and two games on Saturday. Team One won two games and lost two games earning a silver medal. Team Two won one game and lost three games earning a bronze medal. Both teams played exceptionally hard this weekend. The coaches and parents are proud of them all.
I had the privilege to attend this annual event as my son is one of the athletes. SOTX is a wonderful organization providing children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports.
Team One Athletes winning silver medals. Athletes from left to right: Deaundre, Justin, Colton, Aaron, Patrick, Jeffrey, Steven T., Jordan, Cory, Omarion, and Casey.
Team Two Athletes winning the bronze medal. Athletes front row from left to right: Polly, Rebekah, Kristen, Steven P., Diane, Teri, Kayla, Kyle, Chris, J.T. Back row: Adyen, Tiffanie, and Brittany.
Photos provided by Donna Montgomery