Special Olympics Duluth is considered to have one of the strongest softball training programs in Minnesota. Not only does Special Olympics  Duluth offer softball, but training is available in Unified softball as well. Unified Sports partners persons with disabilities alongside persons without disabilities on the same team.

Since 1996, Special Olympics Duluth has participated in Duluth's Park and Recreation summer softball leagues. In 1996, SO Duluth began with a men's team which paved the way for the 1997 participation in a co-recreational league. Nineteen-Ninety-Seven  was a banner year for this unified program. With sponsors including Incline Station, On The Limit and Cellular One, the co-recreation program participated in league play, as well as the annual Copasetic Tournament. The team took first place in their division.

Special Olympics Duluth is proud to mention that five athletes from Duluth were selected to participate on the 1995 Minnesota Softball Team at the World Games.

Contact Coach Bert Wachlin for more information.

FACT SHEET

Softball is one of Special Olympics exciting team sports. Athletes play slow pitch softball, which involves two teams of 10 athletes each competing against each other. Athletes of lower ability can compete in tee-ball or individual skills competitions with events that emphasize the basics of the game, such as base running. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to their ability level, age and gender.

At the 1995 World Games, 404 athletes from six countries competed in this event. An exciting addition to these World Games was Unified SportsŪ softball competition, which included nine teams. Unified SportsŪ pairs athletes with and without mental disabilities on one team. This allows family members to participate along side siblings or children with mental disabilities.

The American Softball Association has welcomed Special Olympics softball athletes and coaches. Both ASA and Special Olympics share the goal to expand softball worldwide. The ASA includes Special Olympics coaches in their clinics, as well as conducting Special Olympics sessions as a part of their coaches education. Special Olympics softball was demonstrated at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

The official Special Olympics Sports Rules govern all Special Olympics softball competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon Federation International de Softball (FIS) rules for Softball. FIS rules are employed except when they are in conflict with the Special Olympics Sports Rules. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules apply.

Special Olympics is the first organization other than a national Olympic Committee to be officially recognized and endorsed by the International Olympic Committee.

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