BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – What others would consider hardships are a part of everyday life for these baseball players.
The Louisville Slugger Warriors is a national amputee baseball team comprised of U.S. military veterans, active-duty personnel, wounded warriors as well as current and former college baseball amputees.
“These guys truly are warriors for life. They have been thrown a lot of curveballs in their life with their injuries and disabilities, but they have persevered,” said Rick Redman, Public Relations executive of Louisville Slugger and Wilson Baseball, “They’ve shown resolve, dedication and they have battled through and so they are an inspiration.”
Each Warriors player has a unique story and overcame different hardships. However, they all have the same mission; to prove that disability does not determine one’s ability.
The Hilltoppers say, today was more than just winning games but to learn valuable lessons that came with the day.
“What they think is a bad day or a bad moment is all in the definition of who’s saying it and what it really means,” stated Western Kentucky University Baseball Head Coach Marc Rardin.
Rardin says the day was also about bringing the community out.
“Getting community involved and just making aware what’s out there more than just in our own little world of wins and losses and rolling out of bed to go to class or things of that nature,” said Rardin.
He says for their first time playing against the Warriors it was a good turnout.
However, today meant more than just baseball for both sides of the ball.
“What matters to them [the Warriors] is that they’re being able to come out here, enjoy life on a beautiful day, play baseball, and be an inspiration to the people here who’ve come to watch the game, as well as the WKU Hilltoppers,” says Redman.
In attendance were also representatives from the Louisville Slugger Museum who brought game-used and replica bats for guests to hold and take pictures with.
The Warriors are also the story behind a new documentary, Curveballs: Secrets to the Game of Life. The movie premiered at the Fort Myers Film Festival back in the spring.
“We believe that somewhere in the not-too-distant future, you’ll probably be able to see it on your TV on one of the streaming services, so folks can keep an eye out for that,” said Redman.
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