Lucas County Hosts Annual Ohio Special Olympics Softball Tournament

September 15^th brought one of the largest gatherings in the state for Ohio special Olympic athletes interested in playing softball. More than 500 athletes from around the state, representing 18 different counties competed on a cool Saturday afternoon at the Lucas County Recreation Center for the state softball tournament.

The Lucas County Recreational Center, located in Maumee a city in Lucas County, was the former home of the Toledo Mud Hens. The fields provide an excellent opportunity to go out and play a few games at once, and has various bleachers and areas for chairs of all sizes. Lucas County offers up their own team that competed yesterday, the Lucas County Bats, a team made up of men and women in the area. They ended the softball tournament with a win and a bronze medal for their efforts of finishing in third place overall.

The play involves co-ed teams that are broken into 6 different divisions based on the ability levels of the participating athletes. The Special Olympics, according to their website, states that "the mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities." These athletes, no matter what the limitations are that are placed on their physical or mental levels, go out there and give everything they have and put in their full heart and soul.

The history of the Special Olympics is traced back to the beginning of the 1960's with Eunice Shriver. She began a day camp that brought together those with mental handicaps to join and interact with each other. Soldier Field in Chicago in 1968 was the first gathering of over 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada. After the sensation caught on, Ohio's Special Olympics program began as the Ohio Athletic Association. Special Olympics Ohio was official in 1975. Every state and over 150 countries around the world feature a Special Olympics program today. Every two years, there is a world Olympics that has delegates from every state in a variety of sports.

As a member of the Lucas County area that this event was held, I am proud to say that the event appeared well attended and received by the community. The opportunity to support these inspirational and committed athletes is something that all communities around the country should embrace and enjoy when they are given the chance. Thanks to all of the hard workers and volunteers who made the experience great for the athletes!