After learning more about the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, I was truly astounded by the drive and dedication put forth by these wounded veterans. They all lost at least one limb while serving overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan, yet they refused to stop living the life they used to.
Being that this team was only put together within the past year, and it is the world's first amputee softball team, they play only able-bodied opponents; that doesn't worry them though. If anything, the fact that they may be considered underdogs (although it's clearly not the case) encourages them to work even harder. This video gives a better idea of the team's background:
Their story- and hard work- was highlighted recently on the HBO program, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. The show originally aired on July 19th at 10 pm, but will be repeat over a dozen times on HBO and HBO2 between now and August 5th. Here is an excerpt from the show's description:
"Often the hardest part of an athlete’s career is battling back from injury, but nothing can compare to challenges faced by members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. All of these men have endured near-fatal injuries and excruciating rehabilitation to return to the ball field from the battlefield. The current team is made up of 15 Army and Marine vets who suffered leg, foot or arm amputations while heroically serving their country. Despite their individual handicaps, they face able-bodied teams and have a .500 record. In this feel good comeback story, REAL SPORTS correspondent Frank Deford goes on location with the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team to show that they are the same focused, physically capable men they have always been."
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