Wheelchair Softball World Series Returns To Ozinga Field

CRESTWOOD, IL — The Village of Crestwood and the Windy City ThunderBolts are honored to host the 2023 Wheelchair Softball World Series on the grounds of Ozinga Field. The tournament runs from Thursday, August 3 through Saturday, August 5 and will be held in the blacktop parking lots surrounding Ozinga Field, 14011 S. Kenton Ave., Crestwood.

USA Wheelchair Softball, the official governing body for competitive wheelchair softball, has held national championships since 1976. Today USA Wheelchair Softball governs over 40 teams in the United States in conjunction with Major League Baseball and welcomes wheelchair softball teams from around the world to its premier championship. Twenty teams from 17 states and three countries will compete for the biggest prize in wheelchair softball.

Wheelchair softball was born in the Midwest by a few players with spinal cord injuries and lower extremity impairments who still wanted to enjoy America's national pastime. Teams play the game in an easily maneuverable wheelchair on blacktop parking lots for fast and competitive action. Wheelchair softball is an exciting and challenging summer sport that enables men, women, boys and girls with a mobility impairment to competitively play an adapted version of "America's Pastime." To learn more visit the USA Wheelchair Softball Facebook page.

The games are FREE to attend and open to the public. Here’s everything you need to know:

- The 2023 Wheelchair Softball World Series begins on Thursday, August 3 and will conclude with the finals on Saturday, August 5.

- The competition will NOT take place inside the stadium it-self, but will be held on the blacktop parking lots surrounding Ozinga Field. Three diamonds will be built across Kenton Avenue in the West lot and two diamonds will be located on the Northeast side of the property.

- Food trucks will be present in the west lot for both competitors and spectators. All food and beverage sales will be in the west lot across Kenton Avenue from the stadium. No food/drink sales will be sold inside the stadium.

- Parking is available in the northwest lot located east of the Biela Center (west of the small grass divider). Parking spaces between the Biela Center and the stadium are reserved for Biela Center patrons ONLY. Please be respectful of those that are visiting the Biela Center.

- The stadium itself will still be utilized for amature baseball during the Wheelchair Softball World Series. Foul balls WILL reach the lots directly west and south of the stadium. The Village of Crestwood and the Windy City ThunderBolts are not responsible for any damages to vehicles that surround the ballpark.

- Overflow parking, if needed, will be located on the southwest corner of 141st Street and Kenton Avenue. This is a grass lot and it is located across the street, directly west, of Caesar Park.

- Meet and support the competitors in person when the ThunderBolts take on the Joliet Slammers Thursday, August 4th at Ozinga Field. The competition on Thursday will end early for the World Series celebration and the Wheelchair Softball Hall of Fame ceremonies. You can get tickets to the game HERE.

Wednesday, Aug. 2: Workout Day and Rules MeetingsThursday, Aug. 3 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.: World Series Day 1 (stadium lots)Thursday, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m.: Hall of Fame Social at Ozinga Field Stadium during the ThunderBolts vs. Lake Erie baseball gameFriday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.: World Series Day 2 (stadium lots)Saturday, Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: World Series Final Day (stadium lots)Saturday, Aug. 6 at 4 p.m.: Awards Ceremony and Social (stadium lots)

Official Tournament Headquarters of the 2023 Wheelchair Softball World SeriesOfficial website of USA Wheelchair SoftballOfficial Rules of USA Wheelchair Softball