Nick Pryor doesn’t feel any pressure on the shoulders of the Ability360 Wheelchair Diamondbacks.
They’re a confident group, especially after the showing they had in Chicago at the end of July against some of the top wheelchair softball teams in the country. They went into the national tournament without expectations. They simply wanted to perform well and tune-up for the International Wheelchair Softball World Series taking place Aug. 15-18 in Omaha, Neb.
More than a tune-up, their tournament showing was a hit. And even though they may have opened the eyes of other programs across the country, Pryor still believes there is no pressure on his team as they now shift gears to the biggest tournament of the year.
“I think it gave us a ton of confidence,” said Pryor, the head coach and player for the Wheelchair Diamondbacks who also serves as an athletics program manager at Ability360.
“We were the lowest ranked team for the World Series in that tournament. We knew it was going to be tough but we’ve been practicing and going since November. For me, as a coach, seeing them progress and getting better at the game not just physically but mentally, that was the turning point we needed as a program to be one of the top teams.”
In Chicago, the Wheelchair Diamondbacks faced the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the country.
The tournament was a first for the Ability360 program, which has grown in both the number of players on the roster and competitiveness over the last four years. Getting there was always the team’s goal, they worked tirelessly for the chance to accomplish it.
“It helps people see what they have to do,” said Mike Smith, a pitcher for the Wheelchair Diamondbacks and member of the Ability360 Board. “You don’t know until you play and now you see what No. 1 and No. 2 looks like. Now you know you’ll have to practice as hard as No. 1 and No. 2.
“It motivated us to understand, we have a little ways to go. Now we have to put a little extra time in it and get a little more real with it.”
In his second year with the Wheelchair Diamondbacks, Smith has been passionate about sports for well over 40 years. His talent took him overseas to Japan for Team USA Baseball. At 35, after he became an amputee, Smith opened the eyes of MLB scouts for his talent on the mound.
Though he declined the opportunity due to his age, it motivated him to continue on his sports journey. He went on tour playing tennis. He’s also played pickleball, golf, football, and many other sports at Ability360.
But baseball was his first love. That’s why he joined the Wheelchair Diamondbacks last year. Smith made an immediate impact, as the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter for the team.
“It’s funny because the coach fussed at me because I walked a guy,” Smith said. “We didn’t know why until after the game. If I hadn’t walked that guy I would’ve had a perfect game. It was after the first out in the last inning. Of all times to do it.”
Like Pryor, Smith believes the tune-up tournament in Chicago was key for the Wheelchair Diamondbacks. The chemistry the players share both on and off the field helped them grow closer as a team.
This was something they once didn't know was possible. Above all else, their time together in Chicago showed them they can compete against anyone.
“There’s no pressure for us in that kind of a tournament,” Pryor added. “We just got everything to prove. I think that’s what we did. Talking to other teams, it’s huge. Because they see [our improvement], too. They’re not going to be at the top forever. We’re coming for them.”
The Wheelchair Diamondbacks were honored by the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 30 as part of a special World Series sendoff.
Tara Trzinski, senior director of foundation operations and grants for the Arizona Diamondbacks, said the partnership between the two organizations has only grown stronger in recent years.
The support from Arizona’s big league team helps fuel the Ability360 program. Having “Diamondbacks” across the chest of each jersey brings a new sense of pride.
They aren’t just representing Ability360. They’re representing all of Arizona.
“Ability360 does incredible work to empower individuals with all types of disabilities and we are honored the elite athletes of the wheelchair softball program wear Diamondbacks jerseys,” Trzinski said. “We enjoyed celebrating the team with our fans as they head out to compete and look forward to welcoming them home and celebrating their successes.”
Being introduced in front of the Chase Field crowd was hardly something new for Pryor and Smith. But for those on the team who are new, it was a surreal experience. They were shown on the jumbotron, greeted with cheers, and were in close proximity to the Washington Nationals – the Diamondbacks opponent that night – during warm ups.
They then watched from a suite as the Diamondbacks put up a season-high 17 runs against the Nationals.
The Wheelchair Diamondbacks hope to do the same to teams in Omaha.
“We’re the 11-seed,” Pryor said. “Nobody is expecting us to do what we’re going to do. I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people when we get there in Omaha.”
The 2024 International Wheelchair Softball World Series will begin on Thursday, Aug. 15 in Omaha. Keep track of how the Wheelchair Diamondbacks perform by following @Ability360 on Instagram.
For more information about Ability360’s adaptive sports programs, visit ability360.org/sports.
