Wild Bunch heads to Canada

Special Olympics softball team to compete in

Canada Cup

By CHANCE PRIGGE

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- About six years ago Bob Childrey was working at MBW, a New Ulm company that operates group homes, when three residents told him they wanted to play softball.

Childrey tracked down others who were interested in the sport and looked to form a team for New Ulm's Special Olympics.

He did, and now he and the team, the Wild Bunch, are heading to Vancouver, British Columbia, today to participate in the Canada Cup, a Special Olympics softball tournament.

Childrey, who's been the team's head coach and program manager for the past six years, said the team is on a winning high after taking first place at Minnesota's Special Olympics state softball tournament during the weekend in Fridley, Minn.

"This team has been working so hard," Childrey said. "We have a good chance to place up there."

The team was one of four U.S. teams to make it into Canada's tournament.

There was an open registration in March. Four teams for the United States and five teams for Canada were picked from a lottery. The other U.S. teams are Team Oregon, the Lansing Capitals out of Michigan and the North Whatcom Attitudes out of Lynden, Wash.

The cost of the trip was $235 for each player. Expenses that the team couldn't afford were financed by fund-raisers. New Ulm's baseball and softball associations, AAL insurance, and Happy Joe's were the major contributors, while "a lot" of other local businesses helped as well, Childrey said.

Opening ceremonies are Wednesday. The round robin tournament begins Thursday. The championship game is Sunday.

The Wild Bunch started with 12 players in its first year and has grown each consecutive year.

"This year we have two teams," Childrey said. "There will probably be a third team next year."

A ceremony was held Monday at the Brown County Law Enforcement Center to honor the team. Mayor Arnold Koelpin congratulated the Wild Bunch on an "awesome opportunity" and declared July 15 as Wild Bunch Special Olympics Softball Team Day.

"We wish you all the very best at this competition," Koelpin said.

New Ulm participates in several sports for the Special Olympics, including track, basketball, bowling and volleyball.

"It's most of the same athletes that do all the sports," Childrey said.

Childrey said it's been "a blast" to coach the team.

"As hard as those guys play," Childrey said, "we'll be fine."