Junior Rolling Twins Seek Redemption In Wheelchair World Series

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (WCCO) -- The weather should be perfect for the Junior Wheelchair World Series this weekend.

It began Friday at Todd Anderson Field in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

There are four teams playing from Baltimore, Chicago, Nebraska and the Junior Rolling Twins from Minnesota.

"It's a really competitive tournament and we look forward to these games each and every year," said tournament coordinator Cara Gulbronson.

But nobody has been looking forward to this more than the Junior Rolling Twins of Minnesota. They've finished as World Series runner-ups the past two years, losing to Chicago in 2015.

"Last year we took second and I want to change that. I want to beat the team that we lost against," said first baseman Emilee Gustafson.

"I think our defense will be a big part of it. Just shutting down the offense. And then getting our bats rolling," said pitcher Holden Kowalke.

The games go six innings or an hour and 15 minutes, whichever ends first. Otherwise it's the same rules as softball. But it's played on the only wheelchair softball field in the state -- and one of only a handful in the country. It cost $500,000 to build with help from the Minnesota Twins and a Pepsi Refresh grant. Before the field was built, the teams played in parking lots.

"This is his last year playing with the Courage Center. It's been really the most amazing thing in his life," said Holden's dad Steve Kowalke.

Steve Kowalke is hoping the team can bring a World Series title home. But what he's enjoyed most of all is watching his son grow. Wheelchair softball has allowed Holden to make strides as both a player and as a person.

"There was a certain point where his cerebral palsy kept him back and he wasn't able to keep up with some of the other kids. And now, when he's in a wheelchair, he can excel," said Steve Kowalke.

The World Series championship will be played Saturday in Brooklyn Park.

Holden and many of the other softball players also play on the Timberwolves rolling wheelchair basketball team in the winter.

They won the national title last year.