From the crack of the bat to the roar of the crowd, the 2025 USA Wheelchair Softball World Series is about far more than the game: it’s about determination, teamwork, and the power of sport to bring people together.
This week, hear from Jeff Downes, Tournament Director with decades of leadership in adaptive sports; Brendan Downes, USA Team Captain whose passion for the game is matched only by his leadership on and off the field; and Ryan Trench, from Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, who helps run more than 20 adaptive sports programs each year.
They share personal stories, the excitement of competing at the highest level, and why hosting this world-class tournament at Mall of America is such a milestone. Plus, how you can be part of the celebration, whether cheering from the stands or stepping in as a volunteer.
2:00 How Jeff became in adaptive sports, and how that led to world travel adventures
5:00 A father’s tale – when Jeff realized the good that came from struggle
7:00 Brendan’s story – it started with neighbor friends and a kids love of sports
12:30 Courage Kenny’s support of the World Series tournament – featuring 300 athletes
17:45 Minnesota Twins Community Fund and sponsored clinic for kids
23:00 How to meet Brendan and the other wheelchair athletes at the event
Guests: Jeff Downes, Tournament Director and Organizer for 2025 USA Wheelchair Softball World Series; Brendan Downes, USA Team Captain and past president of National Wheelchair Softball Association; Ryan Trench, Supervisor of Adaptive Sports and Recreation Department at Courage Kenny
More information on USA Wheelchair Softball: www.wheelchairsoftball.org
More information on Courage Kenny: https://account.allinahealth.org/services/184
On social media check: Minnesota Rolling Twins
Hosts: Daniel Jasper
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com