USA Patriots return to Lakeland for 2019 Spring Training

NORFOLK, Va. — For the third year in a row, the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) will return to Lakeland, Fla. for their annual Spring Training. However this year there will be some exciting changes as the team rebrands to the USA Patriots, America’s Amputee Softball Team. The team is very proud of their history and most folks know them as “the WWAST”, however a change was needed to clarify their identity as a team. “As we grew, it became obvious that it was time for a rebrand and the name USA Patriots seemed to be perfect, describing who we are as we do so much more than play softball. We want to be an inspiration,” said retired Marine and Chairman of the Board, Josh Wege.

The USA Patriots, America’s Amputee Softball Team will continue their mission of Serving Beyond the Uniform® showing the world that Life Without Limbs is Limitless® but with a little clearer messaging and branding. A new logo will go into effect during Spring Training and a new website will be unveiled in Spring 2019. Spring Training kicks off at Tiger Town (the home of the Detroit Tigers Spring Training and Lakeland Flying Tigers Minor League Baseball Team) on January 22 and lasts through January 26. Games will be held Friday, January 25 in Plant City at the Plant City Stadium (1810 S Park Rd, Plant City, Fla. 33563) against the International Senior Softball Team as well as a game in Lakeland on Saturday, January 26, at a location yet to be determined.
“We are very excited to be back in Lakeland, Florida for spring training with the launch of our new logo and name. We are grateful for the perfect weather, and the support from the community is always so welcoming. I am proud to coach these men and women who have worked so hard to heal and continue to serve, they are an amazing team who inspires me every day” said Chief Master Sgt. Randall Raper, 56th Fighter Wing Command Chief, and USA Patriots Head Coach.

For media inquiries please email Stacey Hepp, stacey@heppcreativesolutions.com. To follow along with their journey please visit thewwast.org or Facebook/Instagram: @usawwast or to find out how you can support the USA Patriots, America’s Amputee Softball Team, please contact Desiree Ellison at desiree@thewwast.org.

About the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to inspire and educate others while enhancing the health and welfare of Wounded Warrior Amputees. The WWAST represents some of our nation’s bravest and most determined heroes, soldiers and veterans. These men and women have sustained severe injuries resulting in amputation, and through extensive rehabilitation, they have become competitive athletes again, playing against able- bodied teams in exhibition games across the country. Their armor now includes prosthetic legs and arms, along with extreme perseverance and attitude. Together they are the USA Patriots, America’s Amputee Softball Team.

About USA Softball
USA Softball is a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., and is designated as the National Governing Body (NGB) of Softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. One of the nation’s largest sports organizations, USA Softball sanctions competition through a network of Local Associations, which includes all 50 states and select metro associations, and has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 150,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than 2 million. USA Softball is dedicated to providing people of all ages the opportunity to play the game they love at a variety of levels by offering recreational, league, tournament and competitive play for fast pitch, slow pitch and modified pitch. USA Softball annually conducts thousands of tournaments throughout the country including over 100 National Championships. The USA Softball umpire program is among the nation’s largest and are widely known as the best trained umpires in the game. As the NGB for the sport of softball, USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting the six USA Softball National Teams that compete in events such as the Olympics, Pan American Games, World Championships and other international and domestic events. For more information on USA Softball, including its founding and history as the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), please visit, www.USASoftball.com.