Charlie Wittwer Wheelchair Athletics Foundation
Charlie Wittwer Wheelchair Athletics Foundation falls under the Amateur Sports category: Organizations that provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn, become competitive in and enjoy the organized recreational activity, sport or game of their choice. These programs may be offered by local clubs devoted to a particular activity or sport; may provide individual or team coaching assistance or instruction, access to equipment and facilities, and uniforms, if necessary; and may sponsor or make arrangements for athletes to participate in amateur competitions, usually at the local or regional level, and provide officials for games. These events are generally for the enjoyment of the athletes and are not at a high enough competitive level to be considered spectator sports.
Charlie Wittwer served as a U.S. Marine machine gunner during the Vietnam War, earning a Purple Heart among other military honors. He fought during the Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968, suffering shrapnel wounds from a mortar round. In 1979, 10 years after he returned from the war, Wittwer lost the use of his legs after an accident with a semitrailer, leaving him a paraplegic. Seventeen years after that, one of his legs was amputated after an infection.
Wittwer started the Minnesota Flame Throwers wheelchair softball team after playing for the Minnesota Rolling Twins. A pitcher and the coach, he took the Flame Throwers to national competitions.
Programs
Flamethrowers Wheelchair Softball
2022 World Series Team
Flamethrowers
Disabled Adults playing wheelchair softball
Volunteering + Events
