The connection started in 1990 when the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Rollers wheelchair softball team worked with the Chicago Cubs and their Cubs Care foundation to create a mutually-beneficial partnership. The sponsorship deal allowed RIC to use the Cubs name in affiliation provided that the team would promote the sport in the greater Chicago area. The plan worked. Soon after, the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies and Houston Astros sponsored wheelchair softball teams in their areas.

In 1998, members of the Colorado Rockies wheelchair softball team traveled to New York to conduct a clinic. It was the first time that organized wheelchair softball took place north of Baltimore. The clinic was a success and soon after, the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox joined in.  It was only a matter of time before other teams would develop an interest to affiliate themselves with their local MLB team.