"Sports and recreation for people with disabilities is important, not only for getting much needed exercise, but also to make new friends and to get involved in activities that perhaps were thought to be undoable. Most importantly, sports and recreation sends a clear message to the able-bodied population that life does not end with a disability."

On April 23, 1996, The Bay City Lightning Coed Wheelchair Basketball Team was created through a grant sponsored by the City of Erie Parks and Recreation Dept. It is Erie's latest sports team and is a melting pot of disabilities, ages and backgrounds. In its inaugural season, Bay City posted a 7-10 record and played its home games at the Family First Sports Park. Bay City is the latest entry into the Keystone Conference, a conference comprised of seven other teams from around the tri-state area.

Community Resources for Independence is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living and Bay City's primary sponsor. CRI is also looking to help from the business community in order to help offset expenses. With enough help, other sports and recreation activities can be developed for people of all disabilities. It is CRI's dream to see sports and recreation activities for the disabled as well recognized and accepted as those for the able-bodied.