“Curveballs”
From the Battlefield to the Ball field
Another highlight of the evening was the focus on amputee veterans and athletes, showcased through the documentary project “Curveballs” by Dreamtime Entertainment Digital. Emmy Award winning Director/Producer John Biffar and Executive Producer David Van Sleet are creating a powerful film about amputee baseball players and their journeys of loss, recovery, and renewed purpose.
The Louisville Slugger Warriors National Amputee Team was in attendance, putting a human face on the stories behind the film. These athletes demonstrate that rehabilitation is not only about physical recovery; it is also about restoring identity, camaraderie, and joy. The ball field becomes a new kind of battlefield one where resilience, teamwork, and determination take center stage.
One of the evening’s panelists and featured athletes was SFC (Ret.) Carlo J. Adame of Rolla, Missouri, who wears a right below-knee prosthesis. He sustained multiple injuries during his military service, including an attack during a military operation and a later accident.
- His right leg was amputated on 11–11–11, and he received surgery and rehabilitation at the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio, Texas.
- Drawn to baseball through the legacy of his late father, Eddie Jr., Carlo played at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego (ranked the number one high school baseball team in the country his senior year) and later at San Diego City College.
- He served 21 years in the U.S. Army and has been with the Louisville Slugger Warriors since 2012.
His story reflects the heart of the event’s theme: even after unimaginable loss, purpose and passion can be rediscovered, sometimes with a bat, a glove, and a team behind you.
