Elgin, Ill. – An interesting twist of politics between the
United States and the Venezuelan governments is on the verge
of derailing the Venezuelan National Team from playing the
Chicago Bandits in Elgin this week.

The July 15 – 19 series has been a staple of the Bandits
schedule since their inception in 2005, with an international
series occurring every season in late June or early July.
Since April, representatives from the Venezuelan National Team
have tried countless times to meet with members of the U.S.
Embassy to get the visas required for entry into the United
States for the July series.

“We’re very disappointed that this kink has been tossed in our
schedule, especially so late in the process,” said Bandits’
President Bill Sokolis. “We’ve been playing [Venezuela] the
past five years without a single problem and it’s pretty
ridiculous that a women’s softball team is being blocked from
coming and playing.”

The Chicago Bandits, not wanting to lose the opportunity to
play international competition, tried to assist the
Venezuelans by sending formal letters and phone calls in
support of the national team.

After hearing the news of the possible kink in the schedule,
Bandits coaches and front office members spent the weekend
searching for women’s major’s teams to fill in the possible
gaps. The Venezuelan series counts as an exhibition series in
terms of National Pro Fastpitch standings, but has been an
exciting series each season.

Promotions for the upcoming series are still scheduled to go
on, regardless of the opponent. Wednesday, July 15 will be the
Christmas in July Toy Drive and Dog Days. Thursday will be a
canned food drive with all donations going to the Centro de
Informacion in Elgin, Ill. Along with fireworks on Friday, the
Bandits will be having Taylor Hooten Foundation Night.
Saturday night will be the All American Girls Night, featuring
members of the original All American Girls Pro Baseball
League. The Bandits will be turning back the clock, and
transforming Judson University into a World War II era
baseball field for the night.

Sunday will feature Olympic Day where the Bandits will host
members of the Chicago 2016 Olympic committee, an Olympic
wrestler from Mexico and a U.S. Sitting Volleyball
Paralympian.

“Right now we’re calling around and trying to line up some
majors teams, just in case,” added Sokolis. “Unfortunately it
may come down to that. If we do play majors teams, each day
will be double headers starting at 5 p.m. everyone with
tickets to the regularly scheduled game will then get two-for-
one. We’re also considering allowing the July tickets to be