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ELGIN - Saturday is shaping up to be a day for softball lovers to remember. Kicking off the action at 10 a.m. is a Bandits of Tomorrow game featuring two 14U teams - the St. Charles Comets 14U Elite and the Warren Wave 14U Silver.
The Comets and Wave are part of a new promotion this season for the Bandits, called Bandits of Tomorrow, which allows youth teams to play a game under the lights and glamour of the professional field.
Immediately following the Bandits of Tomorrow, the authentic Chicago Bandits will take the field in preparation for a 2 pm match-up against the Tennessee Diamonds. Bandits rookie Nikki Nemtiz is expected to take the circle for the Bandits in game one of Saturday’s double-header.
The day doesn’t end until the fireworks pop, so between Bandits games on Saturday, two men’s teams will square off for the enjoyment of Bandits fans.
The men’s game will feature the Aurora Dolan and Murphy Shamrocks (21-6) who are currently ranked 12 in the world according to International Softball Congress (ISC) rankings. Established in 1981 the Shamrocks will compete in the ISC World Tournament in August.
The Shamrocks have displayed outstanding pitching performances from their entire staff this summer. Ales Jetmar from the Czech Republic leads Aurora’s pitching staff with a 14-3 record (2.12 era, 109 strikeouts). Ales, a member of the Czech National Team, has years of experience and is entering the prime of his career.
The Bar of Appleton will square off against the Shamrocks. Bandits fans may remember the Bar of Appleton’s starting pitcher, Alex Blackshaw, as he is the same man that sliced and diced his way through the Bandits lineup in the Battle of the Sexes game in 2009, between the Bandits and Schaumburg Flyers.
The Bar of Appleton is currently 18-2 and ranked #10 in the world according to the International Softball Congress (ISC) rankings. The team boasts players from Argentina, Australia, Canada and the U.S.A.
The squad has been led by 2009 ISC Rookie of the Year Andrew Blackshaw from Australia, who at 19 years of age is making his mark as one of the top young throwers in the men's game today. So far in the 2010 campaign, Blackshaw has only allowed one run in six starts with a perfect 6-0 record. Blackshaw was also named Most Outstanding Pitcher of the 2009 North Amercing Fastpitch Associations World Series.
To round out the day of softball, the Bandits and Diamonds will square off in game two of the double header with first pitch taking place at 7:05 p.m. A starting pitcher has not been named for the second game on the day, however Kristina Thorson or Jessica Sallinger are both available.
Following the final out of the seventh inning fans can stick around to watch fireworks - the only fireworks in Elgin - presented by Judson University, home of the Chicago Bandits. Fans will be entertained by a beautiful fireworks display from Johnny Rockets to a musical soundtrack.
To order tickets for the fun filled day of softball, call the Bandits at 877-7BANDIT. Tickets start at just $8.75 for outfield seating at the ballpark. For more information about the Chicago Bandits, visit www.chicagobandits.com.
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