Schaumburg Flyers Accept Chicago Bandits' Challenge
July 20, 2009 - Northern League (NL)
Schaumburg Flyers News Release
Schaumburg, IL - On Monday, July 27, baseball history will be made when the Schaumburg Flyers Professional Baseball Club hosts a challenge game against the women of the Chicago Bandits, the 2008 National Pro Fastpitch League Champions. Not since the infamous 1973 Battle of the Sexes between tennis' Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King has professional sports seen a challenge at this level.
The 7:05 p.m. game will be played by NPF softball rules, which includes underhand windmill pitching which Bandits' pitchers typically throw around 60-75 mph; the equivalent of 95-100 mph in baseball.
"My friend Bill Sokolis (Bandits owner) has been bragging for years that his women could outplay our men at their game," said Flyers Managing Partner/President Rich Ehrenreich. "So, I finally asked him, âAre you saying what I think you're saying?' We looked at each other, and then we both got serious."
The Schaumburg Flyers are members of The Northern League of Professional Baseball, which in recent years has provided Major League Baseball talent like J.D. Drew (Boston Red Sox), Kevin Millar (Toronto Blue Jays), George Sherrill (Baltimore Orioles), and Brad Ziegler (Oakland A's). Current Bandits players include 2-time US Olympic medal winner Jenny Finch, US Olympian Vicky Galindo, and Canadian Olympian Caitlin Lever.
"I think this is a great opportunity to find out who is really the best in a battle of the sexes," said Bandits Owner and CEO Bill Sokolis. "I'm looking forward to leaving Alexian Field with another victory for the Bandits and for women softball players all over the world."
Tickets for the game may be purchased at www.flyersbaseball.com or at the Alexian Field box office.
For additional information log onto www.flyersbaseball.com or www.chicagobandits.com.
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