Thank You Bill Sokolis and Aaron Moore

The Chicago Bandits have undergone major changes of late.  The full story is on Justin's World of Softball at Chicago Bandits' Ownership Changes Hands, but in short, the Village of Rosemont is taking ownership of the team.

Owner Bill Sokolis and GM Aaron Moore are no longer officially with the team.  I would like to use today to express my thanks and appreciation to both of these men.

Class organizations start at the top and for the Bandits, that was former owner Sokolis.  His contributions to the world of softball are numerous.  He has been a great supporter and promoter of the very under-appreciated sport.

Sokolis treated me well from our first encounter.  Some of the best times I had at the Ballpark in Rosemont were along the right field foul line with him.  Seeing his passion and discussing the team with him was always a pleasure.  The players loved him.  It was pure joy seeing their interactions.

Former GM Moore did a great job assembling the Bandits every season.  Champions are not built by accident.  The Bandits always brought in excellent players and quality people.  Like Sokolis, Moore treated me well from the onset.

I am sure both men will be around.  Moore has since been named Softball Coach at Maine West.

I wish both men the best of luck and I sincerely thank them for their time, consideration, professionalism and friendship.  I also thank them for back-to-back National Pro Fastpitch titles.  Covering the Bandits under their leadership has been a fantastic experience.

Aaron Moore, Bill Sokolis and me in Chicago, IL-August 2015.

Back on the Chicago Bandits Beat

The Chicago Bandits season starts Friday.  I have been looking forward to this since the last game last season.  As I finished my first year of covering the Bandits, I could not believe how attached I really became to the team.

About a year ago, Justin from Justin's World of Softball, contacted me about providing some coverage of the Bandits for his site.  I had been wanted to get on the Bandits Beat and Justin provided the opening.

After attending my first game and interviewing Manager Shane Winkler and player Brittany Cervantes, I was hooked.  I went back as often as my schedule allowed and I interviewed the entire team by the end of the season.  Those interviews can be found on the Johngy's Beat playlist On the Beat with the Chicago Bandits on YouTube.

The Bandits are owned by Bill Sokolis, a local guy who has been there from the start.  In 2009, he became sole owner.  Sokolis has a long and strong connection to team sports and young athletes.  He co-founded a girl’s fastpitch softball program called the Lemont Rockers

Sokolis can usually be spotted at the games.  He is extremely popular with the team and the fans.  He welcomed us the first time he saw us and every time after that.  You could not ask for a better owner.

I plan on attending even more games this season.  I have fully jumped on the Bandits bandwagon and I am enjoying the ride.  I hope you will join me and follow my coverage.  For more info and for schedules, check out ChicagoBandits.com.

Bill Sokolis and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2014.