US Olympic Team Tickets Going Fast!!! Last Chance to See the Bound for Beijing Tour...

May 13, 2008 - The defending ASA champion Brakettes will battle the U.S. Olympic Team on July 20th at DeLuca HOF Field in Stratford, CT. Tickets are being sold by Stratford Softball Tournaments, Inc (SSTI) and the Stratford Recreation Department. Call (203) 385-4052 to reserve your tickets, as both box seats and reserved seats with backrests are SOLD OUT. First and third base bleacher seats are still on sale for $25 each ($18 for senior/ youth), and the outfield general admission seats are $15 ($10 senior/ youth).

Team USA will play their first game in Beijing just three months from today, and when the sun sets on the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics, softball will no longer be a part of the Summer Games. However, you can still see the "Dream Team" of softball one more time on their pre-Olympic "Bound for Beijing" Tour. Team USA has captured gold at all three Olympics that featured softball - 1996 (Atlanta), 2000 (Sydney), and 2004 (Athens).

The July 20th game is the ONLY Greater New York/ New England appearance for Team USA, and is followed by just three more tune-ups before they depart for China. Jennie Finch and Jessica Mendoza will team up with former Brakettes Kelly Kretschman, Cat Osterman, Lisa Fernandez, and Andrea Duran, as Team USA comes to the hometown of women's fastpitch one last time. Former Brakette Karen Johns (Sanchelli) is an assistant coach for Team USA, with Mike Candrea once again serving as head coach. Other members of Team USA include Monica Abbott, Crystl Bustos, Natasha Watley and Laura Berg.

The nine-inning game will start at 7:00 pm, with gates opening at 5:00. Come early and watch the sluggers launch shots in batting practice, and stick around after the game for an autograph session with the Olympic stars and Brakettes.

The Brakettes will be competing for an unprecedented 29th ASA National Championship this season, and the July 20th match-up with the U.S. Olympic Team will be the highlight of the summer at DeLuca HOF Field. The Brakettes will have at least one participant from the 2004 Athens Games, as Italian Olympian Leslie Malerich will return for a fourth season in red and white. Former NPF star Denise Denis will again play with the Brakettes, as will many other current and former Division I college stars.

Come out to Stratford on July 20th to see the "Dream Team" of softball take on the most successful franchise in the history of the sport. Act now to reserve your seats, as a sellout is likely.

For more information, call SSTI at (203) 385-4052 or visit www.townofstratford.com/softball for a printable ticket order form.