SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Venezuela is having as much fun on the field as any of the 16 teams at the Little League World Series. But the players and coaches have overcome civil strife and runaway inflation to get to the tournament in central Pennsylvania.

They also have gotten an assist from two Venezuelan major leaguers. Both are from the Maracaibo area — the home of the Little League squad. The big league players are helping cover some transportation and visa costs.

Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor tells The Associated Press he first learned to play baseball with the Maracaibo Little League and that's why he's lending a hand.

San Diego Padres pitcher Jhoulys Chacin learned from a friend about the youngsters' financial plight, so he paid for all their visas.

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