WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- A Venezuelan Little Leaguer who missed the first three games of the Little League World Series was approved for a visa and joined his team in time for Tuesday's game against Curacao.
Diego Boscan, a pitcher for the Cacique Mara Little League in Maracaibo, missed an opening-round loss to South Korea and wins over Australia and Mexico. He arrived in Williamsport on Tuesday morning.
Boscan was granted the visa through the U.S. Consulate in Panama.
"We are happy that Diego and the entire team will get to enjoy the rest of their time in Williamsport and create lifelong memories during their stay," Little League Baseball International said in a statement.
Jose Briceno, the national director of Little League in Venezuela, told ESPN's Sebastian Salazar that Boscan was asked during his first application earlier this month if he had family in the U.S. His application was denied. Boscan's 23-year-old brother, Francisco Boscan, lives in the U.S. and is a military veteran.
As part of the second application, Francisco wrote a letter to the U.S. embassy in Panama. The application was approved on Monday.