Eighteen Italian players have been selected to participate in the first Team Italy U18 softball workout from March 15-17, 2024
Having completed a series of athletic tests at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Training Center in Rome recently, the Team Italy U18 softball squad reunites in Bollate from March 15-17, 2024. Manager Andrea Longagnani commented, “The tests confirmed to us that the athletes we have selected are doing well as they have all improved since last year.”.
Having won the silver medal at the 2023 U18 European Softball Championship in Prague, the Italian U18 national team earned the right to compete in U18 Softball World Cup Group B in Pingtan, China from August, 14-18, 2024. Team Italy will face host China, Japan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and two representatives of the American continent.
Azzurre Softball skipper Andrea Longagnani said, “The Group Phase of a World Cup is certainly a very different competition compared to the European Championship, because it brings together the best teams from each continent. I told the girls that they must continue to improve technically every day because every game will be like a final in terms of reaching the 2025 World Cup Final. We believe that the girls chosen represent the best in Italy. We hope to have more opportunities for the group to grow as a team in a short period of time. I now want to see them on the field for the first game in Bollate where we will do the first technical evaluations to understand the areas in which we can work to improve."
The Team Italy U18 softball squad will be put to the test in Bollate and play exhibition games against the Czech Republic, Bollate and Legnano on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
The 18 players expected to participate include:
Last Name
First Name
POS
B
T
Date of Birth
Club Affiliation
1
Anselmi
Mirta
3B
R
R
26/03/2007
Saronno softball
2
Biffi
Alessandra
1B/P
R
R
04/06/2006
Bollate softball 1969 A.S.D.
3
Binetti
Caterina
SS/2B
R
R
07/01/2006
Bollate softball 1969 A.S.D.
4
Colino
Giulia
2B/P
R
R
18/12/2008
Bollate softball 1969 A.S.D.
5
Di Pancrazio
Felicia
OF
L
R
27/09/2006
Pianoro Softball A.S.D.
6
Forlani
Federica
P/OF
L
L
25/05/2008
Giovanile Collecchio Softball
7
Giunchi
Letizia
SS
R
R
02/10/2008
Forlì Softball Club
8
Grasso
Gaia
C
R
R
23/03/2006
A.B. Caronno Softball A.S.D
9
Matta
Giulia
C/1B
R
R
28/03/2006
Forlì softball Club
10
Milano
Kylie
P/1B
L
R
13/11/2007
Forlì Softball Club
11
Moggi
Sveva
OF
L
R
17/08/2007
Pianoro Softball A.S.D.
12
Nanni
Ilaria
SS/2B
R
R
03/06/2006
Pianoro Softball A.S.D.
13
Peyrani
Giulia
C
R
R
09/06/2006
A.S.D. Avigliana Rebels
14
Polini
Lucia
C
R
R
03/10/2007
Bollate Softball 1969 A.S.D.
15
Silva
Emma
P
R
R
01/02/2007
Bollate Softball 1969 A.S.D.
16
Silvoni
Anita
3b/1B/P
R
R
05/08/2006
A.S.D. Baseball Softball Rovigo
17
Squalizza
Giulia
P/2B
R
R
12/03/2008
Bollate Softball 1969 A.S.D.
18
Zumerle
Vittoria
P/OF
R
R
15/01/2007
Thunders & Dragon Softball
Team Italy U18 manager Andrea Longagnani will be supported by coaches Paola Marfoglia and Simona Nava, pitching coach Sara Dall'Alpi and athletic trainer Riccardo Leonesio. Team physician Dr. Emanuele Siano, physiotherapist Marta Cioni and delegation manager Bruno Gasparotto will also assist.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy U18 manager Andrea Longagnani gives a high five to captain Felicia Di Pancrazio during the 2023 European Softball Championship game against Ukraine by LG-FIBS)
