On June 26th, 29th, and 30th, pitching specialist Becky Blatnick ran three dynamic and innovative clinics in Ronchi, Bologna, and Saronno for pitchers and their respective catchers. The young athletes aged 14 to 20 years old were coached by Blatnick, a record-breaking former pitching ace, winner of National titles, and Women's College Word Series Champion at University of Arizona. After seeing a need to provide an opportunity to young softball players in Italy, Blatnick jumped at the idea of being able to influence young players in such a positive way. Her audiences were mesmerized as Blatnick offered instruction to aspiring softball stars through one-on-one advice and group initiatives.
After the clinic in Saronno on June 30, I had a chance to sit down with Blatnick. I asked her to reflect on her experience with the girls. To begin, I knew I had to ask the pitching marvel about her ultimate favorite pitch after overhearing a discussion about it with a few girls on the field. In her response, Blatnick expressed the difficulty in choosing just one. "That's a tough one," she says, "I would probably say my changeup, but on certain days maybe it was my rise or maybe people would remember me for my drop!" Nevertheless, Blatnick values all of her pitching abilities, emphasizing the need for a wide range of skills within the sport.
We continued to discuss the rewarding and exciting takeaways of coaching these young girls. "The most rewarding part is giving back and working with girls who want to learn… I try to give it all I can, and it's so fun to see them make adjustments that produce real results", says Blatnick as she reflects on the clinics. The fresh perspective she provided created an environment perfect for fostering growth and improvement. She says the best part about doing these clinics is "seeing their eyes light up as they succeed and giving them the tools to do so." She emphasized real effort, deliberate intentions, and tireless practice as absolutely necessary for anyone who wants to make it in the sport. "It's amazing because pitching is a tough skill. It's an art and a craft", says Blatnick.
When I had the chance to ask Blatnick what advice she would give aspiring young athletes, she emphasized the importance of individuals who are "coachable and eager to learn." She continued by saying, "this is a marathon, not a sprint!" Participating in this sport means being "passionate about the game and always striving for improvement." She says a player should always leave a clinic or practice with a few items to take home where they can continue to perfect.
It was an incredible opportunity to have Becky Blatnick at these clinics this past week. Players will exit with a new perspective and additional tools for success; consequently, they will succeed in ways they never realized were possible. A special thanks to Blatnick for giving these clinics her all and influencing the next generation of pitching aces!
by Isabella Volpe
(Photo of Saronno clinic participants and pitching specialist Becky Blatnick by Isabella Volpe)
