Inside the council chamber of the Municipality of Castions di Strada, Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) President Andrea Marcon and Castions di Strada Mayor Ivan Petrucco welcomed the crowd gathered to learn about the upcoming European Softball Championship, which will take place on the fields of Castions di Strada, Castions delle Mura, Cervignano, Porpetto and Ronchi dei Legionari from June 27-July 3, 2021.
Honored guests included Ronchi Deputy Mayor and Sport Councilor Paola Conte and Erika Battistella Bersa, Medio Friuli Integrated Culture Project President Tiziana Cividini and Project Manager Gabriella Cecotti and Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Regional President Giorgio Brandolin. The Team Italy women’s softball squad was represented by Azzurre manager Federico Pizzolini and captain Erika Piancastelli.
FIBS President Andrea Marcon said, "My commitment is to have as many fans as possible in the stands with consideration to all safety protocol and rules, but I believe that an international tournament like this deserves to be enjoyed by all fans." Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini also spoke and proclaimed: "We are ready, this is not just a preparatory event for the Olympics. It is an important championship in which we have the task and the goal of defending the championship throne. My thoughts are now with those who will not be able to be there, starting with Enrico Obletter, but also with those girls who have had major injuries and are doing their best to return. I am especially sympathetic to Alessandra Rotondo, who has been part of this project since the start and has been sidelined by a knee injury.” Team Italy captain Erika Piancastelli said, “We have been working together for four years, and now we can't wait to take the field together again as sisters wearing uniforms with Italia across our chests. It is unlike any other feeling being so proud to represent our country.”
Team Italy is in Group A with Russia, Poland, Bulgaria and Hungary. The Italians and Russians play their first game in Castions di Strada on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 8:30 pm (local time). Team Italy will gather at Parco Europa in Cervignano on June 21, 2021 at 9 pm (local time) when they will receive the uniforms for the European Softball Championship and enjoy a public performance of 'L'Ultima Partita', a theatrical piece written and interpreted by Mario Mascitelli, on the life of Lou Gehrig. The story is based on the New York Yankees baseball legend who to this day serves as the inspiration behind the fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). Forza #Italia! #PerEnrico
by Roberto Angotti
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