Team Italy U18 softball manager Andrea Longagnani was candid about his young and talented squad after witnessing the girls in action last weekend. He said, “The staff and I are very satisfied with what we saw, but there is still a long way to go,” The Italians concluded the Isidoro Dusi Memorial tournament with two wins, two losses and a tie. Bollate, an A1 team, won the tourney after defeating the Czech Republic U18 team in the final.
Team Italy U18 softball manager Andrea Longagnani shared his thoughts on how he will prepare the squad for the upcoming U18 Softball World Cup in Pingtan, China from August 14-18, 2024,
How has the team’s chemistry changed in 2024?
The U18 players were born in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Of the eighteen who were part of the team at the Memorial Dusi, four were also with us last year at the U18 European Championship, while many were veterans of last year’s U15 World Cup.
What impressions do you have after seeing the team last weekend?
My staff and I are very satisfied with what we saw. As mentioned, there were many new players to test and we were able to participate in five high-level games, being able to rotate all the players and see them in action in their positions. Beyond the results, we were interested in observing what they could give to the team and understanding who already had their heads ready to play at certain levels, because, when you play the World Cup, every match is a final.
Did the players demonstrate their athleticism?
On an athletic level, the players showed great things. The physical tests at the end of February had convinced us and even on the diamond we saw them all very ready. Even in terms of character and professionalism, I am happy with this group. We found many players who first listened and then applied the concepts taught. This gives us a lot of confidence ahead of the group stage of the World Cup, a tournament in which the pace and level will be very high.
How do you analyze your offense and defense early in the season?
In the first games of the season, the pitchers always have an advantage over the hitters for the simple fact that for the latter these are the first real pitches they have seen after several months. The same applies to the defense, no matter how well you train in the gym. The first part of the season can always hide pitfalls, but what we have seen satisfies us.
What is next for the U18 national softball team?
Now the players will start the championships with their clubs and I will follow them very closely. We will reunite as a team once again at the Vittorio Pino Memorial in Legnano from July 10-13 before traveling to Canada for a ten-day training camp from July 14-24 to better prepare for the group stage of the World Cup. We still have a long way to go.
Forza #Italia!
by Nicolò Gatti and Roberto Angotti
(Photo of the Team Italy U18 softball squad at the 2024 Memorial Dusi)
