Team Italy elite softball manager Federico Pizzolini loves his job, his players and his coaching staff. He also misses his predecessor and best friend, the late and great Enrico Obletter, who passed away five months before the Tokyo Olympics due to complications from COVID-19. The former Team Italy skipper was posthumously inducted into the 2022 WBSC Softball Hall of Fame and the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball Hall of Fame.
Federico Pizzolini said, "We still have the same coaching philosophy that Enrico and I impressed upon the team six years ago. We must be ready to play our best at the World Games. Our players must believe in themselves and that they belong here. All our players are leaders by example. We are happy to play big teams like USA and Japan. We can learn from watching others. It brings our level of competition and play way up. The World Games provide us with a perfect opportunity to prepare for the upcoming European Softball Championship."
To fill the void with the tragic loss of Enrico Obletter, Federico Pizzolini has enlisted the services of Team Italy special advisor and National Softball Hall of Famer Coach Mike Candrea. Federico Pizzolini said, "Mike has played a big part in the mental makeup of this team. He helped us win the European Softball Championship last year, and he will be joining us again at this year's Euro competition in Saint Boi (Barcelona)."
Team Italy has also brought in six-time collegiate national champion Nancy Evans (three times as a player and three times as a coach) to serve as pitching coach. Federico Pizzolini said, "Nancy has made a tremendous contribution to the success of our pitchers and catchers. She has a wealth of knowledge and information to offer our players."
Absent from the Team Italy softball squad because of other professional commitments are former team captain Erika Piancastelli and pitching ace Greta Cecchetti. Also missing in action is University of New Mexico slugger Andrea Howard, who underwent surgery recently.
Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini is not fazed by star power in the lineup but instead is more concerned with the committed players of the future currently on the roster. He said, "We are focused to do the small things right like the push bunt and the hit and run more effectively for a better offense. We played well defensively in the Tokyo Olympics, but we lacked offense. We must score runs to win games."
Team Italy lost to USA 2-0 when the the squads last met at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium on July 21, 2021. Both teams struggled offensively for the first three scoreless innings. In fact, Team Italy starter Greta Cecchetti had a no hitter going into the fourth inning.
In the World Games against USA at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 7 pm (CT), Team Italy manager Federico Pizzolini will be using the pitching quartet of Ilaria Cacciamani, Alexia Lacatena, Laura Bigatton and Alice Nicolini.
Team Italy returns on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at 1 pm (CT) for a clash against Canada. The Azzurre squad plays Chinese Taipei on Monday, July 11, 2022 at 1 pm (CT). The competition continues through Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Forza #Italia!
THE WORLD GAMES 2022 SCHEDULE
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Team Italy elite manager Federico Pizzolini at George Ward Park in Birmingham, Alabama by Simone Amaduzzi Photography)
Read more: Team Italy women's softball squad roster and schedule announced for the World Games in Alabama
