Team Italy softball manager Enrico Obletter announces players and staff for Super 6

Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter has announced the names of the 17 softball players who make up the Azzurre roster for the . The international competition takes place at the ETO Ballpark in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands from September 18-23, 2018. Team Italy has more at stake than mere European bragging rights. The ramifications of the tourney are significant as it serves as a path for the Italians on their road to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. The Team Italy women’s softball team competes in two 1 pm afternoon games against Czech Republic on September 18 (7 am EDT) and Great Britain on September 19 (7 am EDT) before returning to play later that the same day against rival and host the Netherlands at 6 pm (12 noon EDT). The Italian women's softball squad completes the opening round of the tournament with two 3:30 pm contests against Russia on September 20 (9:30 am EDT) and Greece on September 21 (9:30 am EDT). The Super 6 softball consolation round begins on September 22 at 10:30 am (4:30 am EDT) for the fifth and sixth-place teams followed by another contest at 1 pm (7 am EDT) for the third and fourth-place squads. The top two finishers square off in the Super 6 softball championship on September 22 at 6 pm (12 noon EDT). will provide live streaming of all games.

The following players will be representing Team Italy: Chiara Bassi, INF (US Giovanile Collecchio Softball), Valeria Bettinsoli, OF (Saronno Softball), Laura Bigatton. OF/P (Bollate Softball 1969), Ilaria Cacciamani, P (Softball Club Forli), Greta Cecchetti, P (Bollate Softball 1969), Elisa Chiesa, C (Crocetta BC / US Giovanile Collecchio Softball), Amanda Fama, INF (Bollate Softball 1969), Marta Gasparotto, INF (Bussolengo Softball), Giulia Longhi, INF (Bussolengo Softball), Fabrizia Marrone, OF (Bussolengo Softball), Alice Nicolini, P (Saronno Softball), Erika Piancastelli, C/INF (Softball Club Forli), Elisa Princic C/INF/OF (Bussolengo Softball), Alessandra Rotondo, C/INF (Saronno Softball), Melany Sheldon, C/INF (Caronno Softball), Susanna Soldi, P/INF/OF (Bussolengo Softball), and Laura Vigna, OF (Bussolengo Softball).

Italian skipper Enrico Obletter will be accompanied in the Netherlands by coaches Federico Pizzolini and Lisa Birocci Banse, athletic trainers Ulises Hernandez and Elio Paolini, physician Gaetano Schiavottiello, and delegation manager Roberta Soldi. Forza #Italia! #ItaliaSoftball #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti