Team Italy softball squad can boost WBSC ranking with winning effort in AP Cup

Formerly known as the Asia Pacific Cup, the newly-branded Australia Pacific Cup (AP Cup) reflects the tournament’s Down Under flavor on the international softball circuit. Softball Australia and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) have added even more significance to the six-country tourney by ensuring all competing nations in the AP Cup are eligible for international ranking points.

Eclipsed only by the Olympics, the AP Cup is the second biggest elite level international softball competition in 2020. The name change from Asia Pacific Cup to Australia Pacific Cup is appropriate since it also reflects Australia’s elite status in the game. With the exception of USA and Canada, the remaining four countries qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will meet in the AP Cup from January 30–February 2, 2020 at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney, Australia.

Team Italy (ranked #9) will get a sneak preview of what to expect this summer when the Azzurre softball squad takes on Australian host Travelodge Aussie Spirit (ranked #7), Mexico (ranked #5), and Japan (ranked #2). In addition to the four countries vying for Olympic Gold, Chinese Taipei (ranked #6), New Zealand (ranked #11), and another all-star team from Australia will also compete in the AP Cup.

The 2020 AP Cup will be immediately followed by the second annual Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball from February 3-5, 2020 at Blacktown International Sportspark. The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball is an exciting, fast-paced take on the traditional game with only three innings, shorter fences, and bases loaded every inning. Six teams will be made up of a mix of international softball all-stars who will play together during the course of the three-day competition. For more information and tickets to the Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball, click . Forza #Italia!

by Roberto Angotti