Team Italy women's softball squad showed tenacity and pride in Australia

Team Italy women's softball manager Enrico Obletter knows his Azzurre squad improves significantly when playing against some of the best international softball players in the world. So when Team Italy traveled to Sydney, Australia for the second annual Asia Pacific Cup to face six of the world’s top 12 softball nations beginning January 31, 2019 and later participated in the inaugural Summer Slam - Fully Loaded Softball competition at Blacktown International Sports Park, the Italian skipper knew it was a great opportunity to prepare his players for the uphill battle in qualifying for the 2020 Olympics.

Team Italy demonstrated tenacity and pride in the 2019 Asia Pacific Cup with two wins over Australia A and New Zealand. Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter said, "We will always do our best. As proud Italians, losing is never an option. Teams like China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Australia were together for months prior to the tournament. Considering the other squads had a clear advantage and the fact we had no time on the field together prior to the Asia Pacific Cup, we did very well." The success for Team Italy players continued into the Summer Slam - Fully Loaded Softball competition as Elisa Cecchetti was named the tournament's MVP and Greta Cecchetti took home the tourney's Best Pitcher honors.  

Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter said, "I really would love to come here on a yearly basis, but that will depend on our Olympic Qualification. It was very interesting to see two tournaments with two different formats of softball. Some of our girls actually did better in the Summer Slam three-inning bases-loaded no-out format than the traditional seven-inning game. It made me think, and I came to the conclusion that the more we were on the field the better we got--which was obvious. They also played with more ease, no pressure and actually enjoyed the game more." Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter watched the Summer Slam as an observer to gain a deeper understanding of his players' mindset and abilty to execute under the gun. He reflected, "Some of our players do not perform under pressure because they lack the necessary mental preparation and game plan. They also find it hard to execute routine plays, whether they be offensive or defensive. Once again, this shows you that the game is played from the neck up and not from the head down."

Italian softball skipper Enrico Obletter realizes that his players only have a limited time together to master the skills necessary to overcome the game's many challenges. He conceded, "Unfortunately we don't have the time to prepare these kids while they play for Team Italy. 30 days together a year is just not enough to change mechanical nor mental bad habits. With the financial assistance of Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS), we are allowed to play a little more together every year." Unlike baseball, softball players are not afforded the luxury of developing and mastering skills in a feeder system like baseball's minor leagues. Team Italy women's softball squad manager Enrico Obletter said, "Baseball does it better and has it easier getting all those players from the minors where the mental game is already mastered. We have no minor leagues to choose from." Team Italy players are limited solely to their participation in the Italian Softball League prior to joining the Italian national squad. Enrico Obletter concluded, "The league begins on March 30 and runs through June 16. I will observe our players and choose the best as an all-star team. This is what I can do, and I can't pull off miracles. I only wish we had half the budget and time that the other nations have trying to qualify for the Olympics."

The road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for Team Italy begins in Ostrava, Frydek Mistek, Czech Republic and Rybnik, Zory, Poland at the European Softball Championship from June 30-July 6, 2019. The top six finishers of the European Championship and the top two softball teams in Africa will compete in the Europe/Africa Softball Olympic Qualifier in Utrecht, Netherlands from July 23-29, 2019 for one spot to the 2020 Olympic Games. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen 

by Roberto Angotti