Steel Sports Family Day with Mike Piazza in Foggia was a smashing success

Fovea Embers coach and Steel Sports Ambassador Salvatore Strippoli recently hosted  Steel Sports Family Day with Mike Piazza in Foggia. He shares his unforgettable experience in an interview with Marco Landi.

Salvatore, how did the day go for you Embers?

"We are all still very emotional about what happened in what was actually a two-day event, however, as Mike said, let's breathe, slow down the game and try to articulate our thoughts. First of all, we must necessarily talk about two completely different moments, the first, on Friday, which was profoundly intense…”

“We accompanied Mike to the church of San Michele in Monte Sant'Angelo, an inspirational place of worship overlooking the Gulf of Manfredonia with a breathtaking view and nativity scene architecture. A long walk during which Mike was visibly emotionally moved reached its climax in front of the doors of the church, one of the most beautiful in the world.”

“We wanted to accompany Mike with our families, to make him experience a climate of absolute involvement. Instead, we were all transported by the simplicity of a champion who lived life to its fullest.. He was not afraid of wearing his emotions on his sleeve and letting his passion shine through during his experience here. Simplicity was the common thread of the whole day. He is an extraordinary man who walked with us through the streets of the village and accompanied our children in eating tarallini and chestnuts cooked on the street.”

Foggia cuisine was a common thread throughout the event…

“Yes, when we arrived at the camp, where he was immediately able to see the goodness of our region, our ladies welcomed him with a nice lunch made of typical products and local specialties. The children welcomed him with drawings and the older ones were at first intimidated in approaching him. Then a beautiful, informal dinner closed the day, in the company of a National Baseball Hall of Famer, who provided moments of pure fun and valorized the work of all the volunteers byrepaying them for all the efforts made.”

And then, the work on the field.

“Indeed. The following morning, the meeting with the athletes, the coaches, the fans and the simply curious, showed Mike's character for the umpteenth time. He never shied away from any moment in which he was involved and believe me when I tell you that even in the few moments of relaxation, he and Gianmarco Faraone who accompanied him had no break.”

“Immediately after the meeting with the coaches. Mike's charisma gets inside you and gives you the shivers. Chieti, Bari, Matino, Teramo, Tollo and Foggia, realities so different, so far away, under the same roof, were witnesses to the secret of the greatness of the man and the communicative power of the coach.”

“There were 46 athletes at the starting line, divided into groups of a maximum of 8. Six non-stop 30-minute stations to then leave as much time as possible for convivial moments and questions/answers with Mike.”

“Everyone had their moment with Mike and everyone was given an individual interview on the psychological aspects of hitting. The parents were emotionally carried away by his charisma. But even the seniors benefited from it and still today they repeated Mike's words like a mantra.”

“It is also worth mentioning the great collaboration of the coaches and senior athletes involved: Maurizio Faini and Francesco D'Agnelli working with the infielders; Alfredo Strippoli and Claudio Stefanelli working with the outfielders; Franco Giangola and Antonio Colon Ventura working with the pitchers; Freddy Pacheco and Enzo Serino working with the catchers; Valerio Iacovelli and Daniele Spinapolice working with all hitters; obviously Mike in the cage, assisted by Massimo Portoghese and Fidelia Forte."

“Graziano Primavera and I had the arduous task of marking the times and taking care of the relationships with all those who wanted to experience this moment with us in perfect Steel Sport style. When it was time to say goodbye to the athletes, in the early afternoon, the 10 children from mini-baseball joined in, who immediately challenged their parents in an exhibition game in honor of Mike. Then he left everyone speechless when he showed off the jersey he wore at the World Baseball Classic with a dedication offered as a gift to our clubhouse. That number 31 with the words ‘Foggia friends forever’ will be the signature of this day”.

Summing up…

“More than 200 people came to the field, in the end 56 athletes had the honor of living in a dream, while the entire senior team also collaborated to make the day a success or were simply listening. For our part, we can only thank Mike, Gianmarco, all the coaches who collaborated, the enthusiastic parents and the Federation for this opportunity. We are certain is only the first of a path of involvement that will make everyone grow.”

by Marco Landi