10/01/2018 1 Minute Read

Team Italy manager Enrico Obletter announces Asia Pacific Cup softball roster

Team Italy softball manager Enrico Obletter is wrapping up the final details for his young and talented squad of women as they prepare for the upcoming Asia Pacific Cup, which takes place at Sydney’s Blacktown International Sportspark in Australia from February 1 - 4, 2018

Team Italy softball manager Enrico Obletter is wrapping up the final details for his young and talented squad of women as they prepare for the upcoming Asia Pacific Cup, which takes place at Sydney’s Blacktown International Sportspark in Australia from February 1 - 4, 2018. 20170627 EChW OBLETTER Enrico (Grega Valancic) The Asia Pacific Cup, the biggest international women’s softball event in Australia since the 2000 Olympic Games, brings together Italy, Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, and host Australia in a 26-game round-robin tourney. The Asia Pacific Cup tournament serves as Team Italy’s first chance to get ready for the 2018 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s Softball World Championship in Chiba, Japan, from August 2 - 12, 2018. The WBSC event counts towards qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Azzurri skipper Enrico Obletter recently announced his roster of 16 players traveling ‘Down Under’ for the Asia Pacific Cup. The Team Italy women's softball team includes: Mariel Bertossi (Staranzano / Bussolengo), Priscilla Brandi (Cali Rome XIII / Pianoro), Ilaria Cacciamani (Forlì), Greta Cecchetti (Bollate), Elisa Cecchetti (Bollate), Elena Chiesa (Crocetta Kids / Collecchio), Ambra Collina (Nuoro / Bussolengo), Veronica Comar (Staranzano / Bussolengo), Marta Gasparotto (Staranzano / Bussolengo), Giulia Longhi (Cali Rome XIII / Bussolengo), Fabrizia Marrone (Chieti / Bussolengo), Alice Nicolini (Saronno), Silvia Refrontolotto (Dynos Verona / Bussolengo), Beatrice Ricchi (Forlì), Alessandra Rotondo (Saronno) and Laura Vigna (La Loggia / Bussolengo).

The Team Italy women meet in Rome on January 21, 2018 for two days of intensive training followed a series of physical assessment tests at the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science. Manager Enrico Obletter, coaches Federico Pizzolini and Lisa Birocci Banse, athletic trainer Ulisses Hernandez, team physician Dr. Gaetano Schiavottiello and the 16 promising softball players depart for Sydney on January 25. Prior to their Asia Pacific Cup opening games against top-ranked Japan in the morning and fourth-ranked Australia in the afternoon on February 1, Team Italy will play several exhibition games to prepare for the fierce competition awaiting them in the international tournament. Forza #Italia! #2020Olympics #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti