The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) announced Italy’s roster for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Prague 2026 with manager Craig Montividas selecting 16 players.
PITCHERS (4) Laura Bigatton (Bollate 1969), Ilaria Cacciamani, Julianna Verni (Forlì), Christina Toniolo (Saronno)
CATCHERS (2) Marta Gasparotto, Erika Piancastelli (Forlì)
INFIELDERS (5) McKenzie Barbara (Saronno), Izabella Cimino (North Florida Ospreys), Giulia Longhi (Bollate 1969), Alessandra Rotondo (Saronno), Melany Sheldon (Caronno)
OUTFIELDERS (4) Isabella Dayton (Chicago Bandits), Sofia Fabbian (Thunders Castellana), Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (Saronno), Laura Vigna (Forlì)
UTILITY (1) Elisa Cecchetti (Bollate 1969)
The coaching staff will include pitching coach Greta Cecchetti, mental coach Rafael Colon, video analyst Lacey Wormington and conditioning coach Alessandro Muccino. Sara De Luca will serve as bullpen catcher.
Italy will break camp on Sunday, June 7 and participate in the Amsterdam Invitational Cup through June 12. The Azzurre will face the Netherlands, Australia and Czechia before playing another warm-up game in Prague against Chinese Taipei.
Group Prague
World No. 9 Italy will compete in Group Prague from June 16 to 20, facing No. 4 Canada, No. 5 Chinese Taipei, No. 10 Czechia, No. 11 Australia, and No. 14 Cuba.
The WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage 2026
The WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2026/2027 is a two-stage event.
Lima (Peru) will host the second group from July 14 to 18, while Oklahoma City (USA) will host the third from September 12 to 16.
The Finals 2027
The top two finishers of each group and two wild cards will advance to the Finals, which Redcliffe, Australia, will host from April 5 to 11, 2027.
The tournament will serve as the first qualification event for softball for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.