Estra Siena, Gaia Welcome to Azzurro! | Baseball craze
The Sienese Gaia Welcomeborn in 2001, he will wear the jersey ofItaly softball under 22 at the Coppa delle Prealpi, which will take place over the weekend of 26-27 March on the diamonds of Bollate, Saronno and Caronno.
The azzurrine are included in Group B together with Caronno Softball, Sparks (Netherlands) and Bulls Rescaldina.
The tournament will be an important first outing in view of the European Championship of the category scheduled in Kunovice, Czech Republic, from June 27 to July 2, in which Italy will try to defend the title won four years ago.
Gaia, who is the first catcher of the Sestese in Serie A1 (coached by Simona Nava, one of the coaches of ItalSoftball U22) started in the Under 12 (then “Boys”) of Siena Baseball, with which she won the regional Allievi title ( Under 15) in 2014, under the guidance of Francesco Giusti who was one of his coaches in the Sienese experience together with Jesus Barroso, Cecilie Mancini and Antonio Rodriguez.
He is currently an aspiring U12 coach with the Siena Baseball Club. “For our club and for the entire Sienese movement, Gaia is a source of pride and an example for all our young players,” commented the Juventus club.
What does this call to the U22 National Team represent for you in view of the next European Championship?
This call-up is a great opportunity for me to be able to show my qualities, not only to represent the national team in view of this year’s European Championship, above all but for the opportunity to re-enter the project for the 2028 Olympics.
You have previously won, with the national team, the Under 13 and Under 16 European Championships. How do you rate the competition in this new category?
It will definitely be a competition at higher levels than in the past, nevertheless I feel on the right path to get there in the best possible physical condition.
Last year you won your stay in A1 softball with Sestese. This year you are in a difficult group. How are you preparing for this new season?
A difficult group yes, but not impossible, we are working hard results in training, in recent weeks we have played friendlies showing good on the pitch.
This year you have embarked on the path as a federal coach for the Estra Siena Baseball Club. How do you rate this experience?
A useful experience both from a training and a technical point of view. Teaching this sport to children is the crucial phase for building the players, the athletes of tomorrow, it is a great responsibility that together with the other Siena Baseball Club coaches we are carrying out well.
What would you say to a little girl who wants to try this sport?
Try it and try it again without giving up. Satisfaction always comes to those who work hard with constancy, do not be intimidated by anything or anyone and you will see that you will experience all the emotions that only baseball and softball can dare.
How do you reconcile your high-level sporting activity with your university career?
It is not easy to study in Siena. For him I train back and forth to Sesto Fiorentino by train to train, on several occasions I have the opportunity to stay and sleep in an apartment near the field provided by the club for the “away” girls. As long as distance learning is available, I will make the most of it to follow the lessons at a distance. Despite everything with the right organization I can manage both exams and the season.
During the off season you trained at the Gold Gym under the guidance of Franco Maggiorelli, the Costone’s athletic trainer. What improvements have you noticed?
Thanks to Franco I noticed many improvements in terms of strength and I thank him for having followed me in trying to adapt many exercises to my needs for this sport. Can’t wait for the season to start.