WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Trophy unveiled in Rome; En route to Castions di Strada
The Italian Baseball Softball Federation (FIBS) revealed the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals Trophy during a press conference hosted by the National Olympic Committee CONI and the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) as a side event of the Italian Open (Internazionali d'Italia), an ATP 1000 tournament in Rome.
"I've chased the dream to take the Women's Softball World Cup to the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region for a long time, a long time before becoming FIBS President," commented Andrea Marcon. "I received the support of Governor Massimiliano Fedriga, and I'm confident Castions di Strada will welcome the world to the best softball arena possible."
Marcon added, "Advanced ticket sales are going well. What impressed me is that we sold 73% of the tickets abroad. The event has huge international appeal."
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Italian goldsmith Fratelli Pazzaglia started manufacturing the Women's Softball World Cup trophy from a graphic design inspired by the event's logo. The trophy is made of polished 24k golden plated brass, with special details in enamelled and coloured details. The base has a 20cm (7.87 inches) diameter. The trophy is 45cm (17.76 inches) high and weighs 5.5kg (12.13 pounds).
World No. 6 Italy captain Giulia Longhi and her manager, Federico Pizzolini, witnessed the trophy unveiling.
"Italy will need to play one game at a time. We want to honour the first-ever Women's Softball World Cup in Italy," said Longhi. "I told my players we must focus on our performance, not the opponents. I'm positive the girls will give all they have for the National Team."
Marcon revealed that the trophy will be on display on Sunday, 19 May, during the Serie A soccer game Udinese-Empoli, at the start line of cycling's Tour of Italy's (Giro d'Italia) 19th stage on Friday, 24 May, at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics Foundation headquarters on Wednesday, 29 May, and in Turin at the FIBS Youth Tournament of the Regions (Torneo delle Regioni) from 6 to 9 June before returning to Friuli Venezia Giulia.
FITP President Angelo Binaghi and CONI President Giovanni Malagò congratulated FIBS for hosting the Women's Softball World Cup in Italy for the first time.
"Baseball/softball means a lot to us," commented Malagò. "I'm thrilled the sport will be back on the Olympic programme in Los Angeles and that Baseball5 will feature on the 2026 Youth Olympics programme."
Cover photo by Supertennis/FITP