Dear,
here we are at a new round of waltzes, we put 2021 behind us and we are projected towards the new 2022 season.
However, before turning the page, let me take stock of 2021: a year with two faces, on the one hand the extraordinary satisfactions of a company that grows in both baseball and softball, which broadens its horizons, whose investments return attractive dividends with a view to sustainability in the medium / long term; all signs that tell us that the path taken is the right one. Being the first company in Italy for the numbers of the youth sector and for the growth of members compared to the previous year is a stimulus for everyone, quantity is only the beginning, now we need to continue investing in the combination of quantity / quality. The Kennedy center in its first real year of management was a success, the members’ club, the many volunteers whom I thank with affection, the events organized at all hours, a lively place for everyone, young and old alike. Finally, with the Hugo Boss / Russell Athletics show, the facility showed the world (yes, not just Italy, given the media coverage) its potential to host high-level events, sporting and otherwise.
On the other hand, the bitterness of relegation from the top flight of baseball, the mistakes made in the management of foreign players, are signs of a lack of experience that must absolutely be bridged to resume the path also from a technical point of view. Some organizational uncovering too much, some trouble in the management team that goes out of its way, but which needs new life blood and new skills to add. And then and difficulties in managing a large sports center with many logistical problems, often deriving from the age of the structure itself.
In the midst of a great personal suffering, for which I really want to thank all the friends of Milano 1946: without you, without the affection and warmth that all my family felt, it would have been less bearable. At the worst moment, in mid-September, when Lorenzo was saying goodbye, I couldn’t find a better place than our camp, our people, your smiles and hugs. Thanks then, from me and my family. I really wish all our girls and boys to have the same competitive spirit as Lorenzo.
Now is the time to draw the guidelines for 2022, always starting with our home. The Kennedy in 2022 should give us the opportunity to use the new changing rooms, for this I want to thank FIBS and the Municipality of Milan who are investing in the structure and betting on the possibility of making the center suitable for hosting important events. The times, as often happens in the public sphere, are the result of a series of long bureaucratic issues but we are confident that the path started will be able to close positively, also for the works concerning the stands. In the meantime, Milan 1946 will have to continue to prepare, gain experience, improve, to be ready at the table of the organizers when we can host any of these events. From here I launch the first appeal to the FIBS Regional Committee, the 2022 Tournament of Regions, after 2 years of hiatus, will be organized in Lombardy, as the best opportunity to demonstrate together that federal investments are aimed at improving the movement as a whole ? Another very important project should also be fully operational in 2022, an investment that, together with the two blind baseball teams of Milan, Thunders and Lampi, Milan has decided to propose to the Metropolitan City: we will build a new regulation softball field and the first exclusive blind baseball diamond in Italy, in an area adjacent to the Kennedy Center. We are at an advanced stage of approval of the project, some details are missing but we are very confident, the problem of spaces following the growth is now very evident and must be solved at the root.
From an organizational point of view we will add two new directors, the first, Stefano Lusian, was appointed by the November Assembly, the second will join in January and we will communicate his newly formalized entry. Important signs of growth and expansion of the group that must guide the company in the coming years to a further leap in quality in terms of strategic choices.
From a technical point of view we must once again talk about growth, we have hired an experienced and charismatic coach like Richard Macias, who joins a trained and motivated technical team (thanks to all the coaches, seeing you work is a great pleasure!). The focus will continue to be placed on the technical and athletic training of the little ones, to prepare more and more girls / boys to face senior championships with our first teams. Serie B baseball and Serie B softball will arrive at the starting line of the season with a more complete set of experience, but also with an approach aimed at giving space and confidence to the youngest and most promising girls and boys. We always want to excel, without creating anomalous pressures, but we know that Milan 1946 must always be the protagonist!
So, dear athletes, dear athletes, dear technicians, dear managers, dear volunteers, don’t you too feel the call of the field? Of the scent of cut grass, of our parties, of hits and balls caught on the fly? Just a little, very little, make a toast on New Year’s Eve also for Milan 1946, let’s hope that luck continues to reward the daring! And … as the first action of the new year, everyone to renew the membership card of Milan; for those who, against all odds, have not yet joined, here are the instructions to run for cover in the shortest possible time.
A hug, Happy 2022 and always Forza Milano !!!
Alessandro Selmi
