Italy won the blind baseball world championship in Castiglione della Pescaia, defeating Cuba in the tournament’s final match after a demanding week of international competition in Tuscany. National team coaches Matteo Boscardi and Francesco Volo detailed the championship run and the ongoing expansion of the sport during an interview on the program “La Materia del Giorno,” as reported by varesenews.it.
Origins and Rules of Blind Baseball
Blind baseball was created 32 years ago by Alfredo Meli and Umberto Calzolari, former players for the Fortitudo Bologna baseball club during the 1970s and 1980s. Working near the Cavazza Institute in Bologna, the pair developed a specialized rubber ball featuring two internal sound-producing devices, known as buboli, to allow visually impaired athletes to track it by hearing.
The sport relies on an autobattitore, a device where a blind player holds the ball with one hand and strikes it with a bat to start a play. Each team consists of five visually impaired players and one sighted player, with no traditional pitcher. Acoustic and visual markers guide the action on the field: a buzzing device marks first base, while sighted assistants at second and third base use paddles to signal positions. From third base to home plate, the runner relies on verbal calls from the umpire to navigate the basepaths before defensive players secure the ball to record an out.
Tactical Battles in the Tuscan World Championship
The tournament in Castiglione della Pescaia presented difficult tests for the Italian squad. The opening match against the Netherlands was followed by a tense encounter against China, a team that had observed tournament rules in London just months prior before fielding a competitive roster.
In the semifinal, Italy fell behind early after conceding three runs in the defensive frame, prompting coaching adjustments from the bench that secured a comeback victory. The final against Cuba required strict tactical discipline against a powerful opponent that featured one of the world’s strongest players stationed at third base. «Con Cuba è stata una partita molto tesa e di intelligenza», Francesco Volo told varesenews.it, noting that careful decision-making allowed Italy’s hitters to take control of the contest. Matteo Boscardi described the final as a game of chess where every tactical choice carried heavy consequences.
Individual awards recognized standout performances from the tournament, with Danny Oliveri, who has strong ties to the Varese area, earning Most Valuable Player honors. Fabio Trombini of Seveso received the award for best young player.
Coaching Philosophy and National Growth
National team staff members divide responsibilities during matches to manage both tactical positioning and player morale. Francesco Volo directs the defense from the coaching box and the pitching mound area, while Matteo Boscardi supports the batters. «È un gioco che al settanta per cento fa la testa», Boscardi stated to varesenews.it, emphasizing the psychological resilience required after a strikeout.
Beyond competition, the sport fosters independence among participants, a theme documented in Marco Corso’s film “La libertà in un diamante.” The domestic league has grown from its founding group—which included the Cavazza Institute, Empoli, Ravenna, and the Thunder’s Five Milano—to twelve active clubs across Italy, with six or seven additional teams currently organizing.
The Launch of the Blind Vikings in Malnate
The global success of the national team coincides with the creation of a new local club in Malnate, where Matteo Boscardi has maintained a long association since childhood. The Vikings Malnate project relies on a network of volunteers, whose assistance is mandatory for conducting games and training sessions.
The new initiative received backing from organizers Matteo Consagra and Laura Massarenti. The team prepares to make its official league debut wearing the Malnate colors.
The Road to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Ambitions
Looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, national team representatives have outlined ambitions to introduce the discipline as a demonstration sport. Organizers aim to advance the game toward eventual Paralympic inclusion, supported by the establishment of blind baseball programs in countries such as China, Japan, Argentina, and Madagascar.
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