Italy won the 2026 Blind Baseball International Cup by defeating defending champions Cuba in the tournament final at the Simone Piani diamond in Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy. The victory concludes an international tournament that brought players, coaches, and delegations from around the world to the Tuscan coastal town.
Italy Claims World Title Over Cuba
The Italian national blind baseball team, led by Marco Corazza, captured the world championship by overcoming Cuba in the tournament’s concluding match. The final took place on the Simone Piani diamond in Castiglione della Pescaia, securing the international trophy for the host nation’s squad against the tournament’s previous titleholders.
Castiglione della Pescaia Hosts International Field
Castiglione della Pescaia welcomed teams, technical staff, and supporters from multiple countries for the multi-day tournament. Local officials emphasized the event’s social impact alongside its competitive significance, pointing to blind baseball as a medium for athlete autonomy and barrier-breaking athletic competition.
“Hosting the Blind Baseball International Cup has been a source of great pride for our community,” said Castiglione della Pescaia Mayor Elena Nappi. “In these days, we have seen on the field not only great athletes, but people capable of transmitting important values and telling, through sport, how much it is possible to overcome obstacles and build new opportunities.”
Mayor Nappi Credits Municipal Investments for Attracting Tournament
Mayor Nappi credited municipal investments in accessibility and sports infrastructure for attracting the tournament. Castiglione della Pescaia has held the designation of European Town of Sport since 2013, a status local leaders have used to upgrade municipal athletic facilities.
The mayor thanked Fibs leadership, specifically acknowledging Fibs President Marco Mazzieri for bringing the international competition to the Maremma region. Nappi also recognized Deborah Scalabrelli and her staff for managing the event logistics and delegations.
International Cup Showcases Adapted Competition for Visually Impaired Athletes
Beyond the final result on the diamond, municipal organizers positioned the international cup as an exercise in sports inclusion and community participation. The event showcased adapted athletic competition designed specifically for athletes with visual impairments, drawing international spectators to the Tuscan venue throughout the competition schedule.
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