Crocetta Baseball Sees Six Youth Talents Earn Italian National Team Call-Ups
Parma’s baseball scene continues to exert its influence beyond the local circuit as Crocetta Baseball announced that six of its youth athletes have been called up to Italy’s national teams. The selections, spanning the Under-23 and Under-18 squads, serve as a formal recognition of the growth trajectory the club has established over recent seasons.
The news highlights the club’s ability to bridge the gap between youth development and elite international competition, placing several Parma-based players in the national spotlight for upcoming friendly matchups.
Under-23 National Team: Clash in Bologna
The Italian Under-23 national team staff has summoned Tommaso Adorni, Matteo Gerali, and Davide Montanari for a high-profile friendly. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 19:00 local time (UTC+2) at the Stadio “Gianni Falchi” in Bologna. The national side will face Fortitudo, an opponent recently encountered by Farma during their opening weekend in the top league.
While the call-up is a significant milestone for the players, the squad will be without Matteo Gerali. The club confirmed that Gerali suffered a strain while attempting to reach first base during a game on Saturday night. He is expected to remain sidelined for several weeks to recover, leaving Adorni and Montanari to represent Crocetta in the blue jersey.
The club noted that these selections are a direct result of the work the athletes position in during the previous championship and the recent pre-season period under the guidance of the first-team technical staff.
Under-18 National Team: Deployment to Godo
Simultaneously, the Under-18 national team has tapped three more Crocetta athletes to join their roster. Daniele Albertini, Giacomo Gerali, and Pietro Schianchi have been called up for a friendly match scheduled for Thursday afternoon, April 16, 2026, in Godo.

The Under-18 squad is currently led by coach Guglielmo Trinci and is in the midst of its active season. For these athletes, the call-up represents a critical step in their progression within the national pipeline, reinforcing Crocetta’s role as a feeder for Italy’s youth international programs.
Building the Pipeline in Parma
The success of these six players is part of a broader effort by Crocetta Baseball & Softball to cultivate talent within Parma. The club’s philosophy emphasizes a structured growth path that allows young players to transition from grassroots activity to national-level visibility.
To maintain this pipeline, the club continues to recruit at the entry level. Crocetta currently offers programs for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 14, featuring daily training sessions and activities led by club technicians. For those looking to join, the club has set an enrollment deadline of May 20.
For a global audience, the concentration of talent in the Parma region underscores the city’s status as a hub for Italian baseball, where local clubs like Crocetta provide the technical foundation necessary for athletes to compete on the international stage.
Key National Call-Ups Summary
| National Team | Players | Upcoming Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy U23 | Tommaso Adorni, Davide Montanari (Matteo Gerali – Injured) | Friendly vs. Fortitudo | Bologna |
| Italy U18 | Daniele Albertini, Giacomo Gerali, Pietro Schianchi | Friendly Match | Godo |
The immediate focus for the Crocetta community now shifts to the performances of Adorni and Montanari in Bologna and the U18 trio in Godo. The club’s leadership has expressed its full support for the athletes as they transition to the national team environment.

Further updates on Matteo Gerali’s recovery and the results of the national team friendlies are expected as the matches conclude. According to reports from SportParma, these convocations mark a high point in the club’s recent developmental cycle.
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