Preparing for Forli: The Journey Begins!

As our Erasmus+ Softball project gains momentum, the excitement is palpable. Before heading to Forli, Italy, where we’ll be learning from the experienced Forli Softball Club, there were several arrangements we needed to get in place. Organizing a training schedule, managing logistics, securing accommodation, and making sure our team would be ready for the trip were key steps in preparing for what promises to be a great learning experience.

Logistics & Accommodation: Making Sure We’re Ready

Before we could get to the good part—training and watching some incredible softball—we needed to sort out the logistics. This involved securing flights and finding accommodation that would meet our needs. Our team was traveling in a few batches, so not everyone would arrive at the same time, but most of us would be staying for a similar period.

Accommodation was a big priority, and we were particular about a few things. With training sessions to attend and knowledge-sharing meetings ahead, we needed a place with strong Wi-Fi to keep up with work, blogging, and saving all the new information on our shared files. On top of that, a washer was quite essential—clean clothes are a must, especially when you're on the move! After some searching, we settled on a great Airbnb that checked all the boxes - also opportunity to cook our own meals which we can combine with eating out.

The team's flights were arranged gradually to guarantee a smooth arrival for everyone. Train schedules and tickets were obtained promptly, and car rentals were arranged for convenient transportation to and from the training site. Overall, we have largely finalized the logistics before reaching Forli and are well-prepared in most aspects.

Arranging with Forli Softball Team: Training & Participation

The Forlì Softball Club warmly welcomed us in our email correspondence, and together we worked on finalizing a detailed training schedule that will allow our team to fully engage with their practices to our best benefit. The schedule looks excellent—packed with opportunities to learn new techniques, strategies, and methods that will greatly enhance our skills and experience. We’re eager to dive into these sessions and hope to bring back invaluable insights to our softball training in Finland.

We’ll be on cheering for Forli's team during their tournament on 14-15.September observing, helping, cheering, and absorbing all the knowledge we can from how a top-tier team operates in a competitive environment.

Forli Softball & The Tournament Experience

A particularly exciting aspect of our upcoming stay in Forli is the chance to witness their softball tournament up close. Giovanni has asked us to participate by helping the team during the event—not as players, but as enthusiastic observers and supporters. This is a golden opportunity to see the sport at a high level and witness firsthand how a top team operates during a tournament. We can’t wait to bring our knowledge back home and use it to improve our training and game strategies.

Italy’s European Softball Success

In addition, the Italian national team achieved victory as European Softball Champions in the Netherlands in 2024! This enhances our excitement for the trip, as we anticipate being in a country where softball flourishes on both the national and local levels. The impressive pride and skill exhibited by Italy’s team further inspire us to maximize our learning and development during this exchange.

We are eager to provide further updates from Forli, detailing our on-field experiences, the insights gained from the tournament, and how this adventure influences the future of softball at our club.

Stay tuned for more as we embark on this incredible Erasmus+ adventure!