The latest feature of the IABF and Federation of Italian Baseball and Softball strategic partnership was the debut of a College Pipeline Softball Showcase in October in Bollate, Italy.

The showcase was organized and operated by Between the Lines (BTL), a St. Louis-based player development firm focused on technique, training, and creating exposure for players.

High school players in good academic standing looking to play and study at the next level in the United States participated in the showcase. BTL tracks and shares data with college coaches to land scholarships and roster spots for players.

Legendary Italian American softball coach Mike Candrea, a special advisor for Team Italy Softball, supervised the showcase. Candrea, who won eight NCAA National Championships at the University of Arizona, will be honored by IABF with its inaugural collegiate award at the IABF Gala on November 30 in New York City.