The NY Robins have arrived in Italy for two weeks to play against international teams and for “an experience to remember.” (Submitted Photo), Sherburne-Earlville’s Julia Lein is representing our local area as a member of the NY Robins team, currently in Italy for two weeks of international softball and a unique cultural and educational experience. (Submitted Photo)

CENTRAL NEW YORK – Student-athletes from various communities and school districts across the local area—including Rome Free Academy, Christian Brothers Academy, Chittenango, Sherburne-Earlville, Oneida, Camden, Syracuse, Utica, Stockbridge, and Marcellus—have come together to form the newly created New York Robins Fastpitch softball team, coached by Robin Penoyer.

The team has arrived in Italy, where they will spend two weeks playing softball against several Northern Italian teams, including Azzanese Softball (based out of Azzano Decimo), Stars Ronchi, Treviso, Friuli, Vicenza, and Padova. A team from Croatia will also drive in to play the NY Robins, and a Nigerian team based out of Ilorin, Nigeria, is attempting to attend as well.

This trip is meant to educate and provide a global experience for softball players in Central New York, showing them how the sport has grown across the world. Softball and baseball have a solid foundation in Italy and many other European countries. This opportunity gives our young athletes a glimpse into their futures and will surely be an experience to remember.

Attending the trip are: Grace Nicotra, Jordan O’Connor, Gracie Battles, Maleea Jayson, McKenzie Davis, Emma Lindstrom, Hannah Rutherford, Beth Laming, Erin Laming, Bella Goodhines, Isabella Addison, S-E’s own Julia Lein, Karalynn Carmon, Irie Gallerani, Celia Gallerani, Emelia Szymanski, Jaydn Burney, Alexandra Grey, Taylor Gilliland, and Addison Poland. They are joined by Coach Robin Penoyer, who brings experience and enthusiasm to the journey.

“I remember my first time playing abroad in 2005 in the Netherlands with Dames 1 Centrals Team. It was my first international playing experience after spending years playing women’s Majors, having been at many women’s national tournaments,” Coach Penoyer said. “ I decided it was time to make a move and do something different after being at the top of the game here in the US. I didn’t know anyone and took a leaf of faith. The faith landed me many friends in Holland that continued to grow throughout many countries. What I found most interesting was that we all love the game of softball, practice it hard, but we treat life differently.The difference is what has made me realize that more of us need to experience different cultures sooner in life.”

Penoyer added that the goal of the trip is to educate, not all about winning.

“The goal of this trip is not to win a world cup, that is not what this is about. We are not pretending to be anything that we are not. No marketing ploy,” Penoyer said. “This is designed as an educational, eye opening experience that includes the game of softball. As I took my first coaching trip to Italy in 2016 with an A1 team and living there for six months, and again in 2018 I again came to the conclusion that there is so much more to see and experience in the world and we need to create these opportunities for more young athletes. Vast differences led by the same sport we all love so dearly.”

She also expressed her desire to make international competition more accessible to young athletes.

“The Olympic movements has been long emphasizing this concept, but we need to provide these experiences to more than 15 young women every four years,” Penoyer said. “So, here we are, the NY Robins, headed to Italy to partake in playing some friendly games while exploring the vast beautiful countryside of Italy.”

Best of luck to the NY Robins and enjoy every moment! The team returns on August 14, bringing back many memories to share.

-Information from the NY Robins team