What was your baseball background like, and what sports have you played?

Baseball was the first sport I ever played “seriously”. I started in Italy when I was about 7 and continued until I was 14. There was a baseball field close to my home, and every time we passed by, I would ask my parents to take me there… until eventually, they gave in.

After the first couple of years, I joined Bollate Baseball Club near Milan, which was quite competitive. Looking back on those years, I have nothing but great memories. We often came close to reaching the national playoffs and took part in international tournaments. A few players from our team were even selected for the Italian national team (not me, unfortunately!).

After many years, however, it felt natural to try something different. I went on to practise athletics and water polo at a good level.

I returned to baseball about 20 years later, after moving to Manchester at the end of 2022, where I joined Manchester Baseball Club. There, I played for the first team, the equivalent of a GAA “Senior” side. Competition for a place in the starting line-up was intense, with talented players from all over the world.

Even though I wasn’t always in the starting line-up, I got a lot of satisfaction from the experience. It was a highly stimulating environment where I learned from everyone around me. That period culminated last year when we won the Triple-A North Division and reached the national play-off semi-finals — an achievement the club had never reached before.

Alberto Scotti

How did the move from Italy to Manchester, and now to Galway, shape your sporting journey?

I think it definitely shaped my sporting journey for the better. Without moving to Manchester, it’s very likely I would never have picked up baseball again.

Once I had rediscovered baseball there, it felt natural to look for something similar when I moved to Galway last October. In a way, without baseball in Manchester, there probably wouldn’t have been rounders in Galway for me.

When you first arrived in Galway, had you heard of rounders before?

When I found out I would be moving to Galway, I immediately started looking for a sport that could replace baseball… and that’s how I discovered rounders. Before that, despite being familiar with other GAA sports, I had never even heard of it.

So in a way, I actually discovered rounders — and the club — before I was even physically in Galway!

What were your first impressions from the Connacht Cup?

It was really a day of discovery. I had only joined the club a few weeks before, so it was my first real experience of the sport in a match setting.

I found myself in many game situations that I would normally approach differently in baseball, while also trying to imagine how those same situations might play out in more competitive matches. The games were very friendly in nature, which made it easier to explore and learn.

Most importantly, I had great fun, and the day motivated me even more to become part of the club.

What did you find hardest to adjust to?

I’d say there are a couple of things. One challenge has been figuring out the best position to take in the batting box. In baseball, the box is much smaller, so there’s less variation when it comes to positioning.

Secondly, I still have to rewire my instincts in certain base-running situations. For example, after a fly ball catch, my instinct from baseball would be to throw behind the runners, whereas in rounders you need to throw in front of them. Adjusting to those differences is taking a bit of time.

You’re starting at short stop in the club’s first Senior Championship match — what does that mean to you?

It’s a great honour (and a big responsibility!) and it honestly came as an unexpected surprise. It’s definitely one of my top sporting moments personally.

That said, I think it will mean even more if it becomes a great day for the club as a whole. There’s a real sense that this moment belongs to everyone in the club, especially the players who earned the opportunity by winning the Intermediate championship last year.

How have you found the Rapparees setup?

The season is only really getting underway now, but I’ve really appreciated the commitment to organising regular training sessions and keeping things consistent.

I’m still getting to know some of the players, but from day one I’ve found the environment to be very friendly and constructive. It’s been a very positive experience so far, both on and off the pitch.

The team is very international — how do you find that?

I think overall it’s not something that makes a major difference when it comes to settling into a team. What matters most is having a shared goal and everyone working towards it.

However, what I do find really striking is how diverse the team is within a national sport like GAA. It’s quite amazing to see that in Galway.

On Sunday, the starting nine reflects that perfectly — with players coming from a wide range of backgrounds: three Americans, two from Galway, one Canadian, one Māori, one Italian and one Indian.

That kind of mix brings different perspectives and approaches to the game. From my experience in Manchester, I’ve always found that you can learn something from everyone, and that can only improve a team.

What are your goals for the season?

I would like to be positively challenged by our opponents, learn to play good rounders from my team-mates, and at the same time contribute something meaningful to the team.

If I can achieve all three, it will be a very positive first season.

As for the team, it’s hard to define specific goals as the club has never been in this position before. What is clear, though, is that this is a moment that has been long anticipated, and everyone will do their best to show that we belong at this level.

Baseball or rounders?

Haha! I’ll stay on the fence for now… ask me again at the end of the season!

Alberto at the 2026 Winter Olympics

You worked at the Winter Olympics — how was that?

As a passionate follower of all kinds of sports, it was incredible to have the Winter Olympics right on the doorstep of where I live in Italy, and even more to be part of them as part of the organising committee.

A truly “once in a lifetime” experience. For about three weeks, I breathed sport in every corner I was in.

But now… back to business — back to rounders.