ROBERTSDALE, Alabama -- When you think of Italy it is likely that you think of a country rich in history.

You probably think of the Roman Empire with its fabled Colosseum and Pantheon or maybe the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Or perhaps you think of Italy as a center for religious culture with Vatican City or the Sistine Chapel.

Most certainly you would think of food, the birthplace of pasta and pizza, cheeses like mozzarella and parmesan, or the Tuscan wine country.

Then again, there’s the thought of romance with a ride along the waterways of Venice or the art culture of Florence and Milan.

One thing you probably aren’t thinking about when you think of Italy is softball, but for 14 high-school age girls, including five from Baldwin County, that’s precisely what they’ll be thinking about when they travel to Italy this summer.

Robertsdale High School softball coach Barry Roberts said he was connected with the organization USA Athletes International Inc. through a friend who coaches in the college ranks.

“He had participated in a tournament, so I applied and was accepted,” said Roberts.

Four players from RHS will participate in the tournament, Taylor Tucker, a sophomore pitcher/infielder, the daughter of Tim and Sheri Tucker of Silverhill; Allee Bertolla, a sophomore catcher, the daughter of Adam and Stacee Bertolla of Loxley; Briana Pierce, a junior pitcher/infielder, the daughter of Dr. Brian and Kris Pierce of Robertsdale, and Emily Sinclair, an eighth grader catcher and infielder, the daughter of Kevin and  Tressa Sinclair of Loxley; along with Autumn Corley, a freshman pitcher/infielder, the daughter of Jonathan and Carolyun Corley of Bay Minette, who plays for Escambia Academy in Atmore.

The roster also includes Leslie Andress, a first baseman from Northport, who plays for Tuscaloosa Academy; and a trio of players from Mississippi, Rachel Hayes, a pitcher/infielder from Ocean Springs, Lauren Holifield, who plays pitcher, shortstop and outfield, from Columbus, who plays for New Hope High School; and Carlie Vice, a catcher, third baseman and utility player from Most Point, who plays for Pascagoula High School. Vice’s mother, Shelley Silvas, coaches at Pascagoula High and will serve as an assistant coach for the team.

The remaining roster has been set, Roberts said, but the other five players have yet to be confirmed for publication.

The players leave for Rome on July 28 to participate in the Chainti Invitational, a three-day tournament in Grosseto, Italy, located between Rome and Florence.

The trip will also include tours of the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Pisa, a walking tour of Florence, and a boat tour along the Cinque Terre. There will also be a pizza making demonstration with an opportunity for players to make their own pizza. The entire trip will total 10 days, returning to the U.S. on Aug. 6.

“It’s a rare opportunity and I’m going to take advantage of it,” Pierce said.

For all the players the chance to play on the international stage is an opportunity to showcase their sport and possibly get softball back on the Olympic map.

“I feel like this is an opportunity to show our sport to the world,” said Tucker.

According to its website, USA Athletes International Inc. was founded in 1992. Originally called the Midwest All-Stars, the organization, based in Olathe, Kan., a suburb of Kansas City, provided overseas playing opportunities to baseball players.

The success of that program eventually prompted requests from abroad for other sporting teams to participate. In 1998 the organization incorporated and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, changing its name to USA Athletes International. USAAI now supports a total of 15 different sports that compete in 25 different countries throughout the world.

The trip costs $4,096 per player, Roberts said, with each player participating in individual fundraisers. USSAI also helps fund players through scholarship opportunities, he said.

“As long is the player is actively working to raise money, USSAI says they will find a way to get them there,” he said.

For at least one player, the trip is an opportunity to explore her Italian roots.

“I’m just really excited to be going,” Bertolla said.

If you would like to learn more information about USSAI, visit the group’s website, ussai.org. If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a player, contact Roberts at Robertsdale High School, 251-947-5467 or email bkroberts@bcbe.org.