Gian Paolo Ferrari – Rising Pitching Talent from Guatemala

Brian Eradus • May 30, 2025

At just 24 years old, Gian Paolo Ferrari is poised to make a major impact on the international fastpitch stage. Wearing jersey #48, Gian Paolo heads into the 2025 ISC season with the Sandlot Merchants after playing with the NW Braves last year—bringing a powerful arm, sharp focus, and unshakable determination to every outing.

A Chance Encounter That Sparked a Career

Gian Paolo’s journey into fastpitch began unexpectedly. A Guatemalan pitching coach saw him casually trying pitching motions and told him, “You’ve got some wood to work with.” That invitation to the coach’s academy set Gian Paolo on a path toward elite competition. Inspired by his dad and mentored early by respected names like Sergio Vargas and Alain Roman, Gian Paolo learned the value of persistence: “Keep working, even if things don’t go as expected.”

Personal and Team Goals for 2025

For Gian Paolo, the upcoming season is all about solidifying his role as a reliable starting pitcher and helping the Sandlot Merchants break into the ISC Top 10. He’s focusing on hitting specific spots with the ball, refining his pitching precision, and growing stronger alongside his teammates. “We’re developing together, and that makes us dangerous,” he says confidently.

ISC: The Ultimate Proving Ground

To Gian Paolo, the ISC World Tournament is nothing short of the pinnacle. “It’s a privilege to play in the best tournament in the world,” he says. He’ll never forget his first ISC win—or the rush of pitching against stars like Andrew Kirkpatrick and Adam Folkard. His advice to newcomers? “Enjoy it and focus on the details.”


Training and Mental Edge

Gian Paolo’s preparation is intense and daily, covering both physical and mental aspects:
✅ Daily training, including physical strength and pitching mechanics
✅ Mental visualization exercises to rehearse game situations
✅ Focus on development drills like the “K stage” for strikeouts

His go-to reminder? “Keep working—the good times will come in the right time.”


The Future of Fastpitch

Looking ahead, Gian Paolo envisions fastpitch evolving into a professional, globally televised sport with high-level marketing and expanded live streaming. He believes the ISC can lead this charge by promoting tournaments more widely and giving fans worldwide a front-row seat to the action.


Words for Young Players

For up-and-coming fastpitch athletes, Gian Paolo emphasizes:
💥 Discipline
💥 Teamwork
💥 Focus

He adds, “You don’t just train to play—you train to win.”


Follow Gian Paolo Ferrari

📍 Hometown: Guatemala City, Guatemala
🧢 2025 Team: Sandlot Merchants
📸 Instagram: @ferrari_gp
👤 Facebook: Gian Paolo Ferrari
💼 Profession: Marketer


As he sharpens his arsenal and leads the Sandlot Merchants into the next ISC season, keep your eyes on Gian Paolo Ferrari—a rising star with the talent, grit, and mindset to take on the world’s best. 🌍🔥

By Blair Setford August 20, 2025
We've been made aware that there are bogus emails purporting to be sent from ISC President Chris Santos, asking for help and gift cards. These are "phishing attempts" trying to get the receiver to reveal personal information or provide a gift card or other monetary assistance. Neither the ISC, nor Chris Santos nor any other Executive Committee member, will ever contact you asking for financial help. Please recognize the signs of "phishing attempts" as outlined n graphic. There other ways to identify phishing emails, including checking the "From" email address and hovering over any links before your click on them. Awareness and knowledge are your best defence against "phishing attempts". There are multiple online resources that you can access including this one which provides great information on how to identify a suspicious email.
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