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IFIA Magazine March 2025

Young Innovator Spotlight /

Interview with Michela Messina

Meet Michela Messina, a talented 7th grader from Fairfield, Connecticut, who
is redefining innovation in sports. Michela is the inventor of the Pitching Pro, a
patent-pending device that revolutionizes softball training by upgrading a standard
pitching rubber with a built-in self-retracting string. This inno-vative string acts as a
measuring tape, ensuring the perfect pitching distance every time.
The Pitching Pro features a torsion spring housed within a 3D-printed base that
effortlessly retracts the string when it’s not in use. In its latest iteration, Michela
has enhanced the design by introducing a removable retraction mechanism with
interchangeable covers, making the device adaptable for mul-tiple sports. Despite
these advancements, creating the perfect product wasn’t easy. Michela recalls her
biggest challenge: making the pitching mound both thinner and sturdier. It took her
five attempts to engineer a solution that accommodated all the components within
the compact 3D-printed base.
Michela is confident that her invention will make life easier for pitchers, particularly
those practicing in areas without a proper mound or in the outfield where distances
are not pre-set. Beyond softball, she envisions the Pitching Pro being used in other
sports as well. Her dream is to see the device mass-produced and widely available to
athletes around the world.
Her journey as an innovator is deeply intertwined with her love for softball. Michela
is a dedicated player who pitches for her travel team and the local Little League All-
Star team. The inspiration for her invention struck while she was practicing in the
outfield without a proper bullpen, realizing that other pitchers could benefit from a
solution to the same problem.
Michela’s advice for aspiring inventors? “If things get hard along the way, don’t give
up! You’ll eventually figure it out! It doesn’t take someone like Albert Einstein to find a
problem in the world and be able to fix it; anyone can do it if you put your mind to it!”
Her story is a testament to the power of persistence and creativity. Michela’s
innovative spirit, coupled with her dedication to problem-solving, is truly inspiring.
If you’d like to support Michela’s invention, she welcomes your help in spreading the
word, gathering testimonials, and advancing the patenting process.
The Pitching Pro isn’t just a product; it’s a reminder that innovation can come from
anyone, any-where, at any age. Michela Messina is proof that when passion meets
determination, great things can happen.

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