How did your Team qualify for the 2011 Baseball World Cup?

Marco Mazzieri: We are currently the Champions of Europe. The 2010 European Championship, that we won, qualified the top 3 teams to the World Cup.

What selection process did you went through to complete the roster for the BWC? Any problems recruiting professional players for Panama?

Marco Mazzieri: We have been working on a group of players since 2007. Of course, we asked we follow every player who qualifies for the National Team and then concentrate on the players made available by their organizations. Basically, our team is made by the best Italian players of the Italian Baseball League.

What are your expectations for the BWC? Which teams are favored in your group and to win it all?

Marco Mazzieri: Italy wants to compete. If we play at our best, we can make it to the second round and once we are amongst the top 8, we will play one game at a time and see how far we can get.

The best teams in our group are Cuba and the Dominican Republic, in my opinion. But it’s a tough group indeed. Korea and Australia look like young squads, but they have plenty of talent. Venezuela is one of the world baseball powers, Nicaragua plays solid baseball and Germany was tough to beat in the 2010 Euros. I repeat: we will need to play 100%, if we want to make it amongst the top 4 of the group.

How important is the BWC in your country?

Marco Mazzieri: It is a very important tournament for the baseball community. But when you play baseball in the Fall, with all of the pro leagues (soccer, basketball, rugby) already active, you need to perform at the top, to get some interest outside of the baseball community

Did/will you hold a training camp in preparation of the BWC? Did/will you play any exhibition games and if yes, against which team(s)? How much helped the Spring Training in Florida?

Marco Mazzieri:  The Spring Training was a very important moment for us. We realize we cannot work out too often during the season and we were aware of the fact we would have had the team together only in July for the All Star Game. As I told to the players, there are many players we consider, but only 24 go to the World Cup. So we pick the ones we consider more fit to the tournament we are going to play.

We will play four games against Instructional League teams (2 vs The Marlins and 2 vs The Nationals) while in Florida. We went back to Vero Beach Sports Village (former Dodger Town) and will stay until September 30th

Any players missing due to injury or other obligations?

Marco Mazzieri: We don’t have relevant injuries. The biggest name we are missing is Alex Liddi, who just made is Big League debut. Also Francisco Cervelli would like to play for us, but he’s a Big Leaguer too.

Could you introduce your coaching staff to us?

Marco Mazzieri: Fortitudo Bologna manager Marco Nanni is my Bench Coach. FIBS Academy MLB Coach in Residence Bill Holmberg is my pitching coach. The hitting coach will be once again Mike Piazza, who is a regular on the staff. Former Team Italy’s second baseman Alberto D’Auria is our third base coach (the same position he has for Nettuno in the IBL) and Claudio Vecchi, a veteran coach who was with the National Team before I was named the manager) will be our first base coach.

• Giacomo Bassi – 1995 – Pitcher – Crocetta BC
• Simone Bazzarini – 1994 – Pitcher – New Black Panthers Ronchi dei L.
• Davide Benetti – 1994 – Infielder – San Martino Junior
• Fabrizio Brignone – 1993 – Infielder – Anzio BC
• Federico Celli – 1995 – Pitcher – Rimini Riviera
• Federico Cozzolino – 1994 – Pitcher – Latina BC
• Lorenzo Fabbri – 1995 – Infielder – Rimini Riviera
• Marten Thomas Gasparini – 1997 – Infielder – Cervignano Baseball
• Lorenzo Gradali – 1995 – Pitcher – Crocetta BC
• Alessandro Grimaudo – 1993 – Outfielder – Nettuno Elite
• Mattia Mercuri – 1994 – Infielder – Nettuno Elite
• Mirko Pancellini – 1997 – Pitcher – Junior Grosseto
• Sebastiano Poma – 1993 – Outfielder – Collecchio BC
• Mario Trinci – 1994 – Catcher – Nettuno Elite
• Alnel Joel Valera – 1996 – Outfielder – Nuova Pianorese

The inaugural All-Star Game in the Italian Baseball League will be played on Friday, July 1st at the Steno Borghese Stadium in Nettuno. The Italian National Team is going to face the IBL All Star Team, which was voted by the fans in the last couple of weeks. Pitchers were selected by the coaching staff of manager Gilberto Gerali. The staff of national team head coach Marco Mazzieri also includes former Major Leaguer Frank Catalanotto, who is going to serve as hitting coach in the absence of Mike Piazza. The festivities are scheduled to begin at 7pm CET. The evening also will feature the “Mine” Homerun Derby.

Roster Italian National Team
Results of the All Star Team Voting

After taking a break of nearly two months the crew of Baseball.it has re-launched the website a few weeks ago. It features a completely new design, several new contributors and additional features. Similar to the “old” version you can simply click on one of the flags to receive a quick translation if you’re not familiar with the Italian language. Visit www.baseball.it to take a look.

by Riccardo Schiroli

Former Major League Baseball (Dodgers, Marlins, Mets, Padres and A’S) superstar Mike Piazza, currently the hitting coach for Team Italy, took a chance to live his soccer fan dream while in Sicily representing the NIAF (National Italian American Foundation). Piazza met Palermo calcio (one of the top teams in the Italian soccer Serie A) vice president Guglielmo Miccichè and received a personalized (with his name and his number 31) Palermo jersey .

“We are the only team in the world with a pink jersey” commented Miccichè, who received from Piazza a Mets jersey and gave to Mike’s  wife Alicia Rickter a couple of Kurò (the Palermo calcio mascotte) puppets as a present for the couple’s daughters Nicoletta and Paulina.

Miccichè enquired Piazza and NIAF President Jerry Colangelo about the possibility of organizing a Palermo tour in the States to face Major League Soccer teams.

Piazza, after asking information about the future of his favorite Palermo player (striker Fabrizio Miccoli), explained to Miccichè that he believes that baseball development in Italy has to include Sicily, because of the ideal weather conditions of the island.

Miccichè explained that Palermo calcio supports baseball and that one of the projects the team ownership has is about remodeling the Palermo baseball stadium in order to host main events.

For more pictures of Mike Piazza’s visit to Palermo go to FIBS.it.

After Thursday’s scheduled game was rained out, Team Italy and the Washington Nationals agreed to play a 13-inning game on Friday instead of the planned two seven-inning matches. The squad of Nationals minor leaguers, including the MLB proven hurlers Todd Coffey and Doug Slaten, won 2-1 in the end.

Juan Carlos Infante had two hits for Italy, while Stefano De Simoni, Mario Chiarini, Jairo Ramos, Alex Sambucci and Alessandro Vaglio picked up the other five. On the mound Chris Cooper, Tiago Da Silva, Cody Cillo, Carlos Richetti, Chris Di Roma, Yovany D’Amico, Marco Grifantini and Justin Cicatello shared the workload for the team of manager Marco Mazzieri.

The Italian National Team picked up its first win on their trip to Florida on Tuesday, defeating the Canadian Lafleche College 5-1 at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach. Designated hitter Jairo Ramos led the way, by going 2-for-3 with three RBI. Juan Infante and Alex Sambucci also drove in runs. On the mound Roberto Corradini struck out five in three innings to start the game. Afterwards Tiago Da Silva, Matteo Pizziconi and Junior Oberto closed it out.

Italy had lost its first two games last weekend against the New York Mets and the Florida Marlins. After a double practice session on Wednesday at the formerly Spring Training site of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Vero Beach the team of manager Marco Mazzieri is going to conclude its trip with two exhibition games against the Washington Nationals in Viera on Thursday and Friday.

After losing to New York Mets minor leaguers on Saturday, the farm players of the Florida Marlins also were too strong for Italy one day later. The Marlins scored seven runs in the seventh in Jupiter on Sunday to beat the Squadra Azzurri 9-2. Italy scored its runs on a RBI double by Mario Chiarini in the first and a RBI single by Jack Santora in the fifth.

Cody Cillo, Junior Oberto, Chris Di Roma, Yovany D’Amico, Marco Grifantini and Justin Cicatello shared the workload for Italy on the mound. Chiarini was 2-for-3. Santora, Alex Sambucci, Giovanni Pantaleoni and Juan Carlos Infante had the remaining hits for the blues. Kyle Skipworth and Josh Kroeger homered for Florida, which also had Vinny Rottino in the lineup who played for Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

The team of manager Marco Mazzieri is going to play against the Canadian Lafleche College on Tuesday afternoon in Vero Beach, before closing out its Spring Training with two games against the Washington Nationals.

In their first exhibition game during their Spring Training trip to Florida, the Italian National Team lost 1-7 to a squad of New York Mets minor leaguers on Saturday morning in Port St. Lucie. The prospects, which also used last year’s round-one draft pick Matt Harvey on the mound, decided the outcome by scoring six of the seven runs between the fourth and sixth. The Squadra Azzurri scored its lone run in the eighth.

Manager Marco Mazzieri used Chris Cooper, Tiago Da Silva, Roberto Corradini, Carlos Richetti and Justin Cicatello as pitchers. Alex Sambucci and Ricardo Bertagnon had the hits on the offensive side of the game. While the Mets used Valentino Pascucci, who played for Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, German catcher Kai Gronauer didn’t suit up for the game. Italy is going to face the Florida Marlins on Sunday morning in Jupiter, Florida.

Schedule Italy:
Saturday, March 5:
10.30am vs. New York Mets in Port St. Lucie
Sunday, March 6:
10.30am vs. Florida Marlins in Jupiter
Tuesday, March 8:
3pm vs. Laflèche College in Vero Beach
Thursday, March 10:
11am vs. Washington Nationals in Viera
Friday, March 11:
11am vs. Washington Nationals in Viera

Italian Roster for Florida Trip:

Pitchers: Justin Cicatello, Cody Cillo, Chris Cooper, Roberto Corradini, Yovany D’Amico, Tiago Da Silva, Chris Di Roma, Marco Griffantini, Matteo Pizziconi, Junior Oberto, Carlos Richetti

Catchers: Juan Angrisano, Riccardo Bertagnon, Mattia Reginato

Infielders: Juan Carlos Infante, Giovanni Pantaloni, Jairo Ramos, Alex Sambucci, Jack Santora, Andrea Sgnaolin, Alessandro Vaglio

Outfielders: Paolo Ambrosino, Mirco Caradonna, Mario Chiarini, Stefano De Simoni, Leonardo Zileri

Coaching Staff: Marco Mazzieri (Manager), Marco Nanni (Bench Coach), Bill Holmberg (Pitching Coach), Mike Piazza (Hitting Coach), Claudio Vecchi, Alberto D’Auria, Frank Catalanotto (Assistant Coaches)

The coaching staff of manager Marco Mazzieri will be assisted by new bench coach Marco Nanni, pitching coach Bill Holmberg, hitting coach Mike Piazza and coaches Claudi Vecchi and Alberto D’Auria. Additionally former Major Leaguer Frank Catalanotto, who retired after 1,265 games in the big leagues and played for Italy at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics, will be in camp as a coach. It is certainly a great opportunity for Italy to kick off preparations for the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup in Panama at the end of September.

The Board of Directors of the Italian Baseball Federation expressed doubts about the opportunity of playing an edition of the IBAF World Cup in 2011.

The tournament was not considered to be part of the international schedule for the upcoming season and a location and a date are not set yet, as late as the third decade of January. This may force some of the countries to withdraw and it is very unlikely that professional organizations will allow their players to participate.

A World Cup of this sort would not be supporting the project of the baseball community, since the reinstatement of the game in the Olympic program is seen as a priority.

Coaching Staffs:
Senior Baseball National Team: Manager Marco Mazzieri, Pitching Coach William Holmberg, Assistant Coaches Marco Nanni, Alberto D’Auria and Claudio Vecchi

Junior Baseball National Team: Manager Gianguido Poma, Pitching Coach Claudio Scerrato, Assistant Coaches Gianmario Costa and Mario Mascitelli, Technical Supervisor William Holmberg

Cadets Baseball National Team: Manager Dimes Gamberini, Pitching Coach Domenico Micheli, Assistant Coaches Sandro Rizzi and Mario Da Re

Senior Softball National Team: Manager Marina Centrone, Pitching Coaches Monica Corvino and Calixto Mijar, Assistant Coach Paola Marfoglia

Junior Softball National Team: Manager Luigi Soldi, Assistant Coaches Anna Battigelli, Stefano Cenci and Luca Avanzi

Cervelli and Mazzieri will be at the academy in Tirrenia on November 25th. Cervelli played for Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and probably would have been on the 2009 World Cup roster too, if he hadn’t been called up to the big leagues. He made his debut in the MLB for the Yankees as a backup to Jorge Posada in September of 2008. Since then he has appeared in 138 games batting .274 (OBP .343/SLG .340).

Mister-Baseball: Could you give our readers a short statement on Italy’s participation in the Intercontinental Cup and how would you rank the third place in comparison to the European Championship this summer?

Marco Mazzieri: Well, we are very happy on how Team Italy performed in the Cup especially considering that we had some young guys playing for the first time with the team. It is a different tournament so I would not make comparison, the competition was better but we had a lot of pressure coming into the European after not winning for 13 years.

MRBB: What did you think about the tournament in general and is it sad to see it go after so many years of existence?

MM: The Tournament was very good as well as the organization but if IBAF decided to let it go they probably had good reasons for it.

MRBB: On paper at least the preparation for the tournament looked pretty solid, but you still lost to the Netherlands somewhat lopsided. What happened? Did Chris Cooper just have a bad start?

MM: It was a strange game, with a combination of different factors but I would give credit to the Dutch team for swinging the bat like they did against us.

MRBB: You had good mix of veteran and inexperienced players on the roster. How did you like the performance of the younger players on the team?

MM: I love it, it was a double satisfaction for me personally, because we had 5 kids on the team that I had since 2003 when I managed the cadets national team and later on at the Academy. I always like to mix veteran guys and young prospects.

MRBB: How much did it help to have minor leaguers Alessandro Maestri, Andrea Pizziconi and Claudio Bavera on the team? Did you try to get Alex Liddi too?

MM: Pizziconi and Bavera were there to get experience while Maestri was a huge part of our success. I didn’t try to get Liddi because I knew he was going to Venezuela for winter league and I wish him to make it to the big league soon.

MRBB: What was the difference between the rather disappointing Baseball World Cup and this year’s tournaments? Did you change anything in preparation?

MM: Disappointing is not my opinion, when you missed your 4 and 5 in the lineup and your best reliever (Liddi-Mazzanti and Maestri) all you do is try to compete and I think we were able to do that.

MRBB: How much does it help to have coaches like Mike Piazza or John McLaren on the coaching staff?

MM: Of course that is very inspiring for the players and for us, the coaching staff; it is something to look for to get better.

MRBB: What do you think about the “new” Italian Baseball League? Is it helping Italian Baseball that there is the IBL 2, where younger players get regular playing time? Did this concept work out in the first season?

MM: I like the formula and I think it can get better as the years go by. It was good to get it started.

MRBB: In an interview with Baseball.it it seems that you’re thinking about retiring as manager of the national team. True? When you’re finished, would you consider going back to managing in the Italian Baseball League or even look for an assignment outside of Italy, maybe in the Netherlands?

MM: True, I am considering other aspects of life. I have been giving my heart and soul to the game for a long, long time, often sacrificing people around me that I would like to thank for their understanding. I will take some time to rest and then will make my decision but I am not going back to manage a club.

Mister-Baseball thanks Marco Mazzieri for answering our questions.

Photo: © Ezio Ratti/FIBS

The Czech National Team has arrived in Taiwan for the upcoming Intercontinental Cup. On Thursday they played an exhibition game against Italy in Taichung, losing 2-12 to the European Champion. It was already the fourth warm-up match for the Squadra Azzura and the second win in two days. They out-hit the Czech squad 19-8 and blew things open with four runs in the fourth and five in the ninth. Mario Chiarini led the way at the plate, going 4-for-5, while Laidel Chapelli collected three hits in the game. Jakub Hajtmar and Pavel Budsky had two hits each for the Czech Republic.

On the mound Cody Cillo, like Tiago Da Silva the day before, hit 89 MPH on the radar gun. He struck out six batters in five innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk. Luca Panerati, Andrea Pizziconi, Alessandro Maestri and Justin Cicatello followed Cillo in relief. Czech coach Pavel Chadim gave nine of his pitchers some work, sending Boris Bokaj, Jan Rehacek, Radim Chroust, Tomas Duffek, Vojtech Jelinek, Jan Homolka, Jan Tomek and Jan Blazek to the mound.

Both teams will finish up preparations on Friday with practice sessions. On Saturday Italy is going to open the Intercontinental Cup 2010 against arch rivals Netherlands, while the Czech Team has to take on Cuba.

Touching 89 MPH Tiago Da Silva pitched five strong innings to lead Italy to a 2-1 win over the University of Taichung on Wednesday, their first victory in three warm-up games before the start of the Intercontinental Cup on Saturday. Da Silva issued two hits, an unearned run and a walk, while striking out three. Yovany D’Amico, Claudio Bavera and Marco Grifantini closed it out for the Squadra Azzurra. Anthony Granato and Juan Carlos Infante drove in the two runs for Italy in the fifth and the seventh.

The squad of manager Marco Mazzieri is going to conclude its warm-up schedule on Thursday with a match against the Czech Republic. Meanwhile the Dutch national team once again had to focus on indoor workouts after the rainy weather also led to the cancelation of their exhibition against Cuba. Both teams already were hit by rainouts on Tuesday.

After losing to the University of Taichung on Monday, Italy settled for a 1-1 tie in the second warm-up game before the Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan. After the college kids took advantage of a wild Andrea Pizziconi in the fifth the Squadra Azzurri came back in the eighth. They tied the contest when Juan Carlos Infante crossed the plate on a sac fly by Mario Chiarini. Besides Pizziconi, Sandy Patrone, Claudio Bavera, Luca Panerati, Justin Cicatello and Alessandro Maestri also took the mound for the team of manager Marco Mazzieri.

The Dutch national team was also supposed to play a second exhibition game on Tuesday, but their matchup with Taiwan got canceled due to rain as well as the duel between Japan and Cuba. On Monday the Netherlands had lost 0-6 to Japan, while Taiwan defeated Cuba 3-2. Cuba and the Netherlands will square off on Wednesday. Italy is going to play a third game against the University team.

Italy                  000 010 210  4 14 3
University of Taichung 300 040 00X  7  8 0

Reigning European Champion Italy lost 4-7 to the University of Taiwan despite the fact that they out-hit their opponents 14-8. Chris Cooper, Yovany D’Amico, Justin Cicatello, Alessandro Maestri and Marco Grifantini shared the workload on the mound. Juan Carlos Infante, Jairo Ramos Gizzi and Laidel Chapelli collected two hits apiece.

Netherlands 000 000 000  0 0 2
Japan       004 000 02X  6 6 2

The Dutch team didn’t fare any better in its first exhibition game. They met with fellow Intercontinental Cup opponent Japan and got no-hit in a 0-6 shutout. Japan’s hurlers struck out twelve, while only Sharlon Schoop and Danny Rombley reached base on a pair of walks. Tom Stuifbergen, Orlando Yntema, Leon Boyd and Dennis Neuman split time on the mound with Stuifbergen and Yntema each going three innings.

One day after announcing that John McLaren is going to join the coaching staff as bench coach, the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) released a 24-man roster for the upcoming Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan. The Italian National Team will leave for Taiwan on Friday, October 15 and will finish up preparations on site before opening the tournament on October 23 against the Netherlands.

Manager Marco Mazzieri selected four current Minor League pitchers to make the trip, Alessandro Maestri (Chicago Cubs), Andrea Pizziconi (Arizona Diamondbacks), Luca Panerati (Cincinnati Reds) and Claudio Bavera (Kansas City Royals), a left-handed reliever from Venezuela. Alessandro Vaglio and Alex Sambucci are the young guns among the position players. Overall 15 of the 24 players on the roster also were in Stuttgart, Heidenheim and Neuenburg in July, winning the European Championship.

Complete Roster:
Pitchers: Chris Cooper (Montepaschi Grosseto), Cody Cillo (UGF Bologna), Tiago Da Silva (T&A San Marino), Sandy Patrone (Telemarket Rimini), Alessandro Maestri (Chicago Cubs), Luca Panerati (Cincinnati Reds), Andrea Pizziconi (Arizona Diamondbacks), Claudio Bavera (Kansas City Royals), Yovany D’Amico (Montepaschi Grosseto), Marco Grifantini, Justin Cicatello (both Cariparma Parma)

Catcher: Juan Angrisano (UGF Bologna), Riccardo Bertagnon (Cariparma Parma)

Infielders: Juan Carlos Infante, Joseph Mazzuca (both UGF Bologna), Anthony Granato, Giovanni Pantaleoni (both T&A San Marino), Jairo Ramos Gizzi (UGF Bologna), Alessandro Vaglio (Montepaschi Grosseto), Alex Sambucci (Cariparma Parma)

Outfielders: Mario Chiarini, Laidel Chapelli (both Telemarket Rimini), Stefano De Simoni, Leonardo Zileri (Cariparma Parma)

Coaching Staff: Marco Mazzieri (Manager), John McLaren (Bench Coach), Bill Holmberg (Pitching Coach), Claudio Vecchi (First Base Coach), Gian Mario Costa (Third Base Coach)

Photo: © Ezio Ratti/FIBS

McLaren was the manager of the Seattle Mariners in the MLB for 156 games in 2007 and 2008 and also worked as a coach in the big leagues for the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. During the 2006 World Baseball Classic he was a coach for the US National Team. During the 2010 season he served as bench coach for Jim Riggleman with the Washington Nationals.

Costa, a former national team player in over 100 games, already was part of the Italian coaching staff between 2005 and 2007. In 2010 he worked as a coach for the Italian Under-21 and the Junior teams. The reigning European Champion Italy is going to open the Intercontinental Cup against the Netherlands. A 24-man roster will be announced today.

On Wednesday the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) announced the roster. Manager Guglielmo Trinci has selected ten position players and ten pitchers for his squad. They will meet on Friday for a short training camp in Collecchio before traveling to Brno on Sunday. They are open the tournament on Monday against the Ukraine. The Czech Republic, France, Russia and Slovakia will be the other opponents.

Complete Italian Roster:
Davide Bertagna, Erik Gelli, Giacomo Meriggi, Marco Sabbatani (Godo-Verona); Andrea Corsini (Sala Baganza); Andrea D’Amico (Bologna); Tommaso Cherubini, Pierangelo Cit, Luca Lomonte (Rimini); Lorenzo Pieri (Urbe Roma), Alessandro Petralia (Ronchi dei Legionari); Matteo Pizziconi (Nettuno); Elia Pasquali (Redipuglia); Alessandro Vaglio (Grosseto); Andrea Provenzano (Torino); Filippo Bertolini (Reggio Emilia); Enrico Ciuffetelli (Novara); Stefano Giannetti, Mattia Bianchini, Massimo Pesci (Parma)

Coaching Staff:
Guglielmo Trinci (Manager), Gianmario Costa (Assistant Coach), Gianluca Marenghi (Assistant Coach), Rolando Cretis (Pitching Coach)

Final Roster Italy:
Pitchers: Justin Cicatello, Roberto Corradini, Marco Grifantini (all three Cariparma), Carlos Pezzullo, Carlos Richetti, (both Danesi Nettuno), Christopher Cooper, Yovany D’Amico, Riccardo De Santis (all three Montepaschi Grosseto), Christopher Di Roma (Telemarket Rimini), Tiago Da Silva (T&A San Marino), Cody Cillo (UGF Bologna).

Catchers: Simone Albanese (T&A San Marino), Juan Pablo Angrisano (UGF Bologna)

Infielders: Giuseppe Mazzanti (Danesi Nettuno), Jack Santora (Telemarket Rimini), Anthony Granato (T&A San Marino), Juan Carlos Infante, Joseph Mazzuca, Jairo Ramos Gizzi (all three UGF Bologna)

Outfielders: Stefano De Simoni (Cariparma), Paolino Ambrosino (Danesi Nettuno), Lorenzo Avagnina, Laidel Chapelli, Mario Chiarini (all three Telemarket Rimini)

Besides the professional players out of the US, they are also missing several key players from the IBL like Davide Dallospedale, Leonardo Zileri, Francesco Imperiali, Andrea De Santis, Fabio Betto, Fabio Milano, Luca Martignoni, Max De Biase and Mark La Macchia. With Dallospedale not making the trip to Germany, Mario Chiarini of Telemarket Rimini will serve as the new captain.

New on board in comparison to the Baseball World Cup last September are infielder Anthony Granato, who received his Italian passport right in time for the tournament, Anthony Coromato, Roberto Corradini, Justin Cicatello, Carlos Pezzullo, Carlos Richetti, Valerio Simone, Chris Di Roma, Cody Cillo, Simone Albanese, Giuseppe Mazzanti, who was injured last year, Giovanni Pantaleoni, Stefano De Simoni, Lorenzo Avagnina and Laidel Chapelli.

The coaching staff will be formed by manager Marco Mazzieri and assistant coaches Claudio Vecchi, Alberto D’Auria, Gilberto Gerali and Bill Holmberg. Additionally the assumption around European Baseball is that former Major Leaguer Mike Piazza again will serve as hitting coach, but he wasn’t confirmed yet according to Baseball.it. Italy opens the European Championship on July 23 in Stuttgart against Spain, probably already a final for the top spot in Group B.

Complete Roster Italy:
Pitchers: Justin Cicatello, Roberto Corradini, Marco Grifantini (all three Cariparma), Carlos Pezzullo, Carlos Richetti, Valerio Simone (all three Danesi Nettuno), Christopher Cooper, Yovany D’Amico, Riccardo De Santis (all three Montepaschi Grosseto), Christopher Di Roma, Sandy Patrone (both Telemarket Rimini); Tiago Da Silva (T&A San Marino), Cody Cillo (UGF Bologna).

Catchers: Simone Albanese (T&A San Marino), Juan Pablo Angrisano (UGF Bologna)

Infielders: Giuseppe Mazzanti (Danesi Nettuno), Jack Santora (Telemarket Rimini), Anthony Granato, Giovanni Pantaleoni (T&A San Marino), Juan Carlos Infante, Joseph Mazzuca, Jairo Ramos Gizzi (all three UGF Bologna)

Outfielders: Stefano De Simoni (Cariparma), Paolino Ambrosino (Danesi Nettuno), Anthony Coromato (Montepaschi Grosseto), Lorenzo Avagnina, Laidel Chapelli, Mario Chiarini (all three Telemarket Rimini)

Mister-Baseball: What do you expect from your team in Stuttgart, Heidenheim and Neuenburg?

Marco Mazzieri: To perform up to our level and be able to play the final.

MRBB: Can a team challenge defending Champion Netherlands in the 2010 European Championship? Which teams have the best chances of advancing in your group?

MM: I think the tournament will be very competitive and i expect Spain, Germany and us to compete with the Netherlands for the Final.

MRBB: Which team could be the surprise of the tournament?

MM: Germany

MRBB: General speaking is the level of play in European Baseball getting better and more balanced since the EC 2007 or is there still a gap between the top teams and the underdogs?

MM: No, I think it is getting a lot better and the results are never so sure.

MRBB: There will be only a few professional players in the tournament. Does this will have an influence and does it hurt some teams more than others?

MM: Well, actually, i don’t know if there will be professionals at all but my opinion is that if some teams are not getting their pro players then nobody else should have them just to make it even for everybody.

MRBB: Looking at the rosters of the other teams, which players could be especially worthy to watch?

MM: I haven’t seen the roster yet.

MRBB: What is your plan for the final days before the Euro 2010? Which exhibition games do you have planned?

MM: We will play the Italian Baseball week along with Spain, Sweden and Cech Republic.

MRBB: Do you already have a starting lineup in place and who will be in your starting rotation?

MM: Not Yet.

Mister-Baseball thanks Marco Mazzieri for answering our questions and wishes good luck in the European Championship.

Previous:
Sven Hendrickx (Belgium)
Jim Stoeckel (Netherlands)
Mauro Mazzotti (Spain)

Since a long time the official website of FIBS had kept an opening in chapter “Eventi e Tornei” for these days, however without indications as to playing sites and participating teams. Four European national teams (Czech Republic, Sweden, Spain and Italy) will play in northern cities Turin (Torino), Novara, Piacenza and Lodi. First three days are planned for round-robin competition and last two days for best-of-one play-offs.

On Friday two night games will be played simultaneously (20.00h) in Novara and Lodi, on Saturday all four teams will play in Turin in the afternoon (16.00h) and in the evening (21.00h) and on Sunday same timing schedule in Piacenza. Simultaneous playoff games (20.00h) are scheduled on Monday in Novara and Turin and final ranking games on Tuesday in Novara and Lodi.

Sweden is going to play and travel during the first three days in and to Lodi, Turin and Piacenza for two afternoon games and a night game, Spain in and to Novara, Turin and Piacenza for two night games and an afternoon game and Czech Republic in and to Novara, Turin and Piacenza for two night games and an afternoon game. Only home team Italy will play three night games: in Lodi versus Sweden, in Turin versus Spain and in Piacenza versus Czech Republic.

Complete Schedule Italian Baseball Week

by Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
www.honkbalsite.com
www.sporttribune.nl
www.baseball.it

Guglielmo Trinci

• manager of the Italian Under 21 national team
• Trinci was a big star as a player. Born 1959, he has represented Italy in 143 games and has over 1000 games in the Italian league, with 161 homers and a career batting average of .317

Jakub Janda: Mr. Trinci, how has your team been preparing for the 2010 European Championship? What kind of preparation have you gone through in last two years?

Guglielmo Trinci: We will have 2 try outs, before opening camp on August 10th. During the season it is not easy to have players available because they have commitments with their clubs

JJ: How does you roster look like? How many players do you expect from the national league and do you have any players playing abroad? How many players of your tem play in the first league?

GT: First baseman Alex Sambucci (Parma), second baseman Alessandro Vaglio (Grosseto) and outfielder Paolino Ambrosino (Nettuno) are everyday players in the IBL. Right hander Ularetti is a reliever for Bologna and left hander Matteo Pizziconi is a reliever for Nettuno. We have 4 players in the US: right handers Lucati (Astros) and Andrea Pizziconi (DBacks), left hander Panerati (Reds) and infielder Martone (Astros). We do hope they are available

JJ: Do you scout your opponents? What do you expect of the teams in your pool?

GT: I will scout all of the players possible during the MLB European Academy and the rest of the scouting will be done during the tournament

JJ: What are your country’s goals for the ECH? What would you consider a success?

GT: Our main goal is to give an overall good image of Italy and the Italian school of baseball. I usually play a tournament to win and I will try to do it also this time.

JJ: Do you know anything about Czech national team? Do you have any experience with them?

GT: I admit I do not know much of the other teams as of now.

JJ: Thank you for your time.

Mister-Baseball thanks Guglielmo Trinci and Jakub Janda for the Q&A.

The history portion of FIBS.it recently even got a mentioning from history professor Sergio Giuntini, who intends to compose an essay about Baseball in Italy.

“The digital Federal Museum and Hall of Fame is certainly, in my opinion, a public service that constitutes the most serious historical archive rendered by any sport’s federation in Italy to date.”

FIBS.it: History of FIBS
FIBS.it: Italian Players in the Major Leagues

Since Monday you can find all important news from the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) also in English. The FIBS has re-launched the respective section on its website FIBS.it.

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Box score

Five Italian pitchers held the Dutch team to five hits in a 1-0 shutout on Wednesday in Eindhoven. Sandy Patrone started and went four innings. Roberto Corradini picked up the win later. The Azzurri scored their lone run in the top of the seventh on a sac fly by Leonardo Serafin de Camargo. David Bergman, Kevin Heijstek and Berry van Driel shared the pitching duties for the Netherlands.

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Box score

In the first of four exhibition games between the Netherlands and Italy, the teams had to settle for a 1-1 tie in Bussum. Eugene Kingsale put the Dutch team ahead in the opening frame, scoring on a RBI fielder’s choice by Bryan Engelhardt. Italy answered in the sixth with a solo homerun by Juan Angrisano.

Rob Cordemans started for the Netherlands and allowed just four hits and a walk in four scoreless innings, striking out five. Marco Grifantini began for the Azzurri and gave up three hits, a run and five bb in also four innings.

Game two of the series will be played in Eindhoven on Wednesday. For games three and four the teams travel to Godo and Ravenna in Italy. The two round-two hosts have a bye in round one of the Baseball World Cup and use the off time to get in shape for the next phase, awaiting their opponents.

Schedule:
September 9:
19:45 Netherlands – Italy in Eindhoven
September 10:
21:00 Italy – Netherlands in Godo
September 11:
16:00 Italy – Netherlands in Ravenna

Live Play by Play

With the Baseball World Cup starting on Wednesday the two teams which have a bye in round one, the Netherlands and Italy will open a four-game exhibition series on Tuesday. It is reminiscence at the European Baseball Series 2006, where the Dutch team captured the series win. The first two games will be played in Bussum, respective Eindhoven, Netherlands, the latter two in Godo and Ravenna, Italy.

Schedule:
September 8th:
19:45 Bussum: Netherlands – Italy
September 9th:
19:45 Eindhoven: Netherlands – Italy
September 10th:
21:00 Godo: Italy – Netherlands
September 11:
16:00 Ravenna: Italy – Netherlands

Live Play by Play and Results

Mister-Baseball: What do you expect from your team during the Baseball World Cup?

Marco Mazzieri: I expect the team to play hard every day and compete. As long as pitchers keep us in the game and we do not make mistakes, we can have a successful campaign

MRBB: Is Baseball getting more attention in the media and in the public due to the World Cup?

MM: There’s been definitely unusual attention, especially in the Rome area. It motivates us.

MRBB: Is it difficult to plan for pool-play without knowing your opponents until September 12th?

MM: Well, we will be ready to face everybody because we will be scouting all of the 5 pools

MRBB: What do you think are the keys to success during the tournament?

MM: The mental game is a factor. We are physically ready to play every day, but we have to show we are also mentally ready to do it

MRBB: Any injury concerns with the current team? Everybody healthy?

MM: We lost Peppe Mazzanti of Nettuno, one of the best hitters in Europe, and this is a major loss. During the Italian Baseball Week Andrea De Santis suffered an injury and he will be day to day

MRBB: Is the regular starting lineup already set or will you go with the hot hand?

MM: If De Santis cannot play, I may have to move Infante to the outfield and put Imperiali at third. So I believe you will have to wait to know the starting line up of September 13th

MRBB: Which pitchers are going to start for you?

MM: Marco Grifantini and Tiago Da Silva are going to be 2 of our 4 starters. I will be looking in the next few days at how Luca Panerati and Matteo D’Angelo look. We haven’t seen much of Junior Oberto, who needed some rest, but he is also taken into consideration.

Mister-Baseball would like to thank Marco Mazzieri for answering the questions and wishes the Italian National Team good luck in the Baseball World Cup.

Results:
September 2:
Italy – Cuba 3-8
September 3:
Cuba – Taiwan 5-1
Italy – Venezuela 0-7
Box scores at Scorekeepers.org
USA – Canada 6-4
Box score on USA Baseball

Photo: © Diego Lazaro

Schedule:
Thursday, September 3rd:
17:00 Cuba – Taiwan (in Cervignano)
21:00 Italy – Venezuela (Buttrio)
Friday, September 4th:
16:30 Taiwan – Italy (Staranzano)
20:30 Venezuela – Cuba
Saturday, September 5th:
15:30 Venezuela – Taiwan (Buttrio)
20:30 Italy – Cuba (Ronchi)
Sunday, September 6th:
16:30 Bronze Medal Game (Ronchi)
20:30 Final (Ronchi)

Complete Schedule and Official Website

Press Release Italian Baseball and Softball Federation

The Italian adventure in the IBAF World Cup begins in the afternoon of Monday, August 24th in Tirrenia (Pisa). Team Italy’s manager Marco Mazzieri will begin to work out with 27 players (plus Academy alumnus Mattia Reginato, a rookie for Reggio Emilia in 2009 IBL, who will act as his bullpen catcher):

Pitchers (13) Patrone and Quattrini (Rimini), Da Silva and Schiavoni (San Marino), Grifantini and Corradini (Parma), Ularetti (Fortitudo BO), D’Amico, Cooper, Riccardo De Santis and Oberto (Grosseto), Camardese (Godo), Torres (Paternò)

Catchers (2) Angrisano (Fortitudo BO), Camargo (Rimini)

Infielders (7) Dallospedale and Sambucci (Parma), Francesco Imperiali and Rovinelli (San Marino), Infante and Mazzuca (Fortitudo BO), Santora (Rimini)

Outfielders (5) Avagnina, Chiarini and Crociati (Rimini), Andrea De Santis (Grosseto), Zileri (Parma)

Mazzieri’s coaching staff will count on Bench Coach Gerali, Pitching Coach Holmberg, Coaches D’Auria and Vecchi, Strength and Conditioning coach Natale and Trainer Baldi. Hitting Coach Mike Piazza will join the team on September 10th.

Mazzieri was also counting on a number of players under contract with MLB organizations. Right handed pitcher Kasey Olenberger (Mariners, no permission from the club), catcher Francisco Cervelli (Yankees, made the Big League roster), outfielder Chris Denorfia (A’s, committed to Triple A playoffs), right handed pitcher Adam Ottavino (Cardinals, no permission from the club) and catcher Matt Pagnozzi (Cardinals, likely September call up) had to decline invitations.

The Mariners allowed third baseman Alex Liddi to play, but after Class A advanced to playoffs, that will be likely over after the World Cup. The Cubs granted permission for right handed pitcher Alessandro Maestri, but the player (who may continue his season in the Caribbean Winter Leagues) hasn’t yet committed to Team Italy. Reds Rookie League pitcher Luca Panerati will join the team on September 5th. Also right handed pitcher Matteo D’Angelo, who will start his senior season at Winthrop College, will join the team later in September.

Talking about IBL players, slugging third baseman Giuseppe Mazzanti (Nettuno) won’t play because of a sore back, while left handed reliever Fabio Milano (Fortitudo Bologna) called himself out for personal reasons. The list of players who declined is completed by veterans Claudio Liverziani (powerful left handed bat) and Fabio Betto (right handed pitcher) who just won the League pennant for Bologna but had decided long ago to leave the National Team.

Italy will play in September a number of exhibition games (all times CET):

Wednesday 9/2 in Codogno at 9 pm vs Cuba
Thursday 9/3 in Buttrio at 9 pm vs Venezuela (Italian Baseball Week)
Friday 9/4 in Staranzano at 4.30 pm vs Taiwan (IBW)
Saturday 9/5 in Ronchi dei Legionari at 8.30 pm vs Cuba (IBW)
Sunday 9/6 in Ronchi dei Legionari (either at 4.30 or 8.30 pm, depending on the final standings of the Italian Baseball Week)

After the Italian Baseball Week the staff will pick up their roster for the European Baseball Series against Holland

Tuesday 9/8 in Bussum at 7.30 pm
Wednesday 9/9 in Eindhoven at 7.30 pm
Thursday 9/10 in Godo at 9 pm
Friday 9/11 in Ravenna at 4 pm

Marco Mazzieri will announce his 24 man roster for the IBAF World Cup after the European Baseball Series

Photo: FIBS

Canada finished in third place after beating Olympic champion Japan 4-1. Danielle Lawrie issued one run on four hits in seven innings to lead the way. Jennifer Yee hit a solo homerun. Sayuri Yamane took the loss. The Netherlands had opened the final day at the tournament with an easy 8-1 win over Italy to capture fifth place. Nathalie Gosewehr, Virginie Anneveld, Chantal Versluis and Saskia Kosterink hit homeruns. Rebecca Soumeru gave up just one run on three hits in a six-inning complete game win.

Final Standings:

1. USA
2. Australia
3. Canada
4. Japan
5. Netherlands
6. Italy

Complete Results, Box scores and Stats on USA Softball

Italy played just one game on Saturday, losing to Canada 4-6 in the continuation of Thursday’s stopped match. The Canadians had answered the 3-0 lead after Kaytlin Gentile’s three-run homerun with two runs each in the second and third. Jennifer Yee homered. Jennifer Carrie struck out eight in six inning of relief to pick up the win. On Sunday Italy got shut out 0-8 by Australia. Justine Smethurst struck out eleven, while allowing just one hit and a walk in five innings. Kylie Cronk hit a solo homerun. Chelsea Forkin drove in three.

The Dutch team also lost the last two games of the first round to finish with a 1-4 record after having beaten Italy on Thursday. On Saturday Japan defeated the Netherlands 4-1. Areke Spel accounted for the lone run with a solo shot in the fourth. One day later Canada won 9-2 behind two RBI each by Erin Cumpstone and Caitlin Lever. The maple leafs had started the contest by scoring six runs in the opening frame. Jennifer Caira struck out seven in three innings for her third win in the tournament.

Results:
July 18:
Canada – Italy 6-4
USA – Canada 14-0 (4)
Japan – USA 1-6
Netherlands – Japan 1-4
July 19:
USA – Australia 8-0 (5)
Canada – Japan 4-5
Australia – Italy 8-0 (5)
Canada – Netherlands 9-2 (5)

Standings:

1. USA 5-0
2. Australia 4-1
3. Canada 3-2
4. Japan 3-2
5. Netherlands 1-4
6. Italy 0-5

Schedule:
July 20:
12.30pm Netherlands – Italy
3.30pm Canada – Japan
8pm USA – Australia (ESPN America, ‘As Live’, Tuesday, July 21, 18.30 CET)

Complete Schedule and Gametracker on USA Softball

On Friday the Dutch team lost 1-6 against Australia. Italy got shut out twice. At first by Team USA, which one-hit Italy in a 12-0 win. Later that day Japan also gave up just one hit in a 7-0 victory. The preliminary round continues thru Sunday with selected games being shown on ESPN America. You can also follow the action on USA Softball.

Results:
July 16:
Italy – Netherlands 2-6
Japan – Australia 2-5
Netherlands – USA 2-7
Canada – Italy 0-3 (1) play resumes on Saturday morning
July 17:
Netherlands – Australia 1-6
Canada – Australia 3-2
USA – Italy 12-0 (5)
Italy – Japan 0-7 (5)

Complete Schedule on USA Softball.com

They will stay in North America, as they will travel to Oklahoma City for the 4th Softball World Cup, which will be held at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium from July 16 to 20. In the tournament they will face Italy, Team USA, Australia, Japan and Canada. ESPN America will broadcast selected games, starting with Netherlands versus USA on Friday morning at 2am CET. You can also follow the Softball World Cup via game tracker on the official website of USA Softball.

TV Commercial Softball World Cup:

Game one will be on Tuesday, September 8th in Bussum, home of the Hoofdklasse club MR COCKER HCAW (tickets already available). One day later the two European Baseball power houses  will meet at the ballpark of the PSV Eindhoven. Both games are scheduled to start at 8pm CET. The two teams will travel to Italy afterwards to conclude the series in Godo and Ravenna.

They also announced the date for an exhibition game in front of the upcoming World Port Tournament in Rotterdam. On July 1st the team of head coach Rod Delmonico will square off with the Under-21 squad of the Netherlands at the Ookmeer Sportpark in Amsterdam. First pitch is scheduled for 7pm CET.

Exhibition Schedule Dutch National Team:
July 1:
19:00 Dutch Under-21 Team vs. Netherlands (in Amsterdam)
July 2 to 12:
World Port Tournament in Rotterdam
September 8:
20:00 Netherlands vs. Italy (in Bussum)
September 9:
20:00 Netherlands vs. Italy (in Eindhoven)
September 10:
TBA Italy vs. Netherlands (in Godo)
September 11:
TBA Italy vs. Netherlands (in Ravenna)

Baseball Digest: Piazza helps grow Baseball in Italy
Baseball Digest: Baseball in Spain gets boost from International Events
Sports Features Communications: Sweden aims at Baseball World Cup with Olympic bid in mind

As a professional sports writer I had already watched a Uefa Champions League final. Well, once in Wien (1995) I admit I was not that professional. AC Milan had just lost (1-0) in a terrible game against Ajax Amsterdam (now that I think of it, it looks like the Dutch like to disappoint my sport passions…). I had just had an argument on the phone with my editor because I had written something about Ajax playing a defensive game (“think of what the Dutch press would have written if Milan had played like Ajax” was what the editor did not like).

I had also watched a Champions League final with Barcelona involved (in Athens in 1994, AC Milan had outplayed them 4-0…Johan Cruijff, I will never be sure about the spelling of his last name, was their coach and after all sometimes the Dutch do not disappoint my passions…).

As a longtime baseball fan, I would have never thought I would have had a chance to watch a Uefa Champions League final sitting close to Mike Piazza.

Since I was travelling with Mike and I knew Piazza would have liked to watch the game, I was as brave as to say: “I may go with him”. Not that I believed that it could really happen, I was just giving it a chance, you never know. But on Tuesday night someone called my cell phone and asked if I was the person supposed to pick up the tickets for Mr. Piazza and Mr. Schiroli: “You’ll find a parking ticket. I am sorry, it’s not the closest to the gate”.

Yeah, I thought, let me complain a bit because I have to walk to the gate. Fortunately enough, I never pronounced these words.

While I was driving through thousands of Manchester United and Barcelona fans, I reminded of myself covering the Intercontinental Cup in Cuba in 2002. I remember a phone call from FIBS President Fraccari stating that Mike Piazza had accepted to represent Italy.

It happens quite often that President Fraccari expresses his enthusiasm and I try to cool him a bit. And it did happen this time: “Presidente” I said “They are not going to let MLB players appear in International baseball”.

But Fraccari had his vision and told me that he believed a World Cup with MLB players was going to happen.

I actually did happen in 2006, even if it was called World Baseball Classic. And Piazza actually signed a so called ‘Player Participation Agreement’ and sent his grandfather’s Rosario papers for eligibility and did wear the ‘maglia azzurra’ and did say: “As an Italian American, when I go back to Italy I feel like a duck chick making it to the water for the first time”.

While Mike was saying these words, I did doubt for a while. I mean, he is a pro and knows how to deal with the press. And after all I had asked him to help us show the Americans that players like him were eligible to represent Italy. Not only for the rules of the WBC, but also because they had the right to have their citizenship recognized. So, I thought, he’s simply doing what I asked him to do.

I saw Piazza in Scottsdale, Arizona one year later. The A’s were playing against the Angels a Spring Training game and he had just signed for the A’s.

I was on the field and Piazza saw me and gave me a hug: “Do you know I had a daughter? Guess what’s her name…Nicoletta…Nicoletta Piazza…what do you think?”

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time for a picture. Or maybe I didn’t dare ask. And I was sorry, because I thought maybe people were not going to believe we had really talked.

But then a couple of years later, I am entering the “Stadio Olimpico” with Mike. Who has just spent a couple of days working out with our players and was there when we announced that the IBAF World Cup Final was going to be played in Nettuno.

I would have a few questions to ask, but I agree that I am supposed to give answers and not ask questions. Still I would like to emphasize the fact that those who were saying that the WBC was not going to leave anything to Italy, especially if Italy insisted in putting on the rosters players like Mike Piazza, were very wrong.

Mike Piazza, a future Hall of Famer, the player who hit the most home runs in the history of baseball while playing catcher, the millionaire…this Mike Piazza committed long time to Italy after representing the country in the 2006 WBC and after serving as a coach 3 years later.

I hope everybody is with me: one of the best hitters of all time will walk on the Tirrenia FIBS Academy turf to teach Italian kids what he has learned in his star years in the Big Leagues. Isn’t it great?.

It’s almost too good to be true, that Piazza has committed long time with the Italian Federation. I believe it’s good for Italy and it’s good for Europe as much.

I only have one moment in which I doubt. It’s when Piazza lets me know his personal solution for Manchester United that is trailing 2-0 against Barcelona: “Don’t you think they would use a player such as Miccoli”.

I almost choke. Piazza knows Miccoli? The Palermo striker in the Italian Serie A?

I turned my head and saw Naomi Campbell. And I was ready to decide I was only dreaming. Then Mike Piazza smiled and said that maybe, even with Miccoli on the pitch, they would have lost anyway. And the night is over.

Photos: Ratti (top) and Ferrini (bottom)/FIBS

by Riccardo Schiroli

Mike Piazza continues his relation with Italian baseball. The former All Star will travel to Italy on Wednesday 5/20 and will remain there for one week. Piazza will give a clinic to the players of the Italian Academy in Tirrenia (on hitting and catching) and then will move to Rome to participate in promotion of baseball in general and IBAF Baseball World Cup in particular. A soccer fan, Piazza has expressed the desire to watch live the Uefa Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona in the Olympic Stadium.

Piazza’s family originated from Sciacca (Sicily). Born 1968 in Norristown (Pennsylvania), Mike Piazza has been an outstanding catcher and hitter, making history as a player for the Los Angeles Dodgers (that picked him in round 62 of the 1988 draft) and the New York Mets; during his career he also wore the uniforms of the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres and Oakland A’s. He hit 427 home runs (the most by a catcher in MLB history) and posted a .308 batting average in 16 big league seasons. This was worth $ 120 million in salaries through 2007, his last year.

Mike Piazza represented Italy as a player in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and as a coach in the 2009 tournament.

Mike Piazza is married to actress and model Alicia Rickter. The couple has a daughter (Nicoletta) and expects the second born in August.

Photo: © FIBS

by Pim van Nes

After one game lost to Venezuela and one game won versus Canada during recent World Baseball Classic, Italian federation president Riccardo Fraccari took his microphone to let the world know, that the time was right to have next WBC version play in his own country Italy. He invited a few Italian journalists, who were attending the Classic’s Round One in Toronto. They walked through the wintering city to the Four Seasons hotel and listened to the Italian master’s voice. According to the official website article by Maurizio Caldarelli, Fraccari already speculated on the revenues of reaching the Classic’s Round Two in Miami. Next day Italy was defeated again by Venezuela: after 7-0 in game 1, the Azzurri scored a run in their third game: 10-1 for Venezuela. Take-off from Toronto, return to Rome, back to home league business.

The Italian team counted only nine home grown talents; pitchers Alex Maestri, Luca Panerati and Roberto Corradini, no catchers, infielders Alex Liddi, Giuseppe Mazzanti and Davide Dallospedale and outfielders Mario Chiarini, Leonardo Zileri and Andrea De Santis. The other 19 players either were imported to Italy for earlier seasons or were invited to join Italian players for the first time. But Fraccari still in Canada with the second game versus Venezuela in next day’s program, reckoned with the million euro he was expecting from Round Two in Miami: “The money that we are going to make in this Classic with the passage to the second round will amount to one million euro and will be invested again in young players development, just like three years ago.” Eye brows rising with the Italian journalists around: “Are the times right for hosting a World Baseball Classic Round One really in Italy?” Fraccari: “Yes, I would say. If Rome will have a stadium with 25,000 seats, there will be no problems to organize a pool in the next WBC, considering the gamble we are making with the World Cup is much more complicated from an organizing point of view.”

The Italian journalists immediately took over the subject: how about the diamond for the World Cup finals? Fraccari: “The Rome city administration has requested our national Olympic Committee (CONI) to systemize the Acquacetosa complex, but since several months I have been in contact with the mayor of Nettuno about the World Cup finale 2009. However, an important stadium in Rome will enable us to host the Classic, but also big Italian events. To this purpose, Mike Piazza has given us his disposability to be at our side to try to bring great baseball to Rome. As you can see, we have already all the actors, but we are still missing the theatre”, according Fraccari speaking Italian about Rome. Two days ago Italian website Baseball.it quoted the Nettuno mayor in a news bulletin: “Not any political decision can still take the World Cup finale 2009 away from Nettuno!” The conclusion we can draw from the various conversations between Fraccari and company is to cancel the prestige of Rome for IBAF World Cup 2009 definitely.

In what journalist Caldarelli described as a long lasting twaddle, also the “Italian Baseball League” was discussed again by Fraccari. He explained that he has been waiting since two years for the formal confirmation by Major League Baseball about the millions of dollars per year as financial help to start professional baseball in Italy. “However, in 2010 we will start the professional league even without their financial help! The clubs will have to begin thinking that winning is not everything, but also they can make a lot of money at the end of season by just working well!”

Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
www.honkbalsite.com
www.sporttribune.nl
www.baseball.it

Photo: © Ratti/FIBS

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Box score

The dream is over for Italy at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Venezuela used two big innings on Tuesday at the Rogers Centre in Toronto to defeat the Azzurri with a 10-1 victory, advancing into round two, which will be held in Miami, Florida. They will face Team USA today to determine the first seed from Pool C. Italy has to go home.

The game started pretty well for Italy, holding a Venezuela zero on the board for the first three frames and even loading the bases in the second on Mike Costanzo’s double, Alex Liddi’s single and a hit by pitch against Francisco Cervelli. But Enrique Gonzalez (W 1-0, 4 IP, 2 H, 3 SO) stopped the rally and the Venezuelan offense came through in the fourth.

Marco Mazzieri replaced starting pitcher Adam Ottavino after three strong innings (1 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) with Tiago Da Silva (L 0-1) and it went downhill from there. Miguel Cabrera reached on a double, moved to third on a Magglio Ordonez single and scored on Carlos Guillen’s double, when right fielder Mario Chiarini missed a great catch at the wall. After an intentional walk, Ramon Hernandez hit a groundball to shortstop Nick Punto, which went through, scoring Ordonez and Guillen to make it 3-0. Two batters later Endy Chavez brought home another run with a sac fly to center.

Kasey Olenberger, who had relieved Da Silva in the fourth to get the final out, ran into trouble in the fifth. Bobby Abreu and Cabrera opened the frame with back-to-back homeruns to start another rally. After Ordonez reached on a double, Olenberger was substituted by Luca Panerati. He got one out, before making place for B.J. La Mura, who promptly allowed back-to-back homeruns by Jose Lopez and Hernandez, building up the lead to 9-0. La Mura got the final two outs of the frame, but the outcome was decided.

Italy finally scored in the top of the seventh loading the bases and putting a run on the board on a bases loaded walk by Jack Santora. Cervelli scored. Venezuela also added another run in the bottom of the period on a RBI single by Chavez. Roberto Corradini, Cody Cillo and Alex Maestri closed it out for Italy. Ramon Ramirez, Frankie Rodriguez and Victor Moreno finished the job, which was begun by Gonzalez.

It was a nice second World Baseball Classic tournament for Italy. Like three years ago they go home with one victory, after beating Canada 6-2 on Monday. Venezuela had just too much offensive power in the lineup to pull off a second upset.

2009 World Baseball Classic Schedule for Tuesday, March 10:

10pm CET, WBC Pool C: Venezuela – Italy
(Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada, ESPN America, ESPN2, MLB.tv live)
Canada’s manager Ernie Witt complemented Italy in yesterday’s post game press conference and not without a reason. Led by the strong Athletics outfielder Chris Denorfia (4-4, BB, 3 2B, defensive play of the day) the second European participant in the World Baseball Classic pulled off a second upset and the 6-2 victory over the maple leafs was well-deserved. They again will face Venezuela in a rematch of Saturday’s 0-7 loss. The winner will book a ticket for round two, the loser goes home. Italy is expected to send Adam Ottavino to the mound and having used just three pitchers on Monday, their bullpen is well-rested. Venezuela counters with Enrique Gonzalez. Their pitching cannot have another off day tonight or they will go home. Against the USA on Sunday, each one of the seven pitchers gave up at least a run. Italy’s Denorfia, Giuseppe Mazzanti, Alex Liddi, Nick Punto and Frank Catalanotto proved that they are also capable to convert mistakes into hits and runs.

11.30pm CET, WBC Pool D: Netherlands – Dominican Republic
(Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico, ESPN America (coverage starts at Wed 1am CET), MLB Network, MLB.tv live)
The biggest compliment the last few days the Netherlands and manager Rod Delmonico received came following the post game press conference after Monday’s 1-3 loss against Puerto Rico. According to a blog post from Newsday reporter Jim Baumbach, the Spanish speaking press stood up and applauded Delmonico and his players. They needed just five more outs to upset another World Baseball Classic favorite and to advance to Dolphin Stadium, Miami, but the clutch hit by Yadier Molina ended these dreams for now.

But thanks to their first stunner from last Saturday, the Netherlands get another chance tonight. Despite beating the Dominicans in the opener they are still a heavy underdog, going into the rematch. Delmonico: “From what I understand, they’re supposed to beat us 9-0 tomorrow. We will come out and play hard and give our best effort. That’s all we can do.” Tom Stuifbergen gets the starting nod against a lineup featuring Hanley Ramirez, Miguel Tejada and David Ortiz among others. It is a tough job for the right-hander from the Minnesota Twins organization, who missed most of 2008 because of an injury. It is also not getting any easier for the Dutch offense, facing Ubaldo Jimenez after Edinson Volquez and Ian Snell in games one and two. No other Major League pitcher besides Jimenez threw more pitches (1342) over 95 MPH last year.

Wednesday, 3am CET, WBC Pool B: Cuba – Australia
(Foro Sol Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico, ESPN America, MLB Network, MLB.tv live)
It was expected that Cuba would play in the winner-winner matchup of Pool B on Tuesday at Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City. But their opponent Australia is a surprise, especially after a 17-7 victory over Mexico on Sunday. The homerun friendly ballpark featured four more homeruns on Monday, bringing the total to 16 for three games. This probably will not change tonight, as both teams combined for ten in their openers. Cuba set a new World Baseball Classic record with six long balls, Australia with 22 hits. The winner will advance to the second round, the loser takes on Mexico tomorrow. The two manager Jon Deeble (AUS) and Higinio Velez (CUB) haven’t confirmed this, but we should expect a pitching matchup between Travis Blackley (AUS) and Aroldis Chapman (CUB), which could be an exciting one.