The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) has announced the 28-man roster for Team Italy at the inaugural edition of the Premier 12. The Italian national team arrived in Taiwan last weekend and already started its final preparation camp. They will open the tournament on November 10 against Puerto Rico.
As expected in the past few weeks Alex Liddi, Tiago Da Silva and Jose Escalona are missing on the roster due to obligations with Winter League clubs. Chris Collabello and Pat Venditte were not available due to the face that 40-man roster players from MLB organizations are not allowed to play in the Premier 12.
On the team are Alessandro Maestri, Alberto Mineo, Alessandro Vaglio, Mario Chiarini and Federico Celli to lead the team. Making his Italian debut will be Gianny Fracchiolla, who played the 2015 season for the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg in the German Baseball-Bundesliga.
The coaching staff of manager Marco Mazzieri consists of Gilberto Gerali, Bill Holmberg, Augusto Medina and Alberto D’Auria. Prior to the Premier 12 Italy is going to face Venezuela and Mexico in a pair of exhibition games in Taichung and Dou Liou.
Roster:
Pitchers: Corradini (Rimini), Coveri (San Marino), Filippo Crepaldi (Fortitudo BO), Fracchiolla (Regensburg), Lugo (A+ Cleveland Indians), Maestri (Orix Buffaloes-NPB), Nielsen (A+ St. Louis Cardinals), Oberto (San Marino), Panerati (Fortitudo BO), Andrea Pizziconi (San Marino), Richetti (Rimini), Rivera (Parma), Teran (San Marino)
Catchers: Bertagnon (Rimini), Mineo (A- Chicago Cubs)
Infielders: Epifano (Padova), Renato Imperiali (Città di Nettuno), Infante (Fortitudo BO), Noguera (Parma), Sambucci (Fortitudo BO), Vaglio (Fortitudo BO)
Outfielders: Ambrosino (Fortitudo BO), Celli (A Los Angeles Dodgers), Desimoni (Rimini), Reginato (Nettuno2), Retrosi (Città di Nettuno)
Designated Hitter: Chiarini (San Marino)
Utility Player: Morreale (San Marino)