Mister-Baseball.com is counting down with short team-by-team previews until the World Baseball Classic starts on March 5th.
Italy
Today and tomorrow we’ll continue our preview of 2009 World Baseball Classic teams with the two European participants. Italy was slotted into group C at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada and faces a tough and near impossible road into round two.
Opponents
Italy faces in their opening match on Saturday, March 7th a familiar foe with Venezuela. Both teams already were in the same group at the WBC three years ago with Venezuela winning 6-0. In game two in Toronto Team USA or Canada will wait. Italy needs to win at least one of the first two matches to avoid elimination after the minimum number of games. If they are able to upset their opponents they would play against the top two teams from Pool D with the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Panama.
Recent Tournament History
In the 2006 World Baseball Classic, Italy opened the competition with an impressive 10-0 shutout victory against Australia behind brilliant pitching by Jason Grilli and Riccardo De Santis (7 IP combined, 1 H, 0 BB, 9 SO). They lost to Venezuela and the Dominican team (3-8) in games two and three of group-play to miss the next round, finishing tenth.
One year later the 2007 European Championship in Barcelona, Spain took place and the Italian team finished in a disappointing seventh place. They changed managers afterwards and Marco Mazzieri led the team to a solid performance in the 2007 Baseball World Cup only a few months later. They were able to upset Team USA in the preliminary round, the only loss for the North Americans in the whole event. However Italy won only two more games to miss round two with a 3-4 record and being ranked tenth. They didn’t qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing last August.
Italy is currently in 13th position in the IBAF World Rankings.
Exhibition Schedule
Italy – Baltimore Orioles 0-4
Italy – Florida Marlins 4-1 (6)
Friday, February 27:
Italy – New York Mets (Port St. Lucie)
Saturday, February 28:
Italy – Washington Nationals (Vieira)
Tuesday, March 3:
Italy – Washington Nationals
Wednesday, March 4:
Italy – Florida Marlins
Thursday, March 5:
Italy – New York Mets
The first four exhibitions were/are unofficial scrimmages against ‘B’-teams of the respective MLB clubs.
The Italian team opened training camp in Fort Pierce, Florida on February 14th. On March 1st, the whole roster makes the trip to Port St. Lucie, Florida to conclude the preparation phase at the Spring Training facilities of the New York Mets.
Roster
In difference to the inaugural edition of the World Baseball Classic, Italy’s roster doesn’t feature a superstar like Mike Piazza. But still a few current Major Leaguer found their way onto the roster. The pitching staff will be led by Jason Grilli (Rockies), Mark DiFelice (Brewers) and Lenny DiNardo (Royals). On the offensive side Frank Catalanotto (Rangers), Nick Punto (Twins) and Chris Denorfia (Athletics) hope to produce some runs.
Major League catchers Chris Iannetta and Mike Napoli, who were mentioned on a provisional roster several months ago will not play for Italy. Colorado Rockies’ Iannetta got invited to Team USA and will start behind the plate there. Los Angeles Angel Napoli had shoulder surgery during the offseason and wasn’t allowed to participate in the WBC. Both could have provided some power for the Italian team.
Additionally the roster has nine Minor League players on the roster. The most interesting names among this group are reliever Alex Maestri of the Chicago Cubs and Alex Liddi of the Seattle Mariners. Both were born in Italy and are on their way to the Majors. Rookie League pitchers Luca Panerati and Matteo Pizziconi (both Reds) didn’t make the final cut.
Also notable are catcher Francisco Cervelli (Yankees) and infielder Mike Costanzo (Orioles), who will both probably start the year in Triple-A. Cervelli made his big league debut last September and is currently the number-three catcher on the depth chart of New York. Costanzo was traded twice the last few years, as he is considered as one of the best infield prospects in the game.
The rest of the roster is filled with the crème de la crème of the Italian Baseball League. Tiago Da Silva, Chris Cooper and Cody Cillo are hoping to stop the powerful offenses of Team USA, Canada and Venezuela from the mound. Davide Dallospedale, Giuseppe Mazzanti, Jack Santora and Leonardo Zileri represent the IBL on offense.
Coaches
Marco Mazzieri is the manager of the Italian National Team since the 2007 Baseball World Cup, succeeding Giampiero Faraone. He heads one of the most-impressive coaching staff in the whole tournament. Bill Holmberg serves as pitching coach. Former Major League catcher Mike Piazza is the hitting coach. Former Major League managers Tim Trebelhorn and Mike Hargrove are aboard as assistant coaches.
Chances
Obviously the Italian team goes into the 2009 World Baseball Classic as a heavy underdog, especially in Pool C with Baseball heavyweights USA, Venezuela and Canada. But Italy proved in the 2007 Baseball World Cup that they can surprise one of the powerhouses on a good day. Another thing, which could support the Italian case in the WBC is the withdrawal issue by their three opponents. USA misses some of their superstars like CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Ryan Howard or A.J. Burnett, Canada’s complete starting rotation is skipping the tournament and Venezuela plays without starting pitcher Johan Santana and Carlos Zambrano. However their rosters – at least on paper – still features more quality and depth. It is going to be very difficult to pull off the upset and advance into round two.
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China
South Africa
Panama
Taiwan
Australia
Venezuela
Mexico
Puerto Rico
South Korea
Canada
Dominican Republic
Photo: © IBAF, www.ibaf.org
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