by Riccardo Schiroli
Entering its fourth week the Italian Baseball League is expecting a clear picture by Sunday morning. Because it looks obvious that 6 teams will battle for a spot in the post season, but still the comparison between the different powers looks more diffcult in season than it did writing a league preview.
De Angelis Godo and Catania Warriors are going to spend a season trying to avoid a last place finish. Their series in “Joe Di Maggio” stadium in Palermo is a huge chance for Godo to win their first 2010 game. They were pretty close last Thursday in San Marino, but came two outs short.
“Still, I saw a lot of heart in my team” says rookie manager Steve Weidner.
The weekend takes off Thusday night in San Marino with the Game of the Week (live on satellite and the web through Rai Sport Più) between T&A and Telemarket.
Everybody expects a pitching duel between San Marino’s Bonilla (who hasn’t allowed an earned run yet) and Rimini’s Brower.
The series continues in Rimini on Friday and Saturday. Both managers can count on every player on the roster.
Danesi Nettuno takes a huge risk playing at home with Cariparma. Nettuno is still missing sluggers Mazzanti, Buccheri and Perez and import pitcher Farnsworth.
“I expect a huge effort from any other player on the roster” says veteran manager Giampiero Faraone.
Also UGF Bologna may miss some of their regular starters (Angrisano and Reginato are steal recovering from injuries) as they travel to Grosseto to face Montepaschi.
It will be a special series for Bologna’s veteran slugger Jairo Ramos, who has played in Grosseto from 1998 to 2009.
{mrb-schedule:2010-04-22|2010-04-24|IT}
{mrb-standing:italy-2010}
Photo by Andrea Cantini/FIBS