by Riccardo Schiroli
The players haven’t had the time to celebrate the win in the European Championship. The semi-final round robin of the Italian Baseball League is on the way and will start with the games of August 4th in Bologna (UGF-Cariparma) and Rimini (Telemarket-T&A San Marino).
All of the 4 teams are in pretty good shape. Managers are only not sure of the condition of the players who performed in the Euros, but it looks like only Bologna shortstop Juan Carlos Infante came back with some problems. He was hospitalized after colliding with Croatia first baseman Pereira and Team Italy’s physician has ordered full rest for at least 10 days.
Cariparma looks like the team to beat. Their youg pitchers Grifantini and Cicatello starred at the Euros and this will give a lot of confidence to the bull pen. Still, Parma may be lacking something in the match ups of the first games of the series, when import pitchers will be on the mound.
T&A San Marino is a pretty solid side, with only one problem: they are not so solid when it comes to pitchers of the “Italian school of baseball” (or ASI). Their starter Palanzo has had many ups and downs.
UGF Bologna has a youg squad and a defense that does not support pitchers all the time. But they did not look consistent 12 months ago, when the 2009 round robin started and they ended up winning it all.
Telemarket Rimini was off a brilliant start, then lost some focus during the season.
Rimini’s manager Mauro Mazzotti is positive: “The break helped us recover and we can count on the enthusiasm of those who won the Euros”.
The best 2 teams of the round robin will play the best of seven Italian Baseball Series starting Friday August 27th.
Schedule:
Wednesday, August 4th:
21:00 UGF Bologna – Cariparma Parma
21:00 Telemarket Rimini – T&A San Marino
Friday, August 6th:
21:00 Cariparma Parma – UGF Bologna
21:00 T&A San Marino – Telemarket Rimini
Saturday, August 7th:
21:00 Cariparma Parma – UGF Bologna
21:00 T&A San Marino – Telemarket Rimini