Former Major League catcher Mike Piazza visited Italy last week and the FIBS used the opportunity to speak with him about Italian Baseball, the Baseball World Cup and the Olympics. The clip shows the whole Q&A.
The CEB has a report of Piazza’s trip on their website www.baseballeurope.com:
An excerpt:
Mike Piazza flew into Pisa airport from JFK NEw York on Monday 5/25.
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He spent the whole day of Tuesday 5/26 in Tirrenia. In the morning he hosted 3 catchers Team Italy’s manager Mazzieri is considering for the World Cup (Riccardo Bertagnon, Juan Pablo Angrisano and Matthew Stocco) and went over a few reminders of the WBC hitting program with outfielders Leo Zileri and Andrea De Santis. In the afternoon he conducted a hitting clinic with the resident players of the Italian Academy.
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On Tuesday 5/27 Piazza moved to Rome, where he had a chance to experience professional soccer at its best in the Uefa Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona.
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Thursday 5/28 was a busy day. In the morning Mike Piazza attended the press conference called to announce the location of the IBAF 2009 World Cup FInal: stadium “Steno Borghese” in Nettuno, the so called ‘City of Baseball’. Piazza answered many questions about his long term commitment with the Italian Federation and confirmed he will be on the staff in September. In the afternoon Piazza flew to Parma, where he attended the series opener between Cariparma and Fortitudo Bologna. Piazza threw the ceremonial first pitch of the game.
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Friday 5/29 was dedicated by Piazza to a couple of meetings with Team Italy’s Bench Coach Gilberto Gerali and FIBS Vice President Max Fochi.
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On Saturday 5/30 Piazza enjoyed a day as a tourist in Rome, before flying back to his home town Miami Beach.
We also recommend that you check out Ricardo Schiroli’s article on watching the Uefa Champions League final with Mike Piazza in Rome and the picture gallery of his visit on FIBS.it.