The two top European Baseball national teams Netherlands and Italy will face each other in a four-game series next September to finalize their preparations for the 38th IBAF Baseball World Cup, which will be held in seven European countries. Both teams have a bye in round one, as their countries host the second round. The first two exhibitions are scheduled for September 8th and 9th in Holland, probably in one of the three World Cup venues in Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Haarlem. The third and fourth match will be in Italy on September 10th and 11th at the ballparks in Godo and Ravenna.
It will be the second edition of the so-called European Baseball Series. In July 2006 both teams played a five-game series in the Netherlands and Italy. The first three matches were played at the Familie Stadium in Rotterdam. Grosseto, Nettuno and Messina were supposed to host the remaining three games, though game six in Messina was rained out. Dutch outfielder Dirk van’t Klooster was named MVP, leading his team to a 3-2 series win. Max Di Biase (ITA) received best batter honors. Dave Draijer (NED) got the best pitcher trophy.