The Italian national team will start training camp in Glendale, Arizona – Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers – on February 20 with 26 players. A total of six exhibition games are planned prior to the start of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Besides the already known warm-ups against the Oakland A’s and the Los Angeles Angels on March 5 and 6, Italy will face prospects of the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers as well.
Italy’s Major Leaguers will join the team on March 3. According to a report on FIBS.it Francisco Cervelli of the New York Yankees is no longer named on the roster. Alessandro Maestri, who is playing in NPB, is scheduled to arrive in February 25. Hitting coach Mike Piazza, who has released a memoir recently, will be available from February 24, Frank Catalanotto on March 3. Therefore Sam Perlozzo, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles, will help out the technical staff of manager Marco Mazzieri during training camp.
Training Camp Roster:
- Pitchers: Panerati, Pugliese (Fortitudo BO) , Da Silva, Cooper (San Marino), Mariotti (Quebec Capitales-Can Am League), Giovanni D’Amico, Richetti (Nettuno), Grifantini, Cicatello (Parma), Torra (Washington Nationals), Sweeney (Seattle Mariners), Crabbe (Cincinnati Reds), Burkard (Cleveland Indians), Serafini (Bridgeport Bluefish-Atlantic League), Maestri (Japan, arrives on Feb. 25)
- Catchers: Reginato (San Marino), Sabbatani (Fortitudo BO)
- Infielders: Vaglio, Infante (Fortitudo BO), Santora (Rimini), Granato, Costanzo (Cincinnati Reds), Pantaleoni (San Marino)
- Outfielders: Avagnina (San Marino), Desimoni (Parma), Ambrosino (Nettuno), Chiarini (Rimini)
- Coaching Staff: Mazzieri, Holmberg, Gerali, D’Auria, Trebelhorn, Vecchi, Medina, Perlozzo, Piazza (February 24), Catalanotto (March 3)
- Major Leaguers arriving on March 3: Butera (Minnesota Twins), La Torre (San Francisco Giants), Rizzo (Chicago Cubs), Colabello (Twins), Liddi (Seattle Mariners), Bianchi (Milwaukee Brewers), Denorfia (San Diego Padres), Grilli (Pittsburgh Pirates), Venditte (New York Yankees)
Schedule Training Camp:
- Wednesday, February 20: Arrival in Glendale, Arizona
- Thursday, February 21: Practice
- Friday, February 22: Practice
- Saturday, February 23: Practice
- Sunday, February 24: Practice
- Monday, February 25: Practice
- Tuesday, February 26: Italy vs. Seattle Mariners Prospects (in Peoria)
- Wednesday, February 27: Italy vs. Seattle Mariners Prospects (in Peoria)
- Thursday, February 28: Practice
- Friday, March 1: Italy vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects (in Glendale)
- Saturday, March 2: Italy vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects (in Glendale)
- Sunday, March 3: Practice
- Monday, March 4: Practice
- Tuesday, March 5: Italy vs. Oakland Athletics
- Wednesday, March 6: Italy vs. Los Angeles Angels
- Thursday, March 7: First WBC game Italy vs. Mexico
Photo: FIBS.it