by MLB Europe
The seventh annual MLB Academies Spring Tournament took place in Tirrenia and Livorno, Italy from March 30 – April 5. In total, 170 players from eight nations competed in 20 games under the watchful eyes of national team coaches, MLB staff and scouts. Games were played at the CONI Olympic Training Center in Tirrenia and also, for the first time with this event, at the Livorno Baseball Club.
The Spring Tournament offers players who train in MLB-supported academies with the chance to play meaningful, competitive games prior to their regular seasons. For many, it’s their first chance to play outside following a long winter of training. It also allows the academy coaches to run an intensive “Spring Training” style schedule of practices and games. Adding to the mix, MLB strength and conditioning specialist Jeff Krushell was on hand to check players had followed through with their off-season programs.
As one of the premier showcases of European talent, the Spring Tournament was once again heavily scouted by Major League clubs, with 16 organizations sending representatives to evaluate the players along with the MLB Scouting Bureau.
The MLB Academies Spring Tournament kick starts a busy 2014 schedule of Major League Baseball programs in Europe, including Elite Camp try-outs in May, the MLB Pitching and Hitting Mini Camp in July, the MLB European Elite Camp in August and the inaugural MLB Academies Fall Tournament in October.
Date |
Time |
Field |
Visitors |
|
Home |
|
Duration |
Sun, 30 March
|
10:30 |
Tirrenia |
Czech Republic |
10 |
Belgium |
4 |
7 innings |
14:00 |
Tirrenia |
Czech Republic |
3 |
Belgium |
11 |
7 innings |
|
Mon, 31 March
|
10:30 |
Tirrenia |
Germany |
4 |
Netherlands |
12 |
9 innings |
10:30 |
Livorno |
Austria |
5 |
Belgium |
13 |
9 innings |
|
15:30 |
Tirrenia |
Czech Republic |
9 |
Italy |
11 |
9 innings |
|
Tues, 1 April
|
10:30 |
Tirrenia |
France |
4 |
Germany |
6 |
9 innings |
10:30 |
Livorno |
Czech Republic |
11 |
Austria |
1 |
7 innings |
|
15:30 |
Tirrenia |
Netherlands |
4 |
Italy |
7 |
9 innings |
|
15:30 |
Livorno |
Czech Republic |
12 |
Belgium |
5 |
7 innings |
|
Wed, 2 April
|
10:30 |
Tirrenia |
Sweden |
3 |
Czech Republic |
7 |
9 innings |
10:30 |
Livorno |
Belgium |
5 |
France |
2 |
9 innings |
|
15:30 |
Tirrenia |
Germany |
8 |
Italy |
11 |
9 innings |
|
Thurs, 3 April
|
10:30 |
Tirrenia |
Sweden |
15 |
Belgium |
8 |
9 innings |
10:30 |
Livorno |
France |
12 |
Austria |
5 |
9 innings |
|
15:30 |
Tirrenia |
Italy |
4 |
Netherlands |
8 |
9 innings |
|
15:30 |
Livorno |
Czech Republic |
10 |
Germany |
8 |
9 innings |
|
Fri, 4 April
|
|
Tirrenia |
Germany |
|
France |
|
Rained out |
15:30 |
Livorno |
Belgium |
10 |
Sweden |
3 |
9 innings |
|
|
Tirrenia |
Netherlands |
|
Italy |
|
Rained out |
|
|
Livorno |
Austria |
|
Czech Republic |
|
Rained out |
|
Sat, 5 April
|
09:00 |
Tirrenia |
Belgium |
6 |
Czech Republic |
4 |
7 innings |
12:00 |
Tirrenia |
France |
13 |
Sweden |
1 |
7 innings |
|
15:30 |
Tirrenia |
Netherlands |
6 |
Germany |
1 |
9 innings |