Like several of the other World Baseball Classic teams, the Italian team is also preparing for the tournament in Florida. Pitchers and catchers will report to Fort Pierce on February 14th, other position players on February 19th. 40-man roster players of MLB clubs will join the team on February 28th. Before that on February 24th, they have to cut down the roster from currently 45 players to 28. They will practice at the facilities of a nearby College and also have planned to play three scrimmage matches (non-official games) against MLB organizations.
On March 1st the team will travel to the New York Mets Spring Training home in Port St. Lucie to continue training camp in preparation for the WBC. From March 3rd to 5th Italy is playing three exhibitions against the Washington Nationals, the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets. Afterwards they will make the trip north to Toronto to start into the World Baseball Classic on March 7th against Venezuela. Team USA and Canada are also in Pool C at the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Schedule:
February 14th: Pitchers and catcher report to Fort Pierce, Florida
February 19th: Position players report to Fort Pierce, Florida
February 24th: World Baseball Classic teams have to submit final roster of 28
February 28th: 40-man roster players of MLB organizations join Italian Team
(three scrimmages planned versus MLB clubs during their time in Fort Pierce)
March 1st: Continuation of training camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida
March 3rd: 12.05pm Italy versus Washington Nationals
March 4th: 12.05pm Italy versus Florida Marlins
March 5th: 12.10pm Italy versus New York Mets
March 7th: 8pm Italy versus Venezuela, World Baseball Classic in Toronto
(all time ET)
Photo: © FIBS