On a sunny day, albeit with a fairly fresh wind, the Future Stars Game took place on Sunday morning, the key event of the Classic Mission underway this week, the approach phase to the next World Baseball Classic.
A large representation of the Estra Siena Baseball Club was present that day, led by the Coaches Bonazzola, Giusti and Rodriguez and by the Vice President Gambelli, and was made up of U12 and U15 players. Also present in the stands was the second baseman of the 2022 C series, Leandro Fernandez Matos.
After a complete warm-up and pre-match, with the active participation and consultation of Major League players present in Italy, the challenge took place, played over five rounds between “White” Italy led by Blake Butera, national team bench team (with Brett Sullivan, receiver under El Paso Chihuahuas, San Diego Padres Triple A and Seattle Mariners utility Sam Haggerty as prompter) and Italia Azzurra, with Chris Denorfia at the helm (former Rimini 2007 insider). to 2014 and San Marino from 2015 to 2016, with 71 national team caps including the first 3 editions of the World Baseball Classic complemented by 2 European titles won in 2010 and 2012, currently coach in the Los Angeles Angels organization), assisted by David Fletcher (Los Angeles infielder) and Vinnie Pasquantino (first baseman, Kansas City Royals). The game opened with the first ceremonial throw by Federico Scapecchi, Councilor for Sport of the Municipality of Arezzo.
The match ended with a 1-0 victory for the Azzurrini (4 valid for the Azzurri, one for the Whites).
Both during the game, when they rushed to the right fielder’s bullpen, and at the end of the game, the Italian champion and the Italian-American majors had autographed baseballs donated by the many young people present, including the conspicuous Sienese substitute.
It was an exciting experience for the guys from Siena: for the first time they were able to see MLB players at work, chat with them and follow a top-level game.
