It was a week of intense work under the Arizona sun, more precisely in Scottsdale, for the Italia Baseball group ready to face the World Baseball Classic 2023. The national team left last American evening to reach the Taipei airport, due to time differences, on Friday 3 and in the town of Taichung, after other training sessions and two friendlies, the countdown will start and will end on Thursday 9 March, when at 19 (noon in Italy) Italy will take the field against Cuba for the first game of its World Baseball Classic.
At the end of the week in Arizona the manager spoke Mike Piazza: “I am very satisfied with the work we have done and with what I have seen here. I want to thank Notre Dame Preparatory High School for the impeccable hospitality and support”
On the team he added: “Here the group is made up of great people, as well as excellent players and coaches and the environment is truly extraordinary. The whole team is enthusiastic about this experience and for what awaits us in Taiwan and we want to bring this enthusiasm to the field, for us and for what it means for all of Italian baseball”.
L’Italia per il World Baseball Classic
Italia Baseball is included in group A together with Cuba, China Taipei, Panama and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and comes to the challenge with a roster that includes a mix of young emerging players, players seeking redemption and professional baseball veterans, all ready to best honor their Italian origins.
He will be there to lead the blue formation Mike Piazzain his second international experience as manager of Italia Baseball after the bronze medal obtained at the 2021 European Championship. At his side there will be Blake Butera (bench coach), Chris Denorfia (hitting coach), Jack Santora (infield coach), Mike Borzello (pitching coach), Michelle Gerali (outfield coach), Jason Simontacchi (bullpen coach) e Joe Hsu.
