by International Stars
The International Stars hosted their 3rd annual College Showcase program this month in Phoenix Arizona. 15 European players ages 17-21, representing 5 different European countries (Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, and Croatia) traveled to the U.S. to showcase their skills in hopes of playing college baseball. The European team played games against some of the top U.S. Junior College programs located in Arizona and worked-out in front of numerous college baseball coaches from across the country during the week-long event.
The week began with attending the last regular season MLB game between the playoff-bound Houston Astros and host Arizona Diamondbacks. The players trained each morning under the guidance of 2012 EBCA European Coach of the Year and current San Marino (IBL) General Manager Mauro Mazzotti assisted by former European pro player and Hungarian National Team Head Coach Justin Prinstein and former Hungarian National Team assistant coach Alex Mansfield.
The European International Stars played games against two outstanding Junior College programs – Central Arizona College and Mesa Community College – during the week. The program concluded with the European players going through a pro-workout in front of numerous college baseball coaches at Glendale Community College’s gorgeous complex. The players will hope to join the growing list of past years attendees who are currently playing college baseball:
- Dylan Verdonk (Netherlands) – Seton Hall University in New Jersey
- Jorin van Amstel (Netherlands) – Odessa Junior College in Texas
- Lorenzo Fabbri (Italy) – Frank Phillips Junior College in Texas
- Matteo Bocchi (Italy) – Odessa Junior College in Texas
- Alberto Fossa (Italy) – Brookdale Community College in New Jersey
- Jakub Ondracek (Czech Republic) – Cochise Junior College in Arizona
- Lukas Holub (Czech Republic) – Northwest Florida State (2014-15) & Ranger JC in Texas (2015-2016)
Boomer Baseball International would like to thank Mesa Junior College for hosting the week-long event, Central Arizona College for the campus tour and playing games against the International Stars, Glendale Community College for hosting the work-out, the Arizona Diamondbacks for hosting the players and coaches for the MLB game, and to the following players who attended this year’s showcase:
- Edoardo Acerbi
- Stefano Albini
- Michael Bertozzi
- Alessandro Deotto
- Lorenzo Di Raffaele
- Luca Di Raffaele
- Sammy Hackl
- Martin Kalabek
- Darko Kvartenik
- Damian Melis
- Jimmy Osinga
- Mirko Pancellini
- Matteo Pizzolini
- Giona Ruggeri
- Filippo Valenti