Italy releases 27-man Roster for Baseball World Cup

Press Release Italian Baseball and Softball Federation

The Italian adventure in the IBAF World Cup begins in the afternoon of Monday, August 24th in Tirrenia (Pisa). Team Italy’s manager Marco Mazzieri will begin to work out with 27 players (plus Academy alumnus Mattia Reginato, a rookie for Reggio Emilia in 2009 IBL, who will act as his bullpen catcher):

Pitchers (13) Patrone and Quattrini (Rimini), Da Silva and Schiavoni (San Marino), Grifantini and Corradini (Parma), Ularetti (Fortitudo BO), D’Amico, Cooper, Riccardo De Santis and Oberto (Grosseto), Camardese (Godo), Torres (Paternò)

Catchers (2) Angrisano (Fortitudo BO), Camargo (Rimini)

Infielders (7) Dallospedale and Sambucci (Parma), Francesco Imperiali and Rovinelli (San Marino), Infante and Mazzuca (Fortitudo BO), Santora (Rimini)

Outfielders (5) Avagnina, Chiarini and Crociati (Rimini), Andrea De Santis (Grosseto), Zileri (Parma)

Mazzieri’s coaching staff will count on Bench Coach Gerali, Pitching Coach Holmberg, Coaches D’Auria and Vecchi, Strength and Conditioning coach Natale and Trainer Baldi. Hitting Coach Mike Piazza will join the team on September 10th.

Mazzieri was also counting on a number of players under contract with MLB organizations. Right handed pitcher Kasey Olenberger (Mariners, no permission from the club), catcher Francisco Cervelli (Yankees, made the Big League roster), outfielder Chris Denorfia (A’s, committed to Triple A playoffs), right handed pitcher Adam Ottavino (Cardinals, no permission from the club) and catcher Matt Pagnozzi (Cardinals, likely September call up) had to decline invitations.

The Mariners allowed third baseman Alex Liddi to play, but after Class A advanced to playoffs, that will be likely over after the World Cup. The Cubs granted permission for right handed pitcher Alessandro Maestri, but the player (who may continue his season in the Caribbean Winter Leagues) hasn’t yet committed to Team Italy. Reds Rookie League pitcher Luca Panerati will join the team on September 5th. Also right handed pitcher Matteo D’Angelo, who will start his senior season at Winthrop College, will join the team later in September.

Talking about IBL players, slugging third baseman Giuseppe Mazzanti (Nettuno) won’t play because of a sore back, while left handed reliever Fabio Milano (Fortitudo Bologna) called himself out for personal reasons. The list of players who declined is completed by veterans Claudio Liverziani (powerful left handed bat) and Fabio Betto (right handed pitcher) who just won the League pennant for Bologna but had decided long ago to leave the National Team.

Italy will play in September a number of exhibition games (all times CET):

Wednesday 9/2 in Codogno at 9 pm vs Cuba
Thursday 9/3 in Buttrio at 9 pm vs Venezuela (Italian Baseball Week)
Friday 9/4 in Staranzano at 4.30 pm vs Taiwan (IBW)
Saturday 9/5 in Ronchi dei Legionari at 8.30 pm vs Cuba (IBW)
Sunday 9/6 in Ronchi dei Legionari (either at 4.30 or 8.30 pm, depending on the final standings of the Italian Baseball Week)

After the Italian Baseball Week the staff will pick up their roster for the European Baseball Series against Holland

Tuesday 9/8 in Bussum at 7.30 pm
Wednesday 9/9 in Eindhoven at 7.30 pm
Thursday 9/10 in Godo at 9 pm
Friday 9/11 in Ravenna at 4 pm

Marco Mazzieri will announce his 24 man roster for the IBAF World Cup after the European Baseball Series

Photo: FIBS