Team Italy had its last practice at Gaspardis Stadium in Ronchi dei Legionari and departed for Brno, Czech Republic to face the home team for two European Baseball Championship Preparation Games on Thursday and Friday. The Azzurri make their European Baseball Championship debut against Hungary in Trebic, Czech Republic on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 5 am (ET). Watch the livestream at www.baseballeurope.tv
Before getting on the bus to Brno, Team Italy bench coach Gianguido Poma spoke his mind. The manager of the Italian player development program said, “We are very satisfied with the work we have done here. It is not a question of inventing anything, because we are dealing with players who already have many high-level experiences behind them, even if on average the group is very young. Our goal is to have them arrive at the European Championship in the best condition, physically obviously, but also aware of their abilities, of what they know how to do and able to do it at their best."
With two victories in the recent Italian Baseball Challenge (10-2 win over Switzerland and 6-2 win over Croatia),Team Italy showed promise on offense, made some errors on defense, but demonstrated dominance on the pitching mound.
Poma agreed and commented, “Yes, as I was saying we are here to find rhythm and confidence in the team, certainly not to change anything. Everyone knows what they have to do after the end of their season. We have pitchers, I cite for example Michele (Vassalotti) and Mattia (Aldegheri) who pitched in the game with great precision and speed. Matteo Bocchi comes out of an important championship and Gabriele (Quattrini), well, we've seen it: sometimes he invents something, but against him, if you want to win, you have to go and get the victory, because he doesn't give anything away. Well, this could be the best description for this Team Italy: a squad that gives nothing away.”
Forza #Italia!
by Marco Landi and Roberto Angotti
