WBC Group A play begins Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taiwan with the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Cuba under the hot afternoon sun followed by host Chinese Taipei and Panama under the lights at night. Team Italy, playing for the first time outside the North American continent in the first round of the WBC, gets an extra day of training on the Taichung University diamond in preparation for its 2023 WBC debut against Cuba on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 6 am (ET).
The Azzurri squad played two exhibition games in Douliu recently. The first contest ended in a 3-3 tie after seven innings of play against the Wei Chuan Dragons. Team Italy was dominant in the second game when taming the Uni Lions by a score of 10-1. National Baseball Hall of Famer and Italian manager Mike Piazza said, "We have played against quality teams in these first few days of preparation, and I am satisfied with the fact that the team, despite the difficulties related to the travel delays, have arrived in good shape and the atmosphere is the right one to do well.”
Team Italy skipper Mike Piazza continued, "We have a group of players who can't wait to represent Italy. They know it won't be easy and that they will have to be ready for four games in four consecutive days. We will have to demonstrate that we are a team right away, minimizing every mistake and capitalizing on the opportunities we will have, with an eye to the health of the players which is certainly fundamental. All the teams in this group are well structured, with important experiences at the highest levels. We know that, although there isn't a huge amount of media attention on this group, it will be one of the most balanced groups. We will need consistency, ready players, flexibility and even a little luck to get the most out of it and go through.”
2023 WBC GAME RULES:
All games will be nine innings in length unless the mercy rule is enforced after five innings when a team leads by 15 runs or after seven innings when a team leads by 10 runs. The new pitch clock rule will be enforced during the WBC. In addition, there will be a limit on the use of pitchers both by number of pitches in a single game (no more than 65) and by consecutive days of use (no more than two).
TEAM ITALY ROSTER:
With Glenn Albanese Jr. and Matteo Bocchi joining the team in place of Nick Fanti and Vin Timpanelli, the Azzurri roster for the first round in Taichung is made up as follows:
Pitchers: Glenn Albanese Jr, Alex Bassani, Joe Biagini, Matteo Bocchi, Ryan Castellani, Matt Festa, Sam Gaviglio, Matt Harvey, Joe LaSorsa, Braxton Lorenzini, Joey Marciano, Vinny Nittoli, Andre Pallante, Nicolò Pinazzi, Claudio Scotti, Mitchell Stumpo, Michele Vassalotti, Stephen Woods Jr.
Catchers: Brett Sullivan, Vito Friscia, Alberto Mineo, Dominic Miroglio
Infielders: David Fletcher, Robel Garcia, Miles Mastrobuoni, Vinnie Pasquantino, Nicky Lopez, John Valente
Outfielders: Ben DeLuzio, Dominic Fletcher, Sal Frelick
Coaching Staff: Mike Piazza (manager), Blake Butera (bench), Michael Borzello (pitching), Jack Santora (first base), Chris Denorfia (third base), Jason Simontacchi (bullpen), Michele Gerali (outfield coach), Joe Hsu ( coach).
TEAM ITALY WBC POOL A SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 9, 2023: Italy - Cuba (6 am ET)
Friday, March 10, 2023: Italy - Chinese Taipei (6 am ET)
Saturday, March 11, 2023: Panama - Italy (Friday, March 10 @11 pm ET)
Sunday, March 12, 2023: Kingdom of the Netherlands - Italy (6 am ET)
by Kevin Senatore and Roberto Angotti
2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC NEWS
(Photo of Team Italy training at Taichung University prior to the start of the 2023 WBC by IABF)
