In preparation for the U23 European Baseball Championship in Vienna, Austria from August 8-12, 2023, the Azzurri meet in Bologna on Monday, June 19th for an afternoon workout in Casteldebole before returning the following morning for additional training. Then the Team Italy U23 baseball squad travels to nearby Gianni Falchi Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for an exhibition game against UnipolSai Bologna.
Team Italy U23 manager Alberto D’Auria said, “It will be an important moment in our journey towards the European Championship. It will not be the last meeting before going in Vienna, but we must take advantage of every opportunity to see the players in action. The game against Bologna will also help us. I have called 80 percent of those who will play in the European Championship to Bologna, but there is room for all the deserving players. Those who played in 2021 Euros in Verona will be called upon as well as others that are playing professionally.”
The following players are expected to report in Bologna:
Gabriele Angioi (Cagliari), Andres Antonio Annunziata Nino (Academy Of Nettuno/Nettuno 1945), Marco Artitzu (Porta Mortara Novara/Bsc Grosseto), Tommaso Battioni (Parma Baseball), Riccardo Bigliardi (Crocetta Parma), Francesco Maria Bonvini (Crocetta Parma), Samuele Bruno (Academy Of Nettuno/Godo), Luca Capellano (Ares Milano/Poviglio), Simone Carnevale (Bergamo Bs/Oltretorrente), Niccolò Cinelli (Bsc Grosseto), Ion Doba (Bsc Grosseto), Samuele Gamberini (Fortitudo Bologna), Diego Gergolet (Fortitudo Bologna/New Black Panthers), Tommaso Giarola(Grizzlies Torino 48), Juan Carlos Junior Infante Carreno (Pianoro/Modena), Daniel Xavier Monti (Fortitudo Bologna), Lorenzo Morresi (Macerata Angels), Matteo Oldano (Grizzlies Torino 48), Andrea Pasotto (Milano Baseball 1946/Parma Baseball), Francesco Pomponi (Oltretorrente/Parma Baseball), Mattia Sireus (Bsc Grosseto), Federico Virgadaula (Brescia), Manuel Zazza (Lion's/Nettuno 1945), Edoardo Zingarelli (Redclay Castellamonte/Grizzlies Torino 48).
Staff: Alberto D’Auria, manager; Rolando Cretis, pitching coach; Gianmario Costa, Federico Bassi, Christian Gnudi coaches; Frankie Russo, physiotherapist; Dr. Davide Ortolina, team physician; and Riccardo Soglia, delegation manager. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Big Mat Bsc Grosseto and Team Italy pitcher Marco Artitzu by Michele Guerrini)
