In preparation for the European Baseball Championship, the Team Italy U23 baseball squad will hold a training camp from July 31-August 5, 2023 in Ronchi dei Legionari with an exhibition game against the New Black Panthers scheduled on August 2, 2023. Joining the Azzurri squad for the first time is newcomer Vince Cimini, a shortstop/third baseman who hit .277 in his senior year at Boston College and recently joined Grizzlies Campidonico Torino after graduation.
Missing in action is Andrea Pasotto, who sustained a wrist injury and is not able to participate.
Team Italy U23 manager Alberto D’Auria said, “I'm happy with this squad, even if I would have liked to have included some of the Italians who are playing in the United States. I'm happy with what I have, and we are ready to make a good impression.”
The Team Italy U23 Euros schedule in Group B is as follows:
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 10:30 am (local time): France-Italy
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 4 pm (local time): Belgium-Italy
Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 2:30 pm (local time): Italy-Germany
Group A features Austria, Czech Republic, Great Britain and Kingdom of the Netherlands.
If Team Italy wins Group B, the Italians advance to the semifinals on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 2:30 pm (local time) and face the Group A second place finisher.
If Team Italy places second in Group B, the Italians advance to the semifinals on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 10:30 am (local time) and play the Group A winner.
The winners of the semifinal games compete in the gold medal game on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 7 pm (local time), while the losers of the semifinal games battle for the bronze earlier in the day at 2 pm.
The following 20 players will represent Team Italy in the U23 European Baseball Championship: Gabriele Angioi (Cagliari), Andres Antonio Annunziata Nino (Academy Of Nettuno/Nettuno 1945), Marco Artitzu (Porta Mortara Novara/Bsc Grosseto), Tommaso Battioni (Parma Baseball), Francesco Maria Bonvini (Crocetta Parma), Samuele Bruno (Academy Of Nettuno/Godo), Luca Capellano (Ares Milano/Poviglio), Simone Carnevale (Bergamo BS/Oltretorrente), Vincent Michael Cimini (Grizzlies Torino), Niccolò Cinelli (Bsc Grosseto), Samuele Gamberini (Fortitudo Bologna), Diego Gergolet (Fortitudo Bologna/New Black Panthers), Tommaso Giarola (Grizzlies Torino 48), Matteo Marelli (Senago Milano), Daniel Xavier Monti (Fortitudo Bologna), Lorenzo Morresi (Macerata Angels), Matteo Oldano (Grizzlies Torino 48), Francesco Pomponi (Oltretorrente/Parma Baseball), Mattia Sireus (BSC Grosseto) and Federico Virgadaula (Brescia).
The three reserves are: Ion Doba (Bsc Grosseto), Maoor Luca Pasquini Sweed (Parma Baseball/Bsc Grosseto 1952), and Manuel Zazza (Lion's/Neptune 1945).
The Azzurri staff includes: Alberto D'Auria, manager; Rolando Cretis, pitching coach; Gianmario Costa, Federico Bassi, Christian Gnudi, and Gianluca Poli coaches; Frankie Russo, quality control coach; Michele Corbo, athletic trainer; Dr. Davide Ortolina, team physician; Marco Mennella, physiotherapist; Riccardo Soglia, delegation manager and FIBS executive Vincent “Gigi” Mignola.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
U23 EUROPEAN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE
(Photo of the Team Italy U23 baseball squad by Photo Bass)
