Italy will start the preparation for the upcoming World Baseball Classic at the Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. A group of 28 players, including 20 selected for the World Baseball Classic roster, will train at Roskos Family Field until 1 March with coaches Chris Denorfia (pictured above), Jack Santora, Mike Borzello, Jason Simontacchi, Michele Gerali (all on Mike Piazza's staff for the World Baseball Classic), Gianguido Poma and Rolando Cretis.
The 20 World Baseball Classic players are:
PITCHERS (17) Vincenzo Aiello, Alex Bassani, Joseph Biagini, Matteo Bocchi, Ryan Castellani, Alessandro Ercolani, Nick Fanti, Sam Gaviglio, Matt Harvey, Braxton Lorenzini, Joseph Marciano, Nicolò Pinazzi, Claudio Scotti, Vincent Timpanelli, John Valente, Michele Vassallotti, Stephen Woods
CATCHERS (2) Marcus Mastrobuoni, Alberto Mineo
INFIELDER Robel Garcia
The list also includes:
PITCHER Christian Scafidi
CATCHERS (4) Nino Annunziata, Alessandro Deotto, Lorenzo Morresi, Marco Ragionieri
INFIELDER Ricardo Paolini
OUTFIELDERS (2) Nicola Garbella, Alessandro Volpe
The Italian Baseball Softball Federation (FIBS) stated in a press release that the training camp is meant to help the players not involved in Major League Baseball (MLB) Spring Training prepare for the World Baseball Classic and to give some prospects a development opportunity.
The World Baseball Classic roster will gather in Taichung on 3 March and play warm-up games on 5 and 6 March.
World No. 15 Italy will compete in Group A in Taichung, Taiwan, from 8 to 12 March and will face No. 2 Chinese Taipei, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 8 Cuba and No. 13 Panama.
FIBS announced that Sky Italia will broadcast the World Baseball Classic games.
