The U-23 National Teams of Spain and Italy celebrate 25th anniversary of Barcelona Olympic baseball tournament
BARCELONA, Spain-The Royal Spanish Federation of Baseball and Softball organized a friendly match between the U-23 National Teams of Spain and Italy to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Olympics
The auditorium of the Olympic and Sport Museum Juan Antonio Samaranch in Barcelona hosted on Saturday July 29 an event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. The anniversary celebrations had started with a TV event at the Centre d’Alt Rendiment Esportiu, a high-performance training centre for Spanish athletes which was opened 1987 in the run-up to the Games.
“The magic of the Olympic Games brought the world to Barcelona” said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach “And the Olympic Games brought a new Barcelona to the world. The Olympic Games transformed Barcelona. Until the Olympic Games, Barcelona was living with its back turned to the beautiful Mediterranean. The Olympic Games allowed Barcelona to turn around and truly embrace the sea. It also brought many other improvements that the citizens of Barcelona still enjoy today”.
King Felipe VI of Spain, who competed at the Games in sailing and was the flagbearer of the Spanish team, spoke about Barcelona 1992 as: “An extraordinary set of events which hold a special place in our country’s memory, as a precious milestone in our most recent history”.
IOC President Thomas Bach attends the Official reception of the 25 years Olympic Games in Barcelona together with King Felipe VI of Spain (IOC-Greg Martin)
Barcelona suburbs (Hospitalet de Llobregat and Viladecans) hosted the first tournament since baseball was made part of the program of the Games. The Royal Spanish Federation of Baseball and Softball organized a gala to remember the historical event. Players and Coaches of the 1992 Spanish national team, together with umpires and coaches, were honored.
During the gala, the memories of player Xavier Camps, of Juanjo Martinez (baseball director of the 1992 Organizing Commitee), of official and umpire Xavier Mateu, of scorer María José Iniesta were also honored. They all passed away in the last 25 years.
The President of the Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation Julio Pernas, his predecessor Miguel Pozueta, 1992 Spain manager Jacke Molina gave speeches.
WBSC President Ricardo Fraccari sent a video message from Tainan (Chinese Taipei) where he was attending in the U-12 Baseball World Cup.
Legendary player Felix Cano, now a coach of the Spanish National Team, was inducted to the Hall of Fame of the Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation. Carlos Ruiz, Mayor of the Olympic sub-city of Viladecans, was in charge of the Farewell speech.
Tuesday 1 August the 25th anniversary of the 1992 Olympics will be further celebrated with a friendly match between the U-23 National Teams of Spain and Italy. The event is sanctioned by WBSC. Below you find the team rosters:
SPAIN (manager Candelario Diaz; coaches Felix Cano, Richard Montiel, Daniel Martinez, Renny Duarte
PITCHERS (11) Paez (Barcelona); Izquierdo (St Boi), Binetti, Mosquera, Padron (Marlins Puerto Cruz); Francisco Gonzalez (Bad Homburg Hornets-Germany); Javier Sanchez (Antorcha); Kingsley (Pamplona); Frank Hernandez (Viladecans); Lange (Clermont Ferrand-France); Taveras Independen Leagues USA)
CATCHERS (3) Alba (Barcelona); Sayol (Clermont Ferrand-France); Fresa (Pamplona)
INFIELDERS (5) Aleman (Bollate-Italy second division); Velazquez (Dortmund Wanderers-Germany); Roger Porcar (Viladecans); Moredo (San Ignacio); Riestra (Mannheim Tornados-Germany)
OUTFIELDERS (4) Luis Rodriguez (Astros); Decena (Barcelona); Alejandro Saenz (Sant Boi); Pablo Gonzalez (Marlins Puerto Cruz)
ITALY (manager Gilberto Gerali; coaches: Bill Holmberg, Gianguido Poma, Gianmario Costa, Claudio Liverziani)
PITCHERS (6) Andreatta (Rams Viterbo-second division); Clemente (Fortitudo Bologna); Fabiani (Padova); Rodriguez (Castenaso-second division); Pomponi (Parma), Taschini (Nettuno)
CATCHERS (2) Lorenzo Maestri (Parma); Mario Trinci (Nettuno)
INFIELDERS (5) Agretti, Garcia Rodriguez, Grimaudo (Fortitudo Bologna); Mercuri, Sellaroli (Nettuno)
OUTFIELDERS (4) Batista (Novara); Celli (Rimini); Giordani (Nettuno); Monello (Novara)
DESIGNATED HITTER (1) Colagrossi (Nettuno)
It will be possible to have real time updates about the game through a play by play service on the internet VIA THIS LINK.
Legendary Felix Cano, serving for the event as a coach on the U-23 Spanish National Team, was inducted to his country’s Hall of Fame on July 29
The 2 Federations are working to organize a return match, that could be scheduled in September (21 or 22) and celebrate the 65th anniversary of the first match between Italy and Spain and the 50th anniversary of the first trip of the Italian National Team to the United States of America.
