The Italian National Baseball Team’s manager, Marco Mazzieri has come out with his first list of 44 ballplayers in preparations for the 2014 European Championship. This first group of athletes will all partake in tournament preparations beginning on the 31st August through the 5th of September in Verona. From the 6th through 9th the Italians will then be locked up in the Italian Baseball Week tournament, where they will be tested in games with the Czech Republic and Spain. After the Italian Baseball Week Mazzieri will then need to cut down his roster to 24, the exact number of names that will be chosen to defend Italy’s European title.
Pitchers: Richetti (Nettuno2), G. D'Amico, Morreale, Teran (San Marino), F. Crepaldi (Fortitudo BO), Da Silva (Delfines-Mexican League), Venditte (Scranton-AAA Yankees), Anselmi (Rookie League Reds), Corradini (Rimini), Colla (Montgomery-AA Rays), Panerati (Fortitudo BO), Escalona (Rimini), Florian (Nettuno), Cooper, Simone (San Marino), Rivera (Parma), Lugo (Lake County-A Indians), Giardina (Arkansas-AA Angels), Nardi (Ronchi dei Legionari-A federale).
Catchers: Reginato (San Marino), Mineo (Rookie League Cubs), Sabbatani (Fortitudo BO), Latorre (Richmond-AA Giants), Bertagnon (Rimini).
Infielders: Sambucci, R. Imperiali (Parma), Mazzanti, Santora (Rimini), Mazzuca, Pantaleoni (San Marino), Infante, Vaglio (Fortitudo BO), Epifano (Padova), Liddi (Chattanooga-AA Dodgers).
Outfielders: Avagnina (San Marino), Ermini (Grosseto-A federale), Poma, Desimoni (Parma), Ambrosino, Liverziani, Grimaudo (Fortitudo BO), Zileri, Chiarini (Rimini), Celli (Rookie League Dodgers).
