09/03/2018 1 Minute Read

Team Italy U18 manager John Cortese announces roster for MLB Euro Academies Tournament

Team Italy U18 manager John Cortese has assembled a promising group of 18 talented players from the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball Academy (FIBS) in Tirrenia to participate in the MLB European Academies Tourney in Sant Boi (near Barcelona, Spain) from March 22-28, 2018

Team Italy U18 manager John Cortese has assembled a promising group of 18 talented players from the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball Academy (FIBS) in Tirrenia to participate in the MLB European Academies Tourney in Sant Boi (near Barcelona, Spain) from March 22-28, 2018. John Cortese interview Azzurri skipper Cortese will be assisted by coaches Stefano Cappuccini, Gianluca Marenghi, and Mauro Belfiore as well as FIBS Academy athletic trainer Daniele Santolupo. Under the watchful eyes of many MLB scouts, the Italians will play a total of seven contests including games against Team Europe on March 22, Holland on March 23, the Czech Republic on March 24, Germany on March 25, and France on March 26. Based on the FIBS Academy team's performance in the first five games, the squad will play two final games on March 27 and 28 to determine the semi-finalists and finalists of the tournament. The following FIBS Academy players have been selected:

Pitchers: Tommaso Aiello (Delfini Riccione), Andrea Bettarini (Livorno Baseball 1948), Lembà Della Salandra (Cus Ancona), Daniele Di Monte (ASD Staranzano Ducks), Ettore Giulianelli (Torre Pedrera Falcons), Nicolò Ioli (Torre Pedrera Falcons), Nicola Marziali (Eagles Baseball Fermo), Leonardo Menoni (Junior Firenze), and Oscar Tucci (Chieti); Catchers: Lorenzo Morresi (Macerata Angels), and Mattia Pancellini (BSC Grosseto); Infielders: Tomas Canuti (Torre Pedrera Falcons), Sean Fasano (Polisportiva Padule), Juan Carlos Infante (Nuova Pianorese), and Federico Ricci (Academy of Nettuno); Outfielders: Alessio Baldazzi (Academy of Nettuno), Andrea Pasotto (Milano Baseball 1946), and Maor Pasquini Sweed (BSC Arezzo).

MLB Academy Some of the FIBS Academy players are currently participating in Team Italy Spring Training in Messina. Upon the completition of their games in Sicily, they will gather with their teammates in Tirrenia on March 20 to depart for the MLB European Academies Tournament in Sant Boi. The squad will arrive a day prior to the start of the highly-touted international competition to prepare for their first battle against Team Europe. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti