Team Italy development director Gianguido Poma leads the Club Italia LA28 initiative and the Azzurri squad during Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands. The Italians get their first big test on Saturday night, July 13th at 7:30 pm when playing host Kingdom of the Netherlands at Pim Mulier Stadion in Haarlem. The Dutch defeated a group of top college prospects from the USA 6-1 last night.
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Having played at Haarlem Baseball Week 2022, Federico Celli understands there are no easy games ahead this year. Defending champion and host Kingdom of the Netherlands beat Curacao 6-1 for the 2022 gold medal, while USA won the battle for the bronze with a 5-1 victory over Japan.
Federico Celli admitted, “We know that it's a great tournament with high competition. So we want to play really good baseball and execute the fundamentals while enjoying the game.” As one of the oldest players representing Team Italy at Haarlem Baseball Week and having played three years of professional baseball from 2014-2016 in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, he embraces the opportunity to mentor fellow teammates. “It's an honor to be there for the young players and talk with the guys. It’s important to share with them what you have to do in certain situations during the game. It becomes intuitive as you gain more experience playing.”
As the Rimini-born Federico Celli approaches age 30, he feels like he has lots more baseball to play for Team Italy and is not ready to hang up the cleats for good with the 2026 World Baseball Classic and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looming. He replied, “No, not yet. I’m still 29. The hope for a player is to play for as long as possible. So, hopefully this is not going to be the last time I play for Team Italy. I am healthy and hoping to have a long career. The World Baseball Classic and the Olympics…I am praying to be involved with those milestones. That’s like a cherry on top of the cake.”
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Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
Read also: Francesco Bonvini makes Team Italy Elite debut at Haarlem Baseball Week via FIBS College Pipeline and IABF Scholarship
Team Italy makes Haarlem Baseball Week debut against Kingdom of the Netherlands on July 13, 2024
(Photo of Team Italy slugger Federico Celli in action against Sweden in the 2023 European Baseball Championship by Duck Foto Press)
