Baseball, World Classic launched: Italy is in the iron group in Taiwan

The Italy of baseball will be involved from Friday to July 15 in the thirtieth Haarlem Week in the Netherlands with the Netherlands, the United States, Japan, Cuba and Curaçao. It is the only international event of 2002 for the Azzurri led by Mike Piazza, who also chose sixteen-year-old Diego Gergolet from among the 24 players. After Claudio Scotti, granted by the New York Mets, Vito Friscia (Phillies) and Dario Pizzano (Atlantic League) also rejoin the team after last year’s European bronze. An Italy that is looking for a relaunch after missing the European Championship at home and before the Tokyo Olympics.

World Classic with 20 teams

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Meanwhile, in Taiwan Riccardo Fraccari was re-elected as head of the international federation, who received congratulations from the IOC president, Thomas Bach. Immediately after, the new World of professionals was launched, the World Classic, the World Championship with professionals postponed since before the pandemic. It will take place from 9 to 21 March 2023 with 20 teams, 4 more from the 2017 edition: the new four will have to pass through the qualifying tournaments scheduled from 16 to 21 September in Germany and from 30 September to 5 October in Panama. Italy was included in group A Taichung (Taiwan) with Taiwan, Cuba, Holland and a qualified one: an iron group. In previous editions the Azzurri had been assigned to Orlando in Florida; Toronto in Canada, Scottsdale and Phoenix in Arizona and Guadalajara in Mexico. In group B in Tokyo, there will be Japan, Australia, China, South Korea and a qualifier. In group C from Phoenix (Arizona), the US defending holders, Canada, Colombia, Mexico and a qualifier. In group D in Miami, the former champions of the Dominican Republic, Israel, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and a qualified. Semi-finals and finals in Miami from 19 to 21 March.

The two qualifying rounds will see in Regensburg: Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Great Britain, South Africa; and in Panama City: Panama, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina, Pakistan, New Zealand.

The Dutch test will help to understand the consistency of the new group chosen by Piazza in a World Classic key: in the tournament at the home of the great Dutch rivals, there will be the top selections of colleges in the United States and Japan, the national teams of Cuba and Curaçao, in an international tournament historically the most important in the ‘Pim Mulier’ facility, which on the occasion takes on an event atmosphere, including stands, street food and a truly unique DJ set, particularly appreciated by Dutch fans who traditionally fill the stands. On the opening day, immediately the European derby between Holland and Italy, which is presented at the Haarlem Week for the sixth time, after the participations in 1968, 1972, 2000, 2014 and 2018.