Mike Piazza’s Big Day in Anzio: A Drive for Italian Baseball
Imagine Mike Piazza, a living legend of MLB, kicking back after a full day of showing young Italian baseball talents how it’s done in Anzio. Yes, that Mike Piazza—smiling like a kid in a candy store after running a clinic that had these youngsters buzzing with excitement. I mean, if smiling was an Olympic sport, he’d take home the gold!
“These are very important occasions,” he notes, already sounding like a wise coach with years of experience. Not just for the enthusiasm they ignite but also for the involvement of parents. Yes, parents! They’re not just there for the snack bar anymore; they’re beginning to understand their little sluggers’ journeys better. It’s like watching your kid figure out math—useful, but also a real head-scratcher sometimes.
This Steel Family Day, the grand finale for 2024, followed by the Under 15 hitters’ clinic, was more than just a day at the park; it was a launchpad for the Club Italia LA28 program. So let’s dig deeper, shall we?
Club Italia LA28: More Than Just a Dream
“We definitely started off on the right foot,” Piazza enthuses. It’s like he just found the last donut in the box! With a clear strategy set up by Andrea Marcon and the rest of the staff, they’ve crafted a roadmap for developing talent with Olympic qualification in mind. So, before we know it, we might see Italian players swinging for the fences on international fields. Talk about a home run!
Now, if you think Italian baseball is just about pasta and pizza, think again! Piazza emphasizes building an Italian baseball culture to compete at a European level, which is basically the gateway to global recognition. In a world where the Yankees and Red Sox steal the spotlight, he’s directing the Italian team towards fame and fortune on the diamond.
The Power of Partnerships and Clinics
Speaking of partnerships, the Kansas City Royals opened their arms with the first Pitchers and Catchers Camp. Piazza gushes over them, basically sounding like a proud parent at a graduation ceremony. Our boys got the chance to pick the brains of some top-tier professionals, and who doesn’t love a bit of insider knowledge? They’ve even secured exposure with Driveline Baseball, a facility so high-tech even your smart toaster would feel inadequate. There are American university scholarships brewing and the young players are learning that a good college experience is just as crucial as hitting a home run!
Bridging Cultures: Baseball Meets Education
Piazza stresses the importance of understanding the American university system, a landscape as twisty as a spaghetti noodle. It’s vital for families to get clued in, or they might end up sending their kids off to study the art of the bad selfie instead of launching their baseball careers—yikes!
With big-leaguers like Blake Butera, Tino Martinez, and others stepping in as mentors, you’d think they’re preparing for a life-changing NFL draft instead of just some baseball clinics. They’re creating not just individual stats, but also an expansive database for performance tracking. I mean, data analytics is the new black in sports, and these kids are ahead of the game.
What’s Next on the Diamond?
Looking ahead, Piazza is faced with organizing abundant opportunities for development. With Coach Joe Urso due to visit Italy in July for clinics, and invitations piling up for various tournaments, it seems like the Italian baseball scene is picking up speed faster than a Fastball from Aroldis Chapman!
And let’s not forget about the collaborative efforts with USA Baseball and intriguing invitations for an intense preparation camp. Boys will train like gladiators, but instead of swords, they’ll wield bats and gloves. Picture that hilarious clash of cultures—and sportsmanship!
The Future Looks Bright
With championships for Elite, U-23, U-15, and U-12 categories on the horizon, the Italian baseball agenda is heating up, and you can bet Piazza is leading the charge, practically wearing a cape as he dives into this superhero role of baseball development!
And if any of this feels like a fairy tale—just wait until 2028 when it all culminates in Los Angeles. Plans are in place, and quite frankly, it sounds like an epic story waiting to unfold on the grand stage!
Now, if only they could figure out how to make baseball snacks that rival Italian cuisine, we might just achieve the perfect day in Anzio!
In conclusion, Mike Piazza isn’t just making smiles happen on the field; he’s laying down the groundwork for a renaissance in Italian baseball. Who’s ready to watch the next batter step up to the plate?
It’s a joyful Mike Piazza beaming broadly after spending an exhilarating day with the talented young athletes who traveled from various towns across Lazio and beyond to collaborate with him and the dedicated Italian coaching staff on the picturesque Anzio pitch.
“These are very important occasions – he remarks enthusiastically – not only for the enthusiasm they spark in the young players, but also for the engagement of their parents, who gain a deeper understanding of their children’s athletic pursuits. This event serves as a vital platform to exhibit beneficial behaviors and training exercises, equipping parents to reinforce these lessons alongside their children’s coaches.”
As the final Steel Family Day of 2024 unfolded, accompanied by a specialized clinic for Under 15 hitters, it provided an exceptional opportunity to delve deeper into Piazza’s insights regarding the Club Italia LA28 program and the broader landscape of Italian baseball.
How did the Club Italia program initiate in 2024?
“We definitely started off on the right foot,” declared the MLB hall-of-famer, reflecting on the program’s inception in 2016. “With Andrea (Marcon, ed.) at the helm, the entire coaching staff established clear and defined strategic goals, and it is by adhering to these objectives that we have successfully forged a robust platform aimed at developing the talents necessary for our qualification in the upcoming Olympics. It is imperative to cultivate a strong Italian baseball culture that equips us to compete at the highest levels, particularly in Europe, where our qualification will be determined, and on the international stage.”
“This effort requires building connections with leading organizations and teams, enabling us to learn and leverage the best tools for growth. The journey we undertook during the last World Baseball Classic has been immensely beneficial: we have elevated the ‘Italy’ brand on the world baseball stage, resulting in new partnerships and sponsorship opportunities from the United States and Canada, including the support of Steel Sports, SFIAC, and CIPPA.”
“Nick Leto from the Kansas City Royals asserted the success of our initial Pitchers and Catchers Camp held in October, praising the forward-thinking agreement established with the Federation. Our pitchers and catchers had the remarkable opportunity to connect with several MLB franchises and engage with some of the industry’s top professionals at Surprise’s first-rate facilities.”
“Phil Cundari made himself entirely available to Club Italia, establishing individual relationships with our young athletes and their coaches, a collaboration we’ve already tested during a match in Tampa. This has opened new avenues: for instance, Ettore Giulianelli showcased remarkable talent and received an invitation to audition early next year; Matteo (Bocchi, ed.) underwent personalized evaluations at the renowned Driveline Baseball facility in Scottsdale.”
“Driveline is a valued partner of the Korean League (KBO), with whom we’ve initiated a promising project looking ahead to 2026. Already next year, we will collaborate with the CTBA, thanks to the groundwork laid by coach Joe Hsu, an esteemed ambassador of Italian baseball in Taiwan.”
“The timing couldn’t be better with the College Series taking place in Tampa, where the University of Tampa graciously hosted the games and committed to repeating this initiative annually at least until the Los Angeles Games. This partnership has positioned us to possibly extend scholarship offers to promising players identified through a dedicated scouting system run by Anthony Lucchese and Matthew Boccardi, offering an eye-opening experience for young players to witness the distinct benefits of pursuing college athletics.”
“We have successfully systematized player evaluations based on age and skill level, laying the groundwork for a cohesive roster-building process for U-18, U-23, and Elite events in preparation for LA 2028. The agreement with MyNextPlay is focused on comprehending the intricacies of the American university landscape while also keeping a long-term perspective in mind.”
“Understanding the cultural framework is essential; as Piazza remarks, possessing knowledge about the world one is engaging with is critical, especially for families navigating the distinctly different American school and university system compared to Italy. This knowledge is essential for aspiring young athletes and their families to maximize their chances of success.”
“Throughout the camp, we have also seen significant contributions from various major leaguers who collaborated alongside the Italian coaching staff.”
“Exactly. Notable figures like Blake Butera, Tino Martinez, Mike Calitri from the Phillies, Jim Hickey, Drew Rossi, and Rob Fumagalli, who has recently returned to Italy for the physical preparation clinic, were integral to our efforts. Some collaborations are a natural progression of established partnerships, while others are set to be announced shortly.”
Andrew Cresci, the hitting coach for the Astros, has devised a comprehensive hitting reporting system that tracks player progress in a centralized database using the Blast Motion platform, which has extended its partnership to our Regional Academies. Post-2023 Classic, the commitment among players and coaches to remain involved has never been stronger. Our team chat remains active, facilitating continuous connections and a shared resolve to advance Italian baseball further.”
What activities are planned for the next few months?
“As mentioned earlier, there is a robust plan encompassing a variety of programs for all age categories. Coach Joe Urso, recognized as the coach of the year 2024 after leading the University of Tampa Spartans to an NCAA Division II victory, will visit Italy in July to conduct three clinics for U-12 and U-15 participants. Meanwhile, our selections will be actively participating in tournaments at the Hit Factory, owned by the Russo brothers, in Tampa.”
“Florida has emerged as an excellent ground for cultivating new contacts, allowing us to organize spring training for Club Italia with several MLB teams, starting with the Phillies who have issued a formal invitation, while opportunities with the Blue Jays and the University of Tampa remain promising. Additionally, arranging partnerships with the Mets and Nationals is on our agenda, enriching the players’ experiences. U-18 prospects are also included in our ambitious plans, aiming to connect them with high schools and colleges along with preparing them for both the U-18 World Cup and the U-23 European Championship.”
“In particular for this group, we are thrilled to have received a collaboration proposal from USA Baseball, which extends an invitation for joint preparation activities leading up to the World Cup at their National Training Complex. Each year, Club Italia will host pre- and post-tournament activities, whether in the United States or Asia, with the overarching goal of extending competitive seasons for our players to at least nine months. We are dedicated to providing tailored training plans, inclusive of off-season development, similar to what we initiated during the Olympic Camp and finalized during our preparatory analysis in Collecchio.”
“While also seeking opportunities to train during the season, we will continue to diligently organize preparation activities and friendly matches across various categories, collaborating with nations like the Czech Republic and others. The connection between Italy and our global network of supporters is unwavering, with continued collaboration needed, particularly within Europe.”
The 2025 Italian baseball agenda is packed with key official competitions inclusive of the European Championships for Elite, U-23, U-15, and U-12 age groups, alongside the prestigious U-18 World Cup.
In the cover photo: the blue dugout during the College Series at the University of Tampa.
Marco Landi
Other MLB organizations is a priority as we look to expand our network and resources. These connections will not only benefit our players but also enhance the overall development of Italian baseball.
“In the meantime, we are also focusing on youth engagement projects that connect younger players with the sport. By fostering a love for baseball from a young age, we create a sustainable interest and develop future talent. Camps, workshops, and local tournaments will play a crucial role in nurturing our budding athletes during the offseason.”
“As we gear up for LA 2028, our focus remains on not just competing but excelling on the international stage. We believe that through these initiatives, combined with the already established infrastructure, we can boost our performance and provide our athletes with the best pathways to reach their full potential.”
Italian baseball is experiencing a renaissance, and under the visionary guidance of Mike Piazza and his dedicated team, the groundwork is being laid for a bright future. The commitment to player development, international collaboration, and community engagement is inspiring, and we can’t wait to see how this story unfolds as we approach the Olympic Games and beyond.
