2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: Italy

24-Man Squad For European Team

Jan 27, 2009 David Hein

Manager Marco Mazzieri will call upon an excellent coach staff including Mike Piazza to help him bring Italy success at 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Manager Marco Mazzieri has put together a top-class coaching staff and some Major League talent in hopes of finally bringing Italy some success on the international stage.

Excellent Coaching Staff

Mazzieri has gathered a group of winners around him for his coaching staff. Former All-Star catcher Mike Piazza will serve as Italy's hitting coach after playing for the Europeans at the 2006 Classic. Mazzieri's bench coach will be Mike Hargrove, who reached two World Series while serving as manager for the Indians, Orioles and Mariners in MLB while the third-base coach will be former Brewers and Cubs manager Tom Trebelhorn.

U.S., Canada And Venezuela In First Round

Italy will be facing the United States, Canada and Venzuela in the first round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic from March 7-11 in Toronto. The top two in the group will advance to a second round of eliminators against two teams from the Puerto Rico group consisting of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Netherlands and Panama.

Victory Over U.S. In 2007

The Italian failed to get out of the first round of the 2006 WBC, with just a victory against Australia. But the Europeans were the only team to beat the United States during the American's run to the gold medal at the 2007 World Cup.

MLB/MiLB Players Throughout Field

Mazzieri has a number of major leaguers and minor league players to call upon for his team. Angels catcher Mike Napoli said he cannot wait to play for Italy while Sal Fasano is also behind the plate. Italy also feature infielders Frank Catalanotto, Robert Fick and Nick Punto, plus outfielder Chris Denorfia as well as minor league infielders Mike Costanzo and Alex Liddi.

DiNardo, Grilli Lead Pitching Staff

The Italian pitching staff will be led by Lenny DiNardo and Jason Grilli as well as Mark DiFelice. Among the minor leaguers in the mix are left-handers Phil Barzilla, Brian Mazone, and Matteo Pizziconi and right-handers Cliff Flagello, B.J. La Mura, Alessandro Maestri, Marc Lamacchia, Kasey Olenberger, Adam Ottavino and Mauro Schiavoni. Mazzieri must cut his 45-man roster to 28 players - including a mandatory 13 pitchers - by Feb. 24.

Italy's 24-Man Roster

Name, Bats/Throws, Height, Weight, Birth Date

PITCHERS

Philip Barzilla, L/L, 6'0" (183cm), 180lbs (82kg), 01/25/1979

Cody Cillo, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 200lbs (91kg), 07/17/1980

Chris Cooper, L/L, 5'11" (180cm), 195lbs (88kg), 10/31/1978

Roberto Corradini, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 185lbs (84kg), 09/23/1978

Tiago Da Silva, R/R, 5'9" (175cm), 180lbs (82kg), 03/28/1985

Mark DiFelice, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 190lbs (86kg), 08/23/1976

Lenny DiNardo, L/L, 6'2" (188cm), 210lbs (95kg), 09/19/1979

Jason Grilli, R/R, 6'5" (196cm), 225lbs (102kg), 11/11/1976

B.J. LaMura, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 200lbs (91kg), 01/01/1981

Alex Maestri, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 180lbs (82kg), 06/01/1985

Kasey Olenberger, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 235lbs (107kg), 03/18/1978

Adam Ottavino, L/R, 6'5" (196cm), 215lbs (98kg), 11/22/1985

Dan Serafini, S/L, 6'1" (185cm), 190lbs (86kg), 01/25/1974

CATCHERS

Francisco Cervelli, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 210lbs (95kg), 03/06/1986

Vinny Rottino, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 205lbs (93kg), 04/07/1980

INFIELDERS

Frank Catalanotto, L/R, 6'0" (183cm), 205lbs (93kg), 04/27/1974

Mike Costanzo, L/R, 6'3" (191cm), 215lbs (98kg), 09/09/1983

Davide Dallospedale, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 165lbs (75kg), 09/12/1977

Alex Liddi, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 176lbs (80kg), 08/14/1988

Giuseppe Mazzanti, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 240lbs (109kg), 04/05/1983

Nick Punto, S/R, 5'9" (175cm), 195lbs (88kg), 11/08/1977

Jack Santora, S/R, 5'9" (175cm), 160lbs (73kg), 10/06/1976

OUTFIELDERS

Mario Chiarini, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 190lbs (86kg), 01/07/1981

Peter Ciofrone, L/R, 5'10" (178cm), 201lbs (91kg), 09/28/1983

Chris Denorfia, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 195lbs (88kg), 07/15/1980

Andrea De Santis, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 175lbs (79kg), 12/25/1982

Valentino Pascucci, R/R, 6'6" (198cm), 260lbs (118kg), 11/17/1978

Leonardo Zileri, R/R, 5'9" (175cm), 180lbs (82kg), 04/03/1984

The copyright of the article 2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: Italy in Baseball is owned by David Hein. Permission to republish 2009 World Baseball Classic Roster: Italy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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