"Mission Classic 2023," the first step toward the 2023 World Baseball Classic, was presented in Rome, with a prominent staff and 13 professional players who play in MLB or who are on the launching pad from the minor leagues to the top American baseball league.

With speeches by CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) President Giovanni Malagò, Italian Baseball Softball Federation President Andrea Marcon and Italia Baseball manager Mike Piazza, "Mission Classic 2023" was presented yesterday, representing the first step towards the World Baseball Classic 2023, scheduled for next March.

13 players are taking part in the Mission Classic, including MLB players and top prospects committed to the minor leagues: Ben DeLuzio (OF, St. Louis Cardinals), Matt Festa (RP, Seattle Mariners), David Fletcher (IF, Los Angeles Angels), Dominic Fletcher (OF, Reno Aces, AAA Arizona Diamondbacks), Vito Friscia (C, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, AAA Philadelphia Phillies), Sam Haggerty (UTL, Seattle Mariners), Nicky Lopez (SS/2B, Kansas City Royals), Joey Marciano (RP, Sacramento River Cats, AAA San Francisco Giants), Miles Mastrobuoni (UTL, Tampa Bay Rays), Andre Pallante (RP, St. Louis Cardinals), Vinnie Pasquantino (1B; Kansas City Royals), Mitchell Stumpo (RP, Reno Aces, AAA Arizona Diamondbacks), Brett Sullivan (C/UTL, El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA San Diego Padres). They are joined by an important level staff consisting of Blake Butera (bench coach), Brian Sweeney (pitching coach), Jack Santora, Chris Denorfia and Michele Gerali.

Italia Baseball manager Mike Piazza presented this first nucleus that intends to participate in next year's world event, "I would like to thank the Federation, CONI and IABF for supporting this project. We have a group with a lot of enthusiasm and passion who strongly desire to represent Italy. Everyone present at the premiere immediately responded positively and others asked if there was a possibility to play in a blue uniform. We will not have much time to prepare and work together before the tournament, so let's start from this week to create the bond right away."

CONI President Giovanni Malagò brought greetings to the guests in attendance and congratulated them on a unique initiative also dedicated to discovering the origins of the families of the athletes involved. Also greeting the audience was President Andrea Marcon who highlighted the importance of the approach towards the Classic: "Given my Italian and Canadian origins this is an initiative with an important meaning. The Classic will be an important moment for baseball, being a World Cup, and we believe in the path. We will be in a special situation, for the first time in Asia, with strong opponents including Holland. The goal of the expedition is to go as far as possible."

As reiterated by Italy Baseball's CT, it will be a propitious week to begin to get to know each other, to experience the origins of their families, one of which is linked to historical figures (Joey Marciano's grandfather's cousin is the famous boxer Rocky Marciano), and to build a team spirit and a union of purpose that will be fundamental for the world event that will kick off on March 8 in Taichung (Taiwan) and will see the Azzurri on the field in the elimination round with Taiwan, Holland, Cuba and Panama. There will also be space for Italian athletes, particularly on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 13, when a group of young Italian talents will meet on the field in Arezzo for the Future Stars Game.

Nov. 9 is also a special date for Italian baseball because it marks the second anniversary of the passing of Bill Holmberg, who had a major impact in the growth of Italian baseball and bonded through friendship with manager Mike Piazza.

The bond between FIBS and the Italian-American community was also reinforced on the occasion. Also present at the press conference were the institutional partners of the Italian American Baseball Foundation (IABF) with association president Joe Quagliano, vice-president Carmine Gangone, and Mark Cardillo and Chris Vaccaro, members of the Board of Directors, who presented the relationship between the Federation and IABF that has led to the development of the Missione Classic and the new specific pathways related to scholarships reserved for Italian players to enter U.S. colleges. In addition, the Italian Baseball Softball Federation officially signed an agreement with We The Italians, represented locally by founder and CEO Umberto Mucci, which, on its 10th anniversary, becomes a media partner of Italia Baseball and Softball.