October 15 - 20
The University of Tampa is excited to welcome Team Italy Club Italia LA28 for a series of combined practices and games at our state-of-the-art baseball facility. This event not only provides a great opportunity for the Spartans to compete against a talented international team, but also serves as a platform to promote the game of baseball in Italy. With Italy being a developing baseball country, this event will showcase the growth and potential of the sport in the country. Additionally, it will highlight the top-notch facilities at the University of Tampa and solidify UT's reputation as a premier destination for college baseball. We look forward to a friendly and competitive series and hope to continue fostering a strong relationship between our two teams, countries, and passion for baseball.
Schedule
Tuesday
October 15th
- Joint practice with UT
Wednesday
October 16th
- Joint practice with UT
- Dinner & Gala 6:00pm
Thursday
October 17th
- Joint practice with UT
Friday
October 18th
- 5:00pm Team Italia vs. UT Game #1
(1st pitch the 2013 Spartan national championship team)
Saturday
October 19th
- 8:00am Showcase/Tryout
- 6:00pm Team Italia vs. UT Game #2
(1st Pitch Stu & Diane Williams)
Sunday
October 20th
- 8:00am Team Italia Intrasquad
Showcase/Tryout
The upcoming baseball showcase for players of Italian descent presents a unique opportunity for aspiring athletes to showcase their skills in front of college and professional scouts. If you, your parents, or grandparents were born in Italy, you may be eligible to compete for Team Italy at the 2028 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. This event not only offers the chance to potentially play for the Italian national team but also opens doors for college & professional baseball opportunities in the US and professional baseball in Italy. This showcase serves as a pivotal moment for individuals to pursue their dreams of representing Italy on the international stage and making a mark in the professional baseball scene.
INCLUDES
- Showcase/tryout with the Italian National Team and the Italian Professional Baseball League (www.fibs.it) coaches & staff.
- UT head coach Joe Urso post showcase talk
- T-Shirt for showcase
- 1 ticket for weekend entry to Team Italy/UT Series
- 15% off tickets to Dinner/Gala
- 20% off team Italia gear
- Special hotel rate for athletes trying out.
Saturday, October 19th - Day #1 Drills & Skills
Sunday, October 20th - Day #2 Practice Games (If selected from Day #1)
Saturday, October 19th
8:00 am
Check in at UT Baseball Field
Photos will be taken and shirts received
9:00 am
Kickoff meeting with Italian National Coaches
9:15 am
60-yard dash
9:45 am
Outfielders - Right field throws
Infielders - SS throws
1B - Throws & drills
Catcher - Pop times
11:00 am
Batting Practice
1:00 pm
Review & final words
Sunday, October 20th
8:00am
Practice games
Wood & aluminum bats are welcome
No metal spikes - molded or turf-only
Player Details
Dinner & Panel
Join us at the Italian Club in YBOR CITY on Wednesday October 16th at 6:00pm as a panel of professional and college coaches will engage in insightful discussions about college and professional baseball, shedding light on various aspects of the sport. They will also discuss the rich heritage of Italian baseball in Italy, the USA and Tampa and the significant contributions of Italian baseball to the global sports community.
Mike Piazza
Piazza has Italian roots on his father's side, as his father was the son of immigrants from Sicily. Piazza originally agreed to manage Team Italy back in 2019. The 2021 World Baseball Classic tournament was canceled due to COVID-19, but Piazza led the Azzurri to the Bronze Medal in the European Championship that year and worked on the team for the 2022 Classic.
Piazza is no stranger to the World Baseball Classic. He served as Italy's hitting coach during the 2009 and 2013 tournaments, and he played for the team in 2006. "I was always a big fan of the Classic," Piazza told Newsday last year, adding, "I talked to a lot of guys who are interested."
Piazza was able to secure a handful of major leaguers for Italy, which is hoping to win more than one game at the World Baseball Classic for the third time in tournament history, after 2013 and 2023.
Joe Urso
Former Spartan All-American Joe Urso, the most accomplished active head coach in all of college baseball, is in his 25th season as head baseball coach of the University of Tampa. During his tenure, he has won more national championships than any college baseball coach. Reaching the pinnacle of success, his program is widely regarded as a collegiate baseball powerhouse under the leadership of a staff that garners respect from MLB teams for the character and talent within the program. Coach Urso's grandparents are from Agrigento, Sicily.
Sam Militello
Associate Head Coach, Militello is in charge of the pitching staff. Militello capped a brilliant three-year career with the Spartans by capturing the NCAA II National Player-of-the-Year award in 1990 when he posted a 15-2 record, 1.75 ERA and 182 strikeouts as he led Tampa to a third place finish in the NCAA II National Championship Series.
Militello owns UT single-season school records for victories (15), strikeouts (182) and innings pitched (143.2) and the school career record for strikeouts (340). He was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Award, given to the top collegiate player in the country. At the time, he was only the second NCAA II player to be nominated for the Golden Spikes Award.
A sixth-round draft pick of the New York Yankees, Militello broke into the "Show" in style with a 6-0 shutout of the Boston Red Sox in July 1992, going seven innings and striking out five while surrendering just one hit and three walks. He surged to a 3-0 record and finished his inaugural season at 4-4.
He pitched in the Yankees system from 1990-94, signed with the Florida Marlins (1994-95) and again with the Yankees ('96) until retiring to a coaching job with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1997-98). Prior to joining the Spartans, he spent the previous two seasons as a pitching coach in the Cleveland Indians organization with Burlington and Columbus, Ga.
Sammy's grandparents are from Santo Stefano, Sicily.
Sponsorship
We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to sponsor our Italian American Baseball Showcase in Tampa, Florida. This prestigious event not only celebrates the rich heritage and contributions of the Italian American community to the sport of baseball but also provides a platform for showcasing emerging talent. As a sponsor, you will gain valuable exposure to a diverse audience of baseball enthusiasts, families, and community leaders, while aligning your brand with a hallmark event that promotes sportsmanship, camaraderie, and cultural pride. Join us in making this showcase a memorable experience for all participants and attendees, and demonstrate your commitment to supporting both athletics and the vibrant Italian American culture. Your partnership will be instrumental in helping us create an unforgettable celebration of talent and tradition.
Volunteer
Get ready for a home run of a weekend as we rally together for an epic baseball showdown between Team Italy and the University of Tampa! Whether you're a die-hard fan or just looking for a fun way to soak up the sun, this is your chance to be part of something special. We need enthusiastic volunteers to help with everything from setting up the fields to cheering on the players. Imagine the thrill of being in the middle of the action, soaking in the excitement, and making new friends while you’re at it! So grab your glove, don your favorite cap, and join us in creating unforgettable memories on and off the diamond. Let's hit it out of the park together!
