Italy national baseball team

The Italy national baseball team (Italian: Nazionale italiana di baseball) represents Italy in international baseball competitions. Known as the Azzurri ("the Blues"), the team wears traditional Savoy blue uniforms, just like Italy's famous association football team.

As of 2022, Italy was ranked 16th in the world. Along with the Netherlands, Italy is one of the strongest baseball teams in Europe, having won the European Baseball Championship ten times, most recently in 2012.

Italy has also taken part in every World Baseball Classic since it began in 2006. In the 2026 WBC, the team made it all the way to the semifinals, showing just how good they are on the international stage.

History

See also: Baseball in Italy

Debut and European competition

The Italian national baseball team played its first international game on August 31, 1952, in Rome against Spain. Famous actor Gregory Peck, who was in Rome filming the movie Roman Holiday, watched the game.

Italy joined the first European Baseball Championship in 1954 and won it. However, the Netherlands joined in 1956 and became a strong rival. Italy's star player Giulio Glorioso faced the Netherlands' Han Urbanus often. Glorioso threw two no-hitter games for Italy during this time, losing 1–0 to the Netherlands in 1960 and winning against West Germany in the 1973 European Championship.

Since then, Italy has won nine gold medals in the European Baseball Championship, with the most recent in 2012. In total, Italy has won 27 medals (16 silver, 3 bronze). The Netherlands has done better with 21 gold and 7 silver medals. Italy hosted many championship games over the years.

In the 2019 European Baseball Championship, Italy came in second and won the silver medal. Players on the team included John Andreoli, Chris Colabello, Filippo Crepaldi, Murilo Gouvea, Luis Lugo, Alessandro Maestri, Drew Maggi, Giuseppe Mazzanti, Sebastiano Poma, and Alessandro Vaglio.

Italy on the global stage

In the 2006 Intercontinental Cup in Taichung, Taiwan, Italy finished sixth. They beat Chinese Taipei 13–3 in their first game but lost the next three to the Netherlands, Cuba, and Australia. After beating the Philippines, Italy lost to Japan and South Korea, ending the first round with a 2–5 record. Italy then beat South Korea 8–3 but lost to Australia 3–2 in the battle for fifth place.

On November 9, Italy caused the U.S.A. team its only loss on their way to winning the 2007 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan. This was the first time the U.S. had lost to Italy in 21 years, and the first time with professional players. Both Italy and Panama finished with 3–4 records, but Panama placed fifth due to a better run ratio, while Italy came sixth.

The 2009 Baseball World Cup was held from September 9–27, with seven European countries, including Italy, hosting the tournament. Italy and the Netherlands hosted the second round of 16 teams. Italy faced strong teams but managed to win some games, finishing the second round with a 2–5 record and being eliminated.

At the 2010 Intercontinental Cup, Italy won its first medal ever, beating Chinese Taipei 4–3 to take the bronze.

World Baseball Classic

In the first World Baseball Classic in 2006, Italy competed in Pool D against Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Australia. Italy beat Australia 10–0 in their first game but lost to Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, failing to advance to the next round.

In the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Italy faced strong teams in Pool C, including Canada, the U.S.A., and Venezuela. Though considered underdogs, Italy pulled off a surprising win against Canada, 6–2, but lost to Venezuela and were eliminated.

In the 2013 World Baseball Classic, Italy won its first two games, including a comeback win over Mexico, but lost in the second round to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, ending their tournament.

Under Mike Piazza

Former MLB player and National Baseball Hall of Fame member Mike Piazza became Italy's manager in 2019. He had previously played for Italy in the 2006 Classic and coached them in 2009 and 2013. Piazza focused on developing young Italian players, though he often selected players from the Italian diaspora, especially for the World Baseball Classic. He aimed to build a team of native Italian players.

Piazza was set to manage in the 2021 World Baseball Classic, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the 2021 European Baseball Championship, Italy won the bronze medal, defeating Spain. Piazza left the tournament early for his father's funeral and was temporarily replaced by Doriano Bindi.

On January 24, 2025, Piazza was replaced as manager by Francisco Cervelli.

Francisco Cervelli Era

Under Francisco Cervelli, Italy had its best performance ever in international play during the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The team went undefeated for five games, including a surprising 8–6 win over the United States. Italy advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Team Mexico 9–1, then defeated Puerto Rico 8–6 to reach the semifinals for the first time. Italy's historic run ended in the semifinals with a 4–2 loss to Venezuela.

Current roster

Main article: 2026 World Baseball Classic rosters

J.J. D'Orazio will replace captain Alberto Mineo, who cannot play after an injury during training. Kyle Teel was hurt in a game against the United States on March 10 and was replaced by bullpen catcher Andres Annunziata for the group stage, with plans to add Mickey Gasper for the quarterfinal games.

Manager: Francisco Cervelli

Coaches: Allard Baird, Sal Fasano, Alex Maestri, Frank Menechino, Lipso Nava, Jorge Posada, Dave Righetti and Ron Wotus

Designated Pitcher Pool: Matteo Bocchi, Jonah Dipoto, Joe Jacques, Camden Minacci, and Mattia Sireus

Results and fixtures

This section lists the results of professional baseball matches for the Italy national team, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled. The matches are shown according to the latest version of the WBSC World Rankings.

Legend
  Win   Lose   Void or postponed   Fixture

2019

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Tournament record

World Baseball Classic

Team Italy showed great skill by beating the Netherlands 1–0 in a big game. They have also won against Mexico (3–0) and Canada (2–0), showing they can play well against strong teams. In 2026, Italy surprised everyone by beating the United States 8–6 in an early round game. This was a very important win for the team.

Italy took part in the first World Baseball Classic, with many players born in the United States. Players can join a team if they are citizens, have parents from that country, were born there, or live there permanently.

Olympic Games

Italy did not qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Their best Olympic result was sixth place, which happened in both 1996 and 2000. In 1984, Italy played baseball but it was only a demonstration sport, not an official event. Later, baseball was voted out of the Olympics for the 2012 games in London.

WBSC Premier12

IBAF Amateur World Series, Baseball World Cup, and WBSC Premier12

Italy’s best result in the Amateur World Series was fourth place in 1974. When it became the Baseball World Cup, Italy also reached fourth place in 1998 when they hosted the event. The 2009 World Cup was hosted by all of Europe, not just one country.

Intercontinental Cup

The Intercontinental Cup is another international baseball event. Italy hosted the first one in 1973 and finished sixth. Their best result was third place in 2010.

European Baseball Championship