the defense of the title starts
There are two certainties in Italian baseball. The rain that punctually compares on the eve of the play-ball and the words of the giemme of San Marino, Mauro Mazzotti, on the day of the presentation of the team. “As always, we hope to go all the way, to continue playing when the other teams have finished”. Seriously, which is not even a joke, San Marino starts with the underdogs, if only for the title won last season after several years of fasting. «Whoever has the triangle on his chest deserved it and it is right that he starts from pole position. For various reasons we have rebuilt the team for a good 50%, we are satisfied with the new arrivals and with those who continued to share our project. We will fight on both fronts ».
In addition to Tiago and Centeno, major players on the 2021 Scudetto platform, San Marino greeted two charismatic leaders of the locker room. «We are talking about Albanese (who will throw the first ball tonight, ed) and Reginato who have been with us for many years, but already in the past when the cycle of players like Tiago, Ramos, Mazzuca ended, we had the courage to turn the page. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you don’t. This year we believe we have put together a good team, only first choices arrived in San Marino and I believe that what was done in 2021 can be replicated ».
In a super complete team in terms of defensive set-up and line-up length, what will be added in the second phase? “Those who know us well know that we will fortify the mound with the second foreign pitcher. Then we will see whether to use the third ‘slot’ for the foreigner, however it will all be aimed at reinforcing the team for the second phase ».
As always, the white-blue manager Doriano Bindi gets away with a couple of jokes. ‘The new captain? It is not known. Who will start against the Falcons tonight? By Raffaele. I new? We are in the right way, these first matches are needed to get in shape, when the championship will be more demanding and for the week of the cup where we play every day ».
But do you like this formula? “We have to accept the decisions of the federation, but I am in favor of an A1 series with fewer teams and more matches”.
On this subject comes the closure of Mazzotti. «We had reached the point that it was difficult to find six teams to make the A1, but now we need to make some adjustments, also because the A2 series was perfect as a development championship. Now there is a risk of sending many players to the fray, I would have preferred things to be done gradually ».