The Italian American Baseball Foundation brought a unique group of people together to celebrate Team Italy’s impending journey to the World Baseball Classic. The 2023 WBC send-off dinner was held at Tomaso’s in Phoenix.

It was one of the largest gatherings of Italian Americans in baseball, and featured several high profile people like Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza and most of his WBC team of pro players, including notables like Vinnie Pasquantino, David Fletcher, Nicky Lopez and Matt Harvey. Others in attendance included Angels President John Carpino, Royals Manager Matt Quatraro, Royals GM J.J. Picollo, Royals Scouting Director Nick Leto, former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, Angels broadcaster Wayne Randazzo, and nearly 100 others.

Representatives of the Federation of Italian Baseball and Softball were in Arizona to host a training camp for players on their senior and U18 teams and some major league free agents on the Team Italy roster who are not currently in Spring Training camps. Their next stop is Taiwan for the WBC.