team report
March 15, 2023
On March 15th, Samurai Japan and Italy, who will face each other on March 16th in the “Carnext 2023 BASEBALL CLASSIC ™ Quarterly Tokyo Pool Round”, practiced for about an hour and a half at the Tokyo Dome.
“A different battle begins here.”
As Coach Kuriyama Hideki said, it will be a one-shot game from now on, “If you lose, you’re done”, and the quarter-final will be an important game that will determine the semi-finals to five. successive tournaments and a trip to the United States.
Assigned starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (Angels) said, “I think I can start the game as usual because I can adjust as usual.” he emphasized. Regarding his opponent Italy, he said, “There are a lot of players who play in the United States, so I think it will be a very difficult game. I want to treasure one goal.”
In the quarterfinals, the pitch limit will be increased to 80 pitches, but he said, “I’m a pitcher who can throw, so I’ll throw it one by one without looking ahead,” he said, without thinking about stepping
Manager Kuriyama also had the same thought, suggesting an all-out battle, saying, “All the pitchers and fielders will go.”
On the other hand, at the Italian press conference, manager Mike Piazza, who once teamed with Hideo Nomo for the Dodgers, and Ohtani’s colleague David Fletcher for the Angels took the stage. Coach Piazza, like Coach Kuriyama, said, “Tomorrow we will all go. He has shown a bold defensive change in Cwll A, but it seems he intends to adopt it tomorrow as well, “according to the data and in the most effective way.”
For this tournament, he developed his mission early and managed to recruit outstanding Italian and Italian-American players to play for MLB and its affiliates. In addition, he boasted, “Good team. The connection between teammates is very strong.”
Fletcher also revealed that the players are growing moustaches, saying, “We all do it together because we want to unite. “That’s it,” he said with excitement.
The comparison between the two, who are both in good condition and motivated, looks like they are on the same level as each other. Who will win the game that could have gone either way, and get a seat in the United States, where the semi-finals and finals will be held? The decisive battle will be started at 19:00 on the 16th.
Coach/Player Comments
Directed by Hideki Kuriyama
“We can focus on baseball with a good sense of tension. From now on, we have an image of Koshien. I want to go back to where I started and cherish fighting for the people who support me. Ball -Japanese bass. I will show what this is like, and with the help of all the players, I will fight with all my might.”
Soichiro Yamazaki (Orix)
“It’s an honor, so I’m very happy. I don’t think I can replace Mr. Kuribayashi, but I want to do what I can. I’ve been using the WBC competition balls since the opening game, and the not a bad feeling. I’m not that nervous now, but I think I’ll be nervous when the game starts, so I hope I can enjoy that tension too.”
Directed by Mike Piazza
“I’m very happy to be able to play in Japan. It is a great honor for me. Japan is very strong. I want to play baseball without making small mistakes and win against Japan. The coordinator and other staff did a great job preparing for this game The history of baseball in Italy will continue after the WBC. It will be an important game for the future.”
2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC™
Athletes Contestants Tournament Overview Cheering Song Official Japanese Site
schedule of games
Carnext 2023 BASEBALL WORLD CLASSIC™ Warm Up Game
Monday, March 6, 2023 18:00 Hanshin Tigers 1-8 Japan
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 19:00 Japan 9-1 Orix Buffaloes
CARNEXT 2023 BASEBALL WORLD CLASSIC™ Tokyo Pool 1st Round
March 9, 2023 (Wednesday) 19:00 Japan 8 – 1 China
Friday, March 10, 2023 19:00 Japan 13-4 Korea
Saturday, March 11, 2023 19:00 Japan 10-2 Czech Republic
Sunday, March 12, 2023 19:00 Australia 1-7 Japan
CARNEXT 2023 BASEBALL WORLD CLASSIC™ Quarter Round Tokyo Pool Round
March 16, 2023 (Thursday) 19:00 Japan – Italy
final round
March 19 (Sun) – 21 (Water) 2023
Hold a stadium
Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Tokyo Dome, Chase Field, Lawn Depot Park
Warm-up matches: Kyocera Dome Osaka, Hinata Sun Miyazaki Marine Stadium, Ivy Stadium
Participating team
Pool A
Chinese Taipei, Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, Panama
Pool B
Japan, Korea, Australia, China, Czech Republic
Pool C
USA, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, UK
Pool D
Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua
Japan Series Carnext Samurai 2023 Miyazaki
Special site Tournament Overview Ticket Competitors
schedule of games
Saturday, February 25, 2023 13:30 SAMURAI JAPAN 8-4 Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Sunday, February 26, 2023 14:00 Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 2-4 SAMURAI JAPAN
Hold a stadium
Hinata Sun Miyazaki Marine Stadium
Participating team
Japanese Samurai, Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
Japan Series Carnext Samurai 2023 Nagoya
Special site Tournament Overview Ticket Competitors
schedule of games
Friday, 3 March 2023 19:00 SAMURAI JAPAN 2-7 Chunichi Dragons
Saturday, March 4, 2023 19:00 Chunichi Dragons 1-4 SAMURAI JAPAN
Hold a stadium
Nagoya Bantelin Dome
Participating team
Japanese Samurai, Chunichi Dragons
