Anyway, today was the home opener. We were playing Collecchio, a Serie A team from Parma. In Serie A, we only play games on Saturday's and they are doubleheaders. In the higher division (the Italian Baseball League), they play 3 games a week. The change from American Collegiate ball to Italian professional ball is a very big difference.
The first game of the double header was scheduled to start at 3:30 pm. I arrived at the stadium at 12:30. Like any other baseball team, we stretched, ran, threw, took bp, took infield outfield, stood for the Italian national anthem, and then proceeded to play. Unlike American baseball, in between players smoked in the clubhouse, walked to positions, and were generally very layed back. It becomes more obvious that even though they take baseball very seriously and are very passionate, this is still somewhat of a hobby to them. Regardless, the game began.
The pitcher on the mound for Collecchio looked like an overweight, ugly jesus. He must have been about 35 years old and his velocity was about equal to his age. Even though I was not playing, I began to feel like baseball in Italy was going to be an embarrassment. The team put together a bunch of runs, and we beat fat jesus 10 to 1.
After a brutal game, my teammates started to shower and change. I found this very strange. In the states, between games was about 30 minutes. In Italy, there is a two hour break. The team changed and walked outside, where both teams gathered for a large lunch. We had our choice of pasta rossa (tomato sauce) and pasta blanco (just oil). The pasta was complimented with bread, parmiggano reggiano (native to reggio), and dessert. It was like Sunday dinner between games. After everybody was done eating, they met in the clubhouse for cafe (espresso). It was truly a sight to see.
After a couple games of pepper (where the rules are nothing like America), the second game began. In Italian baseball, the first game must be pitched by only Italians (hence why fat jesus threw). The second game can be pitched by foreigners. My roommate, Louis, is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The other pitches was from Venezuela. Both pitchers were very good and threw very well. By the 7th inning, we were winning by one. In the top of the ninth, Collecchio scored three runs and ended up defeating us 6-4.
After a devastating lose, I expected everybody to be down and out. After a couple of minutes of a somber mood, the teams spirits uplifted and we shaked their hands. I found it amazing how quickly they forgot about the lose and moved on. We then proceeded to go back into the locker room where we indulged in some beers, Heinekens to be exact.
After the game, my new friend Taka (father is Italian and mother is Japanese), asked me if my roommate Chris and I would be interested in meeting up for some beers and drinks at one of the local pubs. I jumped at the opportunity, went home, showered, changed, and waited for him to pick me up.
Although I don't remember the name of the pub we went to, I can tell you that it was very similar to the pubs around us. The food was delicious and the beers were flowing. It is important to mention that in Italy, bars are not synomous with drinking. Bars are where you go for coffee. Pubs are where you go for drinks. Discos are where you go to dance and party. Anyway, at the pub were some of my teammates, specifically Fillipo (Filo), Paul, Allesandro, Taka, Chris, Simone (Quinta), and Louis. It was a great time. The waittress happened to speak english very well and was very pretty. It was great to bond with some of my teammates and get to know them better.
Although the day would have been better if I was able to play, it truly was an extroadinary experience. I had a great time. It is also important to note that I am truly trying very hard to pick up the language. Taka has been a great asset, as he knows Italian, English, Spanish, and Japanese. He is becoming a good friend and I look forward to spending more time with my teammates as a whole.
All in all, I am having a great time in Reggio. The city is small, simple, and beautiful. I hope everybody is doing well back in the States. This week I should be taking some trips outside of Reggio and also should have some more pictures.
I'll keep you posted, mi amicis. Goodnight.
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