Italy Gladiator baseball players keep skills sharp down in Waco

Image: Italy’s select baseball team and coaches keep working — Italy’s select baseball team, along with coaches Mark and Vincent Jacinto, prepare to take on a Waco select team during tournament play at the Dub-L R Fields, Riverbend Park in Waco this past weekend.

Italy’s select baseball team and coaches keep working — Italy’s select baseball team, along with coaches Mark and Vincent Jacinto, prepare to take on a Waco select team during tournament play at the Dub-L R Fields, Riverbend Park in Waco this past weekend. (Barry Byers)

Image: Organized baseball — Coach Mark Jacinto double checks his 9-man roster and their positions. That was quick.

Organized baseball — Coach Mark Jacinto double checks his 9-man roster and their positions. That was quick. (Barry Byers)

Image: Checking the comp — Michael “Taz” Martinez studies the game prior before Italy played their first of two games on Saturday.

Checking the comp — Michael “Taz” Martinez studies the game prior before Italy played their first of two games on Saturday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stiles has style — Ross Stiles gets warmed up before the game.

Stiles has style — Ross Stiles gets warmed up before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan’s game face — Catcher Ryan Ashcraft enjoys a cool breeze before suiting up in the catching gear.

Ryan’s game face — Catcher Ryan Ashcraft enjoys a cool breeze before suiting up in the catching gear. (Barry Byers)

Image: “I” is represented — A row of Italy batting helmets signals it’s game time.

“I” is represented — A row of Italy batting helmets signals it’s game time. (Barry Byers)

Image: Walk in the park — Michael “Taz” Martinez(10) and Casey “Queso” Williams(6) study the field before the game.

Walk in the park — Michael “Taz” Martinez(10) and Casey “Queso” Williams(6) study the field before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Casey at the bat — Casey “Queso” Williams looks for the right pitch.

Casey at the bat — Casey “Queso” Williams looks for the right pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: In the air — Italy’s Trevor Patterson watches the ball and holds at first base while Waco’s defense tears after the popup.

In the air — Italy’s Trevor Patterson watches the ball and holds at first base while Waco’s defense tears after the popup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reid swings — Reid Jacinto takes a swing at the Waco Mud Dogs’ defenses.

Reid swings — Reid Jacinto takes a swing at the Waco Mud Dogs’ defenses. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bring the heat — Caden Jacinto stands confident at the plate.

Bring the heat — Caden Jacinto stands confident at the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trevor settles in — Trevor Patterson takes his turn at Riverbend Park.

Trevor settles in — Trevor Patterson takes his turn at Riverbend Park. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wait a Minniear! — Pitcher Karsen Minniear of Corsicana delivers a strike for Italy’s select team.

Wait a Minniear! — Pitcher Karsen Minniear of Corsicana delivers a strike for Italy’s select team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Who’s on first? — Italy’s Reid Jacinto(5) holds a Mud Dogs’ player on first base.

Who’s on first? — Italy’s Reid Jacinto(5) holds a Mud Dogs’ player on first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Doing the job — Ryan Ashcraft working in Waco.

Doing the job — Ryan Ashcraft working in Waco. (Barry Byers)

Image: What’s a Mud Dog? — Catcher Ryan Ashcraft checks on pitcher Karsen Minniear during the game.

What’s a Mud Dog? — Catcher Ryan Ashcraft checks on pitcher Karsen Minniear during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin Wood — Freshman Justin Wood pitches in for the cause to ensure Italy had a 9-man roster in Waco this past weekend.

Justin Wood — Freshman Justin Wood pitches in for the cause to ensure Italy had a 9-man roster in Waco this past weekend. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto — Caden Jacinto comes ready to play every game.

Caden Jacinto — Caden Jacinto comes ready to play every game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ross Stiles — Hopefully, Ross won’t mind his picture being taken anymore.

Ross Stiles — Hopefully, Ross won’t mind his picture being taken anymore. (Barry Byers)

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