While the World Baseball Classic is in full swing, there’s one thing in particular that has caught people’s attention during the tournament. Italy opted for outfitting its dugout with an espresso machine to ensure the players can get a taste of home while playing.
“We are kind of shocked, actually, because this is something in Italian culture that’s sort of like water. I mean, coffee would be right after water,” Italy manager Mike Piazza said.
While Piazza said he was happy with the Nespresso machine being placed in the dugout, he was less than pleased that the coffee was being served in a paper cup and not a ceramic one.
“I don’t like espresso out of a paper cup. It’s kind of sacrilege,” Piazza said. “But when it’s the only option you have, you have to deal with it. Maybe next time we’ll bring the metallic machine with the copper eagle on the top and someone in there knocking espressos out. You have to make the most with the tools you have.”
Despite the country getting some more attention for reasons that aren’t baseball-related, Andre Marcon, the president of the Italian Baseball Federation, said he was thrilled with the exposure Italian baseball was getting, even if it was for its coffee habits.
“Right now we are the most followed national team for a series of things which took place connected to our ‘good old Italian customs,'” Marcon said.
Source: https://twitter.com/GrowingUpItalia/status/1634184598480474112