MALIBU, Calif. - The Pepperdine baseball team has returned from its week-long trip to Italy, where the players and coaches experienced some of the country's major cities and attractions along with a pair of games against professional clubs based in Grosseto and Nettuno.
Head baseball coach Steve Rodriguez sent updates and photos from overseas and his blog entries are listed below along with the team's itinerary.
Monday, May 30
"Day one was long. A 12-hour flight plus a nine-hour time change combined with a three-hour bus trip to Siena, Italy makes for a long day. But as tiring as today was, it was absolutely amazing, and being able to stand in the main square of Siena near the Duomo while eating dinner at one of the outdoor cafes was a great experience.
The gelato at the end of the day sure did hit the spot and we're all looking forward to tomorrow."
Tuesday, May 31
"The day started with a trip to San Gimignano where they had amazing towers all over the town from the middle ages. We were able to go to the top of one tower and enjoy the view of the amazing Tuscan countryside. We then went to Grosetto to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea for a little while before we headed to the game against the Italian professional team, the Grosetto Orioles. In a rainy, but amazing eight-inning experience, the Waves tied the Grosetto Orioles 3-3 then headed to Montecatini where we arrived at 1a.m. Good night."
Wednesday, June 1
"Today we are in Pisa. It seemed very crowded but our tour guide said the amount of people was nothing compared to what it will be like in about three weeks. The number 179 was very important in Pisa. It is the height (in feet) of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the church and the baptismal building. All of which are located in a very close proximity. We avoided the constant request of selling of genuine fake Rolex watches and RayBan sunglasses, and we were able to see the real city and the river that runs through it.
"On the way back to Montecatini, we stopped in a small town called Lucca. This town was one of our favorites. It had amazing pastries and was very authentic. There was a two-mile wall that went around the city center that was built during the Roman Empire, and now you can see people riding bikes and jogging on the wall.
"To end the day we went to Montecatini Alta to have a team meal at a restaurant called WOW. When you see the view we were able to have when we ate, you can see why the restaurant was named WOW. The views are amazing.
"Off to Florence tomorrow morning."
Thursday, June 2nd
"What an amazing day in Florence. We arrived early and had a chance to walk around and see a good portion of the city square. The funny thing about getting there when we did was that Jersey Shore was being filmed at one of the pizzeria places near the Uffizi Gallery. The cast was walking around Florence most of the day. We had the opportunity to see amazing works of art, along with seeing the Duomo which is the fourth largest church in the world. We will see the number one church tomorrow in Rome. Our private tour guides have been amazing. Today is the 150th anniversary of Italy being united as one, and we got to witness the parade and the activities. Amazing.
"Our hotel is located about five blocks from the city center and the view from the top of our hotel is magnificent. I think our team is trying to set a record of gelato eaten in one week."
Friday, June 3rd - Sunday June 5
"We left Florence and headed for Assisi, which is a very small town built into a mountain. There was an amazing church built for San Francesco who believed he should give all of his possessions away and live like Christ. We then headed for Rome where we got to see the Coliseum at night. It's been a long day and tomorrow we're going to see St. Peters and the Vatican.
"We headed to the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel. Words can't even describe the how impressive that work is to the eye.
"The sheer size of St. Peter's is impressive by itself. It is the world's largest church, but to see inside the amount of room that encompasses the property was amazing. The courtyard where people stand when the Pope speaks is massive and the television does not do it justice.
"We played the Nettuno Baseball Club and lost 4-3 in a rain soaked game, but the pasta they provided afterwards hit the spot. The fact that they dragged their infield with a Vespa was great; simplicity at its best. We have four hours to sleep before our wake up call to head home.
"Back to L.A."
