News

Salvatore Varriale Named 2023 IABF Ambassador Honoree

Salvatore Varriale, an Italian American player and coach, will receive the 2023 IABF Ambassador Award. A Parma legend and former national-team coach, he won numerous domestic and European titles, represented Italy at four Olympics, and was inducted into the Italian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

University of Florida’s Jac Caglianone Named 2023 IABF Future Star Honoree

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University of Florida baseball star Jac Caglianone has been named the 2023 Italian American Baseball Foundation Future Star honoree and will be recognized at the foundation’s November 30 gala in the Bronx. The standout two-way player set program records with 33 home runs, 90 RBI, and 208 total bases.

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo Receiving 2023 IABF Media Award

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Chris Russo will receive the 2023 Italian American Baseball Foundation Media Award at the IABF Gala on November 30 at Marina Del Ray in the Bronx. The longtime broadcaster, known as “Mad Dog,” has led influential sports radio and television programs, including Mad Dog Unleashed and High Heat.

IABF Announces 2023 Scholarship Recipients

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The Italian American Baseball Foundation recently awarded its 2023 baseball and softball scholarships and again increased the number of recipients this year. One of IABF’s premier tasks is to award scholarships to deserving student-athletes who express pride in Italian culture and heritage.

25 Italian American Players Selected in 2023 Major League Baseball Draft

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At least 25 Italian American players were selected by 16 teams in the 2023 MLB Draft. Good luck to these players as they begin their professional careers. Note: This list only features players with Italian surnames but does not consider all players who have mothers with Italian ancestry. IABF does not have a method to track this data.

IABF Supports Dom Scala Baseball Camp

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IABF Supports Dom Scala Baseball Camp. IABF was proud to sponsor awards day at the Dom Scala Baseball Camp again this year! Great job by Dom on another outstanding camp. The article centers on IABF Supports Dom Scala Baseball Camp and presents the available facts and context from the original update.

IABF Hosts Cigar Dinner with Mike Piazza

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Thanks to everyone who came out for our annual IABF Cigar dinner! Special thanks to Mike Piazza for joining us as well. This year’s event at Bourbon Street in Bayside, NY was another testament to the growing following IABF continues to generate and the shared passion for our Italian heritage and love of baseball.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Meets with IABF Leadership

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Italian American Baseball Foundation leaders met with Supreme Court Justice and fellow Italian American Samuel Alito during their time in Washington, D.C. to celebrate Italian Heritage Day with the Nationals. Justice Alito is a noted baseball fan and roots for the Phillies.

Italian Americans in 2023 College World Series

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Italian Americans appeared across several rosters and coaching staffs during the 2023 College World Series. LSU and Florida each featured multiple players, while Oral Roberts, Wake Forest, TCU, Tennessee and Stanford also had Italian American athletes or coaches represented; Virginia had none listed.

IABF Hosts Meaningful and Productive Italian Heritage Day in Washington DC

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The Italian American Baseball Foundation participated in Washington Nationals Italian Heritage Day, with board members taking part in on-field activities and meeting members of Congress. A portion of ticket sales supported the IABF Scholarship Fund and highlighted baseball’s growth in Italy and Italian American heritage.

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