News

IABF Debuts Student Leadership Advisory Council with Virtual FIBS Discussion

Timed with Italian American Heritage Month, the Italian American Baseball Foundation launched its Student Leadership Advisory Council on October 1. The council hosted Gianmarco Faraone of Italy’s Federation of Italian Baseball and Softball to discuss baseball development, professional leagues, and opportunities for student-athletes.

O’Hoppe Makes MLB Debut, Gets First Hit

Italian American Heritage MLB Player News Professional Baseball

Called up one day, makes his debut and gets his first hit in his first at-bat the next … welcome to the #BigLeagues , Logan O’Hoppe! Nice work by the top prospect in the #Angels organization and one of the top 65 prospects in all of #baseball . Italian on his mother’s side, we’re proud of Logan! Read more from MLB.com .

IABF Organizes Italian Heritage Night at Nationals Park

Community Events IABF International Relations Italian American Heritage MLB

IABF officials, Nationals personnel and Italian Embassy representatives celebrated Italian Heritage Night as a cultural exchange highlighting Italian American heritage, diplomacy and international relations. The event included an Italian-style ceremonial “play ball,” and organizers looked forward to similar experiences in 2023.

Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo Earns Contract Option

Arizona Diamondbacks Italian American Heritage Player News Professional Baseball

The Arizona Diamondbacks picked up manager Torey Lovullo’s contract option. Hired in 2017, Lovullo has won 390 games, the most in franchise history. The California native played eight major-league seasons and began coaching at that level with Toronto in 2011 before joining Boston in 2012.

IABF Names Scholarship in Honor of Steve Napolitano’s Dedication to Organization

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Steve Napolitano has supported the Italian American Baseball Foundation since its formation in 2016 and hosted its annual golf outing at Engineers Country Club on Long Island. During the outing, IABF announced that an annual scholarship would be named in honor of Steve and his family.

Michael Kay Named 2022 IABF Media Award Honoree

Awards Gala IABF Media Professional Baseball

Longtime New York Yankees’ broadcaster Michael Kay will be honored with the Italian American Baseball Foundation Media Award at the annual IABF Gala in December 2022. Kay is Italian on his mother’s side. A Bronx native, Kay is best known as the play-by-play broadcaster of the Yankees and host of CenterStage on the YES Network.

Celebrate Italian Heritage Night with the Nationals

Community Events Featured IABF Italian American Heritage MLB Nationals

Celebrate Washington D.C.’s Italian culture during the Nationals’ inaugural Italian Heritage Night with the Italian American Baseball Foundation. The event invites attendees to show their Italian and Nationals pride by wearing a Nationals-themed Italian Heritage Day promotional tee.

IABF Hosts Annual Golf Outing at Engineers Country Club

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The third annual Italian American Baseball Foundation golf outing took place at Engineers Country Club on Long Island, with former major league players John Franco, Mike Pagliarulo, Shawn Chacon, Jeff Manto and Jim Leyritz attending. IABF also supported Anthony Vavaro’s family with matched raffle proceeds.

Team Italy, Mike Piazza Named IABF’s 2022 Tommy Lasorda Award Honoree

Awards Gala IABF Team Italy World Baseball Classic

The Italian American Baseball Foundation will present Mike Piazza and the Italian National Baseball Team with its highest honor, the Tommy Lasorda Award, at the 2022 IABF Gala in Brooklyn. The award recognizes Italian Americans who have advanced baseball while representing their culture and heritage.

IABF Supports Fred L. Mazzilli Foundation

Community Events Fundraising IABF Lee Mazzilli

IABF Supports Fred L. Mazzilli Foundation. IABF supported the Fred L Mazzilli Foundation at its annual fundraiser on Tuesday at Hard Rock Cafe in the Bronx. IABF President Joe Quagliano, VP Carmine Gangone and Treasurer Joseph DiMartino attended and are seen here with Lee Mazzilli.

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