News

Marlins Hosting Italian American Heritage Night on August 13

The Miami Marlins will host Italian American Heritage Night on August 13 to benefit the Italian American Baseball Foundation. Ticket packages include a limited-edition Italian Heritage Marlins T-shirt, with pickup beginning when gates open at 5:30 p.m. and continuing through the fourth inning.

Q&A: Tony Morante, Yankee Stadium Historian

Awards Baseball History IABF Italian American Heritage New York Yankees

Tony Morante spent six decades with the New York Yankees, progressing from usher and ticket-sales employee to director of Yankee Stadium Tours from 1985 through 2018. A member of the Italian American Baseball Foundation, he credits baseball’s teamwork and his Italian American heritage for shaping his life and work.

IABF Hosts Back on the Field Summer Baseball Tournament

Community Events IABF Youth Baseball

The Throgs Neck Thunder 13u team won the second annual 14u Back on the Field Classic. The Italian American Baseball Foundation again sponsored the tournament with Van Nest Tournaments, supporting its mission to develop youth baseball in the United States and Italy.

IABF Sponsors Juan Romero Baseball Camp

Clinics Coaching IABF Scholarships Youth Baseball

The Italian American Baseball Foundation sponsored Juan Romero’s All Skills Baseball Camp in Florida, helping provide scholarships for local youth baseball players while supporting the annual fundamentals-focused camp. IABF officer Mark Cardillo served as an instructor and emphasized developing baseball and life skills in local communities.

Tennessee’s Tony Vitello Named NCBWA Coach of the Year

Awards Coaching College Baseball ncbwa tennssee tony vitello

Tennessee head baseball coach Tony Vitello was named the 2021 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Mike Martin National Coach of the Year. He became only the second coach in program history to receive national honors, joining former Vols coach Rod Delmonico, who won in 1995.

Dom Scala Named 2021 IABF Achievement Award Honoree

Awards Baseball Baseball History College Baseball Dom Scala Gala IABF

Longtime college baseball coach Dom Scala will receive the 2021 Italian American Baseball Foundation Achievement Award at a December ceremony in Brooklyn. The former Adelphi University head coach compiled a 432-331-5 record, won three conference titles and later served the Yankees and Pirates.

Tony LaRussa Passes John McGraw for Second on All-Time Manager Wins List

Italian American Heritage MLB Player News Professional Baseball Tony La Russa

Tony La Russa became baseball’s second-winningest manager when the Chicago White Sox defeated their opponent on June 6, giving him 2,764 victories and surpassing John McGraw. After returning from retirement, the Hall of Fame manager was leading the White Sox in the AL Central.

LSU’s Paul Mainieri Earns Career Win No. 1,500

Awards College Baseball Italian American Italian American Baseball Foundation LSU Paul Mainieri

LSU coach Paul Mainieri earned career win No. 1,500 when LSU defeated Texas A&M on May 21. He became the fifth coach in NCAA Division I Baseball history to reach 1,500 victories and win a national championship, ranking 11th all-time in NCAA baseball wins.

Tom Verducci Named First Recipient of Italian American Baseball Foundation Media Award

Awards Gala IABF Italian American Heritage Media

Tom Verducci was named the first recipient of the Italian American Baseball Foundation Media Award. The longtime Sports Illustrated writer and Fox Sports and MLB Network analyst will be honored at the IABF Awards Gala in Brooklyn, New York, in December.

Nationals President/GM Mike Rizzo Named IABF Executive of the Year

Awards Gala IABF Mike Rizzo Professional Baseball Washington Nationals Youth Baseball

Mike Rizzo, president and general manager of the Washington Nationals, was named the Italian American Baseball Foundation Executive of the Year. He will be honored at the organization’s annual awards gala in Brooklyn, New York, in December, following Washington’s World Series title.