Francesco Bonvini is taking the next step in his baseball career by playing at the College of Staten Island on a scholarship.

A previous recipient of an Italian American Baseball Foundation scholarship, Bonvini, an Italian native from Parma, is living out his dream of playing baseball in America. He played last season at Kingsborough Community College and has one more year there before CSI.

“I’m really happy to stay in New York and move to Staten Island,” he said. “I keep working hard and look forward to the next two years at CSI.”

He had an impressive 2022 season where he was named CUNYAC Pitcher of the Year in route to a conference title.

“So far it’s been amazing the baseball atmosphere here in the states, something I hope to see in Italy soon,” he said. “The season starts in one month, I can’t wait to win some games and show what I’ve been working hard on.”

The coaches at Kingsborough are excited about his growth and potential.

“We are thrilled for Francesco and the opportunity he is being given from the College of Staten Island,” said Kingsborogh head coach Brian Dowd. “Being offered an athletic scholarship is a great achievement in one’s life. It directly reflects the hard work and dedication Francesco exhibits day in and day out on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom. CSI is getting a very special young man with unique leadership qualities and maturity way beyond his years. We wish him the best and know that he is in good hands with Coach Mauro and his staff. “Through The Wave emerged a Dolphin.”

IABF reached out to Kingsborough assistant coach Mike Taverna in 2019 about a player with exceptional talent looking for an opportunity. 

“I can tell from our first conversation that this was a model player that I wanted to be part of our program,” said Kingsborogh assistant coach Mike Tavera.

Taverna hopes this is the start of a pipeline of other players who can carve a path and write a story like Bonvini.

“The sky is the limit for Bonvini,” he said. “He is exactly what we expect and desire in a player for our program, and we hope our relationship with the IABF leads to more Francescos in our future. We will miss him next year, but the footprint he has left on The KCC Wave program will be in the history books forever. I am honored to be part of helping him get his start in his American baseball career, and he will always be like family to me. Ti vogliamo bene Francesco, é Auguri!”