Marco Landi, head of communications and marketing for the Federation of Italian Baseball and Softball, was surprised when the Italian American Baseball Foundation named him as the inaugural recipient of its Ambassador Award.

Landi, who has been integral in the international expansion of IABF, was presented the honor at the seventh annual IABF Gala in Brooklyn on December 1.

As IABF and FIBS continue to grow their partnership, Landi has been the main conduit for communication, ideation and management of the relationship, which has been built on the principle of growing the game of baseball in Italy and supporting it domestically in the United States.

This award will be given in the future to people who have supported IABF and helped grow the game. IABF did not list it in the program or promote it in advance of the evening in order to surprise Landi, who has done so much and is quite deserving of the accolade.