Chris R. Vaccaro

Italian American Managers Continue to Shape MLB’s Modern Leadership Era

Major League Baseball’s evolving leadership landscape is highlighted by the hires of Blake Butera and Tony Vitello. The Italian Americans reached management through different paths—player development and college coaching—signaling MLB’s growing emphasis on leadership, culture, relationships, and innovation beyond professional playing experience.

IABF Makes Global Impact with Italian Baseball Development Programs, Returns from Transformational Trip to Castiglione della Pescaia and Parma

Castiglione della Pescaia Chris R. Vaccaro Clinics Grosetto IABF International Baseball Italia Italian Baseball Italy Marco Mazzieiri parma Team Italy Youth Baseball

PARMA, ITALY— A contingent of leaders from the Italian American Baseball Foundation traveled to Italy for several youth baseball clinics and transformational meetings, further extending the organization’s impact, growth, and potential abroad. As a board trustee of IABF, I chronicled the journey with video and images on social media.

Mission Classic Film Premiers at Milan Sports, TV Film Festival

Chris R. Vaccaro Featured IABF International Baseball Italy Media Milan Mission Classic Team Italy Youth Baseball

The Italian version of Mission Classic premiered at Milan’s 40th annual FICTS Fest, where audiences joined a Q&A with Team Italy coach Michele Gerali. Produced by the Italian American Baseball Foundation and FIBS, the project followed a year of filming and editing across four countries and 10 cities to create a feature film and docuseries.

IABF Honors Tommy Lasorda’s Legacy at Long Island Baseball Facility

Baseball Baseball History Chris R. Vaccaro IABF Italian American Heritage Long Island Team Steel Tommy Lasorda Youth Baseball

To further its commitment to Tommy Lasorda and what he meant to the game of baseball, the Italian American Baseball Foundation helped facilitate the placement of canvas art featuring Lasorda at the practice facility named in his honor on Long Island.

IABF Debuts Student Leadership Advisory Council with Virtual FIBS Discussion

Chris R. Vaccaro FIBS Gianmarco Farone IABF International Baseball Italia Italian American Heritage Italian Baseball Student leadership World Baseball Classic

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.

IABF NEWS

Italian American Managers Continue to Shape MLB’s Modern Leadership Era

IABF Makes Global Impact with Italian Baseball Development Programs, Returns from Transformational Trip to Castiglione della Pescaia and Parma

Mission Classic Film Premiers at Milan Sports, TV Film Festival

IABF Honors Tommy Lasorda’s Legacy at Long Island Baseball Facility

IABF Debuts Student Leadership Advisory Council with Virtual FIBS Discussion