Gala

2025 IABF Gala Brings Another Sold-Out Celebration of Italian American Pride and Baseball Tradition

The 2025 IABF Gala drew more than 425 guests to Marina del Rey to celebrate Italian American heritage, baseball, and the organization’s mission. Honorees included Francisco Cervelli, Phil Cuzzi, Roman Anthony, John Ricco, Alanna Rizzo, Ned Colletti, Billy Martin, Joe Urso, and Sam Militello.

Relive the 2024 IABF Gala

Awards Gala IABF IABF Gala Italian American Heritage Joe Torre MLB Rob Manfred Scholarships

The Italian American Baseball Foundation held its ninth gala with record attendance and support, honoring leaders including Rob Manfred, Marco Mazzieri, and Riccardo Fraccari. The event recognized achievements across baseball and helped generate record scholarship numbers through the support of the board, sponsors, and attendees.

Marco Mazzieri Selected as IABF Ambassador Award Honoree

Awards Gala IABF Marco Mazzieri Team Italy Youth Baseball

The Italian American Baseball Foundation named Marco Mazzieri an Ambassador Award honoree for the 2024 IABF Gala. The former Team Italy manager led Italy to European titles and remains committed to youth baseball and player development while running for federation president.

Relive 2024 IABF Golf Outing in Photos

Community Events Fundraising Gala IABF

The Italian American Baseball Foundation thanked the record number of golfers who attended this year’s outing and shared photos from the event. The organization also reminded supporters that its annual gala is scheduled for December 5 and encouraged them to purchase tickets.

Don Landolphi Named 2024 IABF Ambassador Award Honoree

Awards Coaching Don Landolphi Gala IABF Team Italy

Don Landolphi will receive the Italian American Baseball Foundation Ambassador Award for his contributions to baseball in Italy. A longtime coach and author, he helped Team Italy win its first European Baseball Championship in 1975 and also supported baseball for the visually impaired.

Riccardo Fraccari Named 2024 IABF Ambassador Award Honoree

Awards Baseball History Gala IABF International Baseball Riccardo Fraccari

One of the most transformative baseball leaders, Riccardo Fraccari, has been selected as an Italian American Baseball Foundation Ambassador Award honoree in 2024. He will be recognized at that annual IABF Gala on December 5 at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

MLB’s Dom Balsamo Named IABF Executive of the Year

Awards Dom Balsamo Gala IABF Media MLB

Dom Balsamo will receive the 2024 Italian American Baseball Foundation Executive of the Year honor at the December 5 gala in the Bronx. The MLB executive, with the league since 2001, has worked across media, events, sponsorship, public relations, and international baseball, including all five World Baseball Classics.

Paul Mainieri Named 2024 IABF Collegiate Award Honoree

Awards Coaching College Baseball Gala IABF LSU Paul Mainieri South Carolina

College baseball coaching legend Paul Mainieri is this year’s IABF Collegiate Award honoree. With 1,500-plus wins, Mainieri is one of the winningest coaches in college baseball history. He has held head coaching positions at St. Thomas, Air Force, Notre Dame, and, most notably, LSU, where he led the Tigers to a College World Series.

Red Sox Legend Joe Castiglione Named 2024 IABF Media Award Honoree

Awards Gala IABF Joe Castiglione Media MLB

It has been a special year for Red Sox radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione, from the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame and now the 2024 IABF Media Award. Both are for his service to broadcasting and baseball. Castiglione has been the Red Sox’s radio voice since 1983.

Sal Frelick Named 2024 IABF Future Star Honoree

Awards Featured Gala IABF Player News Sal Frelick Team Italy

Sal Frelick is the latest Italian American Baseball Foundation Future Star honoree and will be recognized at the annual IABF Gala on December 5 at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx. The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder played for Team Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and was a first-round pick in 2021 after starring at Boston College.

IABF NEWS