10th Anniversary IABF Gala

DECEMBER 10, 2026 @ 6:30 PM
IABF NEWS

IABF

IABF Debuts Student Leadership Advisory Council with Virtual FIBS Discussion

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 Organizes Italian Heritage Night at Nationals Park

IABF officials, Nationals personnel and Italian Embassy representatives celebrated Italian Heritage Night as a cultural exchange highlighting Italian American heritage, diplomacy and international relations. The event included an Italian-style ceremonial “play ball,” and organizers looked forward to similar experiences in 2023.

IABF Names Scholarship in Honor of Steve Napolitano’s Dedication to Organization

Steve Napolitano has supported the Italian American Baseball Foundation since its formation in 2016 and hosted its annual golf outing at Engineers Country Club on Long Island. During the outing, IABF announced that an annual scholarship would be named in honor of Steve and his family.

Michael Kay Named 2022 IABF Media Award Honoree

Longtime New York Yankees’ broadcaster Michael Kay will be honored with the Italian American Baseball Foundation Media Award at the annual IABF Gala in December 2022. Kay is Italian on his mother’s side. A Bronx native, Kay is best known as the play-by-play broadcaster of the Yankees and host of CenterStage on the YES Network.

Celebrate Italian Heritage Night with the Nationals

Celebrate Washington D.C.’s Italian culture during the Nationals’ inaugural Italian Heritage Night with the Italian American Baseball Foundation. The event invites attendees to show their Italian and Nationals pride by wearing a Nationals-themed Italian Heritage Day promotional tee.

IABF Supports Anthony Varvaro Fund

The Italian American Baseball Foundation donated and matched raffle proceeds from its annual golf outing to support the family of fallen police officer Anthony Varvaro. Varvaro played seven Major League Baseball seasons before joining the NY/NJ Port Authority and died in a car accident.

IABF Hosts Annual Golf Outing at Engineers Country Club

The third annual Italian American Baseball Foundation golf outing took place at Engineers Country Club on Long Island, with former major league players John Franco, Mike Pagliarulo, Shawn Chacon, Jeff Manto and Jim Leyritz attending. IABF also supported Anthony Vavaro’s family with matched raffle proceeds.

Team Italy, Mike Piazza Named IABF’s 2022 Tommy Lasorda Award Honoree

The Italian American Baseball Foundation will present Mike Piazza and the Italian National Baseball Team with its highest honor, the Tommy Lasorda Award, at the 2022 IABF Gala in Brooklyn. The award recognizes Italian Americans who have advanced baseball while representing their culture and heritage.

IABF Supports Fred L. Mazzilli Foundation

IABF Supports Fred L. Mazzilli Foundation. IABF supported the Fred L Mazzilli Foundation at its annual fundraiser on Tuesday at Hard Rock Cafe in the Bronx. IABF President Joe Quagliano, VP Carmine Gangone and Treasurer Joseph DiMartino attended and are seen here with Lee Mazzilli.
The Italian American Baseball Foundation sponsored a college showcase featuring Italy’s 18u National Team. Coordinated through Between the Lines, the event provided coaches with remote access to player video, camera angles and metrics, while compiling data to support development and potential U.S. college opportunities.