Compiled from a release issued by the Italian Baseball & Softball Federation (FIBS), translated into English
Samuele Gamberini won the 2026 Home Run Derby title held at the “Giorgio Caselli” stadium in Reggio Emilia on Tuesday, June 23, ensuring the trophy remains in the Emilian capital ten years after Paolino Ambrosino’s victory in 2016, that season against Fortitudo Bologna, the year in which the last home run game in the top Italian baseball league was held.
The event, which preceded the Baseball Gold Series All-Star Game, saw the participation of six athletes divided into two groups of three.
Nathanael Batista of Nettuno 1945, Federico Celli and Samuele Gamberini of Unipol Fortitudo Bologna took part in Group A. Marc Rodriguez of Palfinger Reggio Emilia, Jesus Ordonez of Camec Collecchio, and Josè Guevara of San Marino took part in Group B.
The challenge featured a first round in which all competing athletes participated, then the top performers in their respective groups competed head-to-head for the title. For each inning, the player in the box had 10 outs (10 at-bats not over the fence) before having to give way to the next player.
The first to open the battle between the outfielders of the Italian top league was San Marino outfielder Guevara, who hit one home run. He was followed by Batista, Ordonez, and Celli, who, however, were unable to challenge the former Modena player’s lead or, in the case of the Nettuno and Bologna outfielders, to claim the top spot in Group A. The final two batters, however, performed brilliantly. Rodriguez took the lead in Group B and a place in the final with three regular home runs after “wasting” one on a foul, while Gamberini needed just one home run to reach the final.
After impressing in the first round, the Palfinger player struggled to find the right swing in the title game and, after nine outs, found the right contact, sending the ball over the fence before ending his innings. The Unipol player, however, needed only a few swings to hit the two home runs that earned him the Home Run Derby victory and the title of best homer of the 2026 Serie A Gold.
Photo: Gamberini’s swing pictured (Credit: Corrado Benedetti)
