The Italian American Baseball Foundation (IABF) recently completed a transformative four-day baseball development tour across Italy, reaffirming its commitment to expanding the game internationally and deepening the cultural connection between Italy and the Italian American community.
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The trip featured a robust schedule of clinics and special events in Castiglione della Pescaia, Parma, and Bologna, attracting more than 100 youth players from across the country. Participants included standout talent from the Cervelli-IABF Academy, Junior Parma, and Bologna programs.
At the center of the tour was a milestone moment: the first-ever IABF Coaches Clinic in Castiglione della Pescaia, a new initiative designed to empower Italy’s next generation of baseball educators. The clinic and player development sessions were supported by an elite coaching staff that included Team Italy manager and former MLB catcher Francisco Cervelli, University of Tampa head coach Joe Urso, former Major Leaguers Sam Militello and Keith Osik, Florida high school coach Jeff Caglianone, and longtime University of Tampa supporter Russ Bruno.
Leading the IABF delegation were President and co-founder Joe Quagliano, Vice President and co-founder Carmine Gangone, and Executive Trustee and Head of Communications Chris R. Vaccaro. The group worked closely with local partners, including FIBS National Program Director Gibo Gerali and Deb Scalabrelli, who manages operations for the Cervelli-IABF Academy.
A highlight of the trip was a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Cervelli-IABF Academy, attended by local officials, including Elena Nappi, Mayor of Castiglione della Pescaia. In a show of gratitude, Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) President Marco Mazzieri presented IABF with a supporter/service award for its continued efforts to grow the sport throughout the country.
“This trip reinforced our belief in the power of baseball as a cultural bridge,” said Quagliano. “We are proud to support the development of players and coaches across Italy.”
With the 2026 World Baseball Classic on the horizon, IABF is already planning its next wave of initiatives to elevate Italian baseball on the world stage.
WBN Italy: https://worldbaseball.com/league/italy/
