News

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

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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

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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 Hosts Annual Golf Outing at Engineers Country Club

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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

Awards Gala IABF Team Italy World Baseball Classic

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

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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.

Former MLB Pitcher, Port Authority Police Officer Anthony Varvaro Dies

Community Events Italian American Heritage Player News Professional Baseball

Anthony Varvaro lived two dreams. He was a pro baseball player and a police officer. The Italian American died suddenly in a car accident on his way to a Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in New York City. Varvaro, 37, became a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police officer after pitching for the Mariners, Braves and Red Sox.

College Baseball IABF International Baseball Team Italy Youth Baseball

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.

Celebrating 125th Anniversary of Ed Abbaticchio’s Pro Baseball Debut

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ED ABBATICCHIO DAY: On this day 125 years ago Ed Abbaticchio made his professional baseball debut. It’s believed that Ed was the first Italian American to play pro baseball when he debuted for the Phillies on September 4, 1897. He went on to play for 14 seasons and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win a World Series in 1909.

Cavalli, Volpe, Friscia Advance to Next Level

MLB Player News Professional Baseball

Big couple weeks for Italian American players! Cade Cavalli was called up to the Washington Nationals, Anthony Volpe was called up to Triple A in the Yankees organization and Vito Friscia was called up to Triple A in the Phillies organization. Good luck to each in the next chapter and thanks for making us proud!

IABF NEWS