Coaching

Brian Sweeney Named Pitching Coach of Kansas City Royals

Brian Sweeney, Italian on his mother’s side, was hired as the Kansas City Royals’ pitching coach by manager Matt Quatraro. Sweeney previously served as the Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen coach under Terry Francona and said Kansas City would combine tradition, experience and innovation.

Blake Butera Named Carolina League Manger of the Year

Awards Coaching Professional Baseball Team Italy World Baseball Classic

Blake Butera was named Carolina League Manager of the Year for guiding the Charleston RiverDogs to a franchise-record 88 wins and their second consecutive title. It was his second time receiving the honor. Butera, also a Team Italy assistant, has a 170-82 record in two seasons managing the RiverDogs.

Butera Retires, But was Already Angels Bullpen Coach

Coaching Drew Butera Kansas City Royals MLB Player News Professional Baseball

The Kansas City Royals congratulated Drew Butera on a great career insinuating he retired, but he established that in January when he was hired as the bullpen catcher for the Angels. Congrats on a successful 12-year career AND on transitioning to the coaching ranks! Congrats on a great career, Drew! pic.twitter.

Italian American Matt Quatraro Named Manager of Kansas City Royals

Coaching College Baseball MLB Professional Baseball

Matt Quatraro is the latest Italian American to manage a club in Major League Baseball. The Rays announced his hiring in October. Most recently a bench coach in Tampa, he signed a three-year contract with an option for 2026. He was also a hitting coach with the Indians from 2014-2017.

IABF Featured on Out in the Field Podcast

Coaching Featured IABF International Baseball Media

IABF board trustee Chris Vaccaro appeared on the “Out in the Field” podcast to discuss the organization, the growth of baseball in Italy, and other topics. The podcast conversation highlighted the foundation’s work and its broader interest in developing the game.

Dave Righetti Named to Team USA WBC Coaching Staff

Coaching Featured Player News Team Italy World Baseball Classic

Italian American Dave Righetti was named bullpen coach on Mark DeRosa’s Team USA staff for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Righetti pitched 16 major-league seasons, won AL Rookie of the Year and Reliever of the Year twice, threw a no-hitter and coached the Giants from 2010 to 2017.

Italian American Mark DeRosa Named Team USA Manager for World Baseball Classic

Coaching Italian American Heritage Team USA World Baseball Classic

Italian American Mark DeRosa was named manager of Team USA for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. DeRosa called the appointment an honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, recalling his experience competing for Team USA in the 2009 tournament and expressing enthusiasm about leading its star-studded roster.

IABF Partners with Long Island Baseball on Youth Camp

Clinics Coaching IABF Long Island Baseball Youth Baseball

For the second consecutive year, the Italian American Baseball Foundation and Long Island Baseball partnered on a youth camp featuring instructors LJ Mazzilli and Frank Catalanotto. Youth development remains central to IABF’s mission, with thousands of student-athletes instructed at its sponsored clinics since 2016.

IABF Sponsors Dom Scala Baseball Camp

Awards Coaching IABF Youth Baseball

As part of our commitment to youth development, the Italian American Baseball Foundation was a proud sponsor of the Dom Scala Baseball Camp. Scala, a former Yankee bullpen coach from 1978-1986 and a Pirates’ scout from 1987-1993, he was honored as the 2021 IABF Achievement Award winner. The IABF logo is also on this year’s camp MVP plaque.

Mike Bianco Leads Ole Miss to College World Series, National Championship

Awards Coaching College Baseball Italian American Heritage

Mike Bianco won his first national championship in 2022, leading Ole Miss to a College World Series victory over Oklahoma. The Division I coach, nearing 1,000 career wins, previously took the Rebels to the 2014 College World Series. Italian American pitcher Dylan DeLucia helped secure the finals berth.

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