Reverberations of Team Italy's Mission Classic felt at Italian American Baseball Foundation Gala in New York

Reverberations of Team Italy's Mission Classic felt at Italian American Baseball Foundation Gala in New York
02/12/2022
The Seventh Annual Italian American Baseball Foundation (IABF) Gala at Giando On the Water in Brooklyn on December 1, 2022 served as the stateside launching pad for MLB front office personnel, players, coaches, and media representatives to witness the take off of IABF Tommy Lasorda Award recipient and Team Italy manager Mike Piazza's Mission Classic in light of the upcoming 2023 World Baseball Classic

Following a productive meeting to synergize efforts in helping grow and promote baseball and softball in Italy with Major League Baseball International executives Jim Small and Chris Haydock at the MLB New York headquarters on Sixth Street in Manhattan, Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) President Andrea Marcon, Team Italy manager Mike Piazza along with members of the FIBS delegation once again joined forces with the Italian American Baseball Foundation for the Seventh Annual IABF Gala at Giando On the Water in Brooklyn on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

With the sky as the limit and Mission Classic reaching new heights, Team Italy manager Mike Piazza has been a strong proponent of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) since its inception in 2006 when he played for the Azzurri squad. So when the National Baseball Hall of Famer took centerstage at Giando On the Water after an eloquent introduction by former Italian teammate and coach Frank Catalanatto, the sold-out audience of IABF supporters listened intently to his message of solidarity across the Atlantic.

With an intense sense of purpose and a pledge to catapult Italy into a baseball superpower by the end of his lifetime, 2022 IABF Tommy Lasorda Award recipient and Team Italy skipper Mike Piazza shared his vision of a united Azzurri squad with a common goal of representing the country with pride. Thanking those in attendance including FIBS President Andrea Marcon, IABF President Joe Quagliano, IABF Vice President Carmine Gangone, Team Italy WBC coach Chris Denorfia and coaching coordinator Gianmarco Faraone, Mike Piazza spoke highly of the recently completed 10-day Mission Classic in Italy which allowed 13 MLB-affiliated players committed to participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic to trace their ancestral roots and gain an appreciation of their Italian culture. He also praised WBC coaches Chris Denorfia, Blake Butera, Jack Santora, Brian Sweeney and Michele Gerali for their roles in working with the Italian-born and developed players during the Team Italy Future Stars Game in Arezzo on November 13, 2022.

Master of Ceremonies and New York Mets announcer Wayne Randazzo did an extraordinary job in keeping the capacity crowd engaged throughout the evening. Dom Scala dished out some great storytelling before introducing IABF Achievement Award winner Mike Pagliarulo. Tom Verducci matched with intensity when bringing up IABF Media Award honoree and New York Yankees announcer Michael Kay. Dan Bonanno sprinkled accolades and provided color on the hardest working person behind the scenes at MLB International, IABF Executive of the Year honoree Jim Small.

Philadelphia Phillies catching prospect and IABF Future Star Award winner Vito Friscia spoke from the heart when describing his experience representing Team Italy in the European Baseball Championship and immersing himself in the rich Italian culture at the recent Mission Classic. IABF Scholarship recipients Daniel Monti, Francesco Bonvini, Carmine Carbone, Dylan Fanelli, Luke Filippi, Gianna Laspina, Matthew Mondrone and Anthony Prisinzano were also recognized.

IABF Scholarship Committee Advisor and Philadelphia Phillies scout Dan Palumbo was in the house as well as past IABF honorees Anthony Iapoce, Gary Perone and Natalie Spedaliere. IABF Board Members Chris Vaccaro, Mark Cardillo and Joe DiMartino also made sure guests were welcomed upon arrival.

The IABF and FIBS with the added support of MLB have coalesced during the course of these annual galas to bridge the gap across the Atlantic so that baseball and softball can become synonymous with Italy in the way the country has long been know for being the epicenter for world-class cuisine and culture. Forza #Italia!

(Photo of YES Network interviewing Mike Piazza and WorldBaseball interviewing Jim Small on the patio at Giando on the Water)

by Roberto Angotti