The Italian Baseball and Softball Academy Celebrates Ten Years
On Thursday the 22nd of May marked the 10th year that the Italian Baseball and Softball Academy has had its doors open, and in celebration of this historical day all those involved in making over the years were on hand to share their thoughts and feelings about the accomplishments that have been made. The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation along side the strong support offered up by CONI were able to bring to light the dream of creating this academy with the clear intentions of producing topnotch athletes that would be able compete on the world stage.
The president of CONI, Malagò, was one of the many in attendance on Thursday in Tirrenia, Italy and he
had a couple of very nice things to say about the efforts that have been put forth by FIBS over the last ten years, “This is without a doubt a project that has grown and will continue to grow, and I must tip my had to FIBS for the job that they have done thus far. It hasn’t been an easy road, but results have without a doubt been seen.”
Riccardo Fraccari, “The idea the academy came about back in 2003 after we had just suffered a disappointing loss in the European Cup to Sweden. It was at that very moment that I believed that we would have to do something to help us not fall behind the eight ball, and so the idea of the academy was born.” Fraccari words were then followed by a thank you to all those involved in the organization over the years from the director of CONI center in Tirrenia, Paolo Calissi, the first ever director to the academy, Massimo Ceccotti, to the first ever athlete tutor, the lat Cesare Ravaldi.
The academy’s Major League Baseball representative was also present for the events and had a few strong statements to make about the efforts that Riccardo Fracari has put into this project. “If it wasn’t for President Fraccari’s hard work and perseverance the MLB would have never back this wonderful academy, and now that they are here, and here to stay, we have him to thank.”
Bill Holmberg is another name that has put his heart and sole into this academy, having served the passing athletes as a coach and mentor since its inaugural year back in 2004. “I thank everyone that has been involved in brining this project to light. We’ve done a lot, but we’ve still got a lot to do.”
