On Sunday we already reported on the introduction of the new league structure in Italian Baseball and Softball. Today we do have more details on the reform.
As mentioned starting in 2010 there will be the Italian Baseball League (IBL), split into two levels without promotion or relegation. Below there will be three levels with promotion and relegation, playing for the so-called FIBS Championship. The youth leagues structure remains the same. For us the most important part is the IBL.
Let’s take a closer look. The clubs or franchises will have one team in each of the two IBL leagues (IBL1 & IBL2) and can exchange players similar to MLB clubs and their affiliates in the Minor Leagues. In IBL1 they are allowed to have three non-EU players on the roster, while just one is allowed to play in IBL2. They also have to implement structures with general manager, secretary, press officer and marketing officer among others. The top seven teams out of 2009 will return in 2010. The only new club will be the Warrior PaternĂ², which will replace the relegated Palfinger Reggio Emilia.
The format in IBL1 will be the same as in 2009. During the regular season, each week there will be three games from Thursday to Saturday (or Friday, Saturday, Saturday). The semi-finals again will be played in a round robin format, followed by the best-of-seven Italian Series. The league will make two breaks; first for the European Cups in the first week of June and later for the Italian Baseball Week and the European Championships in July. Teams are allowed to use a designated hitter and the IBAF extra inning rule (only during regular season) is in effect.
In IBL2 there will be two games (on Saturdays) each week during the regular season. After that a semi-final round for all eight teams (1st-8th, 2nd-7th, 3rd-6th, 4th-5th) will follow. The best four teams reach a Final Four tournament on August 7th/8th. They will only interrupt the season for the European Cup in June, but will continue to play during July.
There also was a change announced for the Italian Softball League. The league will be extended from eight to ten teams starting in 2010. The tenth club will be relegated directly, while the ninth has to play a relegation series against the second best team from the SerieA2. They are allowed to bring in three non-EU players.
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