The Fortitudo Baseball Franchise was introduced this past weekend in Bologna. Fortitudo Bologna will cooperate with the local clubs from Castenaso, Longbridge, Minerbio, Pianorese, Yankees San Giovanni Persiceto, San Lazzaro and Sasso Marconi. Bologna will play in the IBL1 Division, while Fortitudo Castenaso will be the affiliate in the IBL2.
During and after the presentation more transactions were revealed. Daniele Malengo will leave De Angelis Godo to join Fortitudo. The 20-year-old utility man made his debut in the Italian Baseball League last season, batting .244 (OBP .305/SLG .277) with four doubles, 16 runs scored and nine RBI in 35 games. The club already had acquired Liviston Santaniello and Mattia Reginato from the relegated Palfinger Reggio Emilia. Another newcomer will be the Venezuelan coach Mario Labastidas (Montepaschi Grosseto), who will join the staff of manager Marco Nanni.
Bologna also confirmed that Fabio Betto, Fabio Milano, Stefano Landuzzi, Yulman Ribeiro, Luca Breveglieri, Francesco Alaimo, Riccardo Fornasari, Joseph Mazzuca, Juan Angrisano and Juan Carlos Infante will be back as well as foreigners Eddy Garabito and Jesus Matos. Daniele Frignani, Claudio Liverziani (suspended), Giovanni Pantaleoni (San Marino) and Richard Austin (USA) will not return for the 2010 season. Matteo D’Angelo also will not be available as soon as the College Season in the US is over since he will play in a Summer League.
Photo by Ferrini/FIBS