Telemarket Rimini
Another former Major Leaguer is coming to the Italian Baseball League. Telemarket Rimini has signed utility man Bryant Nelson to play third base in the upcoming season. The 37-year-old batted .265/.342/.353 in 25 games for the Boston Red Sox in the 2002 season. Overall he spent twelve seasons in affiliated minor league ball and later entered the independent league circuit. In 2010 he wore the jersey of the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Atlantic League and batted .288/.330/.459 with 22 homeruns, 75 runs and 72 RBI in 135 games. Two more foreign players are expected to join the Pirates.
North East Knights
The Godo Verona North East Knights have promoted four players from the IBL2 to the IBL1 team. Right-handed reliever Rocco Tebaldi, shortstop Giovanni Bottaro, third baseman Diego Benetti and catcher Filippo de Boni will be on the Italian Baseball League roster next season. Benetti and Bottaro already were used occasionally by the Knights in the IBL last year. Tebaldi together with Pietro Briggi is coming from Verona. De Boni also will be used in the IBL2 team and the U21 squad.