FORTITUDO BOLOGNA dominated the Italian Baseball League throughout the regular season and finished in first place before the semi final round. There they couldn’t continue their run for the championship and were eliminated. They late won the Coppa Italia to clinch a berth in the European Cups next season.
At the moment they are planning the upcoming year. Besides the search for a new sponsor to finance another quest for the Italian title, BOLOGNA is trying to put a roster together. On the first agenda they are talking to their current key players.
Baseballitalia.it reports that the chances for a return of starting pitcher Jesus Matos are slim, as his salary demands are not in the budget for FORTITUDO and he is probably replaced by a new foreign hurler. Matos finished with a 7-2 record and an ERA of 1.84 with 82 strikeouts (14 walks) in 83 innings. A decision about a 2009 engagement will be made in the next couple of weeks.
They might miss their most important pitcher, but at least their most dangerous bat will be in the lineup next season. Richard Austin is expected to extend his contract and both sides already agreed on the terms. He batted .366 (OBP .475/SLG .652) with ten homeruns, 43 runs scored and 50 RBIs. He led the IBL in runs scored, RBIs, homeruns, slugging percentage and total bases.
BOLOGNA also is interested to bring back Lino Connell. However they are supposed to wait, if he is healthy at the start of next season, as he is suffering with a knee injury (meniscus). Connell had a batting average of .328 (.437/.432) with 24 runs scored and 19 RBIs in 34 games.
The fourth player, which is talked about is Ryner Bautista. He will marry in the upcoming weeks in the United States. Afterwards he has to solve a few legal matters, before he can come back to Italy. He batted .315 (.355/.426) with four homeruns, 43 runs scored and 27 RBI.