Designated hitter Max De Biase was released by T&A San Marino and joins Italian Baseball League rival Telemarket Rimini for the 2011 season. The 36-year-old was born in Santa Fe, Argentina and came to Italy in 2003 and is no longer considered a foreign player. He was playing for the Titans since 2006 and won the IBL championship in 2008. This year he batted .336 (OBP .462/SLG .452) with three homeruns, 23 runs and 31 RBI in 42 games during the regular season.
After acquiring Laidel Chapelli (from Rimini) and Jairo Ramos Gizzi (from Bologna) San Marino had no spot anymore for De Biase in the lineup. He is the second new player for the Pirates this offseason, which already had signed the Australian right-handed pitcher Dushan Ruzic (Neptunus Rotterdam) to strengthen the pitching staff. According to the report by Baseball.it, Rimini which is in danger of losing outfielder Lorenzo Avagnina to San Marino also was interested in Joe Mazzuca, but he is going to stay in Bologna.
Photo: (c) Ferrini/FIBS