Alessandro Labanti of Baseball.it updated us this weekend about FORTITUDO BOLOGNA. The winner of the Coppa Italia and participant in the European Cup is still looking for a sponsor, which would set a budget finally. Due to the uncertainty of the financial resources FORTITUDO wasn’t very active this offseason. Catcher Manuel Gasparri (NETTUNO) and pitcher Riccardo Paoletti (2-0, ERA 3.38) will leave the team. Shortstop Juan Infante and pitcher Alessandro Ularetti are joining the team from teams below the Italian Baseball League level. In addition Daniel Frignani is expected back at full strength, after being limited in 2008 due to an injury.
The core of the pitching staff most likely will remain the same. Cody Cillo (9-1, ERA 1.34), Fabio Betto (7-1, ERA 3.56) and Fabio Milano (2-2, ERA 2.25) were already confirmed. Matteo D’Angelo (2-0, ERA 2.25) will reinforce the pitching after finishing the college season in the United States. Chris George (1-0, ERA 0.82) is expected back too, though this depends also on his studying in the US. The visas of outfielder Richard Austin (.366/.475/.652) and pitcher Jesus Matos (7-2, ERA 1.84) were renewed by BOLOGNA and confirmed by the FIBS last week. Especially the extension of Matos was not clear, as there were rumors at the beginning of the winter that he might leave. They are still looking for an outfielder and a utility player.
They also have an agreement in principle with pitcher Yulman Ribeiro, although the deal isn’t official yet, because of the missing sponsor. The Venezuelan with Portuguese passport is coming from the Spanish club CB VILADECANS, where he had a 4-6 record with an ERA of 1.99 in twelve starts. He had 90 strikeouts and 28 walks in 90 2/3 innings last season. During the winter months, Ribeiro pitched for the ALB ORKAS in the Liga Paralela finishing with a 0-5 record and an ERA of 3.09. He struck out 39 (13 walks) in 46 2/3 innings.
FORTITUDO’s manager Marco Nanni suffered a terrible injury during practice on Saturday, rupturing an Achilles tendon. He was scheduled for surgery on Monday.
Photo: © Ferrini, FIBS