Team Italy coordinator and pitching coach Bill Holmberg passed away on November 9, 2020 after a three-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Synonymous with Italian baseball since 2000, Bill Holmberg left his imprint on the growth and development of the game in Europe and Africa. Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) President Andrea Marcon and Secretary General Giampiero Curti had the privilege and honor of working with Bill Holmberg for 16 years. The entire FIBS family extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Gabriella, and their children, Carolina, Caterina, Alessandro and Giuseppe.
William Herbert Holmberg was born on November 10, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. The Holmberg family moved to Florida, where Bill enjoyed a successful playing career at Florida State University. He embarked on a journey to Italy and shortly thereafter played and coached in Godo for two years (1978-79) before coming back to Florida to coach at Christopher Columbus High School in 1980. Bill Holmberg made Italy his new home in 1989, when he began a 10-year coaching stint in Godo and led the team to the Italian Junior championship title.
Bill Holmberg became the leader of the Team Italy Juniors program from 2003-04 before taking on the technical director position at the FIBS Academy in Tirrenia, where he remained for 14 years. Under his leadership, 22 young athletes from the FIBS Academy were signed by Major League Baseball (MLB). Later serving as MLB Pitching Coordinator for Europe and Africa, Bill Holmberg had a profound effect on the game internationally.
Bill Holmberg signed on as Team Italy Seniors pitching coach in 2007. Combined with the synergy of manager Marco Mazzieri and hitting coach Mike Piazza, the terrific trio led Team Italy to European Baseball Championship titles in 2010 and 2012. In addition, Bill Holmberg helped Team Italy achieve success in the 2009 and 2013 editions of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) with the Azzurri squad reaching the WBC quarterfinals in 2013. With a flair for excellence, Bill Holmberg was heralded by the European Baseball Coaches Association in 2015 when he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Team Italy manager Mike Piazza will make sure the legacy of Bill Holmberg never dies as the Azzurri squad battles for victory in his honor in the upcoming European Baseball Championship and World Baseball Classic. Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
