Italian American Baseball Foundation and Brooklyn Cyclones host youth baseball clinic on July 10, 2018
Former MLB fan favorite player and current Team Italy coach Frank Catalanotto along with a cast of seasoned baseball professionals will offer youth between the ages of 7 and 14 the rare opportunity to receive two hours of instruction, a commemorative t-shirt, lunch and two tickets to a Brooklyn Cyclones game at the Italian American Baseball Foundation (IABF) Baseball Clinic on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 from 10 am to 1 pm at MCU Park, 1904 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. Baseball campers will also participate in a batting contest and compete for fun giveaways. Register online by clicking ($75 in advance or $95 day of event).
The Italian American Baseball Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charity and community of fans, MLB players, and baseball executives dedicated to the future of Italian American baseball in Italy and the USA. Exclusive events like this Brooklyn Cyclones-hosted youth baseball clinic are the result of the hard work and dedication of IABF and Mint Pros president Joe Quagliano. A grandson of Italian immigrants, Joe Quagliano grew up in a Italian American baseball family with deep roots spanning from the legendary Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Phil Rizzuto to modern day heroes Dave Righetti, Steve Balboni, John Franco, Mike Scioscia, and Mike Piazza.
Coupled with the support of well-respected Italian American restaurateur Carmine Gangone of Brooklyn's famed Carmine & Sons and Team Italy coach Frank Catalanotto, Joe Quagliano has promoted two hugely successful annual fundraising events to help grow the game of baseball by organizing baseball clinics and camps in Italy and the United States. In cooperation with Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) vice president and IABF executive board member Fabrizio De Robbio, this important charitable organization offers scholarships, financial aid and sponsorship opportunities to Italian youth that qualify to play baseball at a more competitive level in America. In addition to restoring and building baseball fields, providing equipment and supporting an Italian baseball academy focused on education and development, the IABF brings together like-minded individuals who love their Italian culture and America's favorite pastime.
One of the IABF's biggest supporters is Brooklyn Cyclones' assistant general manager Gary Perone, who was honored when he was awarded the 2017 Italian American baseball executive of the year at the second annual IABF fundraising dinner last December. "I was humbled and grateful, especially being honored alongside Bobby Valentine," said Gary Perone. Among the honorees in attendance at Carmine & Sons Pizzeria, Restaurant, and Sports Bar in Brooklyn were Italian American baseball icon Bobby Valentine as well as Team Italy's Brandon Nimmo and Erika Piancastelli. Aside from a brief stint with the Staten Island Yankees from 2005-2006, Gary Perone has been with the New York Mets Short Season Single-A affiliate Brooklyn Cyclones organization since 2001. Gary Perone was largely responsible for the Cyclones receiving the Larry McPhail Award, which is given to the Minor League Baseball team that best demonstrates outstanding and creative marketing efforts within its community, its ballpark (including non-game day events), in media and other promotional materials. Averaging nearly 5,200 fans per game in 2017, the Brooklyn Cyclones topped the New York-Penn League in attendance. Now with the upcoming the IABF Baseball Clinic at MCU Park on July 10, MintPro's Joe Quagliano and Cyclones' Gary Perone have put together an innovative family-friendly event which helps both youth baseball locally and internationally. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
