John Cortese

FIBS Academists join director Roberto Angotti for Rome premiere of Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum Award-winning documentary

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At the invitation of We the Italians founder and president Umberto Mucci, Italian American Baseball Family director and producer Roberto Angotti traveled to Italy to share his Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum Award-winning documentary with an enthusiastic audience at the Center for American Studies in Rome on September 26, 2018.

Louis, John, Manuel Maglio, Marco Artittzu, Daniele Di Monte, Roberto, Leonardo Menoni, Niccolo Cinelli, Lemba Della Salandra, and EttoreGiulianelli
From left to right: Luis Hernandez Aguila, John Cortese, Manuel Maglio, Marco Artitzu, Daniele Di Monte, Roberto Angotti, Leonardo Menoni, Niccolo Cinelli, Lemba Della Salandra, and Ettore Giulianelli

Among those in attendance were representatives from Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS). FIBS Academy head coach and residence coordinator John Cortese was accompanied by pitching coach Luis Hernandez Aguila and seven FIBS Academists currently enrolled for the 2018/2019 academic year at the new FIBS Academy Acquacetosa on the campus of the CONI “Giulio Onesti” Olympic Training Center in Rome, Italy.

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From left to right: Roberto Angotti, Umberto Mucci, Marco Landi, and Stefano Luconi

Immediately following the screening of the movie, Italian American Baseball Family producer Roberto Angotti was joined by FIBS Marketing and Communication Director Marco Landi and University of Padova Professor of American Studies Stefano Luconi for a panel discussion. We the Italians’ Umberto Mucci served as moderator and helped facilitate questions from the audience and responses from the panelists.

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Team Italy slugger and Cincinnati Reds prospect Leonardo Seminati named to U-18 All-World Team

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After leading Team Italy in runs (5), hits (11), home runs (2), RBI (17), batting average (.423), slugging percentage (.654), on-base percentage (.531), on-base plus slugging (1.185), walks (6), and stolen bases (2), Azzurri first baseman and Cincinnati Reds prospect Leonardo “Grande Leo” Seminati was named and honored as a member of the 2017 WBSC U-18 All-World Team during the closing ceremonies of the 12-country international tournament at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. A sold-out stadium of fans and supporters–including 19 of his Azzurri teammates, Team Italy U-18 manager John Cortese along with coaches Rolando Cretis, Stefano Cappuccini, Gianluca Marenghi, Daniele Santolupo as well as FIBS delegation manager Fabrizio De Robbio, trainer Graziano Abbate, physician Guido Squarcia and FIBS media representative Marco Landi–cheered enthusiastically as Seminati stood proudly on the podium next to fellow players selected to the 2017 U-18 All-World Team.

Following the memorable night of glory under the lights at Thunder Bay’s Port Arthur Stadium, Leonardo Seminati packed his bags and headed in a different direction than Team Italy. Unlike most traveling back to Rome, Grande Leo flew to Goodyear, Arizona to report to Cincinnati Reds instructional league camp. Impressed by the way the Team Italy captain and MLB prospect carried himself and his Italian squad in the 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, the Reds wasted no time in getting Seminati on their home turf to begin the process of molding this European all-star into a world-class ballplayer. Leonardo Seminati is a breath of fresh air as baseball media and fans alike will soon find out as he embarks on his minor league journey with sights of a career in the Big Leagues. Grande Leo conducts himself professionally on and off the field. His coaches, teammates and family have nothing but praise for the outstanding 17-year-old slugger. He is one of the most approachable, responsible and intelligent young competitors one will ever meet in the game today. Like promising 20-year-old Italian Kansas City Royals prospect Marten Gasparini, Cincinnati Reds prospect Leonardo Seminati has a bright future ahead of him in Major League Baseball. Thanks to the efforts of 29-year-old Alex Liddi, who was the first Italian-born-and-raised player to make it to MLB, the table has been set for Marten Gasparini and Leonardo Seminati to represent Italy as a viable breeding ground for up-and-coming baseball talent on the global stage. Forza ragazzi! Forza Italia!!!

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FIBS media representative Roberto Angotti with Team Italy’s Leonardo Seminati at the 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay (Photo by Azzurri coach Stefano Cappuccini)