ITALY – Fortitudo Bologna ran away with the Italian Baseball League (IBL) regular-season crown with a 34-8

mark before crashing in the playoffs, which saw fourth-ranked T&A San Marino claim the IBL title in a seven-game series against Danesi Nettuno.

However, Bologna dominated the 2008 BaseballdeWorld Italian Baseball League Dream Team with five players followed by Danesi Nettuno with four players. T&A San Marino, Montepaschi Grosseto, Cariparma Parma and Telemarket Rimini each were represented by one player apiece.

2008 BaseballdeWorld Italian League Dream Team

Most Valuable Player: Giuseppe Mazzanti, Danesi Nettuno
The 2008 Italian League Batting Champion, the Nettuno third baseman was an offensive force at the plate with a .392 average that included a league-best 36 walks and a .516 on base percentage. Mazzanti was also among the leaders in hits (58), runs (33), doubles (29), home runs (6) and total bases (85) as Nettuno finished one victory shy of winning the Italian title.

Offensive Player Of The Year: Richard Austin, Fortitudo Bologna
The American centerfielder enjoyed a stellar 2008 campaign and helped lead Bologna to the regular season crown. Austin dominated league pitching with a third-best .366 batting mark and a second-best 59 hits while topping the league in runs (59), doubles (14), home runs (10), RBIs (50), total bases (105) and slugging percentage (.652).

Pitcher Of The Year: Cody Cillo, Fortitudo Bologna
Cillo put together an outstanding season going 9-1 for the regular season title-holders. In 14 starts, he surrendered just 12 earned runs in 80 1/3 innings to boast an eye-catching 1.34 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 22 walks. Cillo was not afraid to pitch inside as he hit nine batters to lead the league and finished the season without allowing a single home run.

Catcher: Vince Parisi, Danesi Nettuno
A .311 hitter with seven doubles, two home runs and 33 RBIs.

First Base: Jairo Ramos, Montepaschi Grosseto
Batted .342 with seven homers, 12 doubles, 40 RBIs, 32 walks and 86 total bases.

Second Base: Joseph Mazzuca, Fortitudo Bologna
Hit .310 with seven doubles, three triples and 20 RBIs.

Shortstop: Adolfo Gomez, Cariparma Parma
Hit a fourth-best .358 with 54 hits and eight doubles with 36 runs scored.

Third Base: Giuseppe Mazzanti, Danesi Nettuno
2008 Most Valuable Player

Outfield: Martin Vasquez, T&A San Marino
Finished second with a .380 mark while collecting nine doubles, five homers and a league-high 62 hits.

Outfield: Richard Austin, Fortitudo Bologna
2008 Offensive Player of the Year

Outfield: Claudio Liverziani, Fortitudo Bologna
Hit .352 with five home runs, 11 doubles, 27 RBIs and 34 runs scored.

Designated Hitter: Igor Schiavetti, Danesi Nettuno
Batted .339 while collecting 43 hits, seven doubles and 22 RBIs.Hit

Pitcher: Cody Cillo, Fortitudo Bologna
2008 Pitcher of the Year

Pitcher: Carlos Richetti, Danesi Nettuno
Posted a 9-1 record with a 2.22 ERA while leading the league with 96 strikeouts in 93 1/3 innings.

Pitcher: Jesus Matos, Fortitudo Bologna
Finished with a 7-2 card with 82 strikeouts in 83 innings and a 1.84 ERA.

Pitcher: Gustavo Martinez, Telemarket Rimini
Boasted a stunnng 1.17 ERA over 76 2/3 innings while going 4-4 with two saves and 88 strikeouts.

Photo courtesy of Telemarket Rimini Baseball Club

This is a BaseballdeWorld original article.

Tags: Italy