ESPN – PEBA NEWS

Italian Pitchers in PEBA Form Historic Players’ Association to Fight Stereotypes and Promote Charity

By Howard Heskin, Gnats Beat Writer and ESPN PEBA Correspondent – Twitter @HowardHeskin1

October 30, 2041 – New Jersey, USA

In a historic move, four Italian-born pitchers playing in PEBA have united to form the Italian PEBA Players’ Association (IPPA), aiming to challenge negative stereotypes about Italians, promote baseball within Italian communities, and engage in charitable initiatives. The association’s founding members—Elio Polandi (Yuma), Sandro Levorato (Crystal Lake), Carmelo Lamberti (Reno), and Robin Castano (New Jersey) —are the only Italian players currently in the PEBA, making this a landmark moment in the league’s history.

The announcement was made via a joint statement by the players during a press conference at Mercer County Waterfront Park. Castano, the association’s spokesperson, expressed the collective vision: “We’re here to show that Italians in baseball are about more than just the old stereotypes—family, pizza, and pasta. We are committed professionals who represent the best of our communities and our country. This association is about fighting discrimination, supporting youth baseball programs in Italy, and giving back to those who have supported us throughout our careers.”

Challenging Stereotypes

The members of the IPPA are quick to address the stereotypes that persist about Italians in professional sports—particularly in baseball, where the Italian-American community is often reduced to caricatures. Castano, who spent the early years of his career with Arlington before moving to New Jersey, has faced his fair share of misconceptions, despite his solid track record.

Over his six-year PEBA career, Castano has proven himself as a reliable reliever and occasional starter. With a career ERA of 3.09 and 530 strikeouts over 573 innings, he has steadily established himself as one of the league’s most dependable arms. Yet, he notes that the expectations placed on him early in his career were often tied to his ethnicity, including assumptions that he was “just a fiery competitor with a short temper,” a stereotype sometimes attached to Italian players.

“I’ve been called ‘the fiery Italian’ more times than I care to remember,” Castano admits with a wry smile. “But it’s time for all of us to be seen as the professionals we are. We’re not just here to fit into a mold.”

The association aims to reshape the narrative, emphasizing their dedication to the game and their pride in being part of the PEBA family.

Promoting Baseball in Italy

A major goal of the IPPA is to help grow baseball in Italy, a country historically dominated by soccer and, more recently, basketball. While baseball has a long history in Italy, it has never been as widely embraced as in the United States or Japan. The association intends to partner with Italian sports organizations to host clinics, support local leagues, and encourage young players to pursue baseball as a serious career option.

“Baseball has a rich tradition in Italy, but we still have so much work to do,” says Polandi, a starting pitcher for Yuma, who has posted consistent numbers in his two years with the team. “We want to help inspire the next generation of Italian players, and show them that if you’re passionate about baseball, there’s a potential future for you in PEBA.”

Polandi, whose career ERA stands at 3.78 and in 2041 with Yuma, posting a 7-11 record in 172 innings. His success is a testament to the untapped potential in Italy, where baseball’s popularity is growing in pockets, but still lacks the widespread infrastructure seen in countries like the U.S. and Japan.

Giving Back Through Charity

In addition to their efforts on the field, the IPPA is committed to charity work, focusing on causes that help underprivileged children and support sports programs in Italy. Levorato, who had a turbulent start to his PEBA career but has since found success with Crystal Lake, highlighted this aspect of the association’s mission.

“We want to give back to the communities that supported us,” said Levorato, who posted a solid 2.86 ERA for Crystal Lake in 2041 after struggling in Japan. “We’ve all been fortunate enough to play the game we love at the highest level, and now it’s time to make a difference for kids who dream of playing baseball.”

The group plans to organize charity events, including youth clinics, fundraising games, and partnerships with existing Italian charities focused on promoting sports and education. One of their key initiatives is a partnership with the Italian Baseball Federation, which aims to expand baseball’s presence in schools across Italy and develop the country’s youth players.

The Diversity of the Group

What’s also notable about the IPPA is the diversity within the group itself. While the members share Italian heritage, they come from various regions of Italy, bringing different perspectives to the association. Levorato hails from Cardano al Campo, Polandi from Novate Milanese, and Lamberti from Palermo. Castano, Alcamo, rounds out the group.

The differences in their backgrounds reflect the rich diversity within Italy itself, which is often overlooked when talking about Italian players in international sports. The IPPA wants to showcase this diversity, uniting all of Italy in support of baseball and its cultural significance.

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, the IPPA hopes their efforts will encourage greater representation of Italians in professional baseball, not just within the PEBA but across the entire global baseball landscape. As for the four founding members, they’re already planning more initiatives and events to get their message out to the public.

“We may only be four players now, but our dream is to see more Italians in PEBA and more Italians playing the game at a high level,” says Lamberti, whose consistent performances for Reno—he’s posted 11 wins in 2041 with a 4.00 ERA—have earned him a reputation as one of the league’s more underrated pitchers.

For now, the focus remains on uniting the Italian baseball community, changing perceptions, and giving back in a meaningful way.

“The game has given us everything we have,” Castano says. “It’s time for us to do our part and give back to those who supported us.”

The Italian PEBA Players’ Association is officially up and running. Their motto: “For the Game, For the Future.”