The Patrini Malnate won the 2017 Italian League of Baseball for the Blind. They defeated (5-4) the Roma All Blinds in a championship game played in Bologna. Patrini scored 2 runs in their 9th at bat and kept the lead thanks to great defense by Gaetano Casale, who also starred at bat going 5 for 8 with an home run.
The Baseball for the Blind activity is organized in Italy by AIBxC (Associazione Italiana Baseball per Ciechi) and supported by FIBS, the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation. Teams are made by 5 blind or visually impaired players, supported by a sighted player. The fair territory includes the part of the regular baseball field from second base to the left foul line. The home run limit is beyond the shortstop position. No fly balls are allowed. The ball is recognized by the players through a bell.
The AIBxC was founded by Alfredo Meli, a former Italian Baseball League star, in 1994. The 2017 season was played by 9 teams: Cus Brescia, Fiorentina, Roma All Blinds, Bologna White Sox Cvinta, Tigers Cagliari (group East), Thunder’s Five Milan, Lampi Milan, Staranzano Ducks, Patrini Malnate (group West).
