Baseball for the Thinking Fan

Login | Register | Feedback

btf_logo
You are here > Home > Baseball Newsstand > Discussion
Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Sunday, March 05, 2023

The seaside Italian town obsessed with baseball

Nettuno first fell in love with the game 80 years ago.

American soldiers landed on the beaches of Nettuno during World War II, ready to fight the Nazis who occupied the city. There was an intense battle between U.S. and German forces for months, resulting in some of the worst casualties during the six-year war. The area was decimated and thousands of lives were lost. Eventually, though, this initial American invasion led to an allied takeover of Rome and, thus, control of the entire Italian peninsula.

After the war, a temporary cemetery (now a beautiful memorial)—run by the U.S. Army—was set up in Nettuno to honor the allied lives who were lost. Grateful to the Americans for liberating their city, the Nettunese felt a kinship with the soldiers on-site. They talked to them and wanted them to feel a part of their culture, while also feeling the desire to adopt many aspects of theirs. One of those major aspects, one of the activities American soldiers partook in on almost a daily basis was, of course, baseball.

“The Italians were excited to imitate anything that was American after the war,” Ralph told me. “They wanted to learn this sport that the soldiers were playing in their downtime there on the beaches.”

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 05, 2023 at 08:34 PM | 1 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: italian baseball

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

   1. FernandoPoplar Posted: March 16, 2023 at 01:50 AM (#6120523)
It is refreshing to see a focus on the joy of learning and the potential for discovery, rather than on the stress and pressure that can often accompany academic pursuits and also choose https://grab-my-paper.net/ site. This perspective not only fosters a more positive and healthy academic environment, but also allows individuals to better explore their interests and passions.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

 

 

<< Back to main

BBTF Partner

Dynasty League Baseball

Support BBTF

donate

Thanks to
BDC
for his generous support.

You must be logged in to view your Bookmarks.

Hot Topics

NewsblogRed Sox trade Alex Verdugo to Yankees for three pitchers
(2 - 1:20am, Dec 06)
Last: Mayor Blomberg

NewsblogHot Stove Omnichatter
(85 - 12:33am, Dec 06)
Last: The Yankee Clapper

NewsblogThese prospects could be taken in the Rule 5 Draft
(5 - 11:50pm, Dec 05)
Last: It's regretful that PASTE was able to get out

NewsblogWho is on the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot and what’s the induction process?
(366 - 11:29pm, Dec 05)
Last: Never Give an Inge (Dave)

NewsblogBraves acquire Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, Evan White from Mariners
(16 - 11:25pm, Dec 05)
Last: The Duke

NewsblogOT Soccer - World Cup Final/European Leagues Start
(305 - 10:31pm, Dec 05)
Last: AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale

Hall of Merit2024 Hall of Merit Ballot Discussion
(173 - 9:46pm, Dec 05)
Last: Chris Cobb

NewsblogMookie Betts will be 'every-day second baseman' for Dodgers
(27 - 8:31pm, Dec 05)
Last: Howie Menckel

NewsblogAngels narrowly avoided the luxury tax
(10 - 8:20pm, Dec 05)
Last: Cris E

NewsblogForbes: For MLB, Las Vegas, And Oakland, The A’s Name And Brand Should Stay Put
(43 - 8:17pm, Dec 05)
Last: Cris E

NewsblogOT - NBA Redux Thread for the End of 2023
(145 - 4:51pm, Dec 05)
Last: kcgard2

NewsblogOrioles holding out for development rights as lease deadline nears
(3 - 12:45pm, Dec 05)
Last: birdlives is one crazy ninja

NewsblogOT - 2023 NFL thread
(82 - 12:01pm, Dec 05)
Last: It's regretful that PASTE was able to get out

NewsblogSources: Wade Miley back with Brewers on 1-year, $8.5M deal
(5 - 10:48am, Dec 05)
Last: RoyalsRetro (AG#1F)

NewsblogOT - November* 2023 College Football thread
(320 - 12:47am, Dec 05)
Last: AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale

Page rendered in 0.2323 seconds
48 querie(s) executed