The Father of Ligurian Baseball: Remembering Marcello Malerbi

The “last out” has been called for a true pioneer of the diamond. Marcello Malerbi, the founding force behind Sanremo Baseball and the man credited with planting the seeds of the sport across the Liguria region, passed away in Genoa on the evening of April 14, 2026. He was 95 years old.

For those within the tight-knit community of Italian baseball, Malerbi—affectionately known as “Cerino”—was more than just a club founder. He was the sport’s primary evangelist in northwestern Italy, a man who transitioned from a teenage admirer of American soldiers to a national-level coach and a lifelong steward of the game. His death marks the end of a foundational era for the sport in the Mediterranean coastal region.

A Passion Born from Conflict

The story of baseball in Sanremo is inextricably linked to the aftermath of World War II. Originally from Modena, a young Malerbi first encountered the “batti e corri” (hit and run) during the conflict, learning the intricacies of the game from American soldiers stationed in the Modenese area. While many saw the sport as a foreign curiosity, the 15-year-old Malerbi saw a calling.

By 1946, Malerbi was already attempting to spread this passion among his schoolmates. In an era where specialized equipment was virtually non-existent in Italy, Malerbi’s approach was one of sheer ingenuity. Local lore and club records recall his resourceful nature, including the construction of a catcher’s chest protector fashioned from pieces of rain gutters. This “do-it-yourself” spirit defined the early years of the sport in the region, where the love for the game far outweighed the availability of gear.

In 1950, this persistence culminated in the official founding of Sanremo Baseball. Malerbi didn’t just start a team; he built the infrastructure. Alongside Volio Varnier, he worked to have the Solaro horse track in Sanremo leveled and repurposed, creating the first dedicated baseball diamond in the city—a move that provided a permanent home for the sport in Liguria.

From the Mound to the Dugout

Malerbi’s contribution to the game was holistic. He began as a player, spending years as a presence on the pitcher’s mound, before transitioning into the roles of technical director and executive. His tactical mind eventually gained recognition beyond the borders of Sanremo. In 1969, his expertise was tapped at the national level when he served as the coach for the Italian youth national team during a high-profile clash against France in Turin.

However, his greatest legacy perhaps lies in the athletes he mentored. Under his guidance, generations of players learned the discipline and strategy of the game. Among the most notable were Fulvio Valle, an Olympian who helped push the Sanremo squad to the threshold of the A1 league in the early 1990s, and Alex Liddi, who would eventually become the first Italian-born player to reach Major League Baseball (MLB).

To understand Malerbi’s impact, one must look at the trajectory of Italian baseball. While the sport remains a niche pursuit compared to football (soccer), the pockets of excellence in regions like Liguria exist because of individuals who treated the game as a lifelong mission rather than a hobby.

A Lifetime of Recognition

In his final years, the city of Sanremo formally recognized the man who had shaped its sporting landscape. In 2022, the Municipality of Sanremo awarded Malerbi the Premio San Romolo per lo Sport, a prestigious honor reflecting his decades of service to the community and the athletic development of local youth.

The reaction to his passing has been profound across the regional league. Renato Condò, former president of Sanremo Baseball who worked alongside Malerbi for forty years, described him as a “flag” of the sport, noting that Malerbi will forever be etched into the national history of the game. Similarly, the Aquila Baseball and Softball club of Finale Ligure released a poignant tribute, describing Malerbi as the “father of baseball in Sanremo and Liguria” who departed “with his shy smile, without protesting, faithful to the rules of the old game.”

Note for global readers: In the Italian sporting structure, “batti e corri” is the common colloquialism for baseball, reflecting the rhythmic nature of the sport’s hitting and running.

Key Milestones of Marcello Malerbi’s Legacy

• 1946: Began promoting baseball among peers after learning the game from U.S. Soldiers in Modena.
• 1950: Founded Sanremo Baseball, establishing the club’s permanent presence in Liguria.
• Infrastructure: Led the conversion of the Solaro horse track into the region’s first baseball diamond.
• 1969: Served as coach for the Italian youth national team against France.
• Mentorship: Influenced the development of MLB pioneer Alex Liddi and Olympian Fulvio Valle.
• 2022: Received the Premio San Romolo per lo Sport from the city of Sanremo.

Marcello Malerbi’s life spanned nearly a century, mirroring the growth of baseball in Italy from a post-war curiosity to a structured national sport. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience—from gutter-pipe gear to national championships—and a blueprint for how a single individual’s passion can define the sporting identity of an entire region.

The Sanremo Baseball community continues to share memories of “Cerino” via their official channels, ensuring that the man who brought the game to the Riviera is remembered by the athletes who still play on the fields he helped build.

For the latest updates on the Ligurian baseball season and tributes to Marcello Malerbi, follow the official Sanremo Baseball Club ASD page.