ROME — The scent of grilled sausages and espresso drifted through the air outside Stadio dei Marmi as fans trickled in for an unusual Sunday afternoon: an official MLB Europe Series exhibition game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, held not in Cooperstown or Tokyo, but in the heart of Italy’s capital. What began as a novelty — a fast-food-sponsored T-shirt giveaway at the gate — evolved into something deeper: a tangible sign of baseball’s slow but steady germination in a nation where calcio reigns supreme.
The phrase “L’appetito vien mangiando” — appetite comes with eating — took on literal meaning that day. Over 12,000 spectators filled the historic track and field stadium, many experiencing live baseball for the first time. For Italians accustomed to 90-minute soccer matches, the leisurely pace of baseball initially felt foreign. Yet by the fifth inning, as Mets pitcher David Peterson struck out Bryce Harper swinging, the crowd erupted in unified applause, a sound more familiar to Roma derby nights than to any diamond in the States.
This wasn’t just a publicity stunt. MLB’s investment in Europe has intensified since launching the London Series in 2019, with Rome selected as the 2024 host city after rigorous evaluation of infrastructure, fan engagement potential, and government support. The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) confirmed to Archysport that over 8,000 licensed players now compete across its national structure — a 40% increase since 2020 — driven partly by youth academies tied to MLB’s European Development Center in Regensburg, Germany.
“We’re not trying to replace calcio,” said Marco Branca, FIBS president, in a pre-game press conference at the Italian Olympic Committee headquarters. “We’re offering another bat and ball option. When a kid in Palermo picks up a glove instead of only dreaming of Serie A, that’s progress.”
The game itself delivered drama befitting the occasion. With the score tied 2-2 in the top of the seventh, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber launched a 420-foot home run to left-center — the longest hit ever recorded at Stadio dei Marmi, according to Statcast data verified by MLB Advanced Media. The Mets answered in the bottom of the inning when Francisco Lindor singled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on Brandon Nimmo’s RBI double, forcing extra innings.
In the 10th, with runners on first and second and one out, Mets catcher Tomás Nido lined a single to right field that scored Pete Alonso — the kind of clutch hit that would experience at home in any October playoff atmosphere. Phillies manager Rob Thomson opted to walk Alonso intentionally earlier in the inning, a decision that backfired spectacularly and sparked debate on Italian sports radio the following morning.
Final score: Mets 4, Phillies 3. Attendance: 12,437 — the highest ever for an MLB-affiliated event in Italy, surpassing the 2022 London Series opener’s 11,852. Merchandise sales exceeded expectations, with over 3,000 official MLB Italia caps sold, according to a league spokesperson who spoke on condition of anonymity.
But the real metric of success may lie elsewhere. Post-game surveys conducted by FIBS revealed that 68% of first-time attendees expressed interest in watching more baseball, either via MLB.TV (which reported a 22% spike in Italian subscriptions the following week) or by seeking out local games. In Rome alone, three amateur clubs reported doubled turnout at their next scheduled practices.
“You could spot the curiosity in their faces,” said Angelo Bianchi, a youth coach with Roma Baseball Club who volunteered as an usher. “Parents asking about rules, kids mimicking batting stances in the concourse — that’s the seed.”
The road ahead remains long. Baseball still occupies a niche in Italy’s sporting landscape, governed by FIBS but receiving minimal public funding compared to soccer, basketball, or volleyball. Professional opportunities are scarce; the Italian Baseball League (IBL) operates on a semi-professional model, with most players holding day jobs. Yet MLB’s presence — through initiatives like the Elite Development Invitational in Tirrenia and partnerships with Italian universities — suggests a long-term commitment.
For now, the appetite grows with each exposure. As fans filtered out of Stadio dei Marmi under a Roman sunset, many carried more than just souvenirs. They carried questions: How does the infield fly rule work? Why do pitchers capture so long between throws? When’s the next game?
Those questions, more than any home run or merchandise tally, signal that L’appetito vien mangiando is no longer just an Italian proverb. It’s becoming a baseball manifesto.
What’s next: MLB has not announced further European Series events for 2025, but FIBS officials confirm ongoing talks for a potential 2026 series in either Rome or Milan. The next IBL season opens March 29, 2025, with Fortitudo Bologna defending its title against UnipolSai Bologna in the opening series. Fans can follow developments via the official Italian Baseball and Softball Federation website or MLB’s international portal at MLB.com/international.
If you attended the Rome game or are exploring baseball in Italy, share your experience in the comments below. What surprised you most about seeing MLB overseas?
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