2025-01 A Canadian in Rome

[danwh]

The struggles in Rome have been real of late. The city has had an EBA team since 2002, but the team's recent performance hasn't been the same as the one that made the playoffs five of six years less than a decade ago. The Raiders have finished fourth three years in a row, and owner Douggie Fearn hasn't been pleased.

Growing up in England, Fearn followed baseball in North America as a child. He was eleven when the MBWBA was formed, but the UK didn't begin broadcasting games on the television until the early 80s. By the time Fearn was 25, he had played in a handful of casual leagues outside of London, but never at a very high level of competition. Nonetheless, he considered baseball to be his passion.

Eight years ago, after selling his sporting memorabilia website to Amazon, Fearn was able to realize his dream, and jumped on the opportunity to purchase the Raiders from shoe mogul, Marco Pantano. While the team continued to make the playoffs after Fearn's arrival, the gradual decline had started, and today, the team struggles to maintain a winning record.

At a hastily assembled press conference outside of Raiders Colosseum, Fearn addressed a sparse group of bloggers and reporters. "It is time for a change, and I am expecting that the hiring of Dan White is the first step in turning this franchise back around. I have been clear with him that I expect to see the team play at least .500 ball over the near term, and that getting back into the playoffs will be a priority".

White had few words, other than to thank Fearn and to make a promise to the fans of Rome of a more competitive team. The rebuild starts with the first overall pick...

[RonCo]

Great start. Sounds like you didn't even trip on the way up to the podium.

[trmmilwwi]

This White fella will fit in very nicely... great intro. Some around these parts would have ended it with a mic drop... not this kid. Rome is in good hands.

[scottsdale_joe]

Nice.
The EBA is alive and well.