Parma Strengthen Squad for Baseball Champions League Europe Final Four
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Italian Serie A champions Parma Baseball have strengthened their squad ahead of the Baseball Champions League Europe Final Four by adding two players on loan from Macerata.
Right-handed pitcher Frank Madan and utility player Anthony Concepcion will join Parma for the European competition in Brno, Czechia. The pair previously represented Macerata, the team Parma defeated in the Italian Baseball Series semifinals.
Madan Brings Strong Pitching Record
Madan, a Cuban-born right-hander, enjoyed an impressive debut season with Macerata in 2026.
The 35-year-old started 16 games and finished with a 7-2 win-loss record and a 2.17 earned run average (ERA).
Madan spent much of his earlier career with Camaguey in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, where he played from 2009 to 2023. He later moved to Italy and joined Reggio Emilia before signing with Macerata.
His experience and recent form are expected to provide Parma with an additional option on the pitching staff during the Final Four.
Concepcion Returns to Parma
Venezuelan utility player Anthony Concepcion is also familiar with Parma, having played for the club during the 2025 season.
Concepcion appeared in 41 games for Parma in 2025, recording eight home runs, 46 RBIs and a .338 batting average.
He moved to Macerata for the 2026 season and played 34 games, producing four home runs, 20 RBIs and a .321 batting average.
Born in 1995, Concepcion began his professional career in the Atlanta Braves’ minor league system. He has also played in Venezuela’s professional league for La Guaira, Aragua and Margarita.
Parma Prepare for European Challenge
Parma General Manager and former Olympian Massimo Fochi thanked both players as well as Macerata president Graziani for helping facilitate the temporary moves.
Parma manager Marcello Saccardi said the team was still carrying the excitement generated by its Italian Baseball Series success but recognised that maintaining peak form over several weeks would be difficult.
The Italian champions will now turn their attention to the BCL Europe Final Four, where they will face Spain’s Tenerife Marlins in the opening semifinal.
Final Four Schedule
Parma will meet the Tenerife Marlins, champions of Spain’s Division de Honor Oro, on Saturday, September 26, at 12:00 local time.
The second semifinal will feature hosts Draci Brno against Neptunus Rotterdam of the Netherlands at 19:00.
The BCL Europe final is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at 18:00 local time.
With the addition of Madan and Concepcion, Parma will hope to build on its domestic success and compete for European honours in Brno.
