1996 Italian Series

The 1996 Italian Series was won by Caffe Danesi Nettuno as they beat two-time defending champions Cariparma Parma in the final. Nettuno had lost the previous two finals to Parma. It was Nettuno's 14th Serie A1 title.

Parma had the best regular-season record at 43-11, but Nettuno was not far behind at 40-14. Parma's top star was 2B-P Massimo Fochi (.398/.463/.722, 54 RBI in 51 G; 6-1, Sv, 2.24) while he got plenty of support from RF Roberto Bianchi (.356/.502/.664) and fellow two-way threat 1B-P Paolo Ceccaroli (.376/.418/.555; 7-3, 2 Sv, 3.21). Their big winner on the mound, though, was Dante Carbini (9-2, 4.97). Nettuno had the league's win leader Diego Ricci (14-2, 5.46) though several staffmates had better ERAs like Francisco Oliveras (9-2, 3.14) and Massimiliano Masin (8-4, 3.80, 122 K in 111 1/3 IP). 3B George Canale (.399/.511/.817, 71 R, 73 RBI in 54 G) led the league with 21 homers while 2B Alberto D'Auria batted .384/.431/.665 with 27 doubles, 69 runs and 64 RBI in 54 games.

In the finals, Nettuno won games 1-3 (October 4-6) by 9-4, 18-9 and 4-1 scores. Parma came back to win two in a row (8-4 and 13-2) before Nettuno sealed it with a 10-7 win October 13. In the finals, Canale hit .500/.643/.600 with 6 runs while CF Roberto De Franceschi hit .308/.419/.615 with 8 runs and 6 RBI and RF Leonardo Mazzanti .500/.577/.682. Masin (1-0, 3.78) was their best hurler (Puetro Cianfriglia was at 1-0, 3.00 in only 3 IP). Parma's pitchers really struggled in the finals, as Glenn Carter (1-1, 5.54) had their best ERA. Ceccaroli hit .259/.286/.630 with 3 homers and 6 RBI and SS Greg Graham hit .381/.409/.714 with 6 RBI.

Playoffs

Semi Finals

• Cariparma Parma (43-11) beat Juventus Turin (31-23), 4-1
• Caffe Danesi Nettuno (40-14) beat Ivas Rimini (33-21), 4-1

Championship Series

• Caffe Danesi Nettuno 4-2 Cariparma Parma