U.S. visa problems to benefit European baseball?

Venezualian Rene Pinto, who plays for the Gary (Indiana) RailCats in the independent Northern League (a team that also features Great Britain international Darren Heath) may be out of a job because of problems with his U.S. visa. The U.S. government issued far fewer than usual H-2 visas this year, leaving the independent minor leagues struggling to hold on to their overseas talent. But America's loss may be Italy's gain: Pinto is reportedly talking to a team in Italy. RailCats hitting coach Brent Bowers said he understands the attraction of playing in Europe: "They get a cell phone, they get an apartment, they get a car to drive."