Cleveland Sports Forum

Yeah! I took notice Civ.

Veterans heated the atmosphere prior to the All-Star Game.

Today the All-Stars
The skills tests were two winners Saturday: Las Tunas Yosvani Alarcón and Matanzas Guillermo Heredia

February 18, 2012 23:20:19 CDT

MATANZAS. -

After the previous Saturday, when tests of skills and the game between veterans heated the atmosphere, this Sunday we will have here the All-Star baseball season 2012. It will be another gift to the town of Matanzas, ending the day dancing with at the Festival Plaza 14.

This Saturday was on the ground a show with the rejuvenated Victoria de Giron on stage, who turns 35 tomorrow. However, the stands were not filled and many missed the atmosphere which lived last year in Cienfuegos. We'll see if the fans of Matanzas left everything for Sunday.

The four skills tests had two winners: the Las Tunas Yosvani Alarcón and Matanzas Guillermo Heredia. In addition, Alexander Olivera and Hector Malleta won Saturday's challenge to qualify for the final home run derby against Granma's Alfredo Despaigne.

Yosvani Alarcón was the most accurate of the catchers in the barrel throwing contest. Alarcón proceeded to win the speed contest home to home in 14 seconds. So, once again Alarcón demonstrated his skills and seems ready to take ownership of the catching duties for the Cuban National team.

Meanwhile, Guillermo Heredia "flew" in the race from home to first (3.50 seconds). Heredia then had the fans on their feet with his winning throw from centerfield to home plate. He threw the ball 378.8 feet and showed horror in his arm.

The contests ended with the knockout phase of the home run derby and a particular duel between two veterans: Osmani Urrutia and Victor Mesa. The latter was a welcome initiative that excited the fans.

Urrutia could not circumvent the fences, but Victor immediately sent a ball out of the park but it was his last.

Then came the game of veterans bringing back memories of fan favorites. The first amazement was by the speed of Omar Ajete Germain and the genius of Victor Mesa, who gave it his all at shortstop and nearly made his famous play over second with Juan Padilla.

There was time to see Victor get two hits and scoring one run. There was time to see the smooth moves of Linares at third base despite an increase in body weight. Evenecer Godínez hit a three run home run and Roberquis Videaux shined on defense in left field.

In the end the Eastern team won their third straight game of veterans, but more important is the illusion that we have inside. The idea is clear: we must keep playing baseball.

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Veterans Game

High voltage between the stars

Not known as star weekend just for fun. These are the best players in the country, whose only mission these days is to provide entertainment to a whole nation, either the current stars or the stars that once stood up in front of millions of Cubans with their plays and their hits.

They started Saturday a much-anticipated weekend show for the fans with the skills tests and the subsequent challenge of veterans.

With speed getting the evening started at the Victoria de Giron stadium home of the Matanzas, an excellent setting for the day. In the first race home to first, Guillermo Heredia clocked 3.50 seconds in a breathtakingly fast run to beat Yosvani Alarcón, as well as Rusney Castillo, Chirino and Yoelvis Leyva.

Moments later the catcher,Yosvani Alarcón, confirmed his talent as he flew around the bases with a time of 14 seconds, better than Castillo, Leyva and Yurisbel Gracial. However, Alarcón still had a hefty load as a catcher in the accuracy contest, who broke the barrel with his throw to second in a competition that included Lisbán Correa, Ricardo Lazaro, and Herrera Lednier.

"Normally the catchers are not as fast on the bases and to lift me over the opponents I can hardly believe it. I have always been fast, but I have never neglected my defensive work, I worry I have much room for improvement in the throws to the bases," said Alarcon concluding his skills.

But if we talk about all the powerful arms we have to talk about Guillermo Heredia, who impressed with a missile from the centerfield to home to win in the throws for outfielders which also included Sergey Perez and Alfredo Despaigne. He threw the ball 378.8 feet and showed horror in his arm.

"I did what I normally do in the game on a daily basis. On the run from home to first I hit from the left side to make a good first step. Usually I hit on the right side, but I've also had some appearances in games from the left. In the throw from centerfield to home plate, I made a warmup throw to test the conditions and I knew I could overcome the throws of Sergey "said Heredia.

The Stars are called ...

Frederich Cepeda and Alfredo Despaigne were the players top vote receivers for All-Star XXV of Cuban baseball to be held at Victoria de Giron stadium on Sunday.

Rafael Arzuaga Junco

15/02/2012

Outfielders Frederich Cepeda and Alfredo Despaigne in the public vote to choose the East and West teams this coming Sunday at the Victoria de Giron stadium, will meet in the XXV All-Star series of Cuban baseball. Cepeda, most popular among all candidates with 9,062 votes, leading the team of the Western League from the team Spiritus. In the outfield, he will be accompanied by Irait Chirino from Havana, and Guillermo Heredia, from the Matanzas, which were voted ballots in 8175 and 7 957, respectively.

Yomiuri pitcher Miyaguni shines in native Okinawa

NAHA, Japan, Feb. 19 (16:37) Kyodo

Local favorite Ryosuke Miyaguni threw three perfect innings as
the Yomiuri Giants edged the Hanshin Tigers 1-0 in a preseason game
in Okinawa on Sunday.

The 19-year-old right-hander, who is competing for a spot in the
rotation, struck out four and combined with four relievers on a
three-hit shutout at Okinawa Cellular Stadium.

Hisayoshi Chono hit an RBI single in the third inning among his
two hits.

Kenji Johjima, looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued
2011, played first base and had a base hit in two at-bats. Naoto
Tsuru allowed one hit in three innings for Hanshin.

Can Nishioka get his act together?

Posted on February 16, 2012 by seth

When the press asked his former manager, Bobby Valentin, about Minnesota Twins infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, he commented that Nishioka likes “to get noticed.” I’m pretty sure Nishioka’s being noticed for awful play and infidelity is not what Valentine had in mind. Nonetheless, Nishioka has a lot on his plate at the moment. With family problems in the background, he’s currently getting ready for the upcoming 2012 season.

The fans in Japan have basically given up on him. Nobody cares for losers, I suppose. Many baseball fans are women in Japan, and Nishioka’s image as a sort of playboy is creating an image problem in Japan.

As a nice bonus, the suggested name for his accused mistress is Sayaka Matsui. Check out the lovely and sexy Ms. Matsui, no relation to the former Yankee slugger who shares the same family name, here.
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Now, I’m just reporting rumors, not facts. Nishioka himself has been silent, which is understandable considering it is a private matter. And despite the fun I’m having following this story, rumors of infidelity are often just that: rumors!

With rumors of his dog-ways swirling around, can Nishioka perform to his best ability, or will he falter? Baseball is truly sport that thrives off drama, and 2012 is going to be a make or break season for him. My gut tells me he’ll be in the minors after the first two months of the season and stay there for the entirety of his contract.

Looks like a great day for baseball from Cuba. It looks like a full house, just what the organizers were hoping for. Pre-game festivities comlete with a reggae band performing at home plate, dancing in the stands, happy faces all, and just a very nice atmosphere for the all star game.

These guys are really good. I'm not into reggae very much but the fans are really into it. It's fun watching so many happy faces and the rhythmic motions keeping beat to the tunes.

Ton of championship trophies being awarded for the different Cuban sports categories.

Big photograph of Fidel on the scoreboard standing at home plate with bat in hand.

Same picture in a very large frame being presented to some young athlete.

Player introductions.

Home Run Derby Finals.

No contest!

Hector Olivera 10+2+0=14 (4 balls over the roof in left and into the parking lot)
Alexander Malleta 2+1+0=3
Alfredo Despaigne (current home run leader with 21 in the first half 1+1+3=5 (1 ball over thr roof in left and into the parking lot.

Note: Hector Olivera is a second baseman and the highlights on the big screen indicates he is very mobile with good hands.
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Showing all the highlights of the first half by each of the stars on the big screen in center.

Play Ball!

Two explosive lineups being dominated by the pitching until Guillermo Heredia, yesterday's double skills winner from the centerfield position, doubled home a run then scored on a double by Chirino leading off the home half of the third inning. One out walk to Frederich Cepeda. Pitching change. Abreu struckout. Serguey Perez flied out to right to end the scoring. West 2 East 0 after 3.

Top of the fourth, Alfredo Despaigne was hit by a pitched ball. Yosvani Alarcon, yesterday's second skills winner from the catcher's position, tied the game with a two-run blast to left. East 2 West 2.

No scoring in the bottom of the fourth, a highligh play by Reutilio Hurtado in centerfield layed out to rob Yulieski Gurriel of extra bases.

Top of the fifth, East scored once to take a 3-2 lead. Reutilla Hurtado doubled moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.

This is great. No commercials. About a minute between innings.

With two out in the sixth, Yeniet Perez single and Reutillio Hurtado hit a two run homer to give the East a 5-2 lead.