Cleveland Sports Forum

MLB international draft: Fernando Tatis Jr. rips idea, says it would 'kill what baseball is in the Caribbean'

Yelimar Requena

March 9, 2022

The Players Union has steadfastly opposed the proposal for an International Draft and it seems that there are many who think that replacing or restructuring the International Signing Process would be a serious mistake. Such is the case of star Fernando Tatis Jr.

The Dominican star, Tatis Jr., of the San Diego Padres, harshly criticized the proposal in a press conference held by El Caribe in his native Dominican Republic,.

“The (international) draft is going to kill baseball in the Dominican Republic. It is going to kill baseball in the Caribbean… It is going to affect us a lot, ”he said without hesitation, according to statements reviewed by ESPN.

"There will be a tremendous reduction in those players who expect a good bonus," he insisted.

"El Niño" also assured that a draft would affect the hundreds of coaches who invest time, money and effort to prepare Latino prospects.

Baseball: Camagüey put an end to Yamichel Pérez

JOSÉ LUIS LÓPEZ SADO|PHOTO: RODOLFO BLANCO CUÉ/ARCHIVE

09 MARCH 2022

Havana, March 9 (ACN)

Camagüey did not believe in lefty Yamichel Pérez winning streak and today, with an offense of nine hits, they beat Matanzas 4-3. Thus, Camagüey stopped the streak of 15 consecutive wins that Yamichel strung together since his trade from Sancti Spiritus to Matanzas. This season, Pérez has five wins. The pitcher from Matanzas gave up eight hits in seven innings, with three earned runs. Outfielder Yamichel Flores stood out at bat for Camagüey, who was 2-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Shortstop Alexander Ayala hit his ninth home run of the season. Pedro Luis Guzmán won. In 8.0 innings, Guzmán allowed four singles. Reliever Ángel Luis Márquez earned his third save, allowing a hit in 1.0 inning of work. Of the five hits hits by Matanzas, who already had five consecutive defeats, three were by Yadil Drake.

Meanwhile, Ciego de Ávila defeated Villa Clara 8-4 and tied for second place in the standings with Santiago de Cuba, both with a record of 19-13. Ciego collected 14 hits led by catcher Alfredo Fadraga, who went 2-4 with a home run, double and two RBIs.
The victory went to reliever Yosvany Ávalos. In two innings, he allowed three hits and gave up a walk, and had four strikeouts. Villa Clara left 12 runners on base.

Isla de la Juventud beat Santiago de Cuba 15-6 with a ferocious 22-hit attack. Catcher Jordanys Acebal led the offense going 4-4 with a double and 3 runs batted in. Reliever Luis Padrino picked up the win. Padrino pitched 3.2 innings. He gave up four hits with a strikeout. Alberto Bisset lost. Bisset gave up a whopping 14 hits and six earned runs in 5.1 innings.

In the remaining results, Holguín defeated Pinar del Río 11-9, Sancti Spíritus defeated Cienfuegos 7-6, and Granma 5-2 over Artemisa.

In addition, Industriales beat Guantánamo 8-5, a game in which Pedro Pablo Revilla (GTM) hit his tenth home run of the season to remain the leader in this important offensive department.

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Francisco Lindor on the MLB international draft: "It's about how to divide the players"

Thursday, March 10, 2022 - 12:45 pm

By Associated Press

NEW YORK —

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said on Thursday that the league was trying to divide players on the international draft as bargaining continues during the lockout. He captioned the post “Get informed before jumping to conclusions.”

“The discussion of an international draft is about how to divide Players,” he said in the tweet. “I’ve been in bargaining sessions for months. I was in Florida. The PA kept us informed about MLB’s proposals, including when the league said the draft was worth nothing and some clubs don’t even want it.”

Lindor joins other big-name Latino players like Padres slugger Fernando Tatís Jr. and Hall of Fame inductee David Ortiz in denouncing the international draft. Tatís Jr. went on to say an international draft would “kill baseball” in the Dominican Republic. Ortiz, who is also from the Dominican Republic, doesn’t think his country is ready to accommodate players for an international draft.

Lindor finished his statement by calling out the MLB’s history of corruption when it comes to international players. Currently, the league has a hard cap on international player spending by teams after a previous bonus pool effectively served as a soft cap.

The MLB has penalized teams for avoiding the current cap on international spending, with the 2017 Braves scandal serving as a notable example. There’s also a history of teams entering in verbal agreements with players as young as 12 through relationships with street agents and trainers.

Just hours after his tweet, it was reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan that MLB and the player’s association have reached an agreement on the international draft. Both sides have until July 25 to reach a deal on an international draft that would start in 2024.

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New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer, standing, speaks to other players attending a news conference Tuesday, March 1, 2022

MLB players: "We never offered the international draft"

They claim MLB is muddying the waters and deflecting blame

New York - Tue. 10, 2022 | 01:39 p.m.

"We never offered an international draft. We discussed it, but MLB told us they weren't going to offer anything for it," the New York Mets pitcher explained in a message on Twitter.

The Major League Baseball (MLB) proposal to establish an international draft has caused the disapproval of several players, including veteran pitcher Max Scherzer , who said Wednesday that the Major League Baseball Players Association ( MLBPA ) did not approve it. as part of the negotiation.

"We never offered the international draft. We discussed it, but MLB told us that they were not going to offer anything for it." Max Scherzer Part of MLBPA

Scherzer, who was present at the nine days of negotiations in Florida, (USA), explained that after this point was exposed to the members of the MLBPA , the players agreed not to support the implementation of the international draft.

"I was in Florida. At that time, we informed all the players and agreed not to do the draft," said Scherzer, who accused the MLB of wanting to divert the responsibility that corresponds to it.

"This is MLB muddying the waters and deflecting blame," said Scherzer, who asked fans to support the MLBPA .



Tony Clark, second from left, executive director of the Baseball Players Association, appears at a news conference with pitcher Andrew Miller, left, Bruce Meyer, lead union negotiator, second from right, and pitcher of the New York Mets, Max Scherzer. ( AP/WILFREDO LEE )

Before Scherzer, Dominicans Fernando Tatis Jr. and David Ortiz publicly expressed their refusal to establish an international draft, pointing out that this would end baseball in the Dominican Republic.

In its proposal, the MLB proposes the implementation of an international draft as part of the proposed exchange to accept measures from the players' union such as the elimination of qualified offers for free agents.

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Camagüey sweeps runner-up Matanzas

The 2021 Runnerup Crocodiles have lost six in a row and have dropped to sixth place in the standings.

Taken from Latin Press

Thursday, March 10, 2022 08:04 PM

Havana.-

Camaguey left its losing ways in the past and today completed the sweep over Matanzas experiencing bad time of late after six losses in a row. The Camagüeyan Bull's 15 hit attack led to their 9-4 win against the Crocodiles who did not find peace and further complicated their current situation dropping to sixth place in the standings. Camaguey was effective in terms of pitching, offense and defense. Right-hander Renner Rivero (4-2), one of the best starters in the league (1.2, 6R, 6ER, 8H, 1K, 2BB) had a start to forget, working just 1.2 innings and allowing six earned runs and eight hits in addition to walking a pair.

The winners, on the other hand, applauded the pitching performance of the equally skilled José Ramón Rodríguez (4-0, 7.0, 4R, 4ER, 9H, 3K, 2BB), who never gave up against the strong Matanzas offense, defended his undefeated record and left the field in victory. Lisander Hernández (2nd save, 1.1, 1H, 2K) fulfilled his goal and scored the save and protecting his team from a possible Matanzas comeback after the difficulties of Julio César Martínez (0.2, 1K, 3BB) who had problems locating his pitches. Anchored at the plate, the Camaguey offense was led by Cristian Martínez (4-2, 1R), Leonel Moa (5-3, 2TBI, 2R), Alexander Ayala (4-3, 2RBI, 1-2B ), Yendri Téllez (3-2, 2R, 1-2B) and Luis González (4-1, 3RBI, 1R, 1HR), author of the only home run for his team.

In other games, Sancti Spíritus beat Cienfuegos 11-0, Pinar del Río beat Holguín 7-2, Granma beat Artemisa 11-1 and Isla de Juventud defeated Santiago de Cuba 6-3.

Industriales beat Guantánamo 12-4 and Ciego de Ávila beat Villa Clara 6-5.

The Mayabeque and Las Tunas game was suspended due to suspected positive cases of covid-19.

Currently, Mayabeque leads the standings:

1 Mayabeque 19-10
2 Ciego de Ávila 20-13
3 Santiago 19-14
4 Villa Clara 18-14
5 Sancti Spíritus 18-14
6 Matanzas 18-14)
7 Industriales 17-15
8 Pinar del Río 16-15) the eight places qualifying for postseason.

-------------------------

9 Isla de la Juventud 17-16
10 Granma 17-16
11 Las Tunas 15-15
12 Artemisa 15-17)C
13 Camagüey 15-18)
14 Holguín 12-21
15 Guantánamo 11-22
16bCienfuegos(10-23

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Yulieski Gurriel SPORTSNET

Yulieski Gurriel: 'it is possible' an independent Cuban team in the World Baseball Classic

'It is the only way that the people of Cuba can enjoy the athletes who are here (in the Major Leagues) and that they can have a competitive team,' he maintains.

CDD

Miami 10 Mar 2022 - 13:36 CET

The idea that an independent team , made up of Cuban baseball players who play in the Major Leagues , participates in the World Baseball Classic , continues to gain supporters and its materialization "is possible", according to the Cuban baseball player, first baseman of the Houston Astros , Yulieski Gurriel , in an interview with Swing Complete.

"Coincidentally, in the last playoff, I approached an athlete who was also very good in the Major Leagues and is now working with the Federation and I made him that proposal. We had a meeting and we agreed to make an official proposal. He did not see it as unreasonable idea to make a team as mentioned."

At the time of leaving the Cuban national team in the Dominican Republic, during the Caribbean Series in 2016, I was described by the press as " the best Cuban baseball player, man for man, pound for pound ".

"Everyone agreed. He told me that if all the athletes were willing to do it, meet and make an official proposal to them and to the International Federation (and I said yes), that there were no problems, that we were waiting for that opportunity and it is something that might be possible," he added.

Gurriel, who, in 2021 won the Gold Glove award at first base, was part of the Cuban team that participated in the First World Baseball Classic in 2006 and finished in second place. In his subsequent appearances in that tournament, the island's national teams have been very far from that result.

Many, inside and outside of Cuba, have expressed that summoning the players who play in the Major Leagues , regardless of how they left the Island, is the only way for a national team to get closer to that second place achieved in the 2006 Clásico.

" It is the only way that the people of Cuba can enjoy the athletes who are here (in the Major Leagues) and that they can have a competitive team," said Gurriel

The Cuban authorities not only refuse to summon those they describe as "traitors" for having abandoned national teams, they also deny them entry to their country for at least eight years, as Gurriel recently suffered, despite dedicating 15 of the best years of his sports career to Cuban baseball. He just left the national team at the end of the Caribbean Series, a tournament in which he finished as the best second baseman.

Given the refusal of the Cuban authorities to summon these players, Gurriel considers that it should be "an independent team" and one that is not associated with the players who are in Cuba.

" I don't believe that they (the Cuban sports authorities) will reach an agreement with us. That is already far away," he argued.

"I'm not saying that those over there aren't a good team and that they don't make the effort," he clarified regarding the players associated with the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB ). However, he believed that it would be "a great initiative" for Cuban players who are in the Major Leagues to play .

Taking into account that the official team of the Island is classified, an independent team, if authorized to participate in the tournament, would have to seek its classification. Gurriel assured that the Cubans who play in the Major Leagues would be willing.

The idea that Cuban baseball players who are prevented by the regime from representing their country can form part of an independent team has already been on the table. Players such as José Abreu , Raisel Iglesias , Guillermo Heredia , Aroldis Chapman and Roenis Elías have spoken about it in interviews with Swing Complete, says the sports medium .

At the beginning of 2022, retired Cuban star pitcher Orlando "El Duque" Hernández spoke in favor of an independent team that would participate in the World Baseball Classic, given the Cuban government's reluctance to allow Cuban players who play in the Major Leagues represent their country in the tournament.

"If (the Government of) Cuba does not want them to play for Cuba , that they have all the right in the world to play with Cuba, then they should make a team and play as independents . Why not?", he questioned.

According to data recently offered by the journalist Francys Romero , there are currently more than 150 Cubans playing in Major League organizations, so there are enough players from the Island to form an independent team.

In a few years, another independent Cuban team could be assembled only with the prospects that, by one means or another, have broken away from the FCB in recent times.

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The ideal team of the Association of Professional Cuban Baseball Players for the World Baseball Classic. ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL CUBAN PLAYERS

Exiled Cuban baseball players associate and promote an independent team for the World Baseball Classic

'Only a unified team should be the goal.

CDD

Miami 11 Mar 2022 - 14:44 CET

Several Cuban baseball players who play in the Major Leagues have joined the Association of Professional Cuban Baseball Players (ACPBP) to promote the creation of an independent team that will participate in the next World Baseball Classic , according to a recently published article on Twitter.

"Today we are announcing the creation of the Association of Professional Cuban Baseball Players. (...) Can you imagine such a team in the next World Baseball Classic?" writes the ACPBP.

The publication is accompanied by an image of an "ideal team", made up of Cuban Major League stars such as Aroldis Chapman , José Abreu , Randy Arozarena , Guillermo Heredia and Yulieski Gurriel , who recently spoke in favor of an independent Cuban baseball team to intervene in the Classic and assured that it was "possible".

The idea team promoted by the association sparks controversy, as the reactions to the tweet reflect.

For Omar FS , a team "unrelated to the players on the island" and to the authorities that direct Cuban baseball make no sense. "An 'exile' team? " he questions. " Only a unified team should be the goal . The other thing would also be to divide, such as choosing the symbol of Miami's extreme right, the Versailles Restaurant, for the launch", he criticizes.

" The dream is a unified team (...). It's a shame that the highest authorities have a grudge, hate and I don't know what other things for our people who play in the Majors. The day the political ridiculousness in this country ends is that we can have a unified team," says a user identified as El Pelotazo.

Guillermo Heredial Jr. predicts that the Cubans who make up the association and promote the aforementioned independent team " are going to fall on top of the entire propaganda apparatus of the dictatorship and here on Twitter the hosts of cyberclairs , but you know that the great desire of Cuban fans - they want us to put together that team".

Miguel Antonio considers that such a team will be "a blunderbuss," but he reminds those who promote it that "those who remain on the island are also professionals, they are paid to play ."

Although after the triumph of the Revolution and for several decades, Fidel Castro tried to present Cuban baseball players as "amateurs", the truth is that they were paid, but they received very little salaries, therefore, they were poorly paid professionals . There is no longer talk of amateur sports in Cuba, although athletes are paid much less than their peers in the rest of the world.

Miguel Antonio believes that the players who play in Cuba should also be taken into account when "preselecting a team" and he is sure that more than one would be willing. "Another issue is that - will INDER (Cuban Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation) / Government let them play," he writes.

The ACPBP will offer a press conference on March 15 at the Versailles Restaurant in Miami , between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to present this proposal, according to journalist Francys Romero on his blog .

The association will seek to send a request to the Major Leagues to analyze the inclusion of an exiled team consisting of Cuban emigrant players in the next World Baseball Classic .

In recent days, a letter has also been sent to both 40-year-old roster players and MLB stars, as well as Minor League prospects and other players from Asian, Mexican and Winter League circuits, to extend their invitation.

According to Romero, the ACPBP is led by Cuban Mario Fernández, as well as former MLB players such as Luis Tiant, Edilberto Oropesa, René Arocha , Euclides Rojas , and Orlando "El Duque" Hernández , among others.

In early January of this year, El Duque Hernández also suggested the creation of an independent team to participate in the Clásico , given the reluctance of the Cuban government to allow baseball players from the island who play in the Major Leagues to represent their country in the tournament.

"If (the Government of) Cuba does not want them to play with Cuba , that they have all the right in the world to play with Cuba, then they should make a team and play as independents . Why not?", he questioned.

According to data recently offered by the journalist Francys Romero, there are currently more than 150 Cubans playing in Major League organizations , so there are enough players from the Island to form an independent team.

In a few years, another independent Cuban team could be assembled only with the prospects that, in one way or another, have broken away from the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) in recent times.

During the event at Versailles, the documentary René Arocha, the Cuban Jackie Robinson will be presented .


Yulieski Gurriel: 'it is possible' an independent Cuban team in the World Baseball Classic

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An independent baseball team: the proposal of 'El Duque' Hernández that would ridicule the Cuban regime

'It is truly unfair that Pito Abreu and Yulieski Gurriel, among others, miss out on playing the Classic with Cuba,' says the former New York Yankees pitcher.

[ Follow us on Twitter , Facebook or Instagram . If you reside in Cuba, subscribe to our newsletter with a selection of the most outstanding contents of the day. If you live anywhere else on the planet, receive in your mailbox links to the most relevant of the day. ]

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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Why is an international MLB draft so important?

Thursday 10 | 5:00 pm

Frederlin Castro | @fr3djcd

MLB and the MLBPA finally reached a consensus, agreeing to a July 25 deadline to set an international draft that would begin in 2024. The agreement appeared to remove a major hurdle in the CBA talks. This commitment also means that the international draft will continue to be a major talking point between union members and league officials for months to come.

How would it work?

Let's start with the basics: High school and college players from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico are subject to the traditional MLB draft held each summer. But there are a large number of amateur players from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela , to a lesser extent Mexico and Colombia and several other regions who are not subject to a draft.

MLB wants to change that starting in 2024 by establishing a separate 20-round draft with hard slots starting at $5.51 million for the first overall pick (by comparison, the No. 1 overall pick in the traditional amateur draft signed for $6.5 million). dollars last year). The draft order would be unconventional, with teams randomly assigned to one of four groups that would rotate each year.

MLB would establish mandatory doping control and allow draft picks to be traded ; the hiring age would remain the same as in the current international system: 16 years. In an effort to grow the sport globally, teams would receive additional selections for recruiting players from previously underrepresented countries.

When it starts?

The two sides have reached a deal: a July 25 deadline for the union to decide if it wants an international draft by 2024. If the players approve, draft compensation will be eliminated. If they don't, these two issues will revert to the status quo: player selection compensation tied to certain free agents and no international draft.

Union members will likely spend the next four months debating the merits of a complicated system. Waiting until 2024 would give MLB more time to put the proper infrastructure in place, but others have suggested delaying the international draft even further, to 2025 or 2026, to give places like the Dominican Republic and Venezuela more time to prepare. for what a seismic shift would represent.

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Live Baseball From Cuba

CIEGO DE AVILA VS MAYABEQUE

SATURDAY 03/12/2022 1PM

https://youtu.be/MdK2rwHZ0MI

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Mayabeque reappears in the victory column

They remain at the top of the league with a record of 20 wins and 10 losses.

Taken from Latin Press

Saturday, March 12, 2022 07:36 PM

Havana.-

The Hurricanes of Mayabeque defeated Ciego de Ávila today 11-9 during their visit to the José Ramón Cepero stadium where they held on to their leadership in the 61st National Baseball Series. Mayabeque's 13 hit attack included home runs by Orlando Lavandera, Denis Laza, Juan Carlos Hernández and Yasniel González. The win boosted their record to 20 wins ten losses. An 8 run rally in the sixth inning defined the game that Yadián Martínez (4-2) won and Yander Guevara (5-2) lost, with the sixth game saved by Marlon Vega. Rubén Valdés and receiver Alfredo Fadraga homered for the Avilanian Tigers.

Meanwhile, Sancti Spíritus defeated Matanzas 10-3. José Eduardo Santos 3-1) was the winning pitcher. Dariel Góngora (3-3) was the losing pitcher. Alberto Rodríguez and Fréderich Cepeda homered for the winners. The Crocodiles of Matanzas lost their 6th consecutive game. The victory went to reliever Naikel Cruz (3-1), who pitched 5.1 innings with four hits allowed and 12 strikeouts. The loss went to Yohannys Hernández (0-2).

Santiago de Cuba defeated Artemisa 8-1. José Sánchez (3-1) was the winning. The loss went to Manuel Murgado (1-5). Osbel Pacheco homered for Artemisa.

Camagüey defeated Cienfuegos 7-2 and Pinar del Río defeated Guantánamo 5-1.

Holguín beat Industriales 8-5, Granma over Isla de la Juventud 4-3, and Las Tunas beat Villa Clara 12-7.

After today's games, Mayabeque leads the standings with 20 wins and 10 losses.

1 Mayabeque 20-10
2 Ciego de Ávila 20-14
3 Santiago de Cuba 20-14
4 Sancti Spíritus 19-15
5 Matanzas 19-15.
6 Villa Clara 18-15
7 Pinar del Río 18-16
8 Granma 18-16

------------------------

9 Las Tunas 16-15,
10 Industriales 17-16)
11 Isla de la Juventud 17-17
12 Camagüey 16-18
13 Artemisa 15-18
14 Holguín 13-21
15 Guantánamo 11-23
16 Cienfuegos 10-24

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EXCLUSIVE: Members of the Association of Professional Cuban Players gave details of the project

The most important objective at the moment has to do with the creation of an independent team from the Cuban Baseball Federation.

March 11, 2022

After the news of the creation of the Association of Professional Cuban Baseball Players was announced this Thursday, much debate has been generated everywhere. It was logical that this would happen above all because the most important objective at the moment has to do with the formation of a team independent from the Cuban Baseball Federation and consequently from the government of the island, with a view to next year's World Baseball Classic.

Complete Swing, on whose platform this idea was launched more than a year ago, interacted this Friday with two of the main figures of the project: Raisel Iglesias and Eddie Oropesa, who spoke for more than an hour and a half with the space host Daniel de Bad.

Oropesa was the one who offered more details about the fundamental ideas since the former pitcher from Matanzas who was member of the Major Leagues, is a member of the board of directors of this imminent Association. This will be made official next Tuesday in an event that will start at 4:00 pm in the well-known Versailles restaurant in the city of Miami.

“We want all Cubans who are abroad to join, because it is the only way to achieve each objective. After we have the support of the majority of the people and a good organization, then we would present the proposal to MLB and the Players Union so that it can be approved that a team with Cubans independent of the Cuban Federation has the right to play the Clásico. We have to do it this way because it is the government of our country that does not want those who have emigrated to play with the Cuba team,” Oropesa commented.

On the subject, Raisel said he was concerned because many of the Cuban baseball players who play in the Major Leagues today are at their best but time continues to pass and at any moment many may retire without being able to play for Cuba.

“The paperwork and the shame hurt us every time the Cuba team plays in any international event. And we have to fight to change that image in every way we can. They don't want us to play in the Clasico. we have to find another alternative. This independent Cuban team is the only solution,” assured the star reliever of the Los Angeles Angels.

Most of those connected to the news ratified their absolute support for this initiative and several fans went live to express directly the protagonists of the project who participated in the morning segment of Complete Swing.

Oropesa addressed other ideas related to this Association, which he considered has been something very necessary for Cuban baseball players and baseball in general for a long time.

“We want to have academies to give jobs to veterans who are underutilized out there.

We want to help those who are in Cuba experiencing difficulties, and also those who live outside the Island and have problems.

There is also the intention that outside of the Clásico we have a team or a league where we are veterans and active, according to the left-hander from Matanzas.There are several baseball figures who will be present on Tuesday at the meeting where the Association will be made official, but many others who due to work issues (spring training and other issues) will not be able to attend agreed to be part of this initiative to everything that is needed.

Since yesterday it transpired that well-known names in the baseball world have leadership within this project. We are talking about Orlando “El Duke” Hernández, René Arocha and Euclides Rojas, with businessman Mario Hernández as a fundamental promoter of all this. Hernández is a businessman who for years has had a close bond with baseball and within the Florida community.

Oropesa and Raisel clarified other issues related to the Association, although it is clear that many answers will be produced after it begins to take shape since its officialization as of Tuesday.

About what people have commented the most and that for now will be the main objective of this Association in the immediate future, the independent team for the next World Classic.

There is still a mixture of uncertainties, doubts and problems. and that the Cuban fan is also present. The goal is to unite the Cuban exile community more through baseball,” said the man who pitched in the Major Leagues with Arizona, San Diego and Los Angeles.

Cuba qualified for the fifth edition of this competition with the Cuban Federation as rector of that selection, so it remains to be seen to what extent such a condition can weigh on the organizers (MLB, MLBPA and the World Confederation). By the way, the latter has maintained a solid relationship with the Cuban authorities and has historically agreed to all the demands of the FCB.

Two teams from the same country would be something totally exclusive to Cuba, in case they maintain the right for the Cuban Federation to have its representative but there is the option of a team with players who are not admitted by it despite their status as Cuban citizens. In any case, this selection of emigrants would have to be inserted in the qualifying tournaments that will be established by a world ranking where only the results of Cuban baseball directed by the FCB are counted.

Many agree that strong popular pressure and pressure from the new entity could change these realities and give Cuba back the possibility of improving its image as a national team and fighting for a result in accordance with the enormous individual talent that Cuban baseball has today.

“Everything is little by little and step by step. But you have to start one day, because it is practically the last chance to do something good in a Classic. Next time we may not even be classified yet. Not only do we have to try, but we have to press tirelessly with the sum of all of us who truly love Cuban baseball. Nothing is impossible”, concluded Oropesa, who, like Raisel, thanked Swing Complete for the total support it has always given, not only to this initiative of the Association, but also to what it does in favor of our baseball.

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Live Baseball From Cuba

CIEGO DE AVILA VS MAYABEQUE

SUNDAY 03/13/2022 1PM

https://youtu.be/YGuXhK8DP4M

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Mayabeque is hot adds 21 in the win column in Cuban baseball

Those from the young province won today by shutting out the Tigres de Ciego de Ávila by a score of 4-0

JIT Drafting

Sunday, March 13, 2022 07:19 PM

Havana.-

Los Hurricanes de Mayabeque won again this Sunday and now lead the 61 National Baseball Series with a record of 21 wins and 10 losses. Those from the young province shutout the Tigres de Ciego de Ávila 4-0. Yulián Quintana pitched 6 scoreless innings despite giving up 6 walks. He only gave up 3 hits and had 5 strikeouts. This was his 5th victory of the season without a loss. The team's offensive produced the necessary runs for the win. Orlando Lavandera (5-3, 1R) and Juan Manuel Martínez (4-2) stood out on offense. Mayabeque's win streak reaches 5 in a row and are heading steadily towards the postseason.

The other team that could have reached 21 wins today was the Wasps of Santiago de Cuba who lost 2-5 to the Hunters of Artemisa. In the game José Antonio Jiménez homered.

Three other teams are currently on winning streaks, namely Las Tunas (+6), Camagüey (+5) and Granma (+4).

The Lumberjacks from Las Tunas beat Villa Clara 7-2. Alejandro Meneses was the winning pitcher. He has not lost a game this season. Veteran Danel Castro homered.

The Camagüeyan Toros beat Cienfuegos 11-2 and are getting closer to the middle of the standings. They had homers from Luis Antonio González.

The Alazanes from Granma, current champions, thrashed Isla de la Juventud 16-2, in a game where Osvaldo Abreu homered twice and Yosvany Sánchez added another.

In the remaining games, Sancti Spíritus beat Matanzas 4-3, Holguín beat Industriales 3-2 and Guantánamo beat Pinar del Río 5-3. Pedro Pablo Revilla hit his eleventh homer of the season and remains the leader in that category.

Villa Clara and Cienfuegos currently are on losing streaks of 5 in a row.

Next Tuesday the last subseries will be played before the all-star break.

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Teams announced for the 61st SNB All-Star Game

Michael González and Eriel Sánchez will manage the teams this Sunday.

JIT Drafting

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 03:38 PM

Havana.-

The selection committee of Cuban baseball today announced the Western and Eastern teams that will play in the All-Star Game of the 61st national series, agreed for this Sunday at the Victoria de Girón stadium in Matanzas.

Michael Gonzalez (MAY) will manage the West team and Eriel Sanchez (SSP) will manage the East team.

The East team and the West team will both include two catchers, eight infielders, one designated hitter, five outfielders and 10 pitchers.

The home run derby & the skills tests will be held on Saturday.

A little league game between Bayamo and Matanzas will also be played on Saturday.

THE TEAMS

WEST:

Receivers (2):

Richel López (CFG) and Oscar Valdés (IND).

Infielders (8):

Yasiel Santoya (IND), Reidel Pedraza (VCL), Osbel Pacheco (ART), Juan M. Martínez (MAY), Andrés Hernández (IND), Dayán García (ART) and Juan C. Arencibia ( PRI) and Sandy Menocal (IND).

Designated Hitter (1):

William Saavedra (PRI).

Outfielders (5):

Juan C. López (VCL), Yasniel González (MAY), Carlos de la Tejera (ART), Eliseo Rojas (IJV) and Yusniel Ibáñez (CFG).

Pitchers (10):

Yulian Quintana (MAY), Yosvani Torres (PRI), Naykel Cruz (MTZ), Erlis Casanova (PRI), Yoenni Yera (MTZ), Marlon Vega (MAY), Hermes González (CFG), Kendry Hernández ( IJV), Yamichel Pérez (MTZ) and Luis A. Padrino (IJV)

Manager:

Michael González (MAY).

EAST:

Receivers (2):

Rafael Viñales (LTU) and Alfredo Fadraga (CAV).

Infielders (8):

Yordanis Samón (CMG), Pedro P. Revilla (GTM), Raúl González (CAV), Dasiel Sevila (SCU), Adriel Labrada (SCU), Yordanis Alarcón (LTU), Alexander Ayala (CMG) and Moises Esquerres (SSP).

Designated Hitter (1):

Frederich Cepeda (SSP).

Outfielders (5):

Yoelkis Guibert (SCU), Over L. Cremé (GTM), Alexquemer Sánchez (GRA), Carlos Gómez (SSP) and Leonel Moa (CMG).

Pitchers (10) :

Ariel E. Zequeira (SSP), Danny Betancourt (SCU), Joen Socarrás (SSP), Yoandri Montero (SCU), Juan S. Contreras (CMG), César García (GRA), Alexander Valiente (GTM) , Carlos Juan Viera (LTU), Alejandro Meneses (LTU) and Kelbis Rodríguez (GRA).

Manager:

Eriel Sanchez.

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Cuban Baseball: Wasps and Roosters are winners

OSE LUIS LOPEZ SADO

15 MARCH 2022

Havana, Mar 15

Santiago de Cuba and Sancti Spíritus won their games today that kept the two teams tied for second place.

The Wasps defeated Pinar del Río by the knockout 14-4 in seven innings. The offense was led by the third batter and center fielder Yoelkis Guibert who was 4-2, both home runs, his eighth and ninth of the season good for six runs. Danny Betancourt won despite allowing nine hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Meanwhile, Sancti Spíritus defeated the league leader Mayabeque 9-7, taking advantage of an important rally of five runs in the second inning. The Gallos had six consecutive hits, including Dariel González's double that drove in two runners.

Yuen Socarrás allowed seven singles and two walks in 5.2 innings; but he was able to get out of difficult situations supported by seven strikeouts. Yankiel Mauri was credited with the save throwing three innings on one hit and three strikeouts. Rodoleisi Moreno, 5-2 had a triple and three rbi's standing out on offense for the Roosters.

With these two results, Mayabeque leads the standingswith a record of 21-11. Santiago de Cuba and Sancti Spíritus follow at two games behind (21-15).

Noelvis Entenza had his first win of the season for Matanzas and was supported by the excellent offense of lefty Ariel Sánchez to defeat Ciego de Ávila 8-6. Entenza allowed a whopping 11 hits and three walks in 7 1/3 innings; but he struckout 8 Tigers batters to get out of several jams. Meanwhile, Ariel Sánchez went 4-5 with a double and three RBIs. , "Grillo" Arruebarruena was 2-4 with a double.

In the remaining games, Villa Clara defeated Camagüey 4-2, Cienfuegos defeated Las Tunas 7-6, Artemisa over Guantánamo 10-6, Isla de la Juventud defeated Holguín 14-3 and Granma 7-4 over Industriales.