CNB and FCB report on important topics.

The National Baseball Commission (CNB) and the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) exchanged with the press on various topics of interest. The meeting was chaired by Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, head of both entities and took place at the Latin American Stadium.

Through the press media JIT we learned about some of the most debated topics, first of all about the incident in Cienfuegos, related to the lack of bats to continue a game of the 62nd National Baseball Series, analyses were made and the CNB found that the responsibility did not lie with the management of the local team.

It was demonstrated that this is inherent to the management of Inder in that province and the authorities will make the corresponding assessments. It is totally unacceptable that such a situation should occur in a game of national passion and culture.

Another of the points made was that in the 62nd National Series there will be no all-star game or awards gala for the most outstanding athletes, due to the current situation of the Cuban economy and above all the energy crisis.

The three medal-winning teams and the all-stars will be awarded at the end of the last game of the final, on the field.

As for the official launch of the Champions League of the World Confederation of this sport, Cuba will follow the invitation extended.

The national champion of the 2022 season, in this case the Alazanes de Granma, will attend. The Cuban team for the San Salvador 2023 Central Caribbean Games will meet at the Latin American Stadium on 19 June, three days before leaving for the venue. The roster will be announced as close as possible to the deadlines set by the organising committee.

Regarding the presence of slugger Yasmani Tomás on the roster, it was learned that he is in Cuba and arrives in the middle of a period of competitive inactivity for not being inserted in any league. However, he has stated that he is still training.

Tomás is of interest to the national team on this occasion, following the policy already applied for the V World Baseball Classic, after which it was insisted that he would continue to rule in accordance with the possibilities of the players and the demands of the technical staff.

The first step is for Tomás to carry out preparatory activities which, together with his expertise and experience, will allow him to contribute to the team’s needs, which he will only join if he can demonstrate that he has reached the necessary level of form.

Regarding the aspirations of Tomás and other non-repatriated athletes to play in the National Series, it was reported that in order to be coherent with the migration policy in force in the country, proposals for modifications are being evaluated, not only in the baseball regulations, but also in decrees and laws that govern sporting activity on the island.

Regarding the non-invitation of Cuba to the Miami 2024 Caribbean Baseball Series, an issue already discussed on Radio 26 and various media outlets in the country, the authorities acknowledged that they are aware of everything announced by the organisers to date.

The FCB has not been invited nor has it stated that it would refuse a hypothetical invitation. However, he understands that it is difficult for the organisers to include Cuba, being a venue where our teams have been the target of intolerable provocations and aggressions, organised by people who do not even respect the principles of the sport, as demonstrated by what happened in the 2021 pre-Olympic tournament and the V World Classic.

We also understand, said Juan Reinaldo, that the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation needs to appeal to venues that ensure the sustainability of the event, only in this case the Miami environment becomes an almost insurmountable obstacle.

Written by Alejandro López Quintero.