Leñadores pass the axe to the León.

I don’t think there is much to say, Las Tunas was champion since the beginning of the Play Off. An unstoppable offense and an indecipherable pitching staff were key for the Leñadores to return to the throne of the National Baseball Series, this time in its 62nd edition.

Men like Roberto Baldoquín, the Alarcón brothers, Yunior Otero, veteran Danel Castro and Héctor Castillo were essential in driving in and scoring runs for the Tuneros, who swept four straight games from Industriales and were crowned champions on Friday, August 11.

Angel Sanchez, Keniel Ferraz, Alejandro Meneses, Alberto Civil and Rodolfo Diaz dominated every batter they faced from the beginning of the postseason, essentially because of the excellent control they showed on the mound. They kept their opponents at bay without too much velocity or messy pitching.

The palms for Abeysi Pantoja, manager who guided Las Tunas to the top in his first year in charge of the Cuban Oriente team.

Thus ends another National Series, the play offs were more than enjoyed by the public in all the stadiums involved, however, the sun cannot be covered with a finger, it is inexplicable that so many defensive mistakes were made in the Play Off phase, even by the champions, who were the best team.

Likewise, we must avoid events such as those that occurred with the power supply in the Victoria de Girón and Julio Antonio Mella stadiums, especially in the semifinals and finals of the main sporting event in Cuba.

Following the agreements adopted by the National Baseball Commission, the first six teams have qualified for the next Elite League: Las Tunas, Industriales, Santiago de Cuba, Matanzas, Artemisa and Sancti Spíritus.

Written by Alejandro López Quintero.