Cuban Baseball Structure

[cuban_aficionado]

[/QUOTE]=Agente Libre]The second baseman for Villa Clara was Jorge Diaz, who defected and played in the minors and independent leagues for about 5 years.

Pedro Jova is now managing one of the teams in the East -- maybe Guantanamo?[/QUOTE]


Thank you Agente Libre for the update on Pedro Jova. I am glad he still coaching (Still involved in baseball) on the Cuban National League.

Jorge Diaz defected!!! That is great news. I know Villa Clara's double plays rate during the 90's was one of the highest in the Cuban National League.
The combination Paret-Diaz saved Villa Clara pitchers from lots of uncomfortable jams situations in the regular season and playoffs.

[Agente Libre]

Diaz defected in 1998.

[Cubano100%]

Granma VS Industriales
Yohenis Cespedes helped Granma beat Industriales 11x7 in the first game. Cespedes had 4 hits and 4 RBIs. Yanier Gonzalez was the winning pitcher and the loser was RHP Frank Montieth.
Alexander Mayeta had 3 Homers and Industriales beat Granma 13x5. RHP Deinys Suares was the winning pitcher. Carlos Tavares reached 28 consecutive games with al least a hit. The losing pitcher was veteran RHP Misael Lopez.

Cienfuegos VS Santiago de Cuba
LHPs Noberto Gonzalez and Alexander Quitero combined to beat Santiago 9x6.
Santiago de Cuba then beat Cienfuegos 9x1 with veteran RHP Ormari Romero pitching 8 innings. The losing pitcher was Samuel Ruiz.

Villa Clara VS Isla de la Juventud
Villa Clara beat Isla de la Juventud for the first time this season. The final score was 10x5 and veteran RHP Eliecer Montes de Oca was the winning pitcher. Yeniet Pérez homer and doubled and Dayan Viciedo had 3 hits. The losing pitcher was Israel Soto.

La Habana VS Holguin
Yudel Tuero and closer Jose Garcia combined to shutout Holguin 2x0. The losing pitcher was Luis Rodriguez.

Camaguey VS Metropolitanos
Camaguey beat Metropolitanos 7x4. The winning pitcher was Elier Sanchez who allowed homers by Joquel Gil and Wilmer de Armas.

Las Tunas VS Matanzas
Osmani Urrutia had 2 hits increasing his average to 446 and Las Tunas beat 7x4. The winning pitcher was Yoelkis Cruz.

Santi Spiritus VS Guantanamo
Santi Spiritus beat Guantanamo 11x5. LHP Ramon Licourt was the winning pitcher and Frederich Cepeda homer for the Roosters.

Standings

GROUP A
Teams W L PCT GB
Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Croppers 35 21 .625 -
Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers 30 24 .556 4
Matanza Cocodriles 17 39 .304 18
Metropolitanos Warriors 11 45 .196 24

GROUP B
Teams W L PCT GB
Industriales Lions 38 18 .679 -
Havana Cowboys 34 24 .607 4
Santi Spiritus Roosters 26 29 .473 11.5
Cienfuegos Shrimps 21 35 .375 17

GROUP C
Teams W L PCT GB
Villa Clara Orange Growers 36 19 .655 –
Ciego de Avila Tigers 33 22 .600 3
Las Tunas Magicians 32 24 .571 4.5
Camaguey Ceramists 25 31 .446 11.5

GROUP D
Team W L PCT GB
Granma Sorrels 34 22 .607 -
Santiago de Cuba Wasps 30 26 .536 4
Holguin Hounds 24 32 .429 10
Guantanamo Indians 19 36 .345 14.5

[Cubano100%]

Granma VS Industriales
Rookie pitcher Alberto Soto got his 8th win in 10 decisions helping Granma beat Industriales 8x4. Yordanis Samón (7) homer and doubled twice with 4 RBIs.

Cienfuegos VS Santiago de Cuba
RHP Osmel Cintra beat LHP Yosvani Perez and Santiago won 4x2. Perez allowed 4 earned runs and lost is not longer the ERA leader.

Villa Clara VS Isla de la Juventud
Isla de la Juventud beat Villa Clara 9x4 with veteran RHP Carlos Yanes (9-3) as the winning pitcher and Orlis Diaz hit a Grand Slam for his 8th HR of the season. The losing pitcher was LHP Rogelio Carrillo (4-2).

La Habana VS Holguin
La Habana got closer to group leader Industriales by beating Holguin 12x2. The Cowboys had 11 hits including homers by Juan Linares (9) and a Grand Slam by Pedro Arozarena (6).

Camaguey VS Metropolitanos
Metros beat Camaguey 9x6. Alexander Barrios doubled twice and had 6 RBIs.

Pinar del Rio VS Ciego de Avila
Ciego de Avila sweept Pinar del Rio. The mercy rule was in force in the first game 12x2. Michel Pino (5-4) was the winning pitcher. The second game ended 10x4 with Jose Barroso (3-5) as the winning pitcher. The Tigers connected 27 hits during the doubleheader with 3 HRs, Yorelvis Fiss (2) and Rogel Poll (1). The losing pitchers for the Cigar Makers were Raidel Miranda (3-5) and Vladimir Banos(6-2).

Las Tunas VS Matanzas
Rookie RHP Jesus Guerra completed his first game of his career helping Las Tunas beat Matanzas 9x4. Juan Carlos Pedroso homer for the 12th time.

Santi Spiritus VS Guantanamo
Santi Spiritus beat Guantanamo 7x0 and 13x1. In the first game Angel Pena allowed 4 hits winning for the 5th time with 6th loses. The Mercy Rule was applied in the second game with Yovani Aragon winning his 4th game.

New Subseries:

Metropolitanos-Las Tunas
Matanzas-Camagüey
Villa-Clara Pinar del Río
Ciego de Ávila vs. Isla de la Juventud
Holguín-Industriales
Granma-La Habana
Santiago de Cuba-Sancti Spíritus
Guantánamo-Cienfuegos

[Cubano100%]

Hitting Leaders


jonrones/HR

SANTOS MARTINEZ, VISMAY GTM 16
GOURRIEL C, YULIESKY SSP 16
CESPEDES M, YOHENIS GRA 15
DESPAIGNE R, ALFREDO GRA 13
CHARLES M, YORELVIS CAV 13
PEDROSO BROOKS, JOAN CARLOS LTU 12
DUVERGEL ROJAS, GIORVIS GTM 12

triples/3B

RIVERA D, LUIS FELIPE IJV 9
SCULL ZAYAS, YORDANIS LTU 8
GOURRIEL C, YULIESKY SSP 5
GOURRIEL C, YUNIESKY SSP 5
MOLINA GUERRERO, ROLEXIS IJV 4
PEREZ CARDOSO, FELIX (N) IJV 4
CANTO RAMIREZ, YANDY (N) MTZ 4
RUIZ BARZAN, JOSE JULIO SCU 4
VICIEDO PEREZ, DAYAN VCL 4

dobles/2B

SAMON MATAMOROS, YORDANIS GRA 23
MORENO PEREZ, JUAN CARLOS IJV 19
MOLINA GUERRERO, ROLEXIS IJV 19
CESPEDES M, YOHENIS GRA 18
ENRIQUEZ TAMAYO, MICHEL IJV 18
MIRANDA A, DANNY CAV 17
MERIÑO B, ROLANDO SCU 17


HITS

URRUTIA RAMIREZ, OSMANI LTU 95
ENRIQUEZ TAMAYO, MICHEL IJV 86
SUAREZ BURQUEZ, AMAURY LTU 86
CESPEDES M, YOHENIS GRA 85
CHARLES M, YORELVIS CAV 79
DESPAIGNE R, ALFREDO GRA 79
GARCIA SALAZAR, YUSQUIEL CMG 76
VICIEDO PEREZ, DAYAN VCL 75

Bases Robadas/SB

TABARES PADILLA, CARLOS ALBERTO IND 17
REYES ERICE, RUDY IND 15
DIAZ MARTINEZ, ENRIQUE ESTEBAN IND 15
GOURRIEL C, YULIESKY SSP 11
FONSECA ALCEA, MARCOS GRA 10
SCULL ZAYAS, YORDANIS LTU 9
DUVERGEL ROJAS, GIORVIS GTM 8
LUIS MARQUEZ, MARINO CMG 8
RIVERA D, LUIS FELIPE IJV 8
SANCHEZ SANCHEZ, ARIEL (N) MTZ 8


Carreras Impulsadas/RBI

DIAZ CORDERO, ORLIS LUIS IJV 63
SAMON MATAMOROS, YORDANIS GRA 56
GOURRIEL C, YULIESKY SSP 55
CHARLES M, YORELVIS CAV 55
CESPEDES M, YOHENIS GRA 52
DESPAIGNE R, ALFREDO GRA 52
BORRERO ALFONSO, ARIEL VCL 48
URRUTIA RAMIREZ, OSMANI LTU 47
POLL MARTINEZ, PEDRO SCU 47
FERRALES J, LUIS ALBERTO GRA 46

Bases Por Bolas/BB

CEPEDA CRUZ, FREDERICH SSP 52
ENRIQUEZ TAMAYO, MICHEL IJV 49
GARLOBO ROMAY, YOANDY MTZ 48
PARET PEREZ, EDUARDO VCL 45
RIVERA D, LUIS FELIPE IJV 44
BORROTO J, YORBIS CAV 43
RODRIGUEZ L, MICHEL HAB 42
PESTANO VALDES, ARIEL VCL 40
URGELLES COBAS, YOANDRY IND 39

ponches/SO

LINARES I, JUAN CARLOS HAB 48
IBAÑEZ ARAGON, YUSNIEL CFG 47
CANTO RAMIREZ, YANDY (N) MTZ 47
ABREU CORREA, JOSE DARIEL CFG 45
AGUILERA P, LERIS HOL 41
RODRIGUEZ L, MICHEL HAB 40
SANTOS MARTINEZ, VISMAY GTM 39
CHIRINO ARROYO, IRAIT MET 39
HERNANDEZ A, STAYLER MET 39
RODRIGUEZ ROMAN, PEDRO JOSE CFG 38


Promedio De Slugging/SLU

ENRIQUEZ TAMAYO, MICHEL IJV .702
CESPEDES M, YOHENIS GRA .688
GARLOBO ROMAY, YOANDY MTZ .669
URRUTIA RAMIREZ, OSMANI LTU .654
PEDROSO BROOKS, JOAN CARLOS LTU .648
GOURRIEL C, YULIESKY SSP .610
DESPAIGNE R, ALFREDO GRA .596
VICIEDO PEREZ, DAYAN VCL .593
SANTOS MARTINEZ, VISMAY GTM .585
DUVERGEL ROJAS, GIORVIS GTM .568

Carreras Anotadas/RUNS

CESPEDES M, YOHENIS GRA 66
ENRIQUEZ TAMAYO, MICHEL IJV 64
RODRIGUEZ L, MICHEL HAB 57
RIVERA D, LUIS FELIPE IJV 53
DUVERGEL ROJAS, GIORVIS GTM 51
LINARES I, JUAN CARLOS HAB 51
GOURRIEL C, YULIESKY SSP 49
TABARES PADILLA, CARLOS ALBERTO IND 48
DESPAIGNE R, ALFREDO GRA 48
CHARLES M, YORELVIS CAV 47

Promedio De Bateo/AVERAGE

ENRIQUEZ TAMAYO, MICHEL IJV .450
URRUTIA RAMIREZ, OSMANI LTU .450
GARLOBO ROMAY, YOANDY MTZ .417
CESPEDES M, YOHENIS GRA .385
URGELLES COBAS, YOANDRY IND .372
VICIEDO PEREZ, DAYAN VCL .368
SUAREZ BURQUEZ, AMAURY LTU .366
PARET PEREZ, EDUARDO VCL .358
VIDEAUX M, ROBERQUI GTM .351
PEDROSO BROOKS, JOAN CARLOS LTU .346



Pitching Leaders


Juegos Ganados/WINS

SOTO LA O, ALBERTO (Rookie) GRA 9
YANES ARTILES, CARLOS ALBERTO IJV 9
BORROTO JIMENEZ, LUIS VCL 9
FOLCH VERA, MAIKEL CAV 8
PEREZ RUIZ, YOSVANI CFG 8
GONZALEZ R, YANIER GRA 8
LAZO IGLESIAS, PEDRO LUIS PRI 8


Juegos Perdidos/LOSES

BICET LABRADA, ALBERTO SCU 8
PALMA LOPEZ, ADIEL CFG 7
COLLAZO BLANCO, HERIBERTO MET 7

Lechadas/SHO

PEREZ RUIZ, YOSVANI CFG 3
PINO FEO, MICHEL CAV 2
GONZALEZ M, NORBERTO CFG 2
LOPEZ MORENO, MISAEL GRA 2
MARTINEZ M, JONDER HAB 2

Juegos Salvados/SAVES

DIGURNAY P, ALEXANDER GTM 10
GARCIA SANCHEZ, JOSE ANGEL HAB 9
BORBON DRIGGS, FELIX HOL 7
GONZALEZ B, DAMICHEL LTU 7
REYES PEREZ, RAUL HOL 6
ESPINOSA GARCIA, SERGIO IJV 6
BICET LABRADA, ALBERTO SCU 6


Entradas Lanzadas/IP

LAZO IGLESIAS, PEDRO LUIS PRI 106.1
YANES ARTILES, CARLOS ALBERTO IJV 99.0
BERMUDEZ M, UBISNEY LTU 93.2
FONSECA GARCIA, YOSVANI MTZ 92.2
GONZALEZ M, NORBERTO CFG 90.1
GONZALEZ L, YULIESKI HAB 84.2
BICET LABRADA, ALBERTO SCU 83.2
PALMA LOPEZ, ADIEL CFG 83.1

ponches/SO

PALMA LOPEZ, ADIEL CFG 82
BORROTO JIMENEZ, LUIS VCL 79
LAZO IGLESIAS, PEDRO LUIS PRI 76
MAYA MENDILUZA, YUNIESKI PRI 70
SUAREZ L, DEINYS IND 69
MARTINEZ M, JONDER HAB 61
MIRANDA SANCHEZ, RAIDEL PRI 60
RODRIGUEZ R, LUIS MIGUEL HOL 59
GONZALEZ L, YULIESKI HAB 57
TUERO RODRIGUEZ, YUSDEL HAB 57

Bases Por Bolas/WALKS

CHAPMAN DE LA C, AROLDIS (Rookie) HOL 43
SOTO DELIS, ISRAEL IJV 43
RODRIGUEZ V, YUNIER GRA 41
PALMA LOPEZ, ADIEL CFG 40
SUAREZ L, DEINYS IND 40
VIEGO MONTANO, ABEL MET 37
BORROTO JIMENEZ, LUIS VCL 37
PAUSA PEREZ D, LAZARO LTU 36
SOCARRAS ROJAS, YORMANI CMG 35
FONSECA GARCIA, YOSVANI MTZ 35

Promedio De Carreras Limpias/ERA

PEREZ RUIZ, YOSVANI CFG 2.18
HERNANDEZ P, NOELVIS SSP 2.18
PINO FEO, MICHEL CAV 2.22
FOLCH VERA, MAIKEL CAV 2.29
TORRES ESPINOSA, YADIEL MET 2.34
BORROTO JIMENEZ, LUIS VCL 2.50
BETANCOURT C, DANNY SCU 2.59
DIAZ SIGLER, MAICEL IND 2.64
MIRANDA SANCHEZ, RAIDEL PRI 2.66
PEDROSO G, YADIER HAB 2.78

[cuban_aficionado]

After 60 games or 2/3 of the Cuban national Series Industriales and Villa Clara came up as the Winniest Teams in the leage.

WINS LOSSES
IND 41 20

VCL 41 20

Clossest Teams

WINS LOSSES
IJV (Group A leader) 38 23
HAB (2cond Place Group B) 37 23
CAV (2cond Place Group C) 37 24

[siromaniyon]

I want to know Cuban roster of lanzadores,especially Maikel Folch and Alberto Soto,etc
I think they are similar to someone of what kind of Major or Japanese leage ?

[Cubano100%]

Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers vs Havana Cowboys


Vladimir Banos pitched a complete game helping Pinar win 8x1. Alexei Ramirez(9), Tomas Valido(3) and Donald Duarte(4) homer for Pinar. Yuliesky Gonzalez was the losing pitcher.

Jonder Martinez allowed 5 hits and the Cowboys beat Pinar 4x1.

Pinar del Rio beat Havana 7x3 with homers by Reinier Leon and Donald Duarte. Pedro Lazo won his 9th game.

Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Growers vs Industriales Lions

Carlos Yanes and the Grapefruit Growers beat the Lions 4x1. The Lions made 4 errors that contributed to 2 unearned runs. Deinys Suarez was the losing pitcher.

Yadel Marti shutout Isla de La Juventud by the final score of 5x0. Carlos Tavares, Frank Morejon and Alexander Mayeta had 3 hits a piece. Israel Soto lost his fifth decision.

Frank Menedez retired 14 batters in relief helping the Lions beat Isla de La Juventud 7x3.

Cienfuegos Shrimps vs Matanzas Crocodiles

Osvaldo Arias homer and Norberto Gonzalez won his fifth decision and the Cienfuegos Shrimps beat Matanzas 7x5. Burney Perez was the losing pitcher.

Matanzas scored 3 runs in the 9th inning to beat Cienfuegos 7x6. Pedro Jose Rodriguez (5) and Osvaldo Arias (11) homer for Cienfuegos.

Pedro Jose Rodriguez (6) homer and Cienfuegos beat Matanzas 5x4.

Santi Spiritus Roosters vs Metropolitan Warriors

The Roosters won by the mercy rule 12x2. The Roosters had 19 hits including HR by Eriel Sanchez (6) and Yoanis Delgado (6). The winner was Angel Pena (6) and the loser was Heriberto Collazo (8).

The Roosters beat the Warriors for the second day in a raw. The final score was 6x5. Yuniesky Gourriel (7) homer. Yovani Aragon was the winner.

Noelvis Hernandez pitched 6 innings and Santi Spiritus beat the Warriors again. The final scored was 8x1.

Camaguey Ceramists vs Santiago de Cuba Wasps

Elier Sanchez helped the Ceramists beat the Wasps 6x3. Loidel Chapelli homer and had 3 RBI for Camaguey. The losing pitcher was Ormary Romero.

Vicyhondri Odelín pitched into the 7th helping the Ceramists beat the Wasps 12x0. William Luis, Yusquiel García and Alexander Ayala homer for Camaguey. Danny Betancourt lasted only 2/3 for the Wasps.

The Wasps finally beat the Ceeramists 11x7 despite Alexander Ayala Grand Slam.

Guantanamo Indians vs Las Tunas Magicians

Roberquis Videaux hit for the cycle helping the Indians beat the Magicians 8x5 in thirteen innings. Alexander Digurnay was the winning pitcher and the loser was Yoandry Molina.

Osmani Urrutia homer twice including a Grand Slam helping Las Tunas beat Guantanamo 6x4.

Las Tunas beat the Indians 12x2 in 8th innings. Wilber Verdecia allowed 5 hits. Osmani Urrutia hit his 12 HR.

Villa Clara Orange Growers vs Holguin Hounds

Veteran RHP Eliecer Montes de Oca and young sensation Dayan Viciedo (10, 11) homer twice helping the Orange machine beat the Hounds.

Robelio Carrillo helped Villa Clara beat the Hounds 8x1.

Villa Clara swept the Hounds by winning the final game 10x1. Gustavo Olano (2) and Dayan Viciedo (12) homer for Villa Clara.

Granma Sorrels vs Ciego de Avila Tigers

Luis ferrales hit his 11 home run and had 3 RBI helping the Sorrels beat the Tigers 3x0. Ciro Licea was the winning pitcher and Alien Mora was the loser.

Luis Ferrales and Victor Vejerano homer for the Sorrels who beat the Tigers 12x8.

Ciego de Avila beat Granma 2x0. Jose Barroso allowed only 4 hits.


New Subseries


La Habana-Isla de la Juventud
Industriales-Pinar del Río
Cienfuegos-Metropolitanos
Sancti Spíritus-Matanzas
Camagüey-Guantánamo
Las Tunas-Santiago de Cuba
Holguín-Ciego de Ávila
Granma-Villa Clara


Standings

GROUP A
Teams W L PCT GB
Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Croppers 38 25 .603 -
Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers 32 31 .508 6
Matanza Cocodriles 20 43 .317 18
Metropolitanos Warriors 12 51 .190 26

GROUP B
Teams W L PCT GB
Industriales Lions 43 20 .683 -
Havana Cowboys 38 24 .613 4.5
Santi Spiritus Roosters 33 30 .524 10
Cienfuegos Shrimps 25 38 .397 18

GROUP C
Teams W L PCT GB
Villa Clara Orange Growers 43 20 .683 –
Ciego de Avila Tigers 38 25 .603 5
Las Tunas Magicians 38 25 .603 5
Camaguey Ceramists 28 35 .444 15

GROUP D
Team W L PCT GB
Granma Sorrels 37 25 .597 -
Santiago de Cuba Wasps 33 30 .524 4.5
Holguin Hounds 24 39 .381 13.5
Guantanamo Indians 21 42 .333 16.5

[Licey Fan]

I read that the cuban national series we're going to halt for the national team training at Latinoamericano Stadium... When is that going to happen, or is that info incorrect?

Let's go industriales!

[Kiefer]

February 15.

[Cubano100%]

I read that the cuban national series we're going to halt for the national team training at Latinoamericano Stadium... When is that going to happen, or is that info incorrect?

Let's go industriales!

I am not to happy with the fact that we can not play against anyone before the tournament. Cuba invited PR and they declined. We won't be able to play exibition games against MLB teams either. The rules should be the same for everyone.

[Agente Libre]

Huh? Cuba is/was welcome to play against anyone they wanted.

[Cubano100%]

Huh? Cuba is/was welcome to play against anyone they wanted.

No. They would not be allowed to come to the USA and no USA base players would be allowed to go to Cuba. You know what we went through just to be allowed to participate in the classic. How come the Venezuelan, Dominican and other teams can come and play against MLB teams?

Cuba invited Puerto Rico and they declined. Peter Angelos tried for years to take the Orioles to Cuba.

[cuban_aficionado]

I am not to happy with the fact that we can not play against anyone before the tournament. Cuba invited PR and they declined. We won't be able to play exibition games against MLB teams either. The rules should be the same for everyone.

It really sucks that the Cuban National Team can't play exibition games against Puerto Rico. Now what about if Cuba goes to Mexico, Venezuela or the Dominican Republic to play some games there before March 7th? Or maybe ask Japan, Australia or Panama to go to Cuba???

Anyway you look at it the Cuban National Team will be incomplete because Orlando Hernandez, Livan Hernandez, Jose Contreras and Danny Baez are not allow to pitch for Cuba even though they are Cuban Nationals; so the rules of this tournament regarding who can play don't apply to all players the same way

Cuban born players that are exiles are not allow to represent their country Now is that JUSTICE???????

[Agente Libre]

Cubano100% -- Cuba is not a victim here. Cuba was/is free to play anyone they want. It's still not even certain that Cuba will show up; do you really think Castro wants his players in the U.S. even longer for exhibition games?

Regardless, nothing is stopping Cuba from playing exhibition games in Mexico, D.R., Panama, etc., and nothing is stopping the 14 non-embargoed teams from traveling to Cuba.

[Cubano100%]

Cubano100% -- Cuba is not a victim here. Cuba was/is free to play anyone they want. It's still not even certain that Cuba will show up; do you really think Castro wants his players in the U.S. even longer for exhibition games?

Regardless, nothing is stopping Cuba from playing exhibition games in Mexico, D.R., Panama, etc., and nothing is stopping the 14 non-embargoed teams from traveling to Cuba.

Other countries can not control their own players. The Dominicans wanted to start training for the Classic long time ago and MLB shutdown the idea. Ismael Roldan in Puerto Rico does not have any power to gather players. He is a clown.

No MLB team would be allowed to go to Cuba. It is true Castro does not want team Cuba coming to the USA. Cuba invited PR and Panama to play. None have accepted.

Do you have any backgroung on Limonta?

[Cubano100%]

La simpática historia de un maestro lanzador
Por Juan Zamorano





PANAMÁ.- El legendario lanzador cubano que le enseñó el lanzamiento de "Tenedor" al grandes ligas José Ariel Contreras, uno de los ases de las Medias Blancas de Chicago, está cosechando éxitos en el béisbol aficionado panameño.

Otros entrenadores de la isla también lo están haciendo.

Rogelio García, líder histórico en ponches con 2,499 en el béisbol cubano, fungió como el coach de pitcheo del equipito de los Indios de la provincia de Veraguas, que se consagró campeón nacional juvenil la noche del miércoles al vencer a Chiriquí 6-5 en 12 episodios. El maánager de la "Tribu", un equipo que también ha sido varias veces campeón latinoamericano en las pequeñas ligas, es el cubano Primitivo Díaz, ex coach de tercera de la selección de su país. Veraguas, una de las nueve provincias del país, nunca había ganado un campeonato juvenil.

Pero en los últimos tiempos, esa provincia del occidente recibió un fuerte respaldo económico y en el último año se dio el lujo de contar con el "Ciclón" García.

Cuando García llegó hace un año y dos meses, Veraguas ya se había dado a conocer en el mapa latinoamericano y mundial. Pero con su presencia, este grupo de peloteritos, algunos de los cuales ya son tentados por los equipos de las grandes ligas, aprendió un poco más sobre los secretos del pitcheo. "El señor García es todo un maestro", comentó el relevista Adolfo Reina, que se adjudicó la victoria del campeonato con un trabajo casi perfecto. "Nos ha ayudado a mejorar y a disfrutar cada vez que vamos a la lomita".

García, como otros entrenadores cubanos en Panamá, llegó al istmo gracias a un acuerdo entre las autoridades deportivas de los dos países y porque también acá tiene a viejos amigos del béisbol. El pitcher, que jugó para la provincia de Pinar del Río, también trabajó en Brasil, México, Perú y Venezuela.

Dijo que desde que arribó a Veraguas "me llamó la atención el entusiasmo y la dedicación que tienen los padres con estos muchachos. Hay una gran cantera de juveniles en Panamá".

García explicó que su misión fue básicamente enseñarles cómo mejorar la mecánica y el "ABC" del béisbol: dominar la recta, la curva y el cambio de velocidad.

En sus años de gloria con Pinar del Rio, García dominó a placer esos lanzamientos básicos pero perfeccionó entre su repertorio el llamado "Tenedor", una recta que rompe en el home.

García aseguró que le tomó unos seis meses perfeccionar ese lanzamiento y que le dio grandes resultados.

Agregó que esa arma se la enseñó en la isla a Contreras, quien en el 2005 ganó su primer anillo de Serie Mundial con las Medias Blancas de Chicago, equipo al llegó después de su paso por los Yanquis de Nueva York.

"El tenedor es como un lanzamiento para matar. Lo tiraba generalmente en dos strikes y siempre para ponchar", explicó García a la AP, previo al sexto partido de la serie final de siete entre Veraguas y Chiriquí en el estadio Rod Carew. "Él (Contreras) se enamoró mucho de ese lanzamiento y yo lo le dije: vamos a probarlo".

"Le dio tremendo resultado el año pasado con los Medias Blancas", agregó. "Eso me llena de mucha satisfacción".

García aseguró que Contreras lo contactó por teléfono el año pasado y que hablaron largo rato.

Dijo que también ayudó y aconsejó a lanzadores como Liván Hernández y Danys Báez, que también triunfan en las Mayores. García seguirá trabajando en Veraguas tras el cierre del torneo juvenil. Comentó que entre sus proyectos está el de abrir una academia de pitcheo en esa provincia. Trabajará en esa empresa hasta septiembre, luego se irá de vacaciones a su natal Cuba y retornará semanas después para el campeonato juvenil del 2007.

El mánager Díaz, que apenas tiene un mes con Veraguas, ahora se dispone a dirigir al equipo mayor de esa provincia. Dijo que después no sabe cuál será su futuro. "Con Cuba he ganado varios títulos, sin embargo, éste es el que más he disfrutado por la humildad y la garra con que juega este grupo de peloteros", señaló Díaz con lágrimas.

Actualmente hay ocho entrenadores cubanos trabajando en Panamá y se esperan en los próximos días siete más que ayudarán a otras provincias, informó a la AP el director del Instituto de Deportes de Panamá, Ramón Cardoze. "Panamá tiene un gran nivel en el béisbol", explicó. Pero "el trabajo que vienen realizando estos técnicos en Chiriquí y Veraguas es muy beneficioso para levantar ese nivel y para cubrir necesidades en aspectos como el pitcheo y el bateo".

[Licey Fan]

Anyway you look at it the Cuban National Team will be incomplete because Orlando Hernandez, Livan Hernandez, Jose Contreras and Danny Baez are not allow to pitch for Cuba even though they are Cuban Nationals; so the rules of this tournament regarding who can play don't apply to all players the same way

Cuban born players that are exiles are not allow to represent their country Now is that JUSTICE???????

They ARE allowed, at least for WBC Inc., to play for Cuba. The fact is, that since the tournament is under the rules of the IBAF, the national teams have to be made by the National Federations... Is Fidel's option, and he decided not to allow the defectors to play...

What I meant is, that even though they won't be in cuba's team, is not the fault of the MLB, but of the cuban baseball federation... The rules ARE the same for everyone

MLB would be mad if they allow a Cuban team made of exiles participate instead of the Cuban (Fidel) Team, since Cuba has a recognized NOC (national olympic committee), and a recognized national baseball federation, therefore, it'd overule any sanction of the IBAF

[Kiefer]

They ARE allowed, at least for WBC Inc., to play for Cuba. The fact is, that since the tournament is under the rules of the IBAF, the national teams have to be made by the National Federations... Is Fidel's option, and he decided not to allow the defectors to play...

What I meant is, that even though they won't be in cuba's team, is not the fault of the MLB, but of the cuban baseball federation... The rules ARE the same for everyone

MLB would be mad if they allow a Cuban team made of exiles participate instead of the Cuban (Fidel) Team, since Cuba has a recognized NOC (national olympic committee), and a recognized national baseball federation, therefore, it'd overule any sanction of the IBAF

Yeah, it is Fidel's fault.

[cuban_aficionado]

They ARE allowed, at least for WBC Inc., to play for Cuba. The fact is, that since the tournament is under the rules of the IBAF, the national teams have to be made by the National Federations... Is Fidel's option, and he decided not to allow the defectors to play...

What I meant is, that even though they won't be in cuba's team, is not the fault of the MLB, but of the cuban baseball federation... The rules ARE the same for everyone

MLB would be mad if they allow a Cuban team made of exiles participate instead of the Cuban (Fidel) Team, since Cuba has a recognized NOC (national olympic committee), and a recognized national baseball federation, therefore, it'd overule any sanction of the IBAF

Licey Fan what I am trying to say is that MLB and IBAF should had it together before inviting Castro's Dictatorship Government to send a Team for the WBC. In my opinion MLB, the Major Leage Players association and the IBAF should had put pressure on Castro to allow Exile Cuban baseball players to participate on the WBC. I have nothing against the 60 men roster of the Cuban National Team, I think they deserve to showcase their talent in this important competition but at the same time is really important that the exile players, that made the life changin decision to live in a free country, be allow to represent their homeland so the true talnet and capacity of the Cuban baseball player can be enjoyed by everyone in the World.

This Cubano 100% posting relates to this discussion. Ariel Prieto is mad because he feels left out, is like leaving your country and automatically you become the citizen of the world???

Originally Posted by Cubano100%
Ariel Prieto se deshace de su ‘rabia’
6 de febrero de 2006

VALENCIA, Carabobo, Venezuela.— El tiempo transcurrido desde que el Departamento del Tesoro de Estados Unidos aprobó la participación de Cuba en el Clásico Mundial de Beisbol no ha curado las heridas que tal decisión causó al lanzador cubano Ariel Prieto.

Antes de que Cuba fuera admitida oficialmente en el campeonato que enfrentará a 16 países, algunos sectores del exilio cubano en Estados Unidos plantearon la idea de armar un equipo compuesto por los peloteros que han desertado de la isla.

“Estoy molesto por no poder jugar en ese torneo. Tengo rabia por eso”, dijo Prieto a ESPNdeportes.

“Cuba no tiene que participar en ese torneo porque siempre ha criticado el beisbol profesional. Si Fidel Castro no quiere profesionalismo que se vaya a casa del c&$%*”, dijo Prieto.

“Los peloteros cubanos que hemos desertado por los problemas políticos en Cuba podíamos armar un equipo para jugar en el Clásico Mundial”, agregó Prieto, quien desertó de la isla en 1995.

“La culpa de eso la tienen Estados Unidos y el beisbol organizado de las Grandes Ligas, que es la peor porquería que existe”, agregó.

Prieto aclaró que no tiene nada en contra de los peloteros de la selección nacional cubana, pero que esta incómodo por su aprobación para jugar en el Clásico. El derecho se encuentra en Venezuela participando en la Serie del Caribe como refuerzo de los Venados de Mazatlán, campeones de México. Prieto lanzó con los Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón en la temporada regular de la Liga Mexicana del Pacifico y luego se trasladó a Venezuela para reforzar a los Tigres de Aragua, que cayeron en la final ante los Leones de Caracas.

Prieto, de 35 años, lanzó en seis temporadas en las Grandes Ligas con Oakland y Tampa Bay entre 1995 y 2001. Tuvo una marca de 15-24 y efectividad 4.85 en 70 partidos en las Ligas Mayores.


To sum up, Ariel Prieto, a Cuban player who saw action with Oakland, is mad because Cuba is allowed to play in the classic. He does not understand why MLB allows Cuba to send a team when Castro abolished professional baseball in Cuba and have criticized professional baseball over the years. MLB officials are hypocritical. He also stated that he does not have anything against the Cuban players on the team.

[Licey Fan]

It's too bad... I understand your point... It may not seem fair, but really is not MLB's, nor IBAF's, nor the IOC's decision... They're just doing what the olympic charter says...

So, in this case, is just Fidel to blame...

In the Treasury Dpt decision, MLB had to intervene, since they had to guarantee Cuba's participation... IT WAS UP TO THEM... Now they guaranteed the "nation's" participation... Now, who makes the team is the NOC decision...

Still, I think Cuba'll make a good show (even though there's now question that a team including both residents and exiles cuban, will be the TRUE cuban team, and would make a better job)

[Cubano100%]

As many of you may already know, the Cuban National Series has been suspended until the Classic is over. The Cuban preseleccion has begun its preparation for the WBC.


Standings

GROUP A
Teams W L PCT GB
Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Croppers 41 25 .621 -
Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers 33 32 .508 7
Matanza Cocodriles 20 46 .317 21
Metropolitanos Warriors 12 53 .185 28.5

GROUP B
Teams W L PCT GB
Industriales Lions 44 21 .677 -
Havana Cowboys 38 27 .613 6
Santi Spiritus Roosters 36 30 .545 8.5
Cienfuegos Shrimps 27 38 .415 17

GROUP C
Teams W L PCT GB
Villa Clara Orange Growers 44 22 .667 –
Ciego de Avila Tigers 41 25 .621 3
Las Tunas Magicians 38 28 .576 6


GROUP D
Team W L PCT GB
Granma Sorrels 39 26 .600 -
Santiago de Cuba Wasps 36 30 .545 3.5
Holguin Hounds 24 42 .364 15.5
Guantanamo Indians 22 44 .333 17.5

[Agente Libre]

Actually, the National Series is only suspended until Feb. 23. After that, all of the teams will be back together for "training."

[Cubano100%]

Actually, the National Series is only suspended until Feb. 23. After that, all of the teams will be back together for "training."

You know what I meant. The real games are suspended until the end of the Classic.

[Kiefer]

Well, I won't be rooting for Cuba because this team represents Fidel Castro and his communist regime. Actually I have never rooted for Cuba, and never will, until Cuba is free from Castro's tyranny and oppression.