Cuba approved for WBC

[Agente Libre]

Discuss among yourselves.

[Bob Hannah]

Here's a link confirming the approval. This is a good thing. The inclusion of Cuba adds a great amount of legitimacy to the tournament.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10943151/from/RL.1/

[Andruw]

Jan. 20, 2006, 11:00 AM ET
Treasury Department allows Cuba into WBC

Associated Press


NEW YORK -- Cuba will be allowed to play in the World Baseball Classic, after all.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a license Friday allowing the Cubans to participate in the 16-team tournament, a government and a baseball official said. The pair spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made.

Baseball's first application was denied in mid-December by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, but the commissioner's office and the players' association reapplied after Cuba said it would donate any profits it receives to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

U.S. laws aimed at punishing Fidel Castro's communist government prohibit certain commercial transactions with Cuba, generally attempting to deny money.

After the initial rejection, the International Baseball Federation threatened to withdraw its sanction of the tournament if Cuba was not allowed to participate. In addition, Puerto Rico threatened to withdraw as a host.

The tournament, the first in which the world's top players will participate on national teams, runs from March 3-20.

[Agente Libre]

Now the question is, will Cuba actually show up?

I say it's no better than 50-50.

[Cubano100%]

This is great news!

However, this is just the first step only (Treasury Department).

Now the ball is in the State Department for the visas.

Third, Will Castro allow Cuba to compete?

Cuba is coming for sure. I hope they send young players.

[Licey Fan]

It was about time!!

Now we can focus in some ball...

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

It was only the right thing to do!

[Bonus]

Ok, sounds like great news. Now that this hurdle is out of the way, when will Puerto Rico and WBC start selling tickets?

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Great news. Too bad for the Netherlands. Their chances to reach the first two spots in their group, will be very slim now.

[Baseball Guru]

Great news. Too bad for the Netherlands. Their chances to reach the first two spots in their group, will be very slim now.

But at least they will now have the opportunity to play Not having Cuba in could have jeapordized the entire tourney...

I'm SIKED!! Thank goodness they were allowed to play....

[Gamingboy]

Today is a historic day.

[Andruw]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060120&content_id=1298440&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[west coast orange and black]

Bob Hannah: This is a good thing. The inclusion of Cuba adds a great amount of legitimacy to the tournament.

can't add to that. i am lookin' forward to the event.
maybe i'll catch a game or two in arizona, then see the giants.

[Gamingboy]

I wonder who Cuba will bring....