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Any confirmation? I read this on a Panamanian sports website on english translation..
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As I interpret it, Cuba was invited to participate in the 2013 Caribbean Series to be held in Hermosillo, Mexico, where they are building a new stadium.
The Cubans studied the issue very carefully, and realised that to play a) they would have to join the Caribbean Confederation, and b) they would have to host the event every five years (or maybe six, if another country was added). They came up that the total costs for that, plus the traveling and playing, would cost them about a million dollars. So they counter proposed that they be members of nothing, just invited guests in 2013, where Mexico would foot the bill for flying them in and out, meals, transportation and residence. We are awaiting the official answer.
By the way, nobody has even touched the thorny issue of the Embargo when Puerto Rico hosts (this also came up as applied to the Classic). The series would be Spring Training for the Cuban team playing in the World Baseball Classic.
So, no official word yet. My guess is that they will play and fill up the park; past successes and Alexei Ramirez and Yoennis Cespedes will see to that (Cubans who jumped straight from the Serie Nacional to the Majors). -
What is preventing Panama, Colombia and Nicaragua from participating? I know the leagues are weak.Comment
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Just that. In the interviews I've read during the five Caribbean World Series I've attended they talk about the poor league structure in those countries and that is why they do not participate. Cuba has been invited. I'm guessing they will not show. Hermosillo has also mentioned inviting a team from Korea to balance out the field, but I've not heard much more on that either.Originally posted by Richard View PostComment
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From what I've read, the Caribbean Confederation wants more maturity and stability in their leagues. Colombia is a passive Confederation member, which may give them the inside track to getting an invite or replacing a no show (Puerto Rico in 2008). Professional baseball returned to Panama last winter and has supposedly secured MLB support for PROBEIS' second season. The Nicaraguan league (LNBP) seems to have the least MLB support of the three and lack Cuba's appeal to make up for it too. On a side note, South Korea's participation would make for an interesting Series, but would it be right to still call it the "Serie del Caribe"?Originally posted by Richard View PostComment
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I think inviting Panama, Nicaragua and Colombia with a provision to upgrade facilities within five years to host an event would be more appealing. Actually, Panama recently upgraded their facilities for the Baseball World Cup and I think Colombia reportedly is getting a new baseball stadium or major upgrade. The Puerto Rico Baseball League has the infrastructure but seemingly is always on the verge of collapse. I mean the Caribbean World Series will never be the same because most of the players are second and third tier playersin the minor leagues. At least make it more interesting.Comment
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The funny thing is that Nicaragua in the mid 2000s with some imports could have beaten anyone; they argued illogically that Nicaragua had almost no bigleaguers in those days... It is true; since Dennis Martinez Stadium has been half condemned there are no facilities to host the event (even with eight stadiums with lights and six cleared for professional play by MLB). So at the moment Nicaragua has not enough good native players nor the facilities for the Caribbean Series; these days you cannot pull a "Carta Vieja" (the Panamanian team with all imports that won the series in the early fifties).
Colombia has been improving; though their league is not as strong as Nicaragua's, they are far more organized despite the Bogota and Medellin setbacks. They even went to the extreme of playing the champion of the Winter Veracruz league (unaffiliated) to prove they have the necessary postseason organization in place (which Nicaragua, for instance, never acchieved, losing two postseasons in a row to Colombia before the Winter league was not held for a year.
However, the real reason Nicaragua has not been, and will not be invited, is that nobody trusts Daniel Ortega's government, people are afraid he might start to copy Cuba again (like in the 80s) and bring back Amateurism. Right now Ortega is following the Chinese model and also economically backing the Winter League.Comment
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If cuba shows up they will be there as guests. And cuba will probably send a national team. In fact I would love if prior to the classic all caribbean countries send a national team but that wont happen.Originally posted by titorondon View Post
Cuba can't host a international tournament yet. They aren't ready for it. They havent hosted a major sporting since 1991 pan am games. Also issues with cuba's sports program will probably make it very difficult to show up. I have heard just on a rumour level from cuban coaches in Venezuela. That it is possible that the classic team cuba sends will be very carefully selected. In other words players who are not having the chances of defecting. For MLB fans it is not a big deal. But for local cuban teams it is very embarrassing and increases paranoia among the national organisation.
If cuba goes they will be guests maybe as a series of friendly or not eligible for championship in the CWS or be allowed to fully participate but not receive any monetary compensation.Comment
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Cuba hosted Cups in the mid 2000s. The Confederation already said no to Cuba in 2013, it is on stand by for 2014.
Everybody knows that Cuba is modifying its position in regards to pro sports. they already have one player in Organized Ball (in Mexico) who liuves in Cuba.
My guess is that the Confederation is waiting for more news...Comment
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