Ricardo Fraccari and Higinio Velez, presidents of the World Baseball-Softball Confederation (WBSC) and the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) respectively, signed an agreement that they both described as historic.

According to JIT sports publication, the document provides for cooperation for the construction of facilities and the formation and training of specialists.

It also includes items related to academic exchange, sports medicine and the hiring of Cuban athletes and coaches in professional clubs, among other aspects.

This is something historical because it opens a new path for Cuba, for the development of baseball, as well as possibilities for the athletes of the FCB to participate in other leagues, Fraccari told the press.

Meanwhile, Velez described the pact as determinant for the future of Cuban baseball: We have to look for alternative ways for the recruitment of our players, for our development, for technological exchange, so that our coaches to be able to see another horizon, he said.

I am convinced that at some point the talks with MLB will be reopened, but in the mean time we have to look for alternative ways. We needed an international organization to represent us, so signing this agreement is very important, Velez added.

Among other topics, both executives also talked about the second edition of the WBSC Premier 12 Tournament, scheduled for November 2-17, which grants two tickets to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.