The Cuban delegation attending the Caribbean Baseball Series, based in this city, expressed its disagreement with irregularities that forced them to seek an alternative venue for training.
When going to the training session in the field of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in the town of Boca Chica, the Cuban team was informed that they could not use it despite the commitment initially agreed by the organizers.
Junior Noboa , vice president for international affairs at the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League, said the refusal came from the MLB office for Latin America, making Cuba the only country without access to its facilities in the tournament.
According to Noboa, the arguments are linked to the supposed privilege that would enjoy the Arizona scouts to view more closely than their counterparts to the Cuban talents, and possible risks in case of injuries in these scenarios.
A note posted on JIT sports site says that the Cuban delegation considered unacceptable such valuations, as they generate an excluding treatment, alien to the sense of the competition.
The source added that the authorities of the Caribbean classic must also worry about the siege the Cuban team is undergoing by individuals linked to the theft of athletes, who have insisted on increasing their work even at the very hotel where the Cuban squad is staying.
The efforts of the local league allowed the Ciego de Avila Tigers to train at the Athletes Premier International complex, in the town of Hato Viejo, although the new route considerably lengthened the working day.
Cuba reiterated its appreciation for the efforts of the Caribbean baseball family but insisted that it will not allow violations against the integrity of its members and the rules of healthy competition, which requires equal conditions for all.
Ciego de Avila to debut in Caribbean Baseball Series
The Cuban team Ciego de Avila Tigers will look for a win on its debut today in the Santo Domingo 2016 Caribbean Baseball Series, in this city, when facing the Mazatlan Venados, champion of the Mexican Pacific League.
The representative of Cuba was bye on the opening day of the tournament while the monarchs of the Mexican professional baseball surprisingly beat 3-2 the favorite and local side of the Leones del Escogido.
The contribution of the aces Yuliesky Gourriel and Alfredo Despaigne, only players present in the previous two Caribbean Series with Cuban teams after returning to these contests in 2014, will be decisive in victory aspirations.
Speaking to ACN, Gourriel showed confidence in the quality of his squad, on which he said it comes in excellent condition, with an optimal balance between young players and experienced athletes.
With astronomical batting average of .500 in the current season of the National Series, including 15 homers and 51 RBIs, Yuliesky Gourriel predicted that this will be an extremely demanding tournament because all the teams arrive in good shape and have high quality players.
Meanwhile, the slugger Alfredo Despaigne said he is very focused on contributing the most to the cause of the Ciego de Avila Tigers from the role of designated hitter, but he could also play on the leftfield.
Announced to represent Cuba in the home run derby scheduled for Wednesday, Despaigne said he was physically fit after enjoying a few months off, following his participation in the 2015 Japanese professional baseball season, where he hit 18 homers.
Yuliesky Gourriel (2B) and Alfredo Despaigne (DH) will bat third and fourth, respectively, in the lineup announced to debut today by coach Roger Machado, preceded by Stayler Hernandez (RF) and Yurisbel Gracial (3B).
Yosvani Alarcón (C), Ariel Borrero (1B), Jose Garcia Adolis (CF), Yorbis Borroto (SS) and Lourdes Y. Gourriel (LF) will bat from fifth to ninth in that order, while the right-hander Vladimir Garcia will be the Cuban starting pitcher.
The other game today in the Santo Domingo 2016 Caribbean Baseball Series will be between the host Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
