S P O R T S

Havana.  September 19, 2013

AFTER much speculation about the initiation of Cuba’s 53rd National Series, national director for the sport, Higinio Vélez reported to a September 13 meeting of the National Sports, Physical Education and Recreation Institute (INDER) with the press, that Cuba’s baseball season will begin November 3, in eight ballparks around the country, breaking with the tradition of opening the series with a special game between the previous year’s champion and second-place team.
It was announced that the championship will be conducted using the same structure established last year, with only two differences. The consolation series, for teams which do not qualify for the second round to vie for the title, has been eliminated, and televised games will start earlier, at 7:15pm.
All 16 teams will participate in the first round, playing a full schedule of 45 games all-against-all, concluding December 29. On January 4, the draft to select reinforcement players from teams not qualifying for the second round will take place, followed by the All-Star game January 5.
January 11 through March 17, the second definitive series will be played, consisting of 42 games, with a 10-day break (January 30-February 10) when Villa Clara will represent Cuba in the Caribbean Series.
The semifinal games are scheduled March 19-28 and the final championship series March 30-April 7.
Regarding the season’s slightly later start, INDER President Christian Jiménez reported that teams and facilities were in a position to begin October 1, but "our meteorologist friends dissuaded us, since weather forecasts indicate that the coming month will be very rainy, with the strong likelihood of a hurricane, mortal enemies of baseball."
Jiménez added that required uniforms, protective gear, transportation and lodging for the season have been procured, at a cost of 25.7 million CUP and more than two million CUC.
Vélez also reported that an Under-23 National Championship will be held in August and September, 2014, with the participation of all 16 provinces, an event planned to reflect renewed attention to the development of young talent in the country. He likewise indicated that, in coming seasons, Cuba will begin sending teams to international tournaments for this age group.
At another point, several participants in the meeting commented on shortcomings of last year’s National Series, including the poor condition of some fields, umpire decision-making, work to improve pitching and position specialization – issues which have been addressed in the press over the last several months, along with the need to expand pitchers’ repertory.
In relation to the league’s officiating, Jiménez emphasized that an effort is being made to raise umpires’ salaries and reiterated the need for their specialization. If an official has been covering a specific base throughout the season, he should not be moved to another position for post-season play, one to which he is not accustomed, where different skills are required, Jiménez said.
Another issue addressed was the transfer of players between provinces. Vélez commented that Sanctí Spíritus authorities had authorized the Gourriel brothers to play in Havana, while Havana approved Jorge Luis Barcelán’s move to Mayabeque. The National Directorate supported Dainer Moreira’s request for a transfer to Matanzas, where his mother lives.
Additionally, Dr. Francisco Montesinos, responsible for physical and health issues on a national level, spoke about the need to approach international physical standards identified as ideal for players in different positions, and indicated that the athletes are ready for the season, among them Santiago’s Héctor Olivera and Frederich Cepeda in Sanctí Spíritus, who have responded positively to treatment of their injuries, while Cienfuegos catcher Adir Ferrán will not be on the field and, given the trauma he suffered, doctors are inclined to recommend that he not return to the league as a player, according to Montesinos.