Ciego de Avila wins
World Baseball Challenge in Canada
CIEGO de Avila’s Tigers,
representing Cuba, defeated Japan’s JX Eneos with a
knockout score of 14-4, to win the 3rd World
Baseball Challenge, held in the Canadian city of
Prince George, with five teams from around the world
participating.
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Outfielder
Yoelvis Fiss has
led Ciego’s offense and was
selected as the tournament’s
Most Valuable Player.
Foto: Armando Hernández.
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Led by manager Roger Machado, the
team came out swinging in the second inning, with
outstanding performances by Isaac Martínez, Humberto
Morales, Yorbis Borroto, Rubén Valdés and Yoelvis
Fiss, these last two hitting homeruns.
Japan came back in the third inning,
scoring two runs and tying the score in the fourth
with a homerun over right field by Ren Yamakahaki.
Cuba’s offense allowed right handed
pitcher Yander Guevara to get the job done, although
he gave up hits to several left-handers, winning the
third and final game against the Japanese team.
"With their great desire to play,
these boys are invincible. I never doubted the
victory, not even when they tied us in the fourth
inning. I know what they can muster and when the
opponent allows a gap, that’s exactly where they go.
Today it was the pitching," Machado commented.
"If I told you that I didn’t go out
looking for a homerun, but just to hit the ball, you
wouldn’t believe me. But I wanted to hit the fence
so much, it went just a tad farther," said Yoelvis
Fiss, who was chosen as the tournament’s most
valuable player.
Yander, who was able to overcome
obstacles and pitch the entire game said, "I had my
difficulties at times when the ball went high on me,
but I knew I would correct myself, I was ready for
that and no one else besides me would defeat the
Japanese. I had that as my objective and I came
through. I fulfilled my responsibility to Roger, to
the team, to Ciego de Avila and to Cuba."
Roger had previously stated, "Stay
calm. This guajiro is a fighter and
intelligent. I have confidence in him."
The Tigers offered examples of
joyful and well-coordinated play throughout the
tournament, always displaying their hunger for
victory.
"To those who doubted us, here is
your answer. For Cubans who follow us, this trophy
is for Ciego de Avila," the Tigers’ manager said.
This is Cuba’s second title in this
competition. In 2011, the country won with its
national team and on this occasion with a provincial
team, in an increasingly challenging tournament, one
of the best in the Americas which is not included in
the International Baseball Federation circuit, but
does a great deal to promote the sport. (Orbe)
