Cuba's national series begins Sunday with Industriales vs Santiago


Cuban baseball's 46th National Series begins on Sunday with a match between Industriales and Santiago with for the first time a heavy presence of Venezuelans among Cuban teams' coaches, the organizers said on Tuesday.

Venezuelans have joined the coaching staff of Pinar del Rio, Industriales, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba; as part of an exchange program between the two nations.

Sunday's match also features a Brazilian referee, alongside Cuban colleagues, as part of preparations for the Pan-American Games due in Rio de Janeiro.

The whole series features 16 teams, which between them have 500 players, and a woman referee, Yannet Moreno from Havana.

Also new this year is a rule that allows opening pitches to throw 100 balls, part of a new, tighter rulebook. Baseball authorities have ruled that only 62 Cuban fields are fit for the sport, down from 157 last year.

Either Deynnis Suarez or Frank Montieh will open the pitching for Industriales on Sunday. Both were part of the Cuban team that won the International Cup held in Chinese Taipei. Danny Betancourt, who has pitched for Cuba at Olympic display matches, will open for Santiago.

Source: Xinhua / People`s Daily Online

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