Cuban Baseball team finished on second place in the World Baseball Classic

Cuba a country with a great baseball history, Fidel Castro himself was a minor-league pitcher, had long dominated international baseball. although its accomplishments were somewhat diminished as it was generally facing off against teams of amateurs.

Cubans' route to the WBC finals shows quality of Cuban players. Comprising victories over Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, and Dominican teams stocked with major league stars, erased any doubts about their ability to compete at the highest levels.

 Cuba beats Australia to reach 2nd round at WBC

Pinch-hitter Yosbany Peraza hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and Cuba survived a scare to beat Australia 5-4 on Tuesday to earn a spot in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

Cuba, the 2006 runner-up, is 2-0 and grabbed the first ticket from Group B for the next round in San Diego. Australia (1-1) and Mexico (1-1) play on Wednesday to determine who will join Cuba in the second round. The Australians thrashed Mexico 17-7 in their opening game.

"It's a team that has always given us a fight," said Cuba manager Higinio Velez.
With two outs and Youlieski Gourriel on base, Pereza replaced Joan Carlos Pedroso and sent reliever Richard Thompson's fourth pitch into the left field stands.

Cuba opened the scoring in the third inning with Frederich Cepeda's RBI single off Australian starter Travis Blackley.
Australia tied it in the fourth when Luke Hughes doubled and Ben Risinger followed with a run-scoring single off Cuba starter Aroldis Chapman.



Yoennis Cespedes put the Cubans ahead 2-1 with a solo home run in the top of the sixth, but the lead was short-lived as Australia replied with three runs in the bottom half.
Reliever Norberto Gonzalez walked Hughes, who made it to third following a balk and Chris Snelling's sacrifice. Pedro Luis Lazo replaced Gonzalez and the veteran pitcher was immediately in trouble after allowing a run-scoring line drive by Justin Huber.

With two outs, Michael Collins hit a single and the two runners advanced to second and third following a poor throw to second base by Lazo. A walk to Brad Harman loaded the bases and James Beresford knocked in two runs with a line drive to left field to put the Australians up 4-2.
The Cubans cut the deficit with Michel Enrique's RBI double in the seventh.
Ismel Jimenez (1-0) tossed 2 2-3 shutout innings in relief to seal it for Cuba.

After the game, Velez responded to criticism from Australian coach Jon Deeble, who complained that the Cuban lineup he received before the game was different to the batting order in the game.
The original lineup had Alexander Mayeta batting fifth, but once the game started Mayeta batted seventh and Alfredo Despaigne was in the fifth spot.
Deeble said it was "a lack of respect" from the Cubans and that it was typical of the Cuba team.

Cuba came into the World Baseball Classic as the most mysterious team in the field and finished as the runner up in
the World Baseball Classic after its 10-6 loss to Japan. Cuba in Japanese
This was a historical tournament, because it showed that other players besides those who are in the Major Leagues can win the championship.

President Fidel Castro - himself sent congratulations to the national team in San Diego for having reached the semifinals. Cuba has a baseball team that combines experienced players with top quality young talents, they know how to play baseball.


        
World Baseball Classic 2006 Cuban Baseball Team

- Pitchers Luis Borroto - Villa Clara Maikel Folch - Ciego de Avila Yulieski Gonzalez - La Habana Pedro Luis Lazo - Pinar del Rio Yadel Marti - Industriales Jonder Martinez - La Habana Yunieski Maya - Pinar del Rio Vicyohandry Odelin - Camaguey Adiel Palma - Cienfuegos Yadiel Pedroso - La Habana Yosvany Perez - Cienfuegos Ormari Romero - Santiago de Cuba Dennis Suarez - Industriales
- Catchers Roger Machado - Ciego de Avila Ariel Pestano - Villa Clara Erier Sanchez - Sancti Spiritus Leslie Anderson - Infielders Ariel Borrero - Villa Clara Michel Enriquez - Isla de la Juventud Yulieski Gourriel - Sancti Spiritus Juan Carlos Moreno - Isla de la Juventud Eduardo Paret - Villa Clara Joan Carlos Pedroso - Las Tunas Rudy Reyes - Industriales
-Outfielders Frederich Cepeda - Sancti Spiritus Yoandy Garlobo - Matanzas Alexei Ramirez - Pinar del Rio Carlos Tabares - Industriales

Cuban Baseball is unfettered by business interests and played for sport and love of the game. And while Cuban players are among the world elite, they are puerile at play. For the baseball enthusiast,what could possibly be better ? With collective recognition a that baseball in North America is more about business than sport. To understand baseball is to understand life. For Mr. Rivera, the story of baseball is the story of the Cuban people. The elemental battle of the Cuban people is joined in the athletic achievements of the revolution.. If you can harness baseball, you can capture the hearts and minds of the Cubans.

"Cuban baseball kicks ass " seems to be the contemporary bromide of Cuban Americans. Cuban people are always conflicted. We love to see Cubans kick ass in the Pan-American games and in the Olympics. Former semi-pro athlete who now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mario has difficulty feeling loss for Cuba and her baseball resources which are increasingly being siphoned by the lure of big money in the Major Leagues.
"You can only be idealistic for so long and you can't live on national sentiment", he says referring to the very low paid to Cuban athletes.
Cuban ball players have a great deal to gain from the opening of the game to American influence, is play with certain degrees of passion. Cuba is poised to renegotiate her economic role and as the restrictions on her people are not relaxed, but the "quality" of baseball in the island is certain, on the upward spiral.