The Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) announced this Saturday the incorporation of a group of coaches to the preparation of the team that will represent it in the upcoming V World Classic (WBC)to be held in the first days of next March.
The coaching staff, headed by manager Armando Johnson, will now have the support of Alexander Ramos, also from Pinar del Río, and Rolando Verde, from the capital, two former players with extensive experience preparing teams, including several national teams.
According to what was announced by the FCB on its Twitter account, José Manuel Cortina, from Pinar del Río, considered one of the best specialists in the pitching area in Cuban baseball, along with his compatriot Alexander Urquiola, who recently led the Tabacaleros team to the semifinals of the First Elite League of Cuban Baseball (LEBC).
Rolando Verde, Alexander Ramos, Frank Camilo Morejón, Juan Manrique, Andrés García, José Manuel Cortina, Alexander Urquiola and Diodel Reyes will support the work of the designated technical group in preparation for the World Baseball Classic. #Cuba #elCubaClasico pic.twitter.com/o4jy1vs494
— Cuban Baseball Federation (@CubanaBeisbol) January 14, 2023
Two former receivers who went through the national team, such as Juan Manrique from Matanzas and Frank Camilo Morejón from Havana, will support the enlistment of the players of that position in the preselected roster, while Andrés García and Dioel Reyes complete the staff of announced coaches.
The FCB aspires to improve the image left behind in the previous edition of the tournament, and for this it has summoned for the first time players who play without its protection in various foreign leagues, including the Major League Baseball (MLB) from United States.
Shortly after the players residing in that country received authorization from the US government to represent Cuba in the tournament, a preselection of 50 names in which players from the Big Top stand out, such as outfielder Luis Robert Moirán and infielder Yoan Moncada, both belonging to the Chicago White Sox.
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Players linked to the FCB who play professionally in leagues such as the Japanese along with others who remain on the Island also appear on that list. As announced, preparation will begin on January 15 at the Latin American Stadium.
The team is expected to travel to Japan in February for three friendly matches against Japanese professional clubs before arriving in the Taiwanese city of Taichung, site of group A of the tournament.
In addition to the host representation, the Cuban team will share space with the teams from the Netherlands, Italy and Panama from March 8, the start date of the tournament.
Cuba has participated in the four previous editions of the World Baseball Classic. His best performance in these competitions dates from the initial version, held in 2006, when he finished in second position after losing in the final to the team from Japan.
