MIAMI, United States. — The Cuban team that participates in the fifth World Baseball Classic arrived this Wednesday in Miami, the city where it will play the semifinals of the event next Sunday against the winner of the clash between Venezuela and the United States.
Upon arrival at the Miami International Airport, the members of the island’s team offered statements to local media and different specialized sports platforms.
“We have already met our goal. We are physically and psychologically well prepared and we only think about winning the first game, ”he told The Cuban Family the captain of the team, Alfredo Despaigne.
Yariel Rodríguez, one of the most prominent Cuban pitchers at the event, insisted that Cuba is prepared and that it will seek to “give joy to the fans” of the island.
The Camagüey native, opener of the first game against the Netherlands and of the quarterfinals against Australia, explained that he could not pitch in the semifinals, but that he would be ready to open in case Cuba reaches the final of the Classic.
Referring to the semifinal match, which will measure the Antilles against an opponent yet to be defined, pitcher Liván Moinelo, one of the Cuban team’s fire extinguishers, assured that all the competing teams are extremely dangerous.
“All the teams are good. You have to play hard, because you can’t underestimate the opponent”, said the left-hander from Pinar del Río.
Yoan Moncada, one of the big leaguers who responded to the call of the Cuban Baseball Federation to participate in the baseball contest, said “I am happy to represent Cuba.”
“We are here in Miami, which was the dream we had of being in the semifinals. And well, here we are.”
Regarding the controversy surrounding the possibility of facing a hostile environment in the stadium, the players said they were prepared “for anything”.
In a live broadcast through the Cuban Ball USA platform, first baseman Yadir Drake expressed that everyone has their right to support or protest, as they see fit.
