The National Commission for Baseball (CNB) of Cuba confirmed this Friday that the Elite League will not start next Saturday, as planned, due to logistical problems, according to official media on the island.
“The non-arrival of an essential part of the uniforms designed for the teams makes it necessary to postpone the start,” explained the organizing body of the tournament through a informative note published in the sports portal Hit.
The I Elite League will not start on Saturday #Cuban Baseball
The cause has to do with difficulties in the arrival to the country of the uniforms of the participating teams. #baseball #Cuba https://t.co/nLCnPhOKkc pic.twitter.com/EfhlrYvfFL— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) October 7, 2022
The text adds that the preparation of the uniforms “was carried out abroad, coordinated by the Cuban Baseball Federation with the Teammate brand (…), but causes beyond the control of both parties prevented the deadlines designed for the transfer from being met. ».
The CNB also emphasizes that “once we are in a position we will inform the new date for the start of the Elite League,” the publication specifies.
The information disclosed now contrasts with the statements offered last week by the national baseball commissioner, Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, who categorically stated on the Mesa Redonda television program that all the uniforms and equipment necessary to develop the tournament were in the country.
In other note on the subject, also published by Hitthe CEO of TeamMate for the Americas, Rafael Callas Cabrera, stated that the company Lantia Marítima SL, in charge of airlifting the equipment contracted by the CNB to the Caribbean country, could not meet the deadlines “due to the impacts of the hurricane Ian in the Caribbean and the United States.
According to the director, the airlines “have had to cancel flights and little by little the spaces are being reopened and cargoes are being released with delay due to the back log caused by this situation.
TeamMate CEO Addresses Elite League Situation #Cuban Baseball
Rafael Llamas will arrive at #Havana this Saturday to support the procedures that allow the arrival of the loads, their review and delivery to the recipient. #baseball #Cuba #Baseball https://t.co/lSShDbDtZP pic.twitter.com/kEdAQ6yEwj— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) October 7, 2022
The Elite League of Cuban Baseball has been designed with the purpose of raising the level of the sport on the Island, hard hit by the constant departure of its main figures and most promising talents, the only formula for the moment to fulfill the dream of playing one day in MLB teams in the United States.
For its implementation, surveys were carried out throughout the country among specialists, the press and fans, but even before its projected start it had generated a lot of controversy, especially due to the names chosen for the teams and their composition.
It is planned that six regional teams with the best players will participate in the tournament. The nominees of each cast will be made up of 32 players, plus 13 members of the body.
The four best teams of the regular phase will star in a crossed final, according to their location, and the best in that instance, agreed to a maximum of seven challenges, will discuss the title of the fair.
According to the strategy outlined by the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB)the Elite League is a key tournament for the development of baseball in the country, where it was declared Cultural Heritage of the nation.
