In November the 53 National Series begins with a couple of modifications that encourage at least keeping track of it. In times of intense debates on the future of Cuban baseball, no doubt, this edition will serve to calibrate just where we are.
Some skeptics say the ball in Cuba hit bottom, that its domestic tournament has lost its cache, all the pomp which had a couple of decades ago. Other, perhaps too romantic, are still hugging the past, defending the idea of self-advancement, of empiricism, as sole provider of talent to achieve development and prosperity of the athletes.
Maybe those views have influenced some new implementation details for this tournament. It turns out that following the swap of the Gourriel family to Havana, or what is the same in Industriales, have uncovered the movement of players between teams. These months before the tournament almost has become a summer transfer market.
Besides the trio from Santi Spiritus, other determinants players have moved out their territories. And I say decisive players in previous seasons because these movements were happening before too, but they were of somehow athletes who were indifferent to the eyes of the National Commission.
For this series a few players of the highest level of quality in the country have already processed their swap. Most striking has been the fact that Victor Mesa has managed to resolve his latent headache for a shortstop and now the member of the national team Dainer Moreira, from Holguin who was active in the ranks of Guantanamo, will wear the uniform of Matanzas.
Havana’s city’s portent Jorge Luis Barcelán went to the Mayabe territory which will make it easier for him to play third base, once Yulieski Gourriel lands in Havana. With another possible rumored departure is the home province of Las Tunas slugger Joan Carlos Pedroso, although still not known his whereabouts and some are linking him to Santiago de Cuba, Isla de la Juventud and Matanzas teams.
From this series will be the provinces that regulate the respective permits in response to the participation in the national tournament, while the National Federation will only act as arbitrator in the decisions made by the relevant jurisdictions.
Also, if there is something to be grateful for this entity is the time change of games. For this edition, fans can expect to be in bed before midnight, as the matches are scheduled to start at 7:15 pm for those that will be transmitted by television and by 7 pm the rest.
In the 53 National Series will also debut the use of a novel element, which is that for the first time officially on Cuban baseball, television replays will come into effect. We still do not know how or what type of play will apply slow motion, it is only public knowledge that it will be used in matches transmitted by TV, one a day, and in the playoffs.
Photos: Internet/Ismael Francisco
