28/09/2023 2 Minute Read

Meet the four managers of the Baseball Champions League Americas

(Photo left to right) Leonardo Soto, Carlos Vidal, Roberto Vizcarra and Chris Coste spoke about their expectations about the tournament and announced game one and two starting pitchers.

The managers of the four teams participating in the inaugural Baseball Champions League Americas met the local press at the Kukulkan Alamo Park in Merida, Mexico.

Chris Coste, Fargo-Moorehead Red Hawks, was born in 1973 in Fargo, North Dakota, and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut at age 33. He would eventually win a World Series title with the Philadelphia Phillies and wrote a book about his experience.

"I'm thrilled about being here. The goal my players have is to seek opportunities. Our only problem is that...our uniforms are stuck at the customs. We may have to borrow them from you to play," he joked with the other managers.

The Red Hawks will debut against the Alazanes de Granma.

"I can't wait to play a Cuban team," commented Coste. "We don't know much about them and are very excited."

Cristian Lindsay-Young will start the game.

"I can tell you that we will hand the ball to Coltan Davis, a 23-year-old prospect, against the Leones. After these two games, we will decide the rest of the rotation. I believe the pitching is our strength"

Carlos Vidal, Caimanes de Barranquilla, is the youngest Baseball Champions League Americas manager. He was born in 1995 and made the All-World Team as the centre fielder at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2018.

"Being here is a great experience for myself and the players. I think we have a good team. I feel good vibes. There's chemistry. I can't wait to play and show the level of Colombian baseball."

Right-hander José Piña will start the game against Leones.

"We have already chosen Carlos Ocampo for the game against Granma. The starter of the third game will depend on the results of the first two games," added Vidal.

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Leonardo Soto has been the bench coach for historic Alazanes de Granma manager Carlos Marti.

"It's a privilege to be part of the first edition of the Baseball Champions League. We are here to showcase the level of the Cuban National League. We added players who starred in the 62nd National League in Cuba. We tried to put together the best team possible to come here and play good baseball."

Soto said that the ball for the inaugural game against Fargo will go to Erlis Casanova.

"As my colleagues, I have a starter for the second game. The ball will go to Raymond Figueredo. The results will determine the next starter," commented Soto.

Leones de Yucatan manager Roberto Vizcarra, nicknamed El Chapo, has been a Mexican Baseball League star as a player and won it four times as a manager, two (2018, 2022) with the Leones de Yucatan. He was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame with the 2023 class.

"I want to welcome you to beautiful Merida and to Yucatan, a State that shows a lot of passion for baseball. I wish the best to everybody, and hopefully, you will enjoy your time here."

The Leones added to their roster top players such as sluggers Josh Fuentes and JC Escarra, middle infielder Jonathan Villar, and pitchers Wilmer Rios and Cesar Vasquez.

"Henderson Alvarez will start the first game against the Caimanes, and we will send Wilmer Rios to the mound against Fargo. The results will help us choose the next starter."