MATANZAS, Cuba – In what is becoming a yearly tradition of using sport for diplomacy and strengthening ties — and in line with the vision of the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin — No. 3 ranked Cuba is currently hosting their neighbours to the north, No. 1 USA, to a five-game series in Matanzas and Pinar del Rio.
This is the third consecutive year the friendship series is being celebrated. Last year, USA Baseball invited the Cuban National Teamto play on U.S. soil, and the gesture was considered “historic” as it brought the Cuban National Team to the U.S. for the first time since 1996, the year of the Atlanta Olympic Games where Cuba won the gold medal.
Last night’s opener at Victoria de Giron Stadium was played before 10,500 enthusiastic fans, who saw Cuba defeat the U.S. — who are fielding their “Collegiate National Team” (CNT) — 4-3.
The series continues tonight at Victoria de Giron, before contesting the final three matches in Pinar del Rio.
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For more information on last night’s International Friendship Series opening match, see “CNT: Cuba edges U.S., 4-3, in series opener” by USA Baseball.
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