During a press conference, Cuban Baseball Commissioner Juan Reinaldo Perez Pardo announced that the 61st edition of the National Championship will open on 22 January 2022. The Martires de Barbados Stadium in Bayamo, on the Eastern part of the island, will host the opening game.
The 16 participants will compete in a 75-game regular season before heading to the playoffs.
The Cuban National League will comply with WBSC international requirements, using clocks in every ballpark to implement the 20-second rule for pitchers.
After announcing the National League's opening date, the Commissioner said that pitcher Raidel Martinez signed a three-year contract extension with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Hurlers Yariel Rodriguez, Guillermo Garcia and Frank Abel Alvarez agreed on a one-year deal. Cuban baseball living legend Omar Linares joined the Dragons' coaching staff.
During the press conference, Cuba also announced that a National Team would compete in the first Pan American Youth Games, set to open on 26 November at the Edgar Renteria Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia.
