by Pim van Nes
After 5 recent and close games played in the Caribean country, both national teams of Cuba and USA traveled to the Netherlands in order to participate in 26th Haarlemse Honkbal Week. Cuba defeated USA in 3 out of 5 games before departure to the Netherlands, where frequent rain showers have delayed all low land games so far. USA beat Japan 4-1 and Cuba was surprised by Puerto Rico with a 3-2 loss.
Against Japan, USA confided the start on the mound to Marco Gonzales who stayed there for 7 innings (1 ER) and the remaining two innings to David Berg. In the box appeared Trea Turner (2b), Johnny Field (lf), DJ Peterson (1b), Michael Conforto (dh), Kris Bryant (rf), Jose Trevino (3b), Michael Lorenzen (cf), Brett Hambright (c) and Kyle Farmer (ss).
The roster of 25 times World Champion Cuba is a list of well knowns names of players, who according to insiders are all strong candidates for next year’s World Baseball Classic:
Outfielders Alexei Bell, William Luis, Rusney Castillo, Frederich Cepeda, Alfredo Despaigne and Guillermo Heredia.
Infielders Barbaro Arruebarruena, Jose Abreu, Aledmis Diaz, Yulieski Gourriel, Alexander Guerrero and Rudy Reyes.
Catchers Frank Morejon and Ariel Pestano.
Pitchers Freddy Alvarez, Odrisamer Despaigne, Pablo Fernandez, Vladimir Garcia, Norberto Gonzalez, Dalier Hinojosa, Ismel Jimenez, Leandro Martinez, Darien Nunez and Yadier Pedroso.
Puerto Rico turns out to be a positive team in the tournament after having beaten both Cuba (3-2) and the Netherlands (4-2), both in evening games under the lights of Pim Mulier stadium. The tournament’s debutants are leading with an average of 1,000 after two games before USA with 1,000 after one game and Japan with 0,500 after two games. Without any win so far are Cuba, the Netherlands and Chinese Taipei.