Cuba has announced the rosters for the upcoming international tournaments this summer, as they will send teams to the Haarlemse Honkbalweek, the World University Championship in Japan and the World Junior Championships in Canada. Cuba also is going to play the Intercontinental Cup in Taiwan and the Baseball World Cup Qualifier in Puerto Rico later this year.
While Cuban league MVP and last year’s homerun king at the Baseball World Cup Alfredo Despaigne will only make the trip to Japan, but not to the Netherlands, fans of the Haarlem Baseball Week still can look forward to the Cuban team, even though it is clearly not the A squad. Alexei Bell, who won the batting title in the 2008 Olympics, is probably the biggest name on the roster. Also aboard will be well-known pitchers Norberto Gonzalez and Maikel Folch.
Cuban Roster for Haarlem:
Catchers: Rolando Meriño, Yulexis La Rosa, Osvaldo Arias, Eriel Sánchez
Infielders: Yunier Mendoza, Yoenni Southeran, Joan Carlos Pedroso, Mario Jorge Vega, Danel Castro, Vismay Santos, Donald Duarte, Rudy Reyes, Dainer Moreira, Alexander Ayala
Outfielders: Alexei Bell, Andy Zamora, Ariel Sánchez, Reutilio Hurtado, Edilse Silva, Serguey Pérez
Pitchers: Ángel Peña, Luís Borroto, Ciro Silvino Licea, Yoelkis Cruz, Yoandry Portal, Freddy Asiel Álvarez, Maikel Folch, Robelio Carrillo, Raudel Lazo, Norberto González, Duniel Ibarra, Alberto Soto La O.
Manager: Germán Mesa
Assistant Coaches: Bárbaro Marín, Gerardo Simón, Julio Romero
Rosters for the World University Championships and the World Juniors are available on Baseballdecuba.com
In Haarlem Cuba will meet teams from the Netherlands, the United States (NJCAA All Stars), Taiwan, Japan and Venezuela. The 25th edition of the tournament will be played from July 9th to 18th. For more information go to the official website www.honkbalweek.nl