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The Cuban Baseball Federation has officially announced the Leñadores de Las Tunas team, bolstered by 11 players from seven provinces, to represent the island in the I Baseball Series of the Americas, which will take place in Nicaragua from January 23 to 31.
The event, organized by the newly established Association of Baseball of the Americas, will feature the participation of the champions from the leagues of Panama, Colombia, Curaçao, Argentina, Nicaragua, and Cuba.
Among the reinforcements are catcher Nelson Batista, infielder Yordan Manduley (Holguín), outfielder and national team member Yoelquis Guibert (Santiago de Cuba), and batter Guillermo Avilés (Granma).
These positional players join a strong group already led by figures like Yosvani Alarcón and Rafael Viñales, according to JIT.
Regarding the pitching staff, manager Abeicy Pantoja opted for prominent names, including Yoannis Yera (Matanzas), Geonel Gutiérrez (Artemisa), Raymond Figueredo, and Andy Vargas (Industriales), all of whom have experience in the Premier 12, as well as Dariel Góngora (Camagüey), Frank Herrera (Industriales), and Danni Betancourt (Santiago de Cuba).
According to Prensa Latina, one of the most emotional moments of the selection was the inclusion of Danel Castro, a legendary player from Tunero and the all-time leader in hits in Cuban baseball history with 2,502 hits. Despite having announced his retirement after 30 seasons, the prominent athlete is returning to lend his experience for this historic event.
With a team of 27 players, the Leñadores aim not only to compete but also to raise the flag of Cuba high on the podium in this inaugural edition of the Series of the Americas.
Official roster of the Leñadores de Las Tunas
Recipients: Yosvani Alarcón, Rafael Viñales, Nelson Batista.
Infield players: Yudier Rondón, Roberto Baldoquín, Yordanis Alarcón, Jean Baldoquín, Yunior Otero, Yordan Manduley, Danel Castro, Guillermo Avilés.
Gardeners: Denis Peña, Yunieski Larduet, Héctor Castillo, Yoelquis Guibert.
Pitchers: Eliander Bravo, Alejandro Meneses, Alberto P. Civil, Kenier Ferraz, Rodolfo Díaz, Raymond Figueredo, Andy Vargas, Geonel Gutiérrez, Dariel Góngora, Yoannis Yera, Frank Herrera, Danni Betancourt.
The expectations are high, and the Cuban fans hope that the Leñadores continue to showcase their quality, now on the international stage.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Participation of the Leñadores de Las Tunas in the Americas Baseball Series
Who are the standout reinforcements of the Las Tunas Lumberjacks for the Americas Baseball Series?
Among the standout additions to the Leñadores de Las Tunas are catcher Nelson Batista, infielder Yordan Manduley, outfielder Yoelquis Guibert, and hitter Guillermo Avilés. These players come from different provinces and are joining the team to compete in Nicaragua.
What is the significance of Danel Castro's participation in the Las Tunas team?
Danel Castro's participation is particularly emotional and significant, as he is a legend of baseball from Las Tunas and the all-time leading hitter in the history of Cuban baseball with 2,502 hits. Despite having announced his retirement, he returns to contribute his experience in this international competition.
When and where will the Leñadores de Las Tunas debut in the Americas Baseball Series?
The Leñadores de Las Tunas will debut in the Americas Baseball Series on January 24 against Nicaragua at the Roberto Clemente Stadium in Masaya. This game will mark the beginning of their participation in the tournament.
How is the Las Tunas Lumberjacks team structured in terms of positions?
The team of the Leñadores de Las Tunas is made up of 27 players distributed across various positions: 3 catchers, 11 infielders, 5 outfielders, and 8 pitchers. This structure aims to balance offense and defense to compete effectively in the tournament.
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