The Provincial Sports Directorate of Santiago de Cuba announced this Thursday the immediate dismissal of Eddy Cajigal García as manager of the Santiago Wasps, following a series of technical indiscretions in the current 64th National Series of Baseball (SNB).
The measure comes after the team lined up an improper player for the fifth time, an occurrence that, according to the authorities, is "unacceptable" and compromises the integrity of the tournament.
In a statement published on Facebook, the sports entity expressed its recognition of the outgoing coach's effort, highlighting his sacrifice and commitment "even while working sick" amid the challenging sanitation situation facing the province, affected by the spread of viruses and the effects of Hurricane Melissa.
Still, they admitted that the management team "has not fulfilled its role" in this Series, despite progress in recent editions and in the Elite Baseball League (LEB).
Authorities explained that, despite the confidence given by sports specialists, the Provincial Baseball Commission and INDER, Cajigal's leadership reached a critical point.
"The failure to adopt measures to prevent further incidents of misconduct and violations of the regulations is deemed unacceptable," the text emphasizes.
The decision states that the bench coach, Idalberto Lamothe Lombart, will take over the team's management until the end of this phase.
A scandal that defines the season
One of the most embarrassing episodes occurred on Wednesday at the Latinoamericano stadium during the game against Industriales.
Santiago de Cuba lost 6-3, but even if they had won, they would have lost by forfeit for using Carlos Monier as a substitute, who was not listed as available in the official game documents, according to the report from CubaSí.
The specialized portal Swing Completo detailed that the improper use of the player caused unrest within the team: several players initially refused to return to the field, and others openly protested against the management, as seen in the televised broadcast.
The same source indicated that, initially, some players had "forgiven" Cajigal in a meeting after the match, where it was supposedly suggested to give him another chance.
However, the publication from the Provincial Sports Directorate denied any possibility of rectification.
"Another scandal in Cuban baseball, which surprises us every day with a new piece of news... almost all in poor taste," the outlet concluded.
A reflection of the crisis in sports in Cuba
Cajigal's dismissal is not an isolated event.
Technical irregularities, repeated indiscipline, and the tension between players and management are visible symptoms of the deep crisis facing Cuban sports.
Baseball, regarded as the national sport, is not immune to the shortage of resources, the deterioration of infrastructure, the lack of proper equipment, and the constant emigration of talent.
The communiqué from Santiago alluded—without mentioning it explicitly—to the difficult material and sanitary conditions under which the sports staff works, describing a reality where coaches even work while sick, affected like any citizen by circulating viruses and the aftermath of a hurricane.
The fall of one of the most iconic teams in Cuban baseball and the controversial departure of its sporting director once again brings to the forefront an inevitable debate: Cuban baseball, like sports in Cuba as a whole, is at a crossroads that can no longer be hidden behind empty talk of sacrifice; it demands profound transformations, both on and off the field.
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