Cuba to play in US for Classic: Castro

[Judi Lynn]

Cuba to play in US for Classic: Castro
Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:16 AM ET

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba will play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in the United States in March despite the defection of many of its best players to the Major League, Cuban President Fidel Castro said on Wednesday.

Cuba's participation in the 16-nation tournament will still depend on U.S. authorities granting the necessary travel visas, he said.

The U.S. Treasury Department had initially denied a Major League Baseball request for a license for Cuba to play in the tournament, but reversed course last week on the condition that Cuba receive no money.

"Are we going to withdraw? It is they (United States) who decide. We will be there," Castro told reporters in his first comment on the tournament since Washington authorized Cuba, current Olympic champion, to play in the United States.
(snip/...)

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-01-26T071649Z_01_SP107742_RTRUKOC_0_US-CUBA-BASEBALL.xml&archived=False

[Mika]

1. Best of luck to them.

It'll be 'interesting' to see how the Miamicuban exile factions react to the Cuban team's appearances.

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

3. The more teams the better!

I'd be interested to see how many of them decide to stay in the U.S.

[Mika]

4. For million+ dollar contracts, wouldn't most at least want to?

But, for anti Cuba propaganda purposes, they'll be referred to as "defectors".

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

6. Exactly it would be all about the money...

I would stay in Antartica for a contract worth millions...

[Judi Lynn]

7. Yeah, "defectors!"When Haitians try to "defect" they get arrested

and sent right back to Haiti, where they stand every chance of being murdered by the new _Bush-designed, non-populist, non-Haitian serving, right-wing government.

[Bridget Burke]

5. Some of the exile factions might surprise you....

Back when "Buena Vista Social Club" came out, one of Houston's Cubanos wrote to the Chronicle, blasting the film. Blasting any theater that dared show it.

Then, somehow, he actually saw it. So he wrote the Chronicle again. This time, he blasted anyone who hadn't seen the film! Politics come, politics go. He was a Cubano.

[Mika]

8. Not surprised by much. Yes, there is a wide range of opinion.

I know Miamicubans on all side of the issue. Generally, the Cuban immigrants who refer to themselves as "exiles" are not pro dialog (although even that is not an absolute).

--

Cuban-Americans focus is local, not on Cuba or Castro

The survey, aimed at gauging Cuban American views on a range of topics, also found that most of those polled want their elected officials to focus more on local issues rather than on international concerns, such as the much-debated U.S. trade and travel embargo against Cuba.

[henslee]

2. It's all good. Whatever brings us together.

[mac56]

9. Great Freudian slip:

"..many of its best players to the Major League.."

We've lamented for years there's just one big Major League now. No more AL and NL anymore. This reflects that belief.

[Judi Lynn]

10. Peter Ueberroth Asks US Govt To Let Cuba Baseball Team Into US

Caracas,
Thursday
January 26,2006


Peter Ueberroth Asks US Govt To Let Cuba Baseball Team Into US

NEW YORK -- U.S. Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth called on the American government to reverse its decision to deny Cuba's national baseball team permission to play in the United States, keeping it out of next year's World Baseball Classic.

Ueberroth, a former U.S. Major League Baseball commissioner and head of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, said last week's decision by the Treasury Department to deny Cuba a permit to play in the 16-team event will damage American efforts to host the Olympics in the future. Olympic host countries must guarantee all nations can participate.

Cuba is set to play against Puerto Rico, Panama, the Netherlands in Puerto Rico - a U.S. territory - in the first round.

"It is important to any future bid city from the United States that this be reversed," Ueberroth said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It's disappointing. This will impact IOC members negatively. This may be the only example of a country prohibiting competition on an international scale."
(snip/...)

http://www.thedailyjournalonline.com/article.asp?ArticleId=214799&CategoryId=14510