Cuba Knocked Out of World Baseball Classic

Cuba was knocked out in the first round of the World Baseball Classic for the first time in the tournament's history.

Cuba began the tournament defeating both Panama (3-1) and Colombia (7-4). The Cuban team then lost to powerhouse Puerto Rico (4-1) before falling to Canada (7-2).

It was unclear a few months ago whether Cuba would even play in the WBC, not because of baseball, but because of U.S. policy.

“We were aware that there could be denials due to the United States’ aggressive policy toward Cuba,” said Juan Reinaldo Pérez, the president of the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation.

In the end, the players were granted the visas, but eight Cuban staff, including a scout and a pitching coach, were denied them.

The Trump administration last year blocked visas for some 100 Cuban athletes and sports officials, according to Cuban authorities.

Check out our article “Playing Dirty: Rubio’s War on Cuban Athletes” to learn more.

Cuban baseball ballplayers have also faced pressure from right-wing activists and politicians in Miami. In the last WBC in Miami, Cuban players and their family members were harassed and had objects thrown at them.