Havana, Dec. – The announcement of the schedule for the resumption of the first games, as well as the confirmation that only those pending matches that determine qualification will be played, was made by the Cuban baseball authorities during a press conference.
Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, the national commissioner, explained that the accumulation of more than 50 suspended or completed games has put pressure on the end of the season amidst a complex economic scenario in the country.
On the 19th and 20th, the games between Mayabeque and Granma, Artemisa against Isla de la Juventud, Santiago de Cuba versus Villa Clara, Las Tunas against Ciego de Ávila, and Cienfuegos versus Pinar del Río were rescheduled.
On the 21st, the matchups Mayabeque vs. Artemisa, Industriales vs. Isla de la Juventud, and Las Tunas vs. Ciego de Ávila are planned.
The president of the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) as well, reiterated that the adjustments in the calendar are due to the need to conclude the National Series by the end of January, shortly before the start of the Caribbean Series.
In an intense exchange aimed at reaching agreements to ensure competitiveness and entertainment, there was consensus on the appropriateness of making decisions regarding the conclusion of the schedule as the qualification standings become clearer.
Baseball authorities even left open the possibility of playing additional games to determine the ranking of the teams qualifying for the quarterfinals, beyond first and second places, which also guarantee passage to the upcoming Elite League.
Regarding the start of the postseason, there are several options depending on the date when all qualifiers are finalized; in one scenario, the playoffs would begin on December 24, and in others, at the beginning of January.
There were also various views on reducing the quarterfinals to a best-of-five series, specifically considering the stronger option of playing two games first at the home of the lower-ranked team and the remaining three in the other venue, in order to optimize time.
Concerning the proposal to pause the playoffs and resume them after the Caribbean Series, Pérez Pardo argued, fundamentally, logistical reasons to dismiss it, at least based on current evaluations.
The official mentioned that after the decision to remove Venezuela as the host of the Caribbean Series, it remains uncertain whether the country chosen to assume the event will maintain the invitation to Cuba.
In this regard, the FCBS reported that it is awaiting contact with the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation to decide on this matter, the outcome of which could influence the course of the postseason.
The leadership of Cuban baseball reaffirmed its position that players involved in the playoffs would be ineligible for the Caribbean Series, an issue on which opinions varied.
Information from the Cuban News Agency (ACN)
