RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Players for the Cuba team leave the field at Volunteer Stadium for the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Little League World Series on Wednesday.
It was just one year ago that Cuba made its Little League World Series debut, receiving its first automatic bid as a part of the three-bid rotation of Cuba, Panama and Puerto Rico after multiple close calls in the Caribbean Region.
Though its run was ended somewhat early, the country did make history on Aug. 19, picking up its first win in Little League World Series history with an 11-1 victory over Australia. And in its other two matchups against Japan and Panama, the team fell by just one run.
Now, it’s back and ready to build off last year.
This year, Cuba once again received an automatic bid – this time alongside Puerto Rico. After Bayamo represented it in its debut, Santa Clara LL was the team to make its way through the Cuba regional to earn the country’s second bid. It’s an exciting time for the city, who will get to see its players represent the country at the event for the first time.
“When we won, the people of Santa Clara were prepared to receive us, and we had a lot of fun,” said Cuba manager Everaldo Machado prior to the event through an interpreter. “We were very happy to receive support, and we were treated as we never have been before.”
Through the 16-team tournament, Santa Clara went 8-1, losing to Matanzas, 11-3, in its third tournament matchup before rattling off six straight wins to earn its trip to Williamsport.
Two of those wins came against Matanzas, both just one day after the loss. And amidst a very competitive pool of teams, its last five wins had a combined margin of 19-8 – none being won by more than four runs.
“With the high level of this tournament (the Little League World Series), all of Cuba, all the other cities – not only Santa Clara – are working in Little League so that they can have a chance to make it here,” said Machado on the passions the country has for the sport.
Though their regional occurred back in March, the earliest of the bunch by far, that was by design. The country learned a lot from its first stint at the event and hopes to be better prepared for this one.
“The knowledge that they got from last year, they knew they needed to prepare the team better and do things that they normally don’t practice or do in their tournament in Cuba,” said Machado. “Just (hoping) to make the team better so that they can compete when they got here.”
The hope is to make a deep run and build off last year. Cuba’s opener takes place 5 p.m. this afternoon against Czech Republic at Volunteer Stadium.
“I don’t want to say that we’re better than the team from last year. But we’re going to do our best to get better results (than) last year,” said Machado. “We came prepared. I know I have a good team. The kids are very responsible and they’re very disciplined. We (hope to make a) good impression here, (our players) are proud to be here, and they have a lot of courage.”
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Publish date : 2024-08-15 08:57:00
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