When I was hired to be the Team Coordinator for Cuba the US government had yet to grant them permission to participate in the tournament. Before the embargo, Cuba was Major League Baseball's lifeline and since has been replaced by the Dominican Republic. Very little is known about Cuban baseball besides the fact that they are very successful in International competition although many consider that to be amateur competition. Thanks to Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball Players Association in their creation of the World Baseball Classic they gave Cuba the opportunity to display their skill and face some of the best competition on a world stage.
When I was assigned to them, I did not know what their reaction would be to having been assigned a female coordinator. Being such a baseball rich country with their storied history in the sport, I was anxiously awaiting their reaction. In the back of my mind I also felt the pressure of what many Latin American countries had voiced in regards to Cuba ’s participation. Thinking about what had been said, “Without Cuba , there would be no Classic,” I felt compelled to do the best job possible. I was involved in all the team’s day to day activities both on and off the field before and during the tournament. From the get go the Cuban Federation was able to see that I was there to get a job done and working with me would enable that. The Cuban Federation sent a four-man advance staff to review logistical and security arrangements and visit the playing and practice fields three days before the team was set to arrive. I met them at the airport to officially introduce myself and was always present when they had meetings with MLB and MLBPA executives. Being present in those meetings where my opinion mattered and where I was listened to solidified that my position was indeed very important. I also served as a translator and representative for the Cuban Federation whenever I considered necessary. Anything that they needed, they asked me to handle for them. The players also relied on me for their needs as well since I became a fixture everywhere they were. They knew to ask me for requests and oftentimes they came to me before they went to their coaches or the federation. For instance, Yadel Marti, a pitcher who was selected to the all-tournament team, asked me to ask the Cuban Baseball Federation President to allow him to wear spikes rather than cleats after he had failed to get permission. My request was granted and the rest is history. I could not have asked for a better team, these group of guys displayed a fire and desire to win and they simply did it for the love of the game.
I developed a very strong relationship with the Federation, Tony Castro (the team doctor who happens to be Fidel's son) and the players. Although I had many friends on other teams, I was genuinely rooting for "my" team to win it all.
As the tournament progressed they were continuously being counted out, but never once did I see them waver in their determination to win. From the get go they told me that they were taking me to San Diego (the site of the semi-finals and finals). Although I believed them I sometimes feared that their magical run would be eclipsed by a star studded offense in the form of Venezuela, Puerto Rico or the early on favorite Dominican Republic. They kept their promise and took me to San Diego where they eliminated a powerful Dominican team in the semis and lost to Japan in the finals. Although I would rewrite the ending, it was truly a great experience that I would not trade for the world.
When I was assigned to them, I did not know what their reaction would be to having been assigned a female coordinator. Being such a baseball rich country with their storied history in the sport, I was anxiously awaiting their reaction. In the back of my mind I also felt the pressure of what many Latin American countries had voiced in regards to Cuba ’s participation. Thinking about what had been said, “Without Cuba , there would be no Classic,” I felt compelled to do the best job possible. I was involved in all the team’s day to day activities both on and off the field before and during the tournament. From the get go the Cuban Federation was able to see that I was there to get a job done and working with me would enable that. The Cuban Federation sent a four-man advance staff to review logistical and security arrangements and visit the playing and practice fields three days before the team was set to arrive. I met them at the airport to officially introduce myself and was always present when they had meetings with MLB and MLBPA executives. Being present in those meetings where my opinion mattered and where I was listened to solidified that my position was indeed very important. I also served as a translator and representative for the Cuban Federation whenever I considered necessary. Anything that they needed, they asked me to handle for them. The players also relied on me for their needs as well since I became a fixture everywhere they were. They knew to ask me for requests and oftentimes they came to me before they went to their coaches or the federation. For instance, Yadel Marti, a pitcher who was selected to the all-tournament team, asked me to ask the Cuban Baseball Federation President to allow him to wear spikes rather than cleats after he had failed to get permission. My request was granted and the rest is history. I could not have asked for a better team, these group of guys displayed a fire and desire to win and they simply did it for the love of the game.
I developed a very strong relationship with the Federation, Tony Castro (the team doctor who happens to be Fidel's son) and the players. Although I had many friends on other teams, I was genuinely rooting for "my" team to win it all.
As the tournament progressed they were continuously being counted out, but never once did I see them waver in their determination to win. From the get go they told me that they were taking me to San Diego (the site of the semi-finals and finals). Although I believed them I sometimes feared that their magical run would be eclipsed by a star studded offense in the form of Venezuela, Puerto Rico or the early on favorite Dominican Republic. They kept their promise and took me to San Diego where they eliminated a powerful Dominican team in the semis and lost to Japan in the finals. Although I would rewrite the ending, it was truly a great experience that I would not trade for the world.
