Guantanamo.- After several years at the top, Cuba was dethroned for the first time at a Baseball5 championship. The setback came in the senior category of the Pan American tournament held in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
Cuba reached the final without a loss and faced the host nation, which it had already defeated during the preliminary stage. However, in the decisive match, Venezuela prevailed 2–1, leaving the Cubans with the silver medal.
The result showed that Cuba is not invincible, despite the deep-rooted passion for “four-corners” baseball that runs through the veins of its players.
Cuba found redemption in the youth category, where its under-18 team captured the gold medal undefeated in the inaugural edition of the event. The young Cubans, reigning world champions, defeated the hosts 2–1 after an outstanding defensive performance and a powerful offensive display.
The victory completed a perfect campaign of seven games and seven wins, making Cuba the first champion in the category. Guantánamo native Yandro Moracén led the tournament in production, ranked second in runs scored with 35, and topped the standings in runs batted in, with 27.
Although Baseball5 was officially recognized as a sport nearly a decade ago, Cubans had played it for many years as a popular pastime on streets and in neighborhoods across the island.
Its formal development and the creation of international competitions allowed Cuba to showcase its experience in a discipline where it was long regarded as the undisputed champion.
Today, however, the sport is becoming increasingly competitive. Every country is developing strategies to reach the highest level, raising the standard and forcing Cuba to improve if it hopes to reclaim the top spot.
This Pan American result offers a valuable lesson, not an ending. The journey continues.
