Guantanamo.- Veterans softball returns this Sunday with the opening of the July 26 Cup, just 15 days after play was paused following Etecsa’s dramatic win over Jamaiquinos in a tournament honoring former player Esmeraldo Fiss.
This year’s event pays tribute to the late Pascual Fuentes and Antonio Betancourt, both longtime figures in the Luminarias del Guaso Veterans League. One of the key updates this season is a team rebranding: Cárnico and CAN will now compete as Agricultores and Eléctricos.
At last Wednesday’s pre-tournament meeting, officials stressed the importance of stricter enforcement of illegal pitching rules, noting that many pitchers use motions that do not comply with league regulations.
The format includes two rounds of five games each, with all six teams playing a total of 10 games in the regular season. The championship game is set for Sunday, July 26, which coincides with Cuba’s National Rebellion Day.
Opening day matchups feature Etecsa vs. Jamaiquinos, followed by Agricultores vs. Eléctricos. The day will wrap up with Vitilla taking on Caciques, a team currently searching for a pitcher after the retirement of Jorge Luis Merencio, which will be made official during the opening ceremony.
League officials also announced that Havana will host a tournament for players aged 60 and older from May 27–30, with teams from Guantánamo invited to participate.
