Havana, January 22 (JIT).- The Leñadores de Las Tunas baseball team was the standard bearer on Tuesday at the Latin American Stadium, in preparation for their participation in the First Baseball Americas Series, based in Nicaragua.

The activity was chaired by Inés María Chapman Waugh, Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, who handed the national flag to center fielder Yunieski Larduet, captain of the Lumberjacks, escorted by Yosvani Alarcón and Roberto Baldoquín.

In a cordial exchange with the players, Chapman Waugh let them know that they are a symbol for the nation and representatives of a brave people who have always liked to win.

«You also have a training that allows you to win. Victory is in unity. Your families and all the people of Cuba will be attentive and expect the best from you,» he said.

Meanwhile, the president of the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation, Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, urged them to play with courage and demonstrate the competitive level they possess.

«We are pleased to raise the flag today for a team that has consolidated its presence in the elite of our baseball, based on that essential mix of sporting quality and commitment to its fans,» he said when addressing the group.

«Convinced that the flag received will be an inspiration to show dedication and attachment to the values ​​of a sport that is the right of the people, we say goodbye to you certain that the will to win, discipline and respect for fair play will never be lacking,» said the director.

«Making the conviction of victory a permanent weapon, strengthened by the purpose of achieving a performance that makes us worthy of the applause of our people and the efforts that have supported the preparation and our presence at the event», said slugger Rafael Viñales, when reading the team's commitment.

This morning, the team led by Abeicy Pantoja carried out its penultimate day of preparation, at the Latin American Stadium. Jorge Hierrezuelo, one of the team's coaches, commented exclusively with JIT that they fulfilled what was planned.

«The field was too wet to do a deeper work. We practiced some defense on the edges, there were jogs and the pitchers warmed up in the bullpen. The hits were developed in the batting cage», he emphasized.

The team from Las Tunas will debut next Friday, precisely against the host team.

As a starter, Pantoja reiterated the decision to use left-hander from Matanzas, Yoanni Yera, one of his 11 reinforcements.

The remaining four teams enrolled in this first edition of the Series of the Americas are Curacao Goats, Club Daom (Argentina), Águilas Metropolitanas (Panama) and Caimanes de Barranquilla (Colombia).