BayStars Void Gurriel's Contract
Yokohama BayStars General Manager Shigeru Takada revealed on Thursday that the club has informed infielder Yulieski Gurriel's contract has been canceled.
Gurriel was scheduled to arrive in Japan at the end of March following the conclusion of Cuba's domestic Season, but has cited a thigh injury as his reason for not arriving on time. According to Takada, Gurriel indicated his intention to have his injury treated in Cuba before traveling to Japan, but with no apparent timetable and no evidence of the injury, the team has decided to cut him.
“He doesn’t fully understand what a contract is,” said Takada, who recently dispatched an envoy to Cuba to bring the player back. “He wouldn't budge from having his treatment first.”
Last Season, Gurriel played in 62 games for the BayStars having a 305 batting average with 11 homers. He was to receive $3 million US dollars this Season (roughly ¥358.7 million).
In the off season, the BayStars also signed Gurriel's 21-year-old brother, infielder Lourdes Jr. to a two-year deal. The younger Gurriel has also not arrived for this Season due to a left-wrist injury.
Sport Fishing Tournament
As part of efforts to control the lionfish in the south coast of the province of Sancti Spiritus, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA by its Spanish acronym) in the territory summons a Sport Fishing Tournament for its capture on April 11th and 12th.
Yessica Portal, responsible for managing this invasive exotic species in the region and coordinator of the event, told ACN news agency that the most effective and quickest way to eradicate this animal is through hunting by man; hence the competitive event is promoted to reduce its proliferation.
This time, those able to catch as many specimens or the larger size fish, will be recognized, she stated.
The specialist added that the fishermen and coastal communities have received training on how to manage the lionfish, because despite not being mortal, has venom glands in dorsal, anal and pelvic spines, causing nausea and respiratory problems.
Encouraging its fishing and consumption facilitates its extermination in the environment, since it constitutes a voracious predatory species, for instance, in half an hour it feeds up to 20 fish specimens which alters the ecological balance of marine ecosystems, Mrs. Portal noted.
She then added that simultaneously they will undertake actions to clean La Boca Beach, one of the main centers of recreation for local inhabitants, to eliminate solid waste in its dune, which are deposited irresponsibly by vacationers and residents.
Developing actions towards an environmental culture that ensures its preservation and care is a priority of CITMA, so the tournament is a way to achieve social participation in the sanitation of coastlines and the elimination of indiscipline, she said.
