Havana, September 28 (RHC)- - Cuba's multi-champions, Alazanes de Granma, make their debut this Thursday against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the United States in a historic baseball tournament, the Champions League of the Americas, based in Merida, Mexico.
Right-hander Erly Casanova, one of the reinforcements of the Alazanes de Granma, will be the starting pitcher of the clash.
The Cuban national team held its second training session on Wednesday at the Alamo Park in Merida.
The deal has been catalogued by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) as historic, according to the words of its president, Italian Riccardo Fraccari.
"This is the beginning of a new era for our sport, a new beginning for clubs, leagues, players and fans around the world. The WBSC is honored to guide, serve and help grow and build the game for the future. We believe the introduction of the Champions League will do all that and much more," he told his organization's website.
The event in Merida will be the first professional competition for clubs, and will provide players with an unprecedented opportunity that is sure to capture the imagination of fans in Mexico and around the world, the WBSC website published.
"Our strong partnership with Liga Mexicana de Béisbol has been instrumental in the organization of this tournament and I must thank them for their continued cooperation and friendship. I know the Champions League will excite baseball fans around the world. You are some of the most loyal and dedicated fans in sports," said Fraccari.
This experience in the Americas will be extended to other continents and leagues as part of a global champions event.
In addition to the Cuban and U.S. teams, Mérida will host Colombia's Caimanes de Barranquilla and Mexico's Leones de Yucatán.
In addition to the clash between the Cubans and the Americans, the Caimanes de Barranquilla (Colombia) and the host Leones de Yucatán will be rivals in the opening of the promotional edition of the Champions League.
After the opener against the Americans, the Cubans will face the Colombians (September 29) and the Aztecs (September 30).
On October 1, the two best teams in the round robin will battle it out for first place in the tournament.
