We can have all the criteria (for and against) about the reality of Cuban baseball. We can even disagree with some decisions and even argue about who could be the new manager of the Cuban team. We can do more. We can even get upset with the umpires, with the player who didn’t run, with the uncontrolled pitcher, in short. But fortunately, none of that diminishes the fact that this sport continues to be the national passion. And a passionate one at that.

This 15 March, after a longer than usual break due to the readjustment of the calendar, the fans, the joys and the stadiums of six provinces will return to welcome the third version of the Elite League of Cuban Baseball (LEBC), for which the first six of the 63rd National Series have qualified: Las Tunas, Pinar del Río, Granma, Industriales, Santiago de Cuba and Ciego de Ávila.

Maintaining the format of the last edition (despite the fact that some lovers still defend rosters made up of several provinces) is already the first victory of the competition, which, according to the sports authorities, will have greater logistical support in the midst of enormous economic difficulties. Improvements in hotel accommodation and food, buses with fuel and repaired stadiums are examples reported at the Technical Congress. It will soon be possible to check and warn if this is not the case.

However, the most interesting thing is still the battle for the title, which Matanzas will not be able to defend now because it has not qualified. There will be 40 games in the qualifying stage with a 1-4 and 2-3 best-of-seven semi-final, similar to the system used to determine the champion. In these instances, two and one reinforcements can be chosen, respectively, in addition to the 10 requested before the start of the tournament and the three additions that each mentor can give before the end of the regular calendar.

The games will be played in the afternoon (2:00 p.m.) and although three parks are suitable for artificial lighting: Latinoamericano, Julio Antonio Mella and Guillermón Moncada, a change of schedule will only be decided if electricity is available in those areas. The LEBC champion will be Cuba’s representative to the second Series of the Americas in 2026 and during the departure of the Tunisian team to the Champions League (8 to 13 April) the tournament will not stop, as these three sub-series will be recovered in the month of May.

Considerations, suggestions and show

In line with what we have been demanding, the stadiums are intended to become socio-cultural centres in this LEBC, with souvenir sales, recreational options beyond baseball, spaces rented to state companies and micro and small businesses for the sale of food and other products, while maintaining the same ticket prices as in the National Series.

We have strongly suggested that before each challenge or in the fifth inning, the public should be informed of the sporting glories present and, where possible, recognition should be given, which could be extended to grassroots coaches who are anonymous to most, but who have trained countless baseball players. Current music, activities between innings and any other initiative would be applauded in order to bring young people and their families back to the stadium.

As for the aspirants to lift the sceptre – only with the assessment of the already reinforced payrolls – there is quite a lot of parity among the sextet of contestants, although lumberjacks, lions, sorrels and vegueros seem, on paper, to have better options, without wasps and tigers being ruled out, as the inspiration of a selection and the leadership of their mentors can change any prognosis.

This third LEBC may be decisive in fixing or not a lid that had many names before (Revolution Cup, Super League) and unfortunately will be affected by a major departure of players to contracts abroad. However, we are optimistic. Perhaps because of that passion in our blood or because we miss so much that magic of a full stadium chanting for their team, for our baseball.