The emblematic Palmar de Junco field, a National Monument, will host today the inauguration of the XXII National Press Softball Tournament Jorge Luis Valdés Rionda in Memoriam, which will last until next Friday.

Where 150 years ago took place the first official baseball game in Cuba of which there is documentary reference, the teams Santiago de Cuba, Ciego de Avila, Isla de la Juventud, Los Vaqueros, Camagüey, Holguín (current runner-up), Medios Nacionales (current champions) and Matanzas will parade this Monday.

Pedro Rizo Martínez, president of the Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) in the host province of the event, recalled that the competition pays tribute through its name to a journalist son of the territory, a reason to assume the venue with responsibility, despite the complexities of the context.

Improving the performance in previous events will be the aim of the host team, according to Ventura de Jesús García, director of the national team, who considers it a matter of first order to be included among the six top teams, told the Cuban News Agency.

Matanzas’ best result in these competitions is a championship title won in 1999; in this 22nd edition they will try to make a more praiseworthy mark than those left in Holguín (2014) and Mayabeque (2016 and 2018).

In addition to the Palmar de Junco, games will be held at the renowned Victoria de Girón, the El DESA field, and the popular René Fraga, events that can be enjoyed by all softball lovers who wish to do so.