World Baseball Classic

The recently concluded World Baseball Classic of course sparked interest in baseball-loving Cuba. The Classic was organized for the first time in 2006 by the World Baseball Classic Inc., a body sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and created by Major League Baseball (MLB), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and other institutions.

The World Baseball Classic was created to further promote the game around the globe since baseball was excluded from the competition program of the London 2012 Olympics. IBAF is attempting to have the sport included in the Olympics once again in 2016.

The 2006 Classic was won by Japan, closely followed by Cuba, South Korea and the Dominican Republic, and this year's was also dominated by the Japanese, trailed by South Korea, Venezuela and the United States.

This time teams like Puerto Rico, Mexico and Holland made it to the second round, while Panama, Canada, China, Taiwan, Italy and South Africa were eliminated in the first round.

The Cuban team in this second edition of the Classic was directed Higinio Velez and had a great debut leading Pool B at Foro Sol in Mexico City. The Cubans secured advancement to the second round with