top of page
Writer's pictureRay Otero-Alonso

VI Caribbean Cup | The Caribbean tournament is set to kick off this Wednesday, featuring six teams, with defending champions Cuba taking on St. Maarten


Cuba is prepared to defend its championship title in the Caribbean Cup as the VI Caribbean Baseball Cup kicks off at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas, on October 23. The tournament will take place until October 28 and will include six participating teams.


In a tournament sanctioned by the WBSC, the Cuban team has introduced a notably different lineup from the 2023 edition, focusing on a youthful strategy by fielding a squad filled with up-and-coming talents. Leading the team is the young coach Alexander Urquiola, who hails from Pinar del Río.


In an interview with Bohemia magazine before the tournament began, the mentor emphasized the youthfulness of the team, stating that "While there is a noticeable age gap, it is advantageous to cultivate a group of talented individuals for such a competition." He highlighted the importance of young players gaining international competition experience early on, "as they represent the future of the team."


Urquiola's experience includes leading the Vegueros de Pinar del Río to second place in the most recent national tournament, National Series 63. Additionally, he guided Cuba to a second-place finish in the U15 category at the 2022 World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, showcasing his success both nationally and internationally.


This VI Caribbean Cup will have, in addition to Cuba (No. 9 in the WBSC World Ranking), the teams of Curaçao (No. 29), Dominican Republic (No. 12 and double titleholder of these events), the US Virgin Islands (No. 66), the newcomer St. Maarten (without ranking) and the home team, Bahamas (No. 47).


Cuba is set to have its first match against St. Maarten this Wednesday at 11:00 am (local time). Following this, the team will play against the Dominican Republic on Thursday 24, the US Virgin Islands on Friday 25, the Bahamas on Saturday 26, and Curacao on Sunday 27 as per the schedule.


Urquiola provided a preview of how the Cuban team would line up for the first game, indicating "Denis Peña is set to play first base and bat cleanup. Jean Lucas Baldoquín and Euclides Pérez were mentioned as potential designated hitters, while Rodolexis Moreno and Adrián Pérez were likely to cover third base and shortstop, respectively. Yulieski Remón was expected to defend second base, with Jorge Rojas as the catcher. The starting outfielders were named as Francisco Martínez, Darián Palma, and Carlos de la Tejera. Elicer Arrechavaleta would be available for both defensive duties and baserunning as needed."


Following the completion of the five qualifying round matches, the teams placed third and fourth will battle for the bronze medal, while the top two teams will vie for the championship title. The medal contests are scheduled to take place on Monday, October 28th.


The venue for the event is Andre Rodgers Stadium in Nassau, featuring synthetic turf and a capacity for 5,000 spectators. Additionally, all games of the Caribbean Baseball Cup will be streamed live on the R1LIVE pay-per-view platform.


Apart from winning the title in the previous tournament, the Cubans secured second place in the 2022 edition, losing 9-4 to Puerto Rico in the final. In their debut the year before, Cuba also came in second, losing 4-3 to Curacao in the championship match.


The 2025 tournament has been declared as a qualifying competition for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, similar to how the 2022 IV edition served as a qualifier for the 2023 Central American Games.


CHAMPIONS OF THE CARIBBEAN CUPS


I CC 2018 - Dominican Republic

II CC 2019 - Dominican Republic

III CC 2021 - Curacao

IV CC 2022 - Puerto Rico

V CC 2023 - Cuba


TEAM CUBA TO THE VI CARIBBEAN CUP


Pitchers (9): José Ignacio Bermúdez, Osdany Rodríguez, Rafael Orlando Perdomo, Enyer Fernández, Eliander Bravo, Albert Valladares, Sammy Benítez, Yosiel Serrano, and Randy Martínez.


Catchers (2): Yaidel Darío Guerra, and Jorge Rojas.


Infielders (7): Denis Peña, Adrián Jesús Pérez, Leonardo Alarcón, Jean Lucas Baldoquín, Yulieski Remón, Euclides Pérez, and Rodolexis Moreno.


Outfielders (4): Elicer Arrechavaleta, Carlos de la Tejera, Darián Palma, and Francisco Martínez.


Coaching Staff:


Manager: Alexander Urquiola

Trainers: Eddy Cajigal, Julio César Álvarez, and Donald Duarte

Pitching Coaches: José Ramón Riscart, and Rogelio García (invited)

Other representatives: Yosvany Aragón (FCBS), and Alfredo Negret (Doctor)

Comments


Commenting has been turned off.

News

Americas Series

Official schedule released for the first Americas Series, Nicaragua 2025
The 2025 Americas Series schedule was presented in Nicaragua.

BCL Americas

WBSC reveals the second Americas Baseball Champions League set for April 2025
Second edition of the Americas Baseball Champions League announced.

U15

Carlos Sarduy's outstanding performance leads Cuba to win the II U-15 Caribbean Cup title
Carlos Sarduy's brilliant start helped Cuba secure a 1-0 win against the Bahamas, earning the gold at the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

Cuba advances to the final of the U-15 Caribbean Cup, after beating the US Virgin Islands 10-0
In the first semi-final, Cuba defeated the US Virgin Islands 10-0, advancing to the final of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

Bahamas big third inning ends Cuba's undefeated run with an 11-8 win in the U-15 Caribbean Cup.
Bahamas ended Cuba's unbeaten streak with an 11-8 victory in the last game of the qualifying round of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

In its second appearance at the U-15 Caribbean Cup, Cuba defeated St. Maarten 13-1 in five innings
Cuba with second win in the U15 Caribbean Cupa, fter beating Saint Marteen 13-1.

U15

Revised schedule following adjustments due to the confirmed absence of the Dominican Republic
The schedule for the II U-15 Caribbean Cup has been adjusted following the absence of the Dominican Republic.

U15

Cuba made a strong start with a solid 12-0 win against the US Virgin Islands in the U-15 Caribbean Cup
Cuba starts the II U-15 Caribbean Cup with a win, after a 12-0 victory over the Virgin Islands.

U15

Cuba for the title of the second edition of the U-15 Caribbean Baseball Cup that begins today in the Bahamas
Starting today, Cuba will take part in the Caribbean Baseball Cup U-15 category, eager to obtain the title.

WBSC

Cuba at its lowest point in history following the announcement of the new WBSC/KONAMI world ranking
Cuba drops two spots in the WBSC/KONAMI world rankings following the conclusion of the Premier12 world tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Chinese Taipei wins its first ever world title with a 4-0 rout of Japan. USA wins bronze after beating Venezuela 6-1
Chinese Taipei made history with its first-ever World Cup championship after beating Japan 4-0 at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday night.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan beat Chinese Taipei 9-6, ahead of Sunday's final. Team USA beat Venezuela 6-5, and both will compete for bronze
Japan beat Chinese Taipei 9-6 and both teams will play the Premier12 final this Sunday.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Shugo Maki's grand slam gives Japan a 9-6 win over Venezuela. Chinese Taipei continues to surprise and beat Team USA 8-2 in the afternoon
Samurai Japan remains undefeated with a 9-6 win over Venezuela, while Taipei disposes of Team USA 8-2 on Friday.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan convincing win, beats Team USA 9-1. Venezuela also has its first win by beating Chinese Taipei 2-0
Japan had a convincing first win against Team USA while Venezuela also beat Chinese Tapei in the start of the Super Round.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Chinese Taipei blanks Cuba 2-0, advances to the Super Round as second in Group B. Japan undefeated
Chinese Taipei defeated Cuba 2-0, advancing to the Super Round in Tokyo with a 4-1 record. Cuba is at the bottom of Group B.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan secures a spot in the Super Round of the global tournament by narrowly defeating Cuba 7-6
Japan secured first place in Group B of the WBSC Premier12 with a hard-fought 7-6 win over Cuba.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba secures its first win thanks to Yadir Drake's crucial home run and strong performance from the bullpen
Yadir Drake's home run and the work of the Cuban bullpen keep Cuban hopes alive in the tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba is aiming to secure a must win against Australia to stay alive in Group B. Darío Sarduy appointed as the starting pitcher
Cuba will go up against Australia this Saturday at 12:00 pm local time in Taiwan, aiming to secure a crucial first win.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | South Korea handed Cuba its second loss with two home runs by Kim Do-yeong, during a disastrous performance by Liván Moinelo
South Korea defeated Cuba 8-4 to hand them their second defeat of the tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba suffered its first defeat, 6-1, following a late comeback by the Dominican Republic
In the opening game of Group B at the 2024 WBSC Premier12 in Taipei City, the Dominican Republic handed Cuba a difficult 6-1 loss.
bottom of page