Yurisbel Gracial, with experience in professional baseball in Canada and Japan, becomes a key player in the Matanzas Crocodiles. (photo: The Fielding)
The stars Yurisbel Gracial, Bárbaro E. Arruebarrena, Yadir Drake, Yadir O. Mujica and Ariel Martínez, members of the Cuban team, lead the team of Cocodrilos de Matanzas towards the 61st Baseball Series, officially announced yesterday, January 9.
Under the direction of Armando Ferrer, the group with an average age of 29 years is made up of 5 receivers, 13 infielders, 7 outfielders and 17 pitchers, including 10 players from the so-called reserve.
In the official presentation, held at the provincial government headquarters, Ferrer ratified his intentions to fight for the maximum scroll, after losing the crown in the last national series against the Alazanes de Granma.
Armando Ferrer ratified the intentions of the ball sub-monarchs in Cuba to fight for the maximum parchment in the 61 Series. (Author’s photo)
«The greatest strength of this team is the unity and capacity of its members to fulfill each one with their role within the field of play,» he said.
Ferrer ruled out having a preconceived line-up for the next duel on January 23, the start date of the contest; However, he acknowledged that he now has many variants in the so-called central line and will choose the regulars after the clash stops of the week that has just begun.
Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, national baseball commissioner, urged those elected to offer a sporting event that meets the demands of the fans, under strict compliance with sanitary measures to prevent the spread of the disease known as COVID-19.
Here’s the full team list:
Catchers: Ariel Martínez, Andrys Pérez and Roberto Loredo; infielders: Yurisbel Gracial, Bárbaro E. Arruebarrena, Yadir O. Mujica, Jefferson Delgado, Aníbal Medina, Javier Camero, Yariel Duque, Julio C. González and Roberto A. Acea.
Outfielders: Eduardo Blanco, Yadir Drake, Ariel L. Sánchez, William L. Campillo, Juan M. Vázquez, Roberto Álvarez and Yoisnel Camejo; pitchers: Yoanni Yera, Renner Rivero, Naykel Y. Cruz, Noelvis Entenza, Joel Suárez, Yamichel Pérez, Jonder Martínez, Dariel Góngora, Armando A. Dueñas, Haykel Parra, Yaniel Blanco, Carlos B. Álvarez, Reymond Piñeiro.
Reserve: Evelio Y. Hernández, Danell Figueroa, Brian Y. Rodríguez, Edel Tamayo, Eduardo Parreira, Adrián J. Pérez, Andy Quesada, Denis Quesada, Yamiel Deulofeu and Alain López. Director: Armando Ferrer.
(Translated by Gabriela Bringas Hernández)
