A group of young people from the Moncton area will live a unique experience this week in Cuba.
An U13 baseball team will play four games against Cuban formations in a trip that is also intended to be humanitarian.
In addition to their own equipment, the young people take with them balls, sticks, gloves and all kinds of things that they will give to their young guests.
Alain Cormier and his group have been working on this project for nearly four years.
“This project was born through a company in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, which organizes charitable trips to the Caribbean,” he says.
In recent months, the young people have organized a fundraiser to collect the money necessary for the trip, but also to buy the equipment intended for the young Cubans.
“We have already sent eight hockey pockets full of items of all kinds that we have collected throughout the community. We also bring with us 1,200 new baseballs, but also school equipment and hygienic products, ”says the one who is assistant coach and spokesperson for the organizing committee.
“Young people will have a very enriching experience. They will really reap the benefits of this trip when they get there. We are going to visit a school and various places in the community”, mentions Alain Cormier.
“The 13 young people are going to see how things are going over there and how lucky they are to live here in Canada. It will certainly open their eyes,” he adds.
“It’s not an official team. These are young people we have invited from various minor baseball teams in Moncton. These are young people who are serious about the project and we know that they want to live this unique experience to the full.”
Several parents will also be part of the adventure in Cuba. In all, the New Brunswick delegation will include 47 people.
The team will play a total of four matches in six days.
A day will also be devoted to a baseball clinic with a professional Cuban team.
Alain Cormier specifies that the objective is not necessarily to win all four games.
“We really go there to participate. We don’t even know who we’re going to play against. The important thing is the experience that our young people will have, regardless of the opponent or the result. Everyone will play, ”he assures.
“The 13 kids are going to bat in every game and we’re going to use as many pitchers as possible. We are not going to keep this or that pitcher for a particular game to seek victory. We want young people to develop a camaraderie with the teams they will face.
