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• 11 / 02 / 2007

Cuba was also invited to the first chapter of this international tournament and President Fidel Castro himself confirmed the participation, which was at stake when Washington denied the visas to the Cuban team to travel to the US and Puerto Rico for the games.

The US Department of the Treasury only gave in when the Puerto Rican Baseball Federation threatened not to host the eliminatory rounds and to withdraw their team from the competition.

Cuba was, in turn, one of the tournament's best attractions. The Caribbean selection lost 6 to 10 before Japan in the final game at San Diego, winning an honorable second place and leaving on the way strong opponents such as Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

While a formal decision hasn't been made, it appears the second WBC will be played in March 2009. Details are likely to be announced at the winter meetings Dec 3-6 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Source: Radio Habana Cuba