A significant brawl broke out between the teams of Sancti Spíritus and Ciego de Ávila last Saturday at the José Antonio Huelga stadium during a National Baseball Series game for players under 23 years old. About 10 players, evenly split between the two teams, were ejected following the altercation that occurred "in the bottom of the sixth inning, at a time when the game was proceeding relatively smoothly," according to the Cuban News Agency (ACN).
After the tumult, the game resumed and concluded with a 6-4 victory for Sancti Spíritus. The official agency report denounced the violence and urged the National Baseball Commission to impose "strict and exemplary" penalties.
Pro Spirit Cuba's Facebook page, which shared videos and images of the incident, pointed out the minimal police presence in the stadium. "The footage shows only one officer, approximately 1.60 meters tall, whose efforts were clearly insufficient," the page noted.
Last year, violence erupted following an apparent referee error in a game between the Cienfuegos and Camagüey teams of the National Baseball Series. During the match at the Estadio 5 de Septiembre in Cienfuegos province, Cienfuegos' management and players confronted the referee, disputing what they believed was an incorrect call.
This disagreement quickly escalated, resulting in shoving and confrontations between players from both teams, creating a charged atmosphere of tension and aggression that reverberated among the stadium's spectators, who shouted angrily from the stands.
Understanding Brawls in Cuban Baseball
What sparked the brawl between Sancti Spíritus and Ciego de Ávila?
The brawl erupted during the bottom of the sixth inning, with tensions rising between players, leading to the ejection of five players from each team.
What actions are being urged by the Cuban News Agency?
The Cuban News Agency is calling for the National Baseball Commission to impose firm and exemplary sanctions in response to the incident.
Has violence occurred in Cuban baseball before?
Yes, last year violence broke out in a game between Cienfuegos and Camagüey due to a disputed referee decision, leading to confrontations on the field.