The starting pitcher for the Guantánamo Indians, Damián Savón, faced expulsion on Sunday after hitting an umpire in the face with his glove. The incident was captured on video and shared by Por La Goma LLC. Despite the controversy, Guantánamo secured an 8-2 victory over Camagüey.
This is not the first altercation in the current series. Back in August, the Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation Directorate (INDER) in Granma province clarified the punishment given to pitcher Leandro Martínez. Initially announced on February 12, the sanction includes a one-year ban from participating in national competitive events and being contracted. This decision aligns with Article 20, section I) of the disciplinary regulations, which categorizes as "VERY SERIOUS" offenses any actions such as assuming arbitrary positions or engaging in illegal and unethical behavior toward another team member, as well as publicly denigrating legal directives from governmental or sports authorities for personal gain.
The regulations further mention that committing acts that are publicly and notoriously detrimental to dignity or sportsmanship also fall under these serious violations. Such penalties must be fully served without the possibility of reduction. Consequently, Granma's INDER emphasized that Martínez has only completed six months of suspension, clarifying that the sanction involves missing only the 64th Series.
In a post, Pavel Otero, a prominent figure in the communist regime's national television, expressed that while the current rules don't allow for reducing very serious penalties, it might be prudent to review the regulations to consider reductions when an athlete’s behavior and circumstances justify it. "Even the most severe convictions in the Civil Penal Code can be reduced with due process. The ultimate goal should always be to rehabilitate and reintegrate the individual when possible," Otero argued. He also pointed out inconsistencies in how sanctions are currently imposed: "We've seen players involved in physical altercations during games receive only two or three-game suspensions, yet Leandro Martínez faced a year-long ban without physically assaulting anyone," commented the sports announcer.
Understanding Disciplinary Actions in Cuban Baseball
What led to Damián Savón's expulsion from the game?
Damián Savón was expelled for hitting an umpire in the face with his glove during a game.
What is the nature of Leandro Martínez's suspension?
Leandro Martínez was suspended for a year due to actions deemed as "VERY SERIOUS" under the disciplinary regulations, which include unethical behavior and publicly denigrating directives.
Can severe penalties be reduced in Cuban baseball?
Currently, very serious penalties cannot be reduced, but there are calls to review this policy to allow reductions based on good behavior and context.