Baseball Official Attacked with Bat After National Series Game in Sancti Spíritus

In a shocking incident following a National Series game, technical commissioner Miguel Rojas Rodríguez was viciously assaulted. Reports circulating on social media and accounts cited by the independent outlet Café Fuerte suggest that the manager of the Sancti Spíritus team, Eriel Sánchez, attacked Rojas with a bat right after Saturday's game at the "José Antonio Huelga" stadium.

According to an anonymous source involved with Sancti Spíritus baseball, who spoke to Café Fuerte, Rojas is recovering at home, awaiting medical certification from a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic specialist who examined him at the hospital. The police have been informed of the incident.

Rojas received five stitches at the Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial Hospital. Fortunately, he has not sustained any cranial or brain injuries thus far, but he remains under medical observation.

Café Fuerte also reported that the same source confirmed Sánchez's temporary suspension by sports authorities. The National Baseball Commission has a 30-day window to investigate the matter and deliver a resolution. However, an official statement from the CNB has yet to confirm these actions.

The incident has sparked widespread reactions on social media, drawing comments from both journalists and fans. Wilfredo Cancio Isla shared details, including pictures of Rojas's injuries, on Facebook, criticizing Sánchez's behavior and describing the event as an "unprecedented display of unsportsmanlike violence."

Journalist Yasel Porto also commented via his platform, DPorto Sports LLC, deeming the event a severe infraction. He shared insights from journalist Osniel Hernández, who argued that this incident "marks a turning point in how we understand and enforce discipline within our National Series."

Hernández, quoted by Porto, emphasized, "A manager using a blunt object to assault a game official is not exemplifying leadership or respect. It's sending the wrong message to players and fans."

Porto further argued that the incident warrants a permanent expulsion from Cuban baseball, warning that failing to act decisively could lead to more severe incidents. "One cannot lose control like that, even if provoked... especially considering it's a senior person, using a dangerous object, and Rojas is also the game official and a close acquaintance," Porto stated in a follow-up post.

This incident is not the only recent case of violence in Cuban baseball. In June, ten players were expelled following a brawl during a youth game between Sancti Spíritus and Ciego de Ávila at the same stadium. Additionally, a controversial umpire decision in April 2024 led to a confrontation in a match between Cienfuegos and Camagüey, involving players, coaches, and umpires. There have also been reports of officials being threatened, such as an umpire allegedly using a false name to safeguard his safety during a game in Pinar del Río, though the federation denied these claims.

Miguel Rojas Rodríguez, aged 66, is a respected figure in Sancti Spíritus baseball. He was part of the national championship team in 1979, played 18 seasons, and represented Cuba internationally. After retiring, he has served as a coach, executive, and technical official.

Eriel Sánchez, 50, had a notable career as a catcher, winning an Olympic gold medal in Athens 2004 and securing a runner-up position in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Since retiring in 2019, he has managed the Sancti Spíritus team and various youth teams. This season, he returned to lead the Gallos.