The Cuban National Baseball Series finds itself embroiled in yet another theft scandal, this time involving Geonel Gutiérrez, a pitcher from the Artemisa Hunters.
Initially reported as a theft within the Artemisa Hunters team, the situation was later clarified by team management. The first version of the story, which spread quickly across social media, sparked discontent among fans.
The official Artemisa Hunters social media account corrected the misinformation, clarifying that the incident did not occur in the locker room or involve other players. Instead, it took place at the hotel where the team was staying.
According to their statement, a ring was stolen from the player's room while the team was out playing. “This incident did not occur within the team. It was a mistake not to verify the information directly with management,” admitted Luis Javier Rodríguez (Luijo), the page administrator, who apologized to fans, players, and officials.
The clarification was soon echoed by coach Norlis Concepción and shared on the Facebook page of sports commentator Ernesto Amaya Esquivel. He expressed regret over the incident but emphasized that it was not an internal conflict or theft among teammates.
“It was simply a case of the athlete losing a ring he left in his room. It has nothing to do with the rest of the team. This is for those who jump to conclusions without knowing the full truth,” stated the director.
Security Concerns Rise Amidst Recent Incidents
While the theft did not directly involve the team, it highlights ongoing security vulnerabilities in Cuban baseball, both in stadiums and hotels.
Recent reports from sports pages and journalists have included:
- Cell phone thefts from the Mayabeque Hurricanes team.
- Theft of personal belongings from Matanzas players at Victoria de Girón Stadium.
- And now, the ring theft involving the Artemisa pitcher.
As noted by Cuba Grand Slam, these incidents “further damage a National Series already plagued by numerous issues” and expose significant security lapses affecting athletes, who travel with limited resources and face poorly maintained facilities.
A Troubling Precedent: Suspension Following Major Theft
The Artemisa theft follows closely on the heels of a more severe incident that rocked the championship. During a series against Camagüey, the Matanzas team fell victim to a theft that led to a game suspension.
Unauthorized individuals entered the dugout and locker room, stealing personalized gloves, bats, phones, wallets, and even entire sets of equipment.
“Some athletes were left with nothing but their warm-up uniforms,” reported La Banda Yumurina.
The severity of this theft, deemed “unacceptable” by authorities and journalists, brought to light the inadequate security measures in the National Series and the vulnerability of players, who also face material shortages and limited institutional support.
For many fans, these incidents reflect a structural decline, marked by hotels lacking proper security, vulnerable stadiums, resource scarcity, and a baseball system in deep crisis, both athletically and organizationally.
As Cuba Grand Slam put it succinctly: “Baseball needs many improvements, but the last thing it needs is for thefts to occur off the bases.”
FAQs on Cuban Baseball Series Security Issues
What was stolen from Geonel Gutiérrez?
A ring was stolen from Gutiérrez's hotel room while the team was out playing a game.
How are the security conditions in Cuban baseball?
Security conditions are reportedly poor, with vulnerabilities in both stadiums and hotels, leading to several thefts and player safety concerns.
What other teams have been affected by theft?
The Mayabeque Hurricanes and Matanzas teams have also reported thefts, including phones and personal belongings.