Bus Incident Sparks Tension Between Holguín Fans and Artemisa Baseball Team

On Wednesday, police were forced to escort the bus carrying the Artemisa baseball team after tensions flared with Holguín fans outside the Calixto García stadium.

This incident, witnessed by onlookers and shared on social media, took place during a playoff game in the postseason. The images resembled more of a street fight than a sporting event, raising concerns about the safety and security within Cuba's premier baseball tournament, the National Series.

What Triggered the Dispute? According to initial reports circulating online, Abel Adrián Castro Sablón, a journalist and broadcaster for Holguín's provincial station, claimed on Facebook that Artemisa pitcher Yuniesky García had attacked a local fan with a bat. Swing Completo highlighted this accusation in a shared screenshot.

The allegation quickly went viral, spreading through Cuban baseball fan groups, even though no images of the alleged attack were made available, creating an atmosphere of unease.

Yuniesky García's Response: "It's All Lies!"

In light of the widespread accusations and the tension captured outside the stadium, Yuniesky García defended himself, outright denying the claims.

Sports journalist Yasel Porto released a video that showcased García’s defense. Porto advised caution, urging people to verify information before spreading rumors that could unfairly tarnish the image of the team and the tournament.

"Situation Got Out of Hand"

The incident also drew strong reactions from digital creator Alacrán Azul, who, in a detailed Facebook post, criticized the institutional failure to prevent and manage such situations. He lamented, "What happened in Holguín... those brawls, unrestrained bravado, those mass fights... it's all extremely unpleasant. It spiraled out of control. There was no organization in evacuating the Artemisa team from Calixto García stadium. The situation slipped through their fingers."

Alacrán emphasized that the issue wasn't about blaming players or fans but highlighting a systemic failure: "This is about the lack of security and protection for the Artemisa players, both at the stadium and their accommodation in Holguín."

He issued a warning about potential future incidents: "Let's see what happens when the Industriales team travels to Holguín. Will they face a similar ordeal? Will they receive adequate protection?"

He reminisced about more stringent protocols in the past: "In the 80s, when Cuban baseball was at its peak, teams were escorted through side exits with metal barriers and strong police presence. This prevented opposing fans from harassing players."

"Baseball Means Nothing Anymore"

Alacrán Azul's comments extended beyond this particular incident. He argued that Cuban baseball no longer holds its previous national pride: "Fights, indiscipline on and off the field, empty stadiums, journalists falling asleep during broadcasts... Cuban baseball has never sunk this low."

His criticism was directed squarely at sports authorities: "All INDER and baseball leaders should be replaced immediately... we need to retire a group of outdated officials who know nothing about sports and have never set foot in a stadium."

He even suggested canceling the next season: "Cancel the upcoming National Series to avoid wasting money and electricity. Baseball is meaningless now. We need to dismantle these old structures and abandon the rhetoric."

Finally, he linked the state of baseball with the broader collapse of the country: "If you want to understand Cuba's condition, look at the sugar harvest and baseball. Those are the answers many are searching for."

In the game, the Artemisa and Holguín teams had to suspend play due to rain, with a partial 3-1 lead for the visitors in the third inning.