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• Caribbean
• culture an traditions
• Destinations
• Havana
• international
• Sports
• 02 / 19 / 2009

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After their first public game after days of training behind closed doors, the Cuban batters demonstrated their power before a crowd of over 40 000.

According to former baseball star, Pedro Chavez, Cuba will send a more superior team than the 1st classic three years ago and he beleives the team will be among the top four.

The training session includes batting practice and a system of defense, while the pitching continues to improve their speed and performance quality.

The selected players will once again be divided into two, west and east which will face each other again on Tuesday night at the Latin American Stadium in Havana with large crowds expected to attend anxious to see their team in the upcoming classic.

On the 19th February, the final 28 players that will make up the Cuban team will be announced and then travel the following day to Mexico for training sessions before the classic kicks off on March 5th.

The Cuban team will be in Group B hosted by the Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City which also includes Australia, Mexico and South Africa. Cuba will make its debut against South Africa on March 8th.

During Sunday´s first game in Havana, the East defeated the West after two homeruns by third baseman Yulieski Gourriel, one homerun by catcher Rolando Meriño and Alfredo Despaigne while for the West catcher Yenier Bello also hit a homerun.

According to manager Higinio Velez, the outcome of the training sessions so far show good signs of an excellent preformance for the Cuban team at the upcoming 2nd World Baseball Classic.

(RHC)