• Submitted by: manso
• Sports
• 09 / 11 / 2011

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By: Tomas Armenteros Crespo. Havana, Sep 10 (Prensa Latina) Training is going well for Cuba''s pre-selection national team as it readies for the upcoming Baseball World Cup in Panama later this month and the Pan American Games in Mexico in October.

Team manager Alfonso Urquiola told the National News Agency (ACN) that the 38 players vying for 24 slots on the team were looking good as they practice at the Latinoamericano stadium in the capital.

"We have achieved our goals for this stage, and the players are well-motivated, because they know that the outcome of the championships depend on their preparation," said Urquiola, who led the Pinar del Rio team to victory in the national baseball series this year.

Coach Roberto Medina said the training was focused on "creating a competition scenario," because most of the players on the pre-selection team have recent tournaments under their belts.

Preparations include a friendly tourney between Cuba and Puerto Rico will be held Sept. 15-19.

Cuba was placed in Group B to compete at the 19th World Baseball Cup, set for Oct. 1-15 in Panama, together with Australia, South Korea, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany.

Group A will include the United States (defending champion), Puerto Rico, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Canada, Greece, Holland and Panama.

Cuba has won 25 world championship titles in baseball, more than any other country, although the most recent was in 2005.