By: EFE Updated 15 Jan 2022, 20: 19 pm EST
The president of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), Riccardo Fraccari, affirmed this Monday that progress is being made on a plan so that Cuban baseball players can legally go out to play in foreign leagues.
Currently Cuban baseball players cannot do so, which has generated tensions and leaks of talents, like the one that starred half of the sub-selection 23 last October when leaving the World Cup played in Mexico.
At a press conference in Havana on the penultimate day of his visit to Cuba, Fraccari was “optimistic” after speaking with members of the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB), although he recognized that the agreement “is not done in a day”.
An honor to be in Cuba to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its National Baseball League. Brings back fond memories as being the first international umpire to feature in the league. pic.twitter.com/W9s9OYDC61
— Riccardo Fraccari (@WBSCPresident) January 15, 2022
One of the main points of his visit, indicated the president of the WBSC, was to “concretize a legal plan that allows a contract to be signed with a foreign league with a legal basis for the protection of the athlete” .
Achieving a “legal basis for athlete protection” is something “very important” for baseball players, stressed Fraccari, who considered that the agreement with the FCB would also restore Cuban baseball its “brilliance”.
In his opinion, he continued, progress has been made: “The result of this visit is that a plan was made, which now needs to be finalized well, so that the players can leave” the country.
“I think it can be achieved if we work together”, affirmed Fraccari, who underlined that his visit sought to “open doors”.
Added q that now “the FCB is willing to discuss this and the WBSC can help as a liaison” with other foreign leagues.
The WBSC president was also satisfied with the FCB project to revitalize baseball on the island and assured that he was presented with a “detailed plan” with the “conditions”, “will” and “budget” for it to be so.
“Now there are the conditions and the budget to advance and change some things in Cuban baseball, which it deserves due to its history, quality and potential to return to being a main actor on the world scene”, he highlighted.
Fraccari also cited the WBSC’s plans to launch an international club competition similar to the soccer champions league, as part of its efforts to globalize baseball.
“This year there will be a promotional event”, assured the president of the WBSC, who advanced that work is being done so that the Cuban champion participates.