The next chapter of the Cuban baseball journey to the Cowichan Valley is set to begin.
The Cuban team arrives today (July 19) and will remain here until Aug. 3. Again, the players will be billeted into local homes.
Games are being hosted by the Duncan Junior Baseball Association at Evans Park in Duncan this year. Games start on July 23 after the B.C. Summer Games activities, with the highlight game in Victoria against the Harbour Cats on July 30.
Original Joe’s has stepped up to the plate as a major sponsor and is looking after the dinners for the Cuban team after the games and offering specials for fans to come out and meet and mingle with the players.
As the Cubans are arriving during the Summer Games, arrangements are being made for them to help/volunteer as a way of giving back. It’s a bit difficult in some areas because of the language barrier.
It’s hoped they’ll become part of the lunch crew organized and run my Maria Rose. She has the enormous task of making 12,000 sandwiches during the Games.
An assembly line system is being set up so it might be the best way to have one or two translators there to help instruct them.
A brochure with a schedule of games and information has been printed and copies are available at various locations throughout the Cowichan Valley.
Confirmations are still needed for a couple of games. Teams are trying to work things out so the Cuban Baseball Journey public Facebook page is being used for updates.
The first game is Monday, July 23 at Evans Park between the Duncan Nationals and Union de Reyes, Cuba at 6:35 p.m.
Subsequent games are July 24 between the Cowichan Valley Mustangs and Union de Reyes and the Cubans take on the Ladysmith Pilots July 25, both at 6:35.
Campbell River teams play Union de Reyes July 27 and 28 in Duncan. There are no games in Chemainus this year, but the Brewers will play against the Cubans July 29 at 3 p.m. in Duncan.