The 62nd National Baseball League in Cuba continues with a shortage of balls, as the supplier has not delivered all contracted supplies.
The National Baseball Commission (CNB) reported that the balls used this season were purchased from the Teammate company, but that other reserve balls were also purchased from a supplier overseas under the Batos brand.
Initially, Batos balls were planned to be used only when necessary, as the shipment of Teammate balls was expected to arrive in two parts, but according to CNB, only one shipment has arrived in the country so far.
They currently use batos balls, following the high consumption of balls during matches of the current season.
The CNB is concerned about the number of balls lost during the games till May 17, which is 4,207.
“The most severe cases are in Guantanamo, Villa Clara, Isla de la Juventud, Pinar del Río and Havana, with an average of between 17 and 20 per challenge,” he said.
Baseball is a much-loved sport in Cuba, and it is essential to ensure that it is played with proper balls that meet quality and safety standards.
Some experts demand that there should be more transparency in the process of acquisition and management of sports equipment to avoid similar problems in future.
Teammate has not responded to messages sent by CyberCuba asking when the second shipment of balls would arrive in the country and the reasons for the delay.
Last year, the Teammate brand became the sponsor of the National Baseball Series. Its range of products includes all essential goods for playing (balls, wooden bats, gloves, sportswear, accessories and field equipment).
The current season began in March and was scheduled to begin on March 22 in the first version of the calendar, but was postponed due to the performance of the Cuban team in the V World Baseball Classic.
The fair reserves 15 sub-series of five games for each team, which equates to a total of 75 games through June 10, they explain from the Baseball in Cuba portal.
