The Las Tunas Lumberjacks are ready for the II Baseball Champions League of the Americas

The Las Tunas Lumberjacks team was introduced today at Havana's Estadio Latinoamericano, mere hours before they depart for Mexico on Sunday. They will represent Cuba in the Second American Baseball Champions League, which is set to take place from the 8th to the 13th.

Osvaldo Vento Montiller, the president of the National Baseball Institute (INDER), handed the national flag to catcher Yosvani Alarcón, who was accompanied by second baseman Yordanis Alarcón and outfielder Héctor Castillo, after receiving it from the sport's greatest legend, Ermidelio Urrutia.

Teresa Yamila Méndez Álvarez, vice president of INDER, and Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, head of the Cuban Baseball Federation, also led the ceremony.

Slugger Rafael Viñales stated, while reading the athletes' commitment, "We will turn our belief in victory into a lasting weapon, reinforced by the aim of delivering a performance that will earn us the applause of our people and the efforts that have backed our preparation."

Mendez Álvarez emphasized that the entire nation of Cuba will be watching their performance.

"Las Tunas will proceed with awareness of the commitment, dedication, and passion for the team that have established Las Tunas among the top in baseball, along with the determination and strength of the reinforcements that enhance their current roster and contribute to their ongoing success.", she stated.

Six teams will take part in the tournament, split into two groups. Las Tunas will make their debut next Wednesday in Group B against the Piratas de Santa María from Curaçao and will later play against the Puerto Rican Kane County Cougars.

Group A consists of the Tigres de Chinandega from Nicaragua, the Titanes de Florida from the American Association, and the Diablos Rojos from the Mexican Professional League.

This will provide manager Abeicy Pantoja's team with a chance to enhance their performance from last January's Serie de las Américas in Nicaragua, where they were defeated in the semifinals despite winning two out of their three qualifying games.

In the match against the Curacao Pirates, Pantoja will start with Yoennis Yera, a left-handed reinforcement from Matanzas.

Las Tunas roster for the II Baseball Champions League of the Americas.

Pitchers: Frank Luis Medina (PRI), Dariel Góngora (CMG), Yoennis Yera (MTZ), Andy Vargas (IND), Yadián Martínez (MAY), Yankiel Mauris (SSP), Alberto Pablo Civil (LTU), Albert Valladares (MAY), Keniel Ferraz (LTU), Rodolfo Díaz (LTU), Rubén Rodríguez (LTU).

Catchers: Yosvani Alarcón (LTU), Rafael Viñales (LTU) y Andrys Pérez (MTZ).

Infielders: Denis Peña (LTU), Yordanis Alarcón (LTU), Jean Lucas Baldoquín (LTU), Roberto Baldoquín (LTU), Luis Vicente Mateo (CFG) y Tailon Sánchez (PRI).

Outfielders: Yunieski Larduet (LTU), Héctor Castillo (LTU), Yoelkis Guibert (SCU) y Roel Santos (GRA).

Manager: Abeyci Pantoja