Team of Cuban baseball players visits Nova Scotia as part of Maritime tour

PEGGY’S COVE, NS – Twelve baseball players are currently on their first trip to Canada.

” I love being here in Canada,” said one of the Cuban players. The Cuban players visited Peggy’s Cove this afternoon before heading to prep for this evening’s game of ball.

The players are here for an eight day tour of the Maritimes as part of the Canada to Cuba Goodwill Tour.  They’re taking part in four baseball games in four cities against other Canadian teams.

The Canada to Cuba Goodwill tour has already sent groups of Canadians to play ball in Cuba. A team of players from Halifax took a trip to the country to play ball in February.

” I think this tournament coming up, for the first time for these Cuban kids they really get to appreciate what we sometimes don’t pay attention to,” said Devon Whyte, a former World Series Champion with the Toronto Blue Jays. “The little details that we don’t pay attention to, and this is going to be very exciting for them. It’s more than just a ball game it’s more of a friendship.”

The players were accompanied by nine adults ranging from coaches, interrupters and a government officials. They arrived early Tuesday morning and plan to take part in games in Halifax, Bridgewater, Moncton and Fredericton. The first game is tonight in Halifax at the Mainland Common at 6:30.

” We hope through the future the Canadian children come to Cuba with the same experience,” said Baro Izquierdo, Cuban coach, through an interrupter. “But for now were all family.”