Baseball

Baseball is the national sport of Cuba. Cuba claims the baseball originated in Cuba. Being able to play on the National Baseball team of Cuba is a pursuit made by many Cuban males in their youth...alas, many are called but few are chosen. Whether the National team plays in the Olympics or against Major League teams in the USA, the play action is fast and precise. USA teams held Spring training camps and exhibition games in Cuba before the USA Embargo was implemented. Outstanding players in Cuba frequently defect to pursue higher paying, more prestigious baseball careers in the USA and other countries. Jose Contreras signed a $32 million dollar, four year stint with the New York Yankees on December 24, 2002, only a few months after defecting from Cuba.