Wikipedia - Cuban National Series
The Cuban National Series (Spanish: Serie Nacional de Béisbol, SNB) is a domestic baseball competition in Cuba. Formed after the dissolution of the Cuban League in the wake of the Cuban Revolution, the National Series is a part of the Cuban baseball league system. Between 1961 and 2021, it was the top-level winter league in Cuba; it now operates as a summer league, with the top six National Series teams qualifying for the Cuban Elite League.
History
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The Cuban National Series was instituted in replacement of the Cuban League, which had operated since 1878, as in March 1961 the Cuban government abolished professional baseball. The Cuban League typically consisted of four teams; the Cuban National Series has played with more than four teams since its 1965–66 season, peaking at 18 teams from the late 1970s into the early 1990s.
The Cuban National Series operated as a winter league for most of its history, generally playing a regular season stretching from early August until late January. As of 2023[update], the regular season spans late March to early July. An all-star game is held yearly at midseason. In Havana, most of the top tier players take the field for Industriales, traditionally the strongest team in the league. Other typically strong teams include those from Santiago de Cuba Province, Pinar del Río Province and Villa Clara Province.
In March 1982, the league was marred by a gambling-related corruption scandal, which saw at least 17 players and coaches suspended and arrested.
As of early 2019, baseball players in Cuba received $40 per month.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in no 2021–22 season being played.
The league serves as the first stage in the selection of players for the Cuba national baseball team for participation in international competitions and for both the World Baseball Classic and baseball at the Summer Olympics, when contested. Traditionally, the national team, known as Preseleccion, is selected from the Cuban National Series and practices in Havana. Sometimes more than one team[] can be asked to supply players for international duty as part of the national team, from Cuban National Series teams and recently from the Cuban Elite League.
From 2016 to 2019, the league champion advanced directly to the Caribbean Series as the Cuban delegate. Representation in the Caribbean Series was transferred to the Cuban Elite League, which plays a winter schedule, following its 2022–23 premiere season.
The tournament typically runs from November to April, culminating in an exciting playoff series that determines the national champion. Each season, teams are composed of talented players, many of whom have gone on to achieve international acclaim, both in Major League Baseball and other professional leagues around the world.
The Serie Nacional is not just a sporting event; it is a cultural phenomenon that unites communities and ignites national pride. Fans flock to stadiums, filling them with vibrant energy, as they cheer for their local teams. The tournament also serves as a platform for young talent to emerge, with scouts often keeping a close eye on promising players who could represent Cuba on the global stage.
With its rich history, passionate fan base, and commitment to excellence, the Cuba Serie Nacional remains a cornerstone of Cuban sports, celebrating the island's enduring love for baseball and its role in shaping the country's identity.