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Baseball has long been a national passion. The Communist-run
country quickly adopted this version after it was developed in
the 1990s in Italy, but it has only really caught on in recent
years, spreading to all corners of the Caribbean island.
Players like Zapata are ambitious. Their dream is for blind
baseball to be included in the 2020 Paralympics, and to bring
home the trophy for Cuba.
"When you lose your vision, these first years are difficult,"
said Zapata, 41, at a training session in Havana where players
wore white uniforms.
"When you get this kind of opportunity, it's fabulous. Your
world didn't end, it continues."
The players, who are blind or visually impaired and wear
colorful blindfolds while playing, say baseball has helped them
refine their sense of orientation by sound.
The ball has bells inside so that fielders can hear where it
lands and scramble for it. First base is a beeping mat, and
players clap paddles at second and third base to orient runners.
There is no pitcher; the batter tosses the ball in the air and
hits it. Fly balls are not allowed.
"This is different from conventional baseball - you have to be
more concentrated," said Carlos Fuentes, 32, a physical
therapist who lost his sight in recent years. "This sport in a
way has served me as rehabilitation, for spatial orientation."
The game was brought to Cuba by Italian coaches, who also
provided the specialized equipment. Enthusiasts say it is more
truthful to the original sport than its American parallel, beep
baseball.
Havana coach Roberto Carmona says the game is played throughout
Europe, Asia, in Cuba and Panama. But for it to be included in
the Paralympics, there need to be two teams per continent, which
he is confident can happen by 2020.
Five Cuban provinces play the game, he said. There is no age or
gender limit and even sighted people can play as long as they
wear a blindfold.
"We met with the Italians recently and won three games," said
Carmona. "Cuba could be the leader, not just in the region but
the whole world. Baseball runs through Cubans' blood."
(Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Dan Grebler)
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