Havana Times

Cepeda Leads Team Cuba to World Cup

By Circles Robinson

Frederich Cepeda is Cuba’s new captain for the 2009 World Cup.
Frederich Cepeda is Cuba’s new captain for the 2009 World Cup. Photo: Jose Luis Anaya

HAVANA TIMES, August 25 – Clutch hitter Frederich Cepeda is the new captain of the Cuban National Baseball Team as the squad readies for the World Cup which begins on Sept. 9.

The Cubans, ranked first by the International Baseball Federation, are coming off a win at the Rotterdam Port Cities Tournament and a disappointing showing at World Baseball Classic II when Japan’s pitching shut them out of the semifinals.

Esteban Lombillo, manager of the Cuban League champions Havana Province, is the skipper of the island’s squad which includes:

Catchers: Ariel Pestano, Eriel Sanchez and Yosvani Peraza;  Infielders: Ariel Borrero, Jose Dariel Abreu, Hector Olivera, Yulieski Gourriel, Michel Enríquez, Luis Miguel Navas and Yorbis Borroto and Outfielders: Frederich Cepeda, Alfredo Despaigne, Yoennis Céspedes, Giorvis Duvergel and Leonys Martín.

The Pitching Staff is made up by veterans Pedro Luis Lazo and Norge Luis Vera as well as younger generations with Maikel Folch, Vladimir García, Freddy Asiel Alvarez and the foursome from Lombillos championship squad:  Yadier Pedroso, Yulieski Gonzalez, Jonder Martínez and Miguel Alfredo González, MVP at Rotterdam.