Wikipedia - Cuban National Series

The Cuban National Series (Spanish: Serie Nacional de Béisbol, SNB) is the primary 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

A 2020 game between Leñadores de Las Tunas and Cocodrilos de Matanzas

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, 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 Cuba Serie Nacional is a prestigious baseball tournament held annually in Cuba. It is the highest level of baseball competition in the country and showcases the immense talent and passion for the sport that exists in Cuba.

The tournament features teams from all provinces of Cuba, each representing their respective regions. These teams consist of some of the best baseball players in the country, many of whom have gone on to achieve international recognition and success.

The Cuba Serie Nacional is known for its high level of competitiveness and intense rivalries between teams. The tournament follows a regular season format, where teams compete against each other in a series of games to determine their rankings. The top teams then advance to the playoffs, culminating in a thrilling championship series.

Baseball fans from all over Cuba eagerly follow the tournament, filling stadiums with their energy and enthusiasm. The atmosphere during the games is electric, with passionate supporters cheering on their favorite teams and players. The tournament also attracts attention from international scouts and baseball enthusiasts, who recognize the talent and potential of Cuban players.

The Cuba Serie Nacional not only serves as a platform for showcasing the skills of Cuban baseball players but also plays a significant role in the development of the sport in the country. It provides a pathway for young players to showcase their abilities and potentially be scouted for professional contracts both within Cuba and internationally.

Overall, the Cuba Serie Nacional is a highly anticipated and revered baseball tournament in Cuba. It represents the rich baseball culture and tradition of the country, while also serving as a platform for the development and recognition of talented players.