Cuba


The Friendly people of Cuba Invite you to Play Baseball in their Tropical Paradise!

Read what others say
about these trips.
Baseball in Cuba

Spend a week in the Forbidden Isle doing what you love,
Playing Baseball!

Cuba is a fascinating place to visit.  Fascinating for many reasons, primarily that there are no Americans.  Because of the embargo it's been forbidden for Americans to travel to Cuba for 4 decades.  The government does issues legal license to travel to Cuba for certain reasons.  One of these if for amateur athletic competitions.  Because of this I've been making trips to Cuba since 2001 that have included 10 baseball trips.  This is a rare opportunity for amateur baseball players to visit this beautiful island and meet with the Cuban people. 

Per the government regulations, these trips are for established teams only.  You cannot join as a pool player.  If you are interested in baseball in the Caribbean or other parts of the world you might might consider some of our other trips.  We went to Italy last year and the Dominican Republic.  Next year we are planning on Paris with maybe a few games in London.  In the meantime, feel free to take a look at information on some of our most recent trips. 


Trip #1 Western Cuba-2010- Havana, Pinar del Rio, Matanzas

Trip #2-Central & West Cuba-2010-Cienfuegos , Santa Clara and Havana

Click Here
to see the Article in this edition of Hardball Magazine about out trips
Click Here
to see the article from Cuban newspaper in Las Tunas, Cuba
Click Here
to see the article in Ranch & Coast Magazine
Click Here
to see the article in USNews

Preliminary planning is currently underway for a return to Cuba in Winter of 2010.  This trip is for only for members of the Dodgertown West and the West Coast Fantasy League.
2 new trips are planned for 2010
Eastern Cuba for the Veterans of other Cuba trips
Western & Central Cuba for new players.
Both will begin in February

Play Baseball in France
Preliminary planning is underway, get on the list.
Play Baseball in Cuba
Winter 2010
Play Baseball in China
Just waiting for you.
Play Baseball in Italy
Too Late for this one, you missed a great trip
Play Baseball in the Dominican Republic
You missed another great trip!
Play Baseball in Panama
You missed another great trip!
 Play Baseball in Japan
You missed a great trip!
Play Baseball in Costa Rica
You missed one of the best trips yet!
Play Baseball In Greece
Just waiting for you.
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Just waiting for you.
Play Baseball in the Netherlands
Just waiting for you.
Play Baseball in Prague
Just waiting for you.
See More Information at any of these sites.
International Baseball
International Baseball
 InternationalBaseball.net
InternationalBaseball.info


Registration Form
Cuba Links
Map of Cuba

Your Rights to Travel to Cuba
 Photos of Cuba Trips
Cuba Photos 2009
Blair's Cuba Photos 2004
Harry Wade

Play Baseball in Cuba!  Baseball and Cuba go hand in hand.  It is one of the most prominent links between them and the US.  Cuba is only 90 miles from the US and has been forbidden to us for 4 decades. It is still not legal to go to Cuba on your own but there are ways that allow you to visit.   The US Treasury Department, who has the embargo against Cuba, allows a limited number of licenses.  One of these is the specific license program which allows for Amateur Competitions in Athletics.
If you are a baseball player and would like to become a Baseball Ambassador, this is your chance.  Come and play baseball in the Caribbean this winter in a country unspoiled by western culture.  These are legally licensed trips open to Dodgertown West Baseball Players and support staff only.  You don't need to go through Mexico or Canada, we'll have a charter flight directly from Miami.  This is a rare and limited chance to Become a Baseball Ambassador by dealing with civilized Cuban nationals on a grass roots level. Cuba has a very strong tie to the US in baseball and they play it very good on all levels.  They are pro American, very congenial hosts and a warm and friendly culture.  Cuba is a beautiful tropical country with low crime rate, high education standards and a healthy population.  The country is very safe to visit. Photos of Cuba
Havana
Cienfuegos
Matanzas
San Antonio
Holguin
Gramma
Santiago
Pinar del Rio
Guantanamo


You'll have opportunities to see many local sites and experience this Latin culture like you have never imagined before.  We'll visit both rural and urban areas and stay in great hotels.  The food is mild Creole style, the baseball players are very good, the music is hypnotic, the architecture is beautiful, and the people are  hospitable and friendly. 

What could be better than playing winter baseball on a beautiful tropical island.  Cuba is very much like Hawaii with sugar fields, palm trees, pineapple, coffee, sandy beaches and tropical winds. No volcanoes and no American tourists.  We are well received everywhere we go and treated like celebrities.  Cuba is the jewel of the Caribbean and this is your rare opportunity to visit this exotic island culture before western culture steps in. 

These trips are a lot more than baseball.  You'll be interacting with Cuban Nationals every day on various levels.  Each day is a full day agenda of baseball, tours and entertainment.  Just about everything is included on these trips, all baseball, license, airfare to and from Cuba, tours, travel visa, tour guide, all lodging, most meals and much more.  Each day is an adventure.  Once you've done one of these trips, your perspective on Cuba and the Cuban people will change. 
There is no need to feel intimidated.  Cubans are pro American and generous hosts.  Cuba is a very popular vacation resort for Canadians, Germans and Italians.  The Cuban government is very concerned about making sure of the safety of tourists and has very strict penalties for anyone causing problems with them.  There is plenty of police and security protection if you are concerned.  On the other hand, the Cuban people are very warm, friendly and helpful people.  They are always very glad to see you or speak with you.  There are plenty of first class hotels, good places to eat, great music, beautiful sites and lots to entertain you.  Plus, these trips are perfectly legal.
There are 2 trips set up for this coming winter.  Tentatively, the first trip is set up for us to visit Western Cuba and surrounding areas.  The second trip is to begin in the resort and historical area of Cienfuegos in Central Cuba and will end in Havana.  You are welcome to join either trip.  For those of you who have been on previous trips, I suggest you consider the Western Cuba trip.  When the roster is full, you can get on a waiting list.  Some people will drop out between now and the trip date so spots will open up.  This trip is for players only with a limited number of support staff.  It is not a vacation for you and your wife, girlfriend, kids or whatever.

We've done ten previous baseball trips to Cuba.  Several of our Dodgertown West players participated in the first trip in the winter of 2001.  Each year, more players from the league from all over the country join us and several have continued to come each year.  We usually have at least 1 team each week for the 2 trips.  Your baseball playing ability is not an issue but we need good players to beat the Cubans.

The Cuban players are mostly retired professionals, Olympic or others who play in local leagues in their 40-70's.  Many of these people played in the US and many knew some of our baseball coaches and baseball heroes. The games are much like many of our local amateur leagues.  The pitching is generally not too difficult, they are excellent fielders, fast of foot and usually all of them can hit well.  They also know how to play the game.  The baseball in Cuba is tough competition though, we are 3-51 for Cuba so far.

We often play in their professional stadiums.  Other fields are local parks or smaller local stadium.  There are often special ceremonies, introductions and exchanges of gifts.  There will be anywhere from a couple of dozen to several hundreds of people in attendance at the games, sometimes even broadcast on the radio.


Baseball Trips
The first trip in 2001 was based in Havana the whole week where we had our first introductions to Cuba and Cuban baseball.  We played several teams around the Havana area in 3 different ballparks including Estadio Latino Americano.  Since then, we've made trips each winter to see new sights and old friends. 

In the year 2002, we expanded our horizons and began our trip in Central Cuba and ended up in Havana.  We played games in Cienfuegos, Abreus and Havana and used the Estadio 5th de Septiembre for most our games.  New friends were made and each day consisted of various tours, entertainment and events. 

In the year 2003, the first week played in Vinales, Pinar del Rio and Havana.  The second week included Trinidad, Scanti Spiritus, Cienfuegos, Abreus and Santa Clara.  In Pinar del Rio, we played in Estadio Capitain San Louis and in Santa Clara, we used Estadio Sandino. 

In the year 2004, the first week we played teams in the Havana area.  Teams were the Vetronos de Beisbol, Cortero and the Matanzas team.  The second week was in Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and back to Havana..

In year 2005, we travel to the south of the country.  We stayed and played in Holguin.  From there we went to Las Tunas, Bayamo, Santiago and Guantanamo.

In year 2009, we returned to Cienfuegos for 3 games.  From there we went to Havana for 3 more games.
One trip, I had the opportunity to work out with the local Cienfuegos baseball team in this stadium prior to being invited as their guest that evening in a game against the Industrialies of Havana.  We played there several times this last trip.  Cuba is the Pearl of the Caribbean and Cienfuegos is the Pearl of Sea.  Leisurely days were spent with our Cuban family on our private dock consuming rum, smoking cigars,  Cuban espresso, shrimp and lobster.   You'll see plenty of political statements and billboards all over the country as well as many means of transportation while we cruise in our luxury air conditioned Mercedes Benz bus.
Your license will allow you to visit Cuba only for the purposes defined, to play baseball.  You are not allowed to spend money on souvenirs, gifts or other tourist activities.  There are spending limitations on what you can spend in Cuba.  It used to be that you could only bring back $100 worth of merchandise including Rum, Coffee and 2 boxes Cigars.  Plus, as many periodicals, CD's and artwork you want. With new regulations, you are not allowed any of these.

These are all inclusive trips that include transportation, baseball games, most meals, tours, guide, accommodations and a lot more.  Travel or other activities other than that described in our license is limited by the amount of money we are allowed to spend each day.  Our trips will give you the opportunity to see lots of Cuba, enjoy the culture, and maybe even some Cuban night life.  Plus, and most important, you'll meet new people and make many new friends, both from your teammates and the many Cubans we will interact with.  You are allowed to spend $179/day in Cuba which includes meals and lodging.  This is usually plenty as just about everything is covered in your trip cost and prices in Cuba are very reasonable.  They do not accept credit cards or travelers checks drawn on US banks.

Newspaper Article from the Las Tunas Newspaper, 2005 trip

You can read up on Cuba by checking out some of the books at Cuba Books.

You can find lot's of information on Cuba at the Cuba Links Page

What you need is:

If you are interested in making a legal baseball trip to Cuba, please let me know as soon as possible.  A long lead time is needed as Cuba is a very popular vacation spot for everyone but Americans. Click Here for Registration Form.  Print the form and fax or mail it.
Baseball Adventures
Dennis McCroskey
P.O. Box 707 
Mendocino, CA 95460 
Phone No. 707-937-4478 
Email: Dennis@DennisMc.com
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Baseball Adventures

Cuba, Baseball, Travel, Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Caribbean, Embargo, Tour, Vacation, Amateur, Sports, Castro, Pinar del Rio, Vinales, Sancti Spiritus, Santa Clara, Tropicana,  Santiago, Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas, Camaguay, Che, Jose Mart