Ariguanabo river is identity for those born in San Antonio de los Baños. It gives us the adjective and inspires poets and musicians.
This river lies with the legendary Julio Perez baseball stadium, home and scene of great figures of our national pastime.
Blame to river!, is the phrase I heard from a fan at Jose Marti Park when he referred to the inclusion of San Antonio de los Baños, between the towns that hosted the 53rd National Baseball Series.
I meditated after hearing this reflection and I think he´s right, because there is no other compelling reason to deny the baseball lovers, to watch a game of Cuban baseball from the steps of the old park.
The river has always existed in the same place and no one can remove it. From the time of the Amateur Athletic Union in the 40s, playing baseball at Julio Perez before Ariguanabo Park, even with less than now. The federation of that prestigious league, never ceased to program games for the club Craftsmen, at his headquarters and every Sunday, the gazebo was filled to see launch Julio " Jiquí" Moreno and enjoy home runs Jose Mir or Armenian Torres.
Why then now, the Provincial and National Commissions of Baseball, scheduled a challenge for the National Serie to Julio Perez"?. It´s so miserable that can not play on it?.
They also say that at Julio Pérez many balls are lost. And in the others? that's not compelling to obviate the Ariguanabo and deprive them of a game National Series. As additional data, in the match played in the stadium Severino Mendez 12 of 20 spherical has lost and that park does not have a river nearby.
San Antonio de los Baños deserved a National Series game, because it is a municipality with excellent results in baseball. Three times it has been in the provincial end of the first category in Artemisa, with a title and two second places, brings athletes for national teams at events outside of Cuba and has a group of coaches who are very proud to be among the best in the province, place their teams in the first three contests of Artemisa. Are not these arguments to reward the work of athletes, coaches and fans?.
I can not think otherwise. I maintain the view of that amateur when asked, why not Baseball National Series was played in San Antonio de los Baños? and stated: Blame to river!.
