Winter League Baseball: Serie del Caribe 2018-2019 Faces Potential Cancellation

2018~2019

HOST

Barquisimeto, Venezuela

BREAKING NEWS

• ESPN Deportes ~ On potential cancellation of 2018-2019 Serie del Caribe
• MLB.com ~ Unrest in Venezuela Threatens Caribbean Series
• Sporting News ~ Political Unrest in Venezuela Puts Caribbean Series in Jeopardy

If you've been keeping up with international news, then you're probably aware Venezuela is a nation in crisis.  Amidst epic political turmoil, cities throughout the country on Wednesday erupted in demonstration.  Hundreds of arrests are being reported, while 13 known deaths have occurred in protests.

The city of Barquisimeto was due to host this year's Caribbean Series.  On Thursday, the Professional Baseball Confederation of the Caribbean issued a statement all but declaring a final resolution in light of present conditions in Venezuela, and that a definitive determination would be forthcoming within 24-hours.

An ongoing state of turmoil likewise caused the confederation to shift last year's Serie del Caribe - originally scheduled for Barquisimeto - to Jalisco, Mexico.  It marked Mexico's second straight season as host nation.  As a result, they've expressed a reluctance to host a third straight tournament.
However, last year's decision to opt out of Venezuela was made well in advance, a full seven months before the February event.  Thus affording ample time for tackling the complexities of relocation and logistical reconfiguration.  This year's opening game of the Serie del Caribe is tentatively scheduled for Feb.2, which at this point leaves little or no time for a sudden change of venues.  Moreover, Puerto Rico is still beset with post Hurricane Maria recovery, and is in no position to host.  Dominican Republic offered to host but at the participating country's expense.  Cuba since 2014 is still technically considered a guest of the Caribbean Series, and therefore is not a host consideration.

Founded in 1949, the Serie del Caribe ironically was the brainchild of Venezuelan businessmen Pablo Morales and Oscar Prieto Ortiz.  Perhaps even more ironic, the Serie del Caribe was last suspended in 1981 due to a Venezuelan League player's strike.

CONFEDERATION of the CARIBBEAN CHARTER MEMBERS: 1949-1960

• Venezuela (0)
• Panama (1)
• Puerto Rico (4)
• Cuba (7)
• *Serie del Caribe titles

By 1959-1960, Cuba's Communist Revolution seizes control of government.  Fidel Castro nationalizes the country's baseball enterprise, and by banning professionalism transforms the game into regional divisions of strictly amateur competition.  The Serie del Caribe is suspended from 1961 through 1969 as a result.  Panama folds operations.  The circuit is reformed in 1970 with lone returning members Puerto Rico and Venezuela.  Dominican Republic joins the loop in 1970, and Mexico joins the year after.  These four member circuits now make up the present Confederation of the Caribbean.  As a result of slow and steady thawing of decades long political tensions, the Confederation invited Cuba back in 2014 as a guest participant.

CONFEDERATION of the CARIBBEAN CURRENT MEMBERS: 1970-present

• Dominican Republic (19)
• Puerto Rico (12)
• Mexico (9)
• Venezuela (7)
• Cuba (1)
• * Serie del Caribe titles

VENEZUELA
Serie del Caribe Champions: 1970; 1979; 1982; 1984; 1989; 2006; 2009.

• Liga Venezulana Beisbol Profesional

Despite political and civil unrest dominating the nation's attention, the LVBP championship series  pressed on.

CHAMPIONS: LOS CARDENALES de LARA

• Founded: 1942
• LVBP Champions: 1991; 1998; 2000-2001.

CARDENALES de LARA sweep LEONES de CARACAS; 4-0
I - LAR 7; CAR 1
II - LAR 8; CAR 2
III - LAR 12; CAR 1

GAME FOUR

LARA         7
CARACAS 0

SATURDAY FINAL

MEXICO

Serie del Caribe Champions: 1976; 1986; 1996; 2002; 2005; 2011; 2013-2014; 2016.

• Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

Jalisco leads LMP Championship Series over Obregon; 3-2

I - OBR 8; JAL 3

II - JAL 6; OBR 4

III - OBR 10; JAL 9

IV - JAL 5; OBR 3
V - JAL 7; OBR 0

GAME SIX

YAQUIS de OBREGON @ CHARROS de JALISCO

MONDAY

CUBA
Serie del Caribe Champions: 1949; 1952; 1956-1960; 2015.

• BaseballDeCuba

CHAMPIONS: LENADORES de LAS TUNAS (Lumberjacks)

• Founded: 1977
• Record: 65-45 (.591)
• 2018-2019 First Time Serie Nacional Champions/58th Edition; Defeat Leopardos de Villa Clara (four games to one).

• Cuban Baseball Federation Reveals Las Tunas final roster for Serie del Caribe

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Serie del Caribe Champions: 1971; 1973; 1977; 1980; 1985; 1988; 1990-1991; 1994; 1997-1999; 2001; 2003-2004; 2007-2008; 2010; 2012.

• Liga Beisbol Profesional Republica Dominicana

CHAMPIONS: ESTRELLAS de ORIENTALES 

• Founded: 1910
• First Championship: 1936
• LIDOM Champions: 1954; 1968; 2019

LIDOM
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Estrellas de Orientaled defeat Toros del Este; 5-1
I - Stars 13; Toros 1
II - Stars 6; Toros 1
III - Toros 13; Stars 2
IV - Stars 3; Toros 2
V - Stars 3; Toros 0
VI - Stars 4; Toros 0

PUERTO RICO
Serie del Caribe Champions: 1951; 1953-1955; 1972; 1974-1975; 1978; 1983; 1987; 1992-1993; 1995; 2000; 2017-2018.

• Liga Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

CHAMPIONS: CANGREJEROS de SANTURCE 

• Founded: 1939
• LBPRC Champions: 1951; 1953; 1955; 1959; 1962; 1965; 1967; 1971; 1973; 1991; 1993; 2000; 2015-2016; 2019.

LBPRC

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Cangrejeros de Santurce sweep Indios de Mayaguez; 4-0

I - SAN 4; MAY 0

II - SAN 7; MAY 1

III - SAN 8; MAY 3

IV - SAN 1; MAY 0

*Wikipedia/CaribbeanSeries