LOST COAST PIRATES
WAGE PEACE IN CUBA!

(Garberville, 30 July 2000) After traveling from northern California, the Lost Coast Pirates players, coaches, managersand chaperones safely arrived in San Antonio, Texas with the Caravan to Cuba, arranged by Pastors For Peace. After a Peace orientation, they traveled to McAllen Texas and crossed the border into Reynosa, Mexico without any extra problems from the US Treasury Department. The next leg of the trip was a long drive to Tampico where the Mexican Longshoremen off-loaded the personal and donated supplies onto the docks and then onto a cargo ship.

Next morning, the delegation flew two hours to Havana and after the welcoming festivities, the group toured Old Town Havana. The Lost Coast Pirates was honored in a special presentation at the City Sports Complex. The delegation was first welcomed by the President of the Sports Ministry and were then presented to Cuban Olympian athletes from the track and field, boxing, volleyball, archery, synchronized swimming,and others who were in training there for the upcoming games in Australia.

During the course of our 8 day visit, when not playing baseball, we toured the Che Guevara Training Complex; the Institute for Latin American Medical Studies and the Tarara Medical complex where specialized treatment has been developed for the radiation victims of Chernoble, Russia.

We also toured the Museum of the Revolution, saw an Afro-Cuban folk dance performance and toured the El Moro Castle in time to witness the ceremonial firing of the cannon. While at a briefing at the Foreign Ministry we had a surprise visit by President Fidel Castro and we also toured a Pioneer Scout Camp, and witnessed the presentation of the first Benito Juarez Award to Fidel by a delegation from Mexico's government.

Play ball
On Sunday morning, the 23rd of July, the first game began after opening ceremonies. There were team introductions, and both nations national anthems were played,then Rev.Lucius Walker, Executive Director of Pastors for Peace, threw out the first pitch and the series was opened.

The Lost Coast Pirates played the "Ligeritos" (Swifties) composed of players from all over Havana. The Pirates, though exhausted from travel, put up a spirited defense with power hitting and looked good in the initial innings. Unfortunately, the high temperatures and humidity took its toll and the Pirates were defeated by the score of 16 to 9. However, we felt we had won the first game of Baseball Diplomacy. We travelled across the waters and took the field in Cuba, in spite of the severe limitations that the U.S. Treasury Department placed upon us. There was a great display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, and the players enjoyed the opportunity to test the metal of eachothers' playing ability and get aquainted with eachother as players of the game.

Hot Baseball
Our second game in the series took place on Tuesday, the 25th of July. The Lost Coast Pirates took to the field against the "Cerros" from Cerro, a municipality on the outskirts of Havana. This game was played under even hotter and more humid conditions. The Pirates again gave it their all, and were within striking distance until the latter innings. Pirates Keeba Drake and Ishmael Hameed suffered injuries due to errant pitches in the batting cage. Other Pirates were laid asunder by the heat, including ace pitcher Josh Orion, who was transported to the hospital. Many Pirates were suffering from the heat exhaustion and dehydration. After the game, the entire team followed Josh's lead to the hospital for check-ups and fluids. By the way, the Pirates lost again by the score 13 to 0. But, even after two losses, the Pirates spirits were strong, and these young players were still able to smile and were quite happy that afternoon at the beach.

No game on the 26th of July as it is the Cuban national holiday celebrating the 1953 attack on the Moncada barracks and the beginning of their Revolution. Members of our delegation marched with Fidel and over 200,000 Cuban people down the Malecon Boulevard.

Mixed Teams
Our final game was played Thursday, the 27th. The game was played with mixed teams, due to injuries, the heat, and to make a more even ball game. Half of the Pirates and half of the Cerros formed a team to play the other halves of the teams. The teams also switched coaches and managers so that each side had an American and a Cuban coach.

The players were able to mix and get to know each other better as athletes, as people, and a greater understanding was reached in regards to the significance of this "Baseball Diplomacy' series.

On our final night in Havana the Committee of Friendship hosted a party for us. We were entertained by a 13 piece Salsa dance band who played into the night. It was an exciting end to our festivities, and our good-byes were sweet and heart-felt. Many left with a new found respect for the Cuban people and their revolution.

And Next?
Our spirits were uplifted more by the Sports Ministry who delivered a tentative agreement to allow a Cuban youth league team to tour the United States West Coast, including possibly playing a game at Murray Field in Whitethorn next summer. Our delegation flew to San Francisco on the 29th thinking of next summer. After an evening of rest there, we made the long drive up to Humboldt County.

The Veterans for Peace Chapter 22, would like to thank all of our supporters that contributed generously to help make this trip happen.Thanks to those in media coordination, and tee-shirt sales.

VFP - 22 wishes to formally recognize the hard work that the players, coaches, managers chaperones and most especially the parents. Much was accomplished over the many week-ends of washing cars, tabling at fairs, selling tee-shirts, operating the "Dunk Booth" and producing a benefit dance. All worked extremely hard and long hours.

Lastly, Veterans for Peace wishes to honor the courage, bravery, sportsmanship, baseball skill and diplomacy of these boys of summer - the Lost Coast Pirates. The Peace Community can truly be proud of our delegation from Southern Humboldt.

Wage Peace!

Veterans for Peace Chapter 22 Garberville, California
www.humboldt.net/~veterans/Chapter22/


Pastors for Peace website is:
www.ifconews.org.

Here is the link to a great story by Bob Doran in the North Coast Journal. http://www.northcoastjournal.com/060800/cover0608.html