Cuba: Industriales Baseball Team Practice
Considered the Yankees of Cuba, this Havana based team draws sold out crowds in Havana and on the road.
Unlike the US, Cuba doesn't recognize baseball player as a profession so legally all of the players are amateurs. They have off-season jobs and during the season, the players receive a stipend equivalent to their off-season job. This means players earn about $2,000 a year, compare that to an MLB salary and you can understand why Cuban players are tempted to defect. This doesn't make it any less appealing to the youth.
Many players defect to a country other than the US, like the Dominican Republic so they can enter MLB as a free agent as opposed to entering the MLB draft to establish residency.  2015.01.02January 2, 2015; Havana, Cuba; Industriales practice at Estadio Santiago "Changa" Mederos
While some players fully believe in the government and play for the love of the game and country feeling as though they don't need more than what the government provides for them and support the greater good.  2015.01.02January 2, 2015; Havana, Cuba; Industriales practice at Estadio Santiago "Changa" Mederos
The ones that defect could potentially earn millions, but they also can't return to Cuba and their families are denied exit visas, potentially never seeing your family again. While relations are normalizing and Raul Castro now allows players who defected 8 years ago, to return to Cuba. This still precludes players like Yoenis Cepsepedes from being able to visit his son who remains on the island with the child's mother.  2015.01.02January 2, 2015; Havana, Cuba; Industriales practice at Estadio Santiago "Changa" Mederos
Considering the last baseball I photographed was the World Series, it's astonishing to compare the difference between the two.  2015.01.02January 2, 2015; Havana, Cuba; Industriales practice at Estadio Santiago "Changa" Mederos
Most notably for me, was the batting practice balls being numbered. Balls are counted before and after practice to make sure no players are stealing balls and offering them for sale as a way to make extra income.  2015.01.02January 2, 2015; Havana, Cuba; Industriales practice at Estadio Santiago "Changa" Mederos
Most of the players are wearing backpacks and hats they either received as part of the World Baseball Classic, or from other tourists. Compared to high performance gear our players have unlimited access to.
I wish I had a chance to closer document this team, this league, and the players and fans. But for now, just getting a glimpse into baseball in Cuba was an incredible experience!
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