For the first time in most people’s memory, Cuba will take part in the Caribbean professional baseball championship on Margarita Island off the coast of Venezuela this week. The Dominican Republic will play Puerto Rico on the opening day, Friday 1 February. Major League Baseball has set a 7 February deadline for all winter league baseball, so this year’s tournament between teams from the DR, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela will be much shorter. The teams will play against each other once, and the top four teams will play 1-4 and 2-3 with the winners playing for the title of Caribbean World Series Champion. This year’s star attraction is Cuba, represented by Santa Clara and said to have at least four players who could step into the Major Leagues right away, including a catcher said to be the best in baseball. All games will be transmitted in the DR.