CAN AMERICANS VISIT CUBA?

• Despite a ban on most American travel to Cuba, more than 60,000 American tourists travel to Cuba annually from Mexico, Canada or other Caribbean ports. Cuba places no restrictions on American travel in Cuba and will not stamp passports of American tourists to prevent problems upon return.

WHAT IS CUBA LIKE?

• Your first impression of Cuba will be visual. Cuba looks like someone pressed a stop watch on January 1, 1959, the day that Fidel Castro's revolution overthrew that dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. A third of the cars are 40's and 50's American models. You have to love a country where there are more Desotos than Hondas! Havana is a beautiful colonial city, with a large historic quarter (Habana Vieja), museums and a spectacular waterfront walk called the Malecon. Cuban people are friendly, well educated and healthy, as a result of Cuba's universal and free health care and education systems.

WHY GO ON A CUBABALL TOUR?

• Cuba is unique. One of only two remaining socialist societies, it struggles to preserve its revolution in the face of international isolation, a longstanding blockade, and an economy that went into a tailspin after the collapse of the Soviet bloc. Fidel Castro stepped down as president in February 2008 and leadership was passed to his brother, Raoul. Almost immediately after this transition, measures were undertaken hinting at changes to come. The time to see Cuba is before that change transforms the island and Cuba becomes the major tourist destination in the Caribbean. Although baseball is the primary focus of the Cubaball program, you will participate in activities which provide an understanding of the political, social, cultural and economic context of the Cuban revolution.

HOW ABOUT THE BASEBALL?

• Despite the defection of some stars, such as Livan and Orlando (El Duque) Hernandez, and Ray Ordonez, Cuba remains a world power in baseball. In the spring of 2000, the national team split a two game home and home series with the Orioles, losing a close game to the O's in Havana and drubbing the big leaguers at Camden Yards. When I talk to Cubans about Rey ORdonez, they laugh, saying that he was never considered good enough to make the Cuban national team. Baseball is the #1 sport in this sport-crazed country. Kids play ball with home-made pelotas (baseballs) year round. Every 9-year old looks like a prospect! All games we attend will be games of the National Series, Cuba's premier league. The Cuban National Series features 16 teams in two divisions. The 2011-12 season sees a realignment resulting from the division of Habana province into two provinces. The hapless Metros, Havana`s second team, is disbanded, and two new teams replace the pitching-rich La Habana club. Cuban ballplayers always play for their home provinces. Ballparks are of 60's and 70's vintage, and are comparable to AAA parks in North America. We will attend games in Havana province, Matanzas province, and at Havana's Estadio Latinamericano, Cuba's Yankee Stadium!

CAN I BUY CUBAN CIGARS?

• Cuban cigars are the best in the world. Hand-made Cubanos are widely available in factory stores (we will visit two), hotels and some specialty shops. These are guaranteed authentic and come with all official stamps. They sell for prices that are approximately 25% of those in Canada or Great Britain. Most brands (Cohiba, Montecristo, Uppmann, Romeo y Julietta, Bolivar, etc) are available most of the time. Tourists are constantly approached by Cubans who offer cigars at sharp discounts, claiming that their brothers work in the factories. These are invariably fakes and should be avoided. Regrettably, Americans may not bring Cuban cigars back into the United States. But you can enjoy your Cubans while on the tour.

WILL I BE ABLE TO GET AUTOGRAPHS OF PLAYERS?

• The relationship between Cuban fans and players is dramatically different than the relationship between fans and professional athletes. Athletes are neighbors and fellow workers, and the relationship between players and fans is casual and intimate. You will have the opportunity to meet players and get autographs, including those from veteran ballplayers such as 100-year old Conrado Marrero, former Washington Senator and legendary Cuban pitcher, and surviving members of the Havana Sugar Kings.