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By Rafael Ferro Salas, Grupo Decoro
PINAR DEL RIO, November (www.cubanet.org) -The first ones to arrive sat on
the shaded seats. The stadium was slowly filling. The food and cigarette vendors
strolled among the crowd hawking their offerings.
On the right field were flags of all colors fluttered. On the left field
were the fences with government propaganda. There aren't any commercial
advertisements, they are prohibited by decree.
The groundkeepers were putting the last touches. The day before it had
rained a lot. Someone thought they wouldn't play, but the sun was shining from
early on, and everything worked out to the joy of the fans.
The series opens this afternoon and the stadium is in high spirits.
The best place to watch the games is behind the wire netting, but that's
reserved for the local government authorities and special guests. The public is
placed on the stands on the left and right wings. At games like today's there
are fans sitting on the top of the walls even. They climb up there, stoically,
ready to put up with the day's punishing sun.
There is a total hubbub now. The two teams who will inaugurate this year's
Cuban national baseball series are coming out. The applause is unanimous.
Some people, deeply moved, whistle. The umpires go to the center of the field.
On the base path from first to second base the home team in green is situated.
At the other end from home plate to third base the visiting team is placed.
All eyes are on the field. All of a sudden you notice people are sad. The
crowd knows each player's name and number by heart. Many are the years
applauding each victory and crying for each defeat. The fact is that amid the
joy over the start of the series, there is sadness. Somebody is missed this
afternoon.
The crowd cannot be completely happy in a baseball stadium knowing that
their favorite team's best pitcher will be missing forever. A crowd like that
has to show some sadness, and the fans from Pinar del Rio are no exception.
Amidst the clapping they long for the one who is gone for good. He will be
playing in the major leagues of the United States.
Not this year, nor any other year, will the pitcher Ariel Contreras, the
great absence, throw baseballs from the center of Pinar del Rio's diamond.
Versión
original en español
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