From News Services and Staff Reports. The Washington Post. Monday, August 14, 2000; Page D02
Two members of Cuba's national junior team who defected at the World Junior Baseball Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, were reported to be in Mexico yesterday.
"It was not a spur of the moment decision," said Ron Hayter, chairman of the group organizing the championships. "This was all pre-planned, and when they got to Canada the arrangements were made for them to leave and get to Mexico."
Catcher William Plaza, 17, walked out of a dormitory and into a waiting car on Saturday, said Joe Kehoskie, an agent who helped the two defect. Pitcher Yolexandry Reina, 18, slipped away during a game last Monday, Kehoskie said.
Hayter said his contacts with the Cuban team told him that the two players were in Mexico.
Defections by Cubans at international sporting events have drawn the anger of the country's leaders. About a year ago at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 10 Cubans defected. The move prompted Fidel Castro to describe Canada as "enemy territory."
© 2000 The Washington Post Company | 