ACOG - News - IBM

(22 July 1996; Day 3)

Cuba Takes Step Towards Baseball Medal Round

There is a common theme being expressed in the interview room at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Call it optimism. Call it hope. Call it is the Olympic spirit. But, through two days, each of the eight countries competing in the Olympic baseball competition still believes it has a chance to compete for a medal.

The Netherlands coach thinks "Now, maybe we have a chance." after a win over Australia.

Five minutes later, the Australian head coach, whose team is 0-2 after two games after dropping a 16-6 decision to the Netherlands squad, states, "I think we are capable of beating any team."

Each team now has five games left before the top four teams are determined for the medal round. Cuba, showing the resolve of a squad that has not lost in international competition since 1983, has taken the first big step toward the semifinals with its extra-inning win over Japan on 21 July.

"As we saw last night, it is hard to beat those guys," said Netherlands coach Jan Dick LEURS on July 22, referring to Japan's bid to end Cuba's winning streak the previous night.

Cuba does sit atop the standings with its 2-0 record, joining the United States as the only remaining undefeated squad in the round-robin tournament, but it has been tested in each win as it has trailed in both games. With seven days of baseball left, none of the eight teams is ready to concede the gold medal to the defending Olympic champions just yet.

A sampling of the first eight games shows the coveted spots in the medal round are still up for grabs for the most part. Australia, making its first appearance in the official Olympic tournament, challenged Cuba early before dropping a run-difference decision. Italy posted an impressive win over Korea in its opener and Nicaragua rebounded from its loss to the USA with a win over the Italians. Japan proved it can play with Cuba, while the Netherlands squad is still in the hunt after beating Australia. The United States still has to play both Japan and Cuba, but has won its first two games as expected.

But, the experienced Cuban squad is still the favorite to advance as much for its individual performances as its team play through the first three days.

Orestes KINDELAN has to be the most feared batter in the tournament after his estimated 521-foot blast that landed in the second deck in deep centerfield, one of three home runs hit by the designated hitter for the Cuban squad. In all, KINDELAN is 6-for-11 with eight RBI in helping Cuba to a .381 batting average and .643 slugging percentage.

As a team, the Cubans have hit six home runs and scored an average of 13.5 runs per game led by the seven runs by Omar LINARES. But, the pitching staff has also surrendered 15 runs, proving it still is anybody's gold medal to win

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Steven R. Shaff.


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