Day Three Update From UT Baseball

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa baseball team continues to enjoy its time in Cuba, participating in numerous cultural exchanges and tours in the country.

"It has been so much fun," says senior captain Zach Gawrych. "It is very interesting to see the people of Cuba, as they are just as interested in our culture as we are in theirs. The food has been delicious and all of the people have welcomed us with open arms. We were excited to have our first practice today. People were excited to see us and actually cheered us as we were getting off our bus."

The team was able to meet the manager of the Matanzas baseball team, Victor Mesa, at dinner on Monday. Mesa is known as being Cuba's greatest centerfielder in the past 55 years. Through the meeting, he invited the Spartans to watch his team's playoff game of Thursday. He has also planned to bring Tampa to the field following the game to meet with his team.

"The field very nice, but different," says shortstop Jacob Tillotson. "The infield is very fast and made up of hard clay. We are expecting an exciting game tomorrow, with hard-hit ground balls. It should be a fantastic experience."

Following practice, UT headed to Central Park. An area of the park is called the "hot corner," where former Cuban major leaguers talk about baseball every afternoon. The team was greeted by the former players, as local news crews were also on hand for the exchange.

"It is amazing at how friendly and welcoming everyone has been," says head coach Joe Urso. "Today was definitely my favorite day of the trip so far. It was great meeting the former players and I was able to speak with them for an hour."

The team also met a large group of school kids in the courtyard, as the locals mobbed the NCAA national champions for autographs and pictures. They were also able to meet Cuba's Commissioner of Baseball.

Tampa will play its first game of the trip on Wednesday, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., against the Industriales Blue Lions.

Please visit TampaSpartans.com for information on the UT Baseball trip to Cuba as it becomes available.