Cuban Ballplayers Take the Field in Wayland

Michael Eizenberg saw several years worth of work come to fruition last week as Cuban ballplayers arrived in Massachusetts for a series of Friendship Games.

Eizenberg stood Aug. 24 at Cochituate Field in Wayland and watched as Cuban ballplayers played a pickup game with members of the Eastern Massachusetts Senior Softball (EMASS) league. the day before as the first such team permitted to come to the states in more than 50 years, according to an EMASS press release.

EMASS players, including Eizenberg, first played in Havana in 2009, but Cuban players had not been permitted by their countries governments to travel to the U.S. until now.

Eizenberg was one of the original organizers of the Friendship Games played in Cuba and has spent the past several years "finding the right doors to knock on" to bring the Cuban players to the states.

Under beautiful blue skies on a warm late summer afternoon, Eizenberg watched as those efforts paid off. On Cochituate Field, two teams comprised of six players from the Cuban team and six from the EMASS team, played a lively pickup game in front of joyful spectators.

The Cuban team's itinerary in the U.S. involved pickup games and practices at several locations in the Boston and Metrowest area as well as the official Friendship Games and opening ceremonies at Boston Common.

The language of softball connected the players who didn't share a native language and smiles, of course, are universal.

"I've hadn't had a uniform to play in since college," EMASS player Regis Roderick of Bedford said over his shoulder as he an off to take the field.

The Cuban players were scheduled to stay at the homes of EMASS players during their stay and were treated to a barbecue at one person's home in addition to a variety of tourist activities, including a stop at Fenway Park.

"If you're patient enough and really in your heart feel it's something you want to do ..." Eizenberg said. "This proves that in life anything is possible."