The Cuban Little League coach is missing from the World Series — the team’s first-ever appearance at the tournament
- Coach Jose Perez left the Little League International Grove late Saturday night
- The organization has not indicated whether it is a transfer
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A coach from Cuba’s first-ever Little League World Series team has disappeared, a tournament official announced Monday.
Jose Perez, a Bayamo Little League coach, left the Little League International Grove late Saturday night and did not return.
Perez, coach of the team representing the Cuba region in the inaugural Little League World Series, reportedly gave no reason for his departure.
“Little League International has communicated with all relevant authorities and will ensure the Bayamo Little League team in Williamsport continues to receive the best support and experience,” said Little League International spokesman Kevin Fountain.
Perez was one of two coaches of the Cuban team managed by Vladimir Vargas.
Jose Perez, a coach for the Cuban little league team, disappeared during the World Series
Bayamo is the first team from Cuba to participate in the Little League World Series
His disappearance came just hours after Little League and the Cuban Baseball Federation extended their relationship through 2025.
According to The Independent, Perez was seen on surveillance footage getting into a vehicle around 11pm on Saturday night near the International Grove complex where team players, managers and coaches were staying during the tournament.
Although the organization has stated that it has contacted the relevant authorities, it would not say whether it was a defection.
Wednesday saw Cuba’s first game in the LLWS, a 1-0 loss to Japan. After beating Australia 11-1 in the opening round of the qualifying round on Saturday, the Cubans lost 3-2 to Panama on Sunday and were eliminated from the tournament.
However, even after elimination, teams typically stay on the Little League campus and play exhibition games in the area for a few days.
The Little League’s relationship with Cuba began in 2019 with the affiliation of 170 youth programs and an entry into the LLWS as part of the World Series expansion in 2021.
In 2021, a three-year rotation between Cuba, Puerto Rico and Panama was introduced. As part of the rotation, two teams will automatically receive an application to the tournament each year, and the remaining team will compete for a place in the LLWS as part of their regional tournament.
To bring the Cuban national champions from Bayamo to this year’s tournament, Little League worked with the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and the State Department to secure 20 visas for the Cuban team, as well as coaches and baseball officials.