AUGSBURG BASEBALL IN CUBA - CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg University baseball team recently completed an eight-day cultural and playing experience in Cuba, marking the program's second trip to Cuba, and its second-ever international trip in the modern era.

While on the trip, 31 Augsburg players, coaches, and members of the athletic training staff learned about Cuban culture and the country's love of baseball, while also training, playing a pair of scrimmages, and attending a Cuban National Series game.

"The trip was an incredible experience and an opportunity to learn about the Cuban culture and their love of baseball. The unique experience Augsburg offers to go to Cuba is special.," said Keith Bateman, who enters his 20th season as Augsburg's head coach in 2024. "We were well taken care of, from Nichole and Cesar with our Center for Global Education and Experience to Sylvia, Wilfredo, and Glenda with Colibri Travel. We didn't need to worry about anything."

During the trip, the Auggies had a chance to play exhibition games against the Plaza de la Revolucion team and a team from the University of Havana. The team also had the chance to interact with local baseball icons, including Lazaro De La Torre, nicknamed the "Iron Arm of Cuba."

"The highlight for me were my interactions with the "Iron Arm" of Cuba, Lazaro De La Torre. Lazaro is a wealth of baseball knowledge and one of the most driven individuals I've ever met.," said Bateman. "His dedication to building a facility for his Plaza de la Revolution team is incredible. It was an honor to have had the time I did to talk to him."

For junior pitcher Myer Schmitz, one of the key takeaways from the trip was a newfound understanding and appreciation for the ways in which sports can bridge cultural gaps. "Beyond the competitive nature of the sport, I witnessed how baseball served as a cultural cornerstone, creating connections across generations and socio-economic backgrounds. The camaraderie among players and fans overcame language barriers, highlighting the universal language of the game.," said Schmitz. "Although we had many differences with the Cuban people, we were able to connect, create friendships, and unite over shared values and passion for the game. This left me realizing the power that sports carry in being able to diminish cultural differences."

Senior pitcher Owen Bernards was surprised to learn about the passion of baseball fans in Cuba. "We went to a Cuban National Series game … and it seemed like everyone in that town was at the game. The roughly 6,000-seat stadium was filled to capacity with chants that went back and forth between each team as they got up to bat. The energy in that stadium was something that I have never experienced before.," said Bernards.

Under U.S. law for permitted travel to Cuba, Augsburg student-athletes participated in the trip as part of an independent study course, which fulfills the students' "Augsburg Experience" requirement for graduation. The team traveled through the Augsburg Center for Global Education and Experience, which has served more than 10,000 people in customized international education programs since 1982.