Cuba to play regular-season baseball games in Can-Am League
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NEW YORK (AP) The Cuban national baseball team will play 19 regular-season games in the independent Can-Am League next year.
The league released its 2016 schedule, which includes the Cuban national team and an all-star squad from the Japanese Shikoku Island league.
Between June 9-30, Cuba will play three and four-game series against all six teams in the Can-Am League based in New Jersey, New York, Ottawa and Quebec.
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''We are thrilled to be able to showcase two great international teams,'' said league commissioner Miles Wolff said Thursday. ''We are honored that the Cuban national team respects the Can-Am League and will send their best team.''
Cuba and the U.S. have begun to restore diplomatic ties, and both countries re-established their respective embassies in July.
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said this week he remains hopeful a big league team will play an exhibition game in Cuba during spring training.