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Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 9

The Elephants (Veterans 1) continued their relentless charge atop the standings, securing yet another Sunday doubleheader sweep in Week 9 of the 12th Veterans League edition of the Softball, Quality of Life Project. With their latest triumph on March 2, 2025, they have now clinched six doubleheader victories in the nine weeks played, boasting a commanding 14-4 record and solidifying their position as the undisputed frontrunners. Meanwhile, the Shrimpers (Veterans 3) endured another tough outing, dropping both games and slipping seven games behind the red-hot Elephants. With the season progressing, their championship hopes are hanging by a thread. The Jaguas (Veterans 2), on the other hand, managed to salvage a split on the day but remain in the league’s basement, now eight games off the pace and just one game behind the Shrimpers. The Elephants flexed their offensive muscle in style, with Liris Cardenas, Humberto López Dorticós, and Yosbany López each launching home runs in the final showdown. But the real star of the day was right-handed ace Yordanis Quiñones, who delivered another masterclass on the mound, securing both victories. Quiñones now leads the league in two crucial categories—boasting a flawless 1.000 win-loss average and topping the charts with four victories. With their consistent dominance and star power firing on all cylinders, the Elephants are looking nearly unstoppable. Will anyone rise to challenge their reign, or are they marching toward another championship coronation? Stay tuned as the battle continues!

Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 8

The Elephants (Veterans 1) continue to stampede through the competition, securing yet another Sunday doubleheader sweep in Week 8 of the 12th Veterans League edition of the Project: Softball, Quality of Life. With two more wins on February 23, they further tightened their grip on the top spot, now sitting five games clear of their closest challengers, the Shrimpers (Veterans 3). In the second matchup of the day, the Elephants sent a statement with a commanding knockout victory over their longtime rivals, the Shrimpers. Then, in the final showdown, they showcased their resilience, rallying from behind to edge out the Jaguas (Veterans 2) in dramatic fashion. Meanwhile, it was another rough outing for the Jaguas, who suffered back-to-back losses, sinking further into the standings, now trailing the Elephants by seven games. With the championship still in its early stages, they’ll need to turn things around quickly to stay in the race. A standout performance came from the Elephants' ace, Juan Miguel Machado Pérez, who delivered on the mound, notching victories in both games and solidifying his reputation as a key force in their dominant run. With momentum fully on their side, the Elephants are charging toward glory. Can anyone stop their reign, or will they continue to crush the competition? The battle for the title rages on!

Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 7

Sunday’s action in the 12th edition of the Veterans League brought plenty of excitement but no movement in the standings, as all three teams split their matchups, keeping the race steady heading into the next round. The league-leading Elephants (Veterans 1) had a rocky start, suffering a tough 3-11 defeat at the hands of the red-hot Shrimpers (Veterans 3). However, they bounced back in a high-scoring thriller, edging out the Jaguas (Veterans 2) in a nail-biter, 15-14. The Shrimpers looked poised for a perfect day after their dominant win over the Elephants, but they couldn't keep the momentum going, falling 4-8 to the Jaguas in the final showdown. Meanwhile, the Jaguas experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, dropping their first game in heartbreaking fashion to the Elephants before securing redemption with their victory over the Shrimpers. With these results, the Elephants remain firmly in control at the top of the standings with a 10-4 record, maintaining a four-game lead over the Shrimpers (6-8) and a five-game gap over the Jaguas (5-9). As the second half of the season heats up, the Shrimpers and Jaguas will need to find consistency if they hope to challenge the Elephants' dominance. Can they close the gap, or will the Elephants continue their march toward another championship? Stay tuned—the battle is far from over!

Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 6

Week 6 of the 12th Veterans League edition brought a stunning twist to the season, as the seemingly unstoppable Elephants (Veterans 1) suffered a rare setback. After four straight weeks of doubleheader sweeps and a dominant nine-game winning streak, the league leaders were knocked back with two tough losses on Sunday, proving that even giants can fall. On the flip side, it was a statement weekend for the Shrimpers (Veterans 3). After weeks of frustration, they roared back to life with a much-needed doubleheader sweep, securing sole possession of second place and cutting the Elephants' lead to four games. Their resurgence injects fresh excitement into the title race as they look to build on this momentum. Meanwhile, the Jaguas (Veterans 2) endured a tough outing, dropping both of their games and sliding to the bottom of the standings. Now trailing the top spot by five games, they face an uphill battle to climb back into contention. With the Elephants showing vulnerability and the Shrimpers gaining steam, the league is heating up fast. Will this be the turning point of the season, or will the Elephants shake off their slump and reassert their dominance? The next chapter of this thrilling campaign awaits!

Jazz Diplomacy in Havana

ISA student, Rocío Espinosa, plays a medley of songs on the Cuban-style guitar known as el Trés. FEBRUARY 3, 2025 HAVANA, CUBA – On January 20, a cohort of students and professors from CUNY City...
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Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 5

The fifth week of the 12th Veterans League edition carried extra significance as it coincided with the 11th anniversary of the "Softball, Quality of Life" project. To mark the occasion, project coordinator and founder Juan Ramón Díaz Hernández took center stage after the first game, gathering the veteran athletes for an emotional tribute. In a symbolic journey through time, he reflected on 11 years of perseverance, achievements, and camaraderie. A historic moment was captured in a commemorative photo featuring the league’s founding members who were present for this special day. On the field, the Elephants (Veterans 1) continued their relentless march toward dominance. For the fourth consecutive week, they swept their Sunday doubleheader, improving to a near-flawless 9-1 record and tightening their grip at the top of the standings with a commanding six-game lead. The driving force behind their latest triumph? Star right-hander Yosvany María Córdova, who delivered a masterclass on the mound, securing both wins for his team. Meanwhile, the Jaguas (Veterans 2) suffered a costly doubleheader loss, opening the door for the Shrimpers (Veterans 3) to catch up. With both teams now sitting at 3-7, they find themselves locked in a battle at the bottom of the standings, desperately seeking a turnaround before the gap widens further. With the Elephants charging ahead and the rest of the league struggling to keep pace, the coming weeks will be crucial. Can anyone slow down the powerhouse squad, or will they continue to stampede their way toward another title? Stay tuned—this season is just getting started!

Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 4

The 12th edition of the Veterans League Cup continued its fierce competition this weekend, and the Elephants (Veterans 1) once again proved why they are the team to beat. For the third straight week, they swept their Sunday doubleheader, extending their dominance at the top of the standings. But this time, it wasn’t easy—both matchups on January 26 went down to the wire, requiring extra innings to determine the victors. The hero of the day? None other than ace right-hander Rolando Marcelo Martínez. The pitching star, who led the last edition in win-loss average, delivered when it mattered most, securing both wins and reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s premier arms. Meanwhile, trouble continues for the Shrimpers (Veterans 3). Another Sunday, another pair of losses—this time dropping them to the bottom of the standings. With their continued struggles, the Jagua (Veterans 2) now claim sole possession of second place after splitting their doubleheader with one win and one loss. With the Elephants running away with the lead, the rest of the league is in desperate need of a spark. Will the Shrimpers find a way to break their slump? Can the Jagua mount a serious challenge? The season is heating up, and the battle for positioning is just getting started!

Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 3

In the third week of the 12th Veterans League edition of the Project: “Softball, Quality of Life,” the Elephants (Veterans 1) continued their dominant march. With another Sunday doubleheader sweep, they solidified their early lead at the top of the standings, boasting a strong 5-1 record and a commanding three-game cushion over the competition. Meanwhile, the Shrimpers (Veterans 3) found themselves stuck in a rut, dropping both games for the second consecutive week. Their back-to-back setbacks, combined with the Jagua (Veterans 2) splitting their doubleheader, created a logjam for second place. Both teams now sit at 2-4, trailing far behind the streaking Elephants. Despite the lopsided standings, the games themselves were tightly contested. The first two matchups were decided by just two runs, while the third saw a three-run difference — a testament to the competitive spirit of the league. A standout performance came from the reappearing right-handed pitcher Manuel “El Sanga” Leiva Rojas, who delivered a clutch victory for the Jagua against the Shrimpers. His sharp command and poise on the mound were instrumental in halting the Jagua’s slide. Defensively, all teams put in an admirable effort, with performances that showed grit and determination. As the Elephants charge ahead, the rest of the league faces an uphill battle to close the gap and challenge the early leaders. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in the coming weeks!

Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 2

This Sunday, January 12, 2025, the 12th edition of the Veterans League's "Softball, Quality of Life" delivered a shake-up to the standings as the Shrimpers (Veterans 3) stumbled with a doubleheader loss, paving the way for the Elephants (Veterans 1) to surge to the top with an impressive double victory. In a déjà vu moment, the standings now mirror the way the previous edition concluded, with the Elephants reasserting their dominance early in the season. Their winning formula combined stellar pitching and an explosive offense. The highlight of the weekend was the brilliant performance by star right-hander Yosvany María Córdova, who anchored a pitching staff that allowed just six runs across both games. On the offensive side, the Elephants roared to life, smashing 37 hits to back up their pitchers and leave no doubt about their championship aspirations. With such a strong statement this early in the campaign, the Elephants are proving they remain the team to beat in 2025. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether the Shrimpers can bounce back and if any team can find a way to dethrone the reigning giants. Stay tuned for more action-packed weekends ahead!

Softbol Veteranos Season 12 Week 1

The 12th Veterans League Cup of the “Softball, Quality of Life” project officially launched this Sunday, January 5, 2025, with a celebratory opening ceremony. Juan Ramón Díaz Hernández, the league’s steadfast coordinator, delivered an inspiring address and honored the standout veteran athletes from the 11th edition, recognizing their exceptional performances throughout 2024. On the field, the action was as intense as ever, highlighted by the Shrimpers’ electrifying start to the season. Veterans 3 swept the doubleheader in commanding fashion, catapulting themselves to the top of the standings as the 2025 championship gets underway. Meanwhile, the Jagua (Veterans 2) struggled to shake off their lingering woes from last season, dropping both games and extending their unfavorable streak. The day was an offensive extravaganza, with a jaw-dropping 123 hits spread across the three games. The Shrimpers led the pack with a blistering 53 hits, showcasing their firepower at the plate. However, defensive miscues were the Achilles’ heel for all teams, with 25 total errors marring the day’s play. The Shrimpers, despite their offensive dominance, committed 10 errors, followed by the Elephants with 9 and the Jagua with 6. With this high-octane opening day setting the tone, fans can expect a thrilling season ahead. Can the Shrimpers maintain their momentum? Will the Jagua turn their fortunes around? The 2025 campaign is just getting started, and the battle for softball supremacy is officially underway!

Softbol Veteranos Season 11 Week 39

The curtain came down on the 11th Veterans League Softball Cup with a triumphant roar from the Elephants (Veterans 1). On the final day of competition, the Elephants dominated the diamond, sweeping the Sunday doubleheader to secure their place as champions with an impressive 50 victories — a sterling 65.8% win rate across their 76 games this season. Meanwhile, it was a season to forget for the struggling Jagua (Veterans 2). The team closed out their campaign with a disappointing doubleheader loss, finishing with just 25 wins out of 77 games. Their 45.8% win rate marked them as the only team to fall short of a winning record in this edition. Adding a touch of inspiration to the finale, project coordinator and leader Juan Ramón Díaz Hernández made his first appearance since undergoing foot surgery. In a heartfelt ceremony, Díaz Hernández presented the championship cup to the Elephants, capping off their incredible season. In a moving show of solidarity, the veteran athletes participating in the project came together to donate $3,000 pesos to help with Juan’s postoperative expenses — a gesture that embodied the spirit of camaraderie that defines this league. As the dust settles on this season, the countdown begins for the 12th edition of the Veterans League Cup, set to kick off on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Mark your calendars — the next chapter of softball excellence is just around the corner!

Softbol Veteranos Season 11 Week 38

The 11th edition of the Veterans League's "Softball, Quality of Life" project delivered another thrilling chapter on its penultimate day — despite a stubborn winter drizzle that forced the cancellation of the much-anticipated clash between the Elephants (Veterans 1) and the Jagua (Veterans 2). But the action didn’t stop there! The Shrimpers (Veterans 3) took center stage, sweeping the doubleheader with a lights-out performance from right-handed ace Humberto León Lescano. León Lescano was untouchable, securing victories in both matchups and staking his claim as one of the MVPs of the day. The race for league MVP is heating up like a seventh-inning rally. Jagua's "Nani" Bueno and the Shrimpers' superstar Eliécer are in a neck-and-neck showdown, with 20 and 19 total MVP nods, respectively. Every swing, pitch, and catch on the final day could tip the scales in this electrifying battle for the crown. On the mound, the pitchers' leaderboard is just as tight. Quiñones and Marcelo of the Elephants are locked in with a .750 win-loss average, but Eliécer of the Shrimpers is the undisputed top winner with 13 victories. Hot on his heels are Gradaille (Elephants) and Estable (Jagua), both sitting at 12 wins each. With everything still on the line, next Sunday, December 22, promises fireworks. The one pitching title that’s already wrapped up? The "most saves" crown, which belongs to none other than Machado of the Elephants, locking it down with four clutch saves. All eyes now turn to the final day, where champions will be crowned, MVPs will be decided, and legends will be made. Grab your umbrellas and your scorecards — you won’t want to miss it!

Softbol Veteranos Season 11 Week 37

The Elephants of the Veterans 1 team swept this weekend, as if to remind the rest of the competing teams who were the CHAMPIONS of this 11th edition of the Veterans League of the Project: "Softball, quality of life.” At second hour of this Sunday, December 8, in the thirty-seventh competition journey, they defeated the Jagua of the Veterans 2 team, 12 x 7 and at third hour, the Shrimpers of the Veterans 3 team, 9 x 5. Despite the expectations that had been created before this match considering the three consecutive victories of the same pitcher (Jorge), achieved by the Shrimpers in the same number of weekends, the Elephants grew and managed to inflict a costly defeat on their closest pursuers, who are now 11 games away from the top of the standings. This time, they did not believe in the star pitcher Shrimper Jorge Sánchez Rodríguez, who had them practically tied up and gave him a costly defeat, as if to make it clear who is in charge in this edition of the Cup. For its part, the Shrimpers of the Veterans 3 team, unfortunately lost the Sunday doubleheader, as they had fallen at first hour of the day against the Jagua of the Veterans 2 team, 19 x 12. The Jagua achieved a victory and a defeat this weekend.

Softbol Veteranos Season 11 Week 36

Finally, the Elephants of the Veterans 1 team, as the most notable note of Sunday, December 1st, managed to be crowned champions in advance, this weekend in the thirty-sixth competition journey when there are still three weeks left to finish the 11th edition of the Veterans League of the Project, "Softball quality of Life". With their victory against the Jagua of the Veterans 2 team in the first time of this Sunday with a score of 18 x 6 in five innings (knock out) the Elephants reached 46 wins placing themselves 9.5 games ahead of the Shrimpers of the Veterans 3 team, when the Shrimpers (closest pursuers) had 9 games left (6 games (3 weekends) remaining in the league, the two of the current week, plus one suspended due to rain, in week 5), insufficient to catch up with the Elephants. It was of no use that in the particular game of this Sunday, December 1st, they gave the Elephants a brilliant and spectacular 10 x 0 bleached in the second shift of Sunday. The die was already cast. To top it off, in the third shift, the Jagua of veterans’ team 2, left the Shrimpers on the field, which consolidated the Elephants' status as champion. Thus, the weekend was divided of honors, ending the journey with one victory and one defeat for each team and maintaining the differences of the previous week in the standings.

Softbol Veteranos Season 11 Week 35

In the thirtieth round of the Veterans League belonging to the Project: “Softball, quality of life” the three teams shared honors, therefore “el cuartico se quedó igualito” (all the differences in the standings remained the same). As a notable note, the Shrimpers of the Veterans 3 team managed to beat the Elephants of the Veterans 1 Team for the second consecutive week, staying 9 games from the top, still maintaining the mathematical possibility of being champions and extending for one more week the possibility of the Elephants being crowned champions early. The “magic” number for the Elephants to be crowned champions continues to be one (1). The Elephants, although virtually champions, have delayed their early coronation because their outstanding and powerful offense in the last three weeks has diminished considerably. These weeks they only managed to connect 29 hits out of more than 40 as a weekly average.

Softbol Veteranos Season 11 Week 34

In the thirty-fourth competition journey of the Veterans League belonging to the Project: “Softball, quality of life", the Shrimpers of the Veterans 3 team achieved an important double victory that allows them to keep alive the hopes of being Champions, since the Elephants of the Veterans 1 Team have not yet managed to be crowned. The magic number is now one (1). With this double Sunday victory, the Shrimpers came within 9 games of the top of the standings. For its part, the Jagua of the Veterans 2 Team lost the double game and continues to slide down in what can be described as a poor performance in this 11th edition of the Cup. With this double defeat, the Jagua have accumulated 16 occasions in which they have been swept, which constitutes a negative record in their record of achievements.

Softbol Veteranos Season 11 Week 33

In the thirty-third journey of the Veterans League of the Project: “Softball, quality of life” there was a honor division. The three participating teams won one game and lost another, therefore, the standings remained unchanged, with the Elephants of the Veterans 1 team, leaders, separated by 10 games from their closest pursuer, the Shrimpers of the Veterans 3 team and virtually champions when there are only 6 Sundays left in the competition program of the 11th edition (12 pending games for each team) having as a "magic number" 2 to be proclaimed champion. It would be enough for them to combine two victories with two defeats of the Shrimpers of the Veterans 3 team. The Jagua, of the Veterans 2 team, for the second consecutive weekend managed to beat the Elephants of the Veterans 1 team, this time in extra innings. It is worth noting that the star MVP of the Jagua of the Veterans team 2 Arnaldo “Nani” Bueno Silva, despite playing sick, managed to hit 4 for 4 in that game and remains a strong candidate to be the MVP of this season.

Softbol Veteranos Season 11 Week 32

The highlight of this thirty-second round of the Veterans League, of the Project: “Softball, quality of life” was the double Sunday victory of the Jagua of the Veterans 2 team, after 25 weeks without achieving such a feat. Although they are still very far from the top and no longer mathematically likely to win the championship, this double smile allowed the Jagua to surpass twenty victories, reaching 21. On the other hand, the Elephants of the Veterans 2 team, virtual champions of the eleventh edition of the league, lost the double Sunday game. They had not lost both Sunday games for 14 weeks. This double defeat is due to the current offensive slump that the elephants are going through.
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