MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark said discussions are "ongoing" about the possibility of MLB games being played in Cuba, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSPORTS.com. When asked about MLB's relationship to the changing political climate between the U.S. and Cuba, Clark said, “There were conversations and dialogue this offseason about the possibility of having spring training games in Cuba. But because everything was relatively new, because nobody really was sure what it meant, we weren’t able to put those pieces in play this go-around." He added, “It is conceivable somewhere down the road that there may be a spring training game played in Cuba." Morosi wrote playing in Cuba -- even in Spring Training -- "likely will become a top international priority for MLB and the MLBPA, due to the island’s proximity, increasing profile of Cuban players in MLB, intense passion for the sport among Cuban fans, and long-term revenue opportunity if Cuba’s economic system undergoes dramatic change in the coming years or decades." Clark: “There’s intrigue. There’s interest. I can probably say that about a bunch of folks -- myself included. I’m very interested to see what happens.” Meanwhile, sources said that MLB and the MLBPA "had discussions with organizers in Taiwan about the possibility of hosting games there" in '15, but a deal "could not be reached." Clark said that the union is "still evaluating whether it will authorize MLB players to participate in the Premier 12 international tournament, scheduled for Japan and Taiwan in November" (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/1).
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: On Long Island, David Lennon reported MLB and the MLBPA "in a joint effort" recruited human and civil rights nonprofit Futures Without Violence to "educate their rosters" on domestic violence issues during Spring Training. By reaching out to all 30 teams, and every player on their 40-man rosters, the "momentum to curb future acts increases immensely." Then "add the further education of minor-leaguers, which also is built into the fledgling program, and there is a catalyst here for real change." Futures Without Violence Senior VP/Public Engagement & Corporate Relations Rachael Smith Fals said, "They're not just doing an ad campaign. This was a coming together of Major League Baseball and the Players Association; they're trying to get their house in order" (NEWSDAY, 3/1).
