Nov. 17, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Cuban officials have informed the Penn State baseball program that its first two games in Cuba will be telecast across the country live on Telerebelde, Cuba's premier sports network, and that a pair of opponents have changed.
First, instead of playing Industriales twice, Penn State is now scheduled to face Ciego de Ãvila for its second game in Latin American Stadium. The game will still be played Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. Ciego de Ãvila is the defending National Series champion and currently leads the league with a 30-12 record. Industriales is second with a 30-14 record.
Then, instead of playing at Pinar del Rio, Friday, Nov. 27 for its third game, Penn State will travel to play Mayabeque, which is approximately a half-hour southeast of Havana. The Hurricanes are currently 15th in the 16-team National Series with an 11-33 record.
It is not believed that the televised games will be viewable in the United States.
The Nittany Lions are slated to become the first U.S. team to tour against multiple teams in the Cuban National Series, Cuba's premier baseball league.
In addition to the four baseball games, Penn State student-athletes will take part in multiple lectures and cultural experiences arranged by Penn State's partner institution in Cuba, the Center for Marti Studies in Havana. Penn State head coach Rob Cooper and strength and conditioning coach Jamie Burleson have been invited to participate in the seventh annual International Convention of Physical Activity and Sport (AFIDE), which will be taking place simultaneously.
The Nittany Lions will depart State College for Havana Saturday, Nov. 21 and are scheduled to play their first game against Industriales Sunday at 2 p.m. in Latin American Stadium, a historic 55,000-seat facility built in 1946.
The trip will conclude approximately 65 miles east of Havana against Matanzas Saturday, Nov. 28 with an 11 a.m. game in Victoria de Giron Stadium, a 30,000-seat venue.
In addition to the matchups, Penn State is believed to be the first NCAA school to send two different teams to Cuba in the post-revolutionary era, as the Penn State volleyball team was the first Division I team to compete there in March 2000, taking on various national squads.
Penn State baseball will be one of the few NCAA teams to compete in post-revolutionary Cuba.
The Nittany Lions will return to State College Sunday, Nov. 29.
Penn State Baseball Cuba Schedule (All dates and opponents subject to change)
| Date | Time | Opponent | Stadium | City |
| Nov. 22 | 2 p.m. | at Industriales | Estadio Latinoamericano | Havana |
| Nov. 25 | 10 a.m. | vs. Ciego de Ãvila | Estadio Latinoamericano | Havana |
| Nov. 27 | 2 p.m. | at Mayabeque | Estadio Nelson Fernández | San José de las Lajas |
| Nov. 28 | 11 a.m. | at Matanzas | Estadio Victoria de Giron | Matanzas |
The team will be relying on the assistance of its fans, alumni and friends for funding of the trip. If you wish to support the Lions, contact Kirk Diehl or Rick Janac at the Nittany Lion Club at 814-865-9462 or visit http://gopsu.info/GivePSUBase.