HAVANA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cuba and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) on Friday hosted a clinic for young Cuban baseball players to teach them new skills and share knowledge of the global game, despite political tensions between Havana and Washington.
Led by former MLB pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, the clinic was also hosted by the Cuban Baseball Federation and various local stars.
"It's a great opportunity to be here in Cuba representing Major League Baseball and continuing to build relations. We have baseball in common as it has become a global sport and to be able to share experiences with the kids is unique," Guthrie told Xinhua.
Guthrie, 38, a reliever for 13 seasons with several MLB teams, compiled 91 wins in that league and his last appearance came this season for the Washington Nationals before retiring in July.
The goodwill tour, organized for the first time by the MLBPAA, seeks to expand ties with Cuba in order to host other similar events in the future.
"We are here to help both countries engage in better relations and for the game of baseball. It's something both nations share in common and we want it to grow and develop," said Jordan Rodriguez, MLBPAA's international relations director.
Over 100 kids from different baseball teams in Havana took part in the clinic where they learned new skills at different positions and got to share experiences with MLB figures.
Despite recent political tensions, this event brought sports figures from both sides together.
"I think there's always a common ground that can be found and be build off. So much of what we see in politics is very difficult to navigate so baseball or any other sport can help to provide a common ground and help relations," said Guthrie.
In December 2015, MLB organized its first ever goodwill tour to the island with its top executives and several players, including Cuban-born players Yasiel Puig, Alexei Ramirez, Jose Abreu and Brayan Pena.
Washington withdrew more than half of its staff from its embassy in Cuba in September, because of alleged acoustic attacks on its diplomatic personnel. In retaliation, it also expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from the island's embassy in Washington DC.
The U.S. State Department also issued a travel warning telling Americans not to visit the country as some attacks allegedly occurred in hotels.
