Swinging it in Havana

Mike Haysman, in his column in SuperCricket writes about his visit to Havana for his television show and the baseball exploits of Kieron Pollard, the new Trinidad and Tobago sensation. Pollard, holding a baseball bat for the first time, faced up to Pedro Medina [he is also referred to as Lazo], who was a member of the Cuban national team for 19 years.

Keiron was looking as though he was taking this all in his stride as his typical West Indian gait took him to the batting box. Five minutes later he had not laid bat on ball. He had swung from the hip at every thunderbolt that thudded into Lazo’s catchers’ glove. It was close but no cigar. A smile was slowly appearing on Pedro’s face. Keiron’s eyes grew wider with each delivered strike.

The speed generated by Lazo was quite remarkable. It must have been intimidating from Keiron’s perspective as well, knowing that his pin point accuracy could intentionally be slightly and dangerously adjusted at any chosen moment. Still Pollard swung but still no connection. I could see in Lazo’s eyes that he was enjoying this currently one sided challenge.

And then it started to happen. Pollard found his range. The odd fly ball and foul signalled that the wheel was starting to turn. Before long Keiron was making solid connection and the by now swelled gallery was muttering Spanish words of appreciation. The odd nods of approval were delivered my way by Pedro and Lazo also complimented Pollard.