Cuba’s Little League World Series team has been eliminated from its first-ever LLWS appearance, but it may have to return home without coach Jose Perez.
Perez reportedly went missing from Williamsport Saturday night ahead of Cuba’s game against Panama Sunday, per the Associated Press’s Seth Engle.
“Little League International has communicated to all appropriate authorities and will ensure the Bayamo Little League team continues to have the best support and experience while in Williamsport,” Little League International spokesperson Kevin Fountain said, per Engle.
The LLWS has been trying to get Cuba into its fold, developing a rotation of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Panama. Two teams got auto-bids, whereas the third had to get in via regional tournament.
MORE: Little League World Series schedule, results from today’s games
Cuba lost its first game against Japan last Wednesday 1-0 before a dominant 11-1 win against Australia. It was then eliminated Sunday against Panama in a 3-2 nail biter.
Per the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Perez left the complex “voluntarily” and a vehicle on Route 15 absconded with him, per an official familiar with the investigation.
This comes amidst Little League International and the Cuban Baseball Federation extending their relationship through 2025.
Cuba has dealt with defections for years, particularly in the baseball realm. Catcher Ivan Prieto defected after Cuba was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic in Miami in March, and now plays in La Liga Mexicana. It is too early to call Perez a defector due to the vagueness of the situation.
Jose Perez latest news updates
This story will be updated as information becomes available.