The burning of the grass at Genaro Melero Stadium in Jatibonico, located in Sancti Spíritus, has sparked outrage among Cuban baseball fans.
Images showing the charred field of this historic park, along with plumes of smoke, were shared by Adrián Alfonso, a Jatibonico native now residing in Miami.
"Genaro Melero Stadium in Jatibonico, such a lack of respect. How far will the incompetence of these people go?" questioned the user.
The post has garnered over ninety comments, predominantly from locals and baseball enthusiasts expressing their frustration over the incident.
"These are the leaders of Jatibonico, every day coming up with new ways to destroy what's left," remarked Digna Niebla Dones.
Linker Gutierrez Nazco also shared his dismay, noting the sadness in seeing the state of Genaro Melero, an "iconic stadium that hosted the finals of Selective Series, World Youth Championship games, and numerous National Series matches."
"A stadium that was like a second home for much of my life, I practically lived there. It's incredibly saddening to see it in this condition," he lamented.
Sports journalist Yasel Porto reported that the burning occurred because the stadium's grass had been mowed, and those responsible for its maintenance chose to burn the removed grass instead of disposing of it properly.
Genaro Melero is not the only Cuban stadium to suffer from neglect in a country struggling with widespread deterioration.
Recently, it was revealed that Jesús Suárez Gayol Stadium, a baseball landmark in Mariel in the Artemisa province, has been reduced to rubble after decades of neglect and the final blow dealt by Hurricane Rafael.
Constructed between 1970 and 1982, Suárez Gayol was once among the best-equipped stadiums in the former province of Havana (which was divided into Artemisa and Mayabeque in 2011), featuring artificial lighting and hosting national baseball series.
Proximity to the sea and lack of maintenance have eroded its infrastructure over time.
Other sports facilities in places like Baracoa (Guantánamo), Manzanillo (Granma), and Puerto Padre (Las Tunas) face similar fates, showcasing a pattern of neglect that hampers the development and future of Cuban athletes.
Inquiries into the State of Cuban Baseball Stadiums
Why was the grass at Genaro Melero Stadium burned?
The grass was burned because it had been mowed, and those responsible for the maintenance decided to burn the cut grass instead of disposing of it through other means.
What is the current condition of Jesús Suárez Gayol Stadium?
Jesús Suárez Gayol Stadium has been reduced to ruins due to years of neglect and was further damaged by Hurricane Rafael.
How have Cuban sports facilities been affected over time?
Many Cuban sports facilities have suffered from neglect and deterioration, limiting the development and future opportunities for Cuban athletes.