This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/obama-cuba-baseball-diplomacy

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama embraces Cuba's pastime with a spot of baseball diplomacy Obama embraces Cuba's pastime with a spot of baseball diplomacy
(5 months later)
After an awkward three days of politics, it was baseball that finally brought Cuba and the United States out from half a century of cold war deep freeze on Tuesday, as Barack Obama’s historic visit concluded with a frenzied, but friendly, sporting clash.After an awkward three days of politics, it was baseball that finally brought Cuba and the United States out from half a century of cold war deep freeze on Tuesday, as Barack Obama’s historic visit concluded with a frenzied, but friendly, sporting clash.
They have been playing baseball in Cuba since 1864, but there can have been few more eagerly anticipated games than that between the Cuban national team and the US Major League Baseball side the Tampa Bay Rays.They have been playing baseball in Cuba since 1864, but there can have been few more eagerly anticipated games than that between the Cuban national team and the US Major League Baseball side the Tampa Bay Rays.
Related: Obama calls for lifting of Cuba embargo to 'bury the last remnant of the cold war'
Contests between American and Cuban sides are rare enough – it wasn’t until 1999 that the Baltimore Orioles became the first MLB team to play here since the revolution – but a chance to best a Florida team in front of the first US president here since 1928 raised the excitement to fever pitch.Contests between American and Cuban sides are rare enough – it wasn’t until 1999 that the Baltimore Orioles became the first MLB team to play here since the revolution – but a chance to best a Florida team in front of the first US president here since 1928 raised the excitement to fever pitch.
Long queues of fans waited out the Estadio Latinoamericano, the Havana home of Cuba’s national sport, and caused a worrying crush on the way in.Long queues of fans waited out the Estadio Latinoamericano, the Havana home of Cuba’s national sport, and caused a worrying crush on the way in.
Yet, despite partisan roars of “Cuba, Cuba” at every opportunity, the packed crowd saved plenty of noise for the Obama family as they made their way to their seats next to the Cuban president, Raúl Castro.Yet, despite partisan roars of “Cuba, Cuba” at every opportunity, the packed crowd saved plenty of noise for the Obama family as they made their way to their seats next to the Cuban president, Raúl Castro.
At one point Obama prompted an expectant roar from a crowd hoping for a walkabout as he stood up to stretch his legs and greet some of the local dignitaries seated in black leather seats just in front of the press section.At one point Obama prompted an expectant roar from a crowd hoping for a walkabout as he stood up to stretch his legs and greet some of the local dignitaries seated in black leather seats just in front of the press section.
Security was noticeably less oppressive than it has been for much of the trip and Cubans will have seen much more of the US president here than in the cleansed streets of central Havana that were shut off for much of the rest of the visit.Security was noticeably less oppressive than it has been for much of the trip and Cubans will have seen much more of the US president here than in the cleansed streets of central Havana that were shut off for much of the rest of the visit.
One lone American voice in the crowd even tried to get a round of Obama’s trademark “Fired up, ready to go” chant going, but it was clear that local baseball traditions were too firmly entrenched for that.One lone American voice in the crowd even tried to get a round of Obama’s trademark “Fired up, ready to go” chant going, but it was clear that local baseball traditions were too firmly entrenched for that.
With his white shirt, shades and gum, the US president looked more relaxed. He joined in one of several stadium waves after a release of doves, a warm rendition of both national anthems and a minute’s silence for the Brussels bombing victims marked a spine-tingling opening ceremony.With his white shirt, shades and gum, the US president looked more relaxed. He joined in one of several stadium waves after a release of doves, a warm rendition of both national anthems and a minute’s silence for the Brussels bombing victims marked a spine-tingling opening ceremony.
Another spine-tingling moment of Cold War history ending as the stadium all rises proudly for both national anthems. pic.twitter.com/8yJbYqIcjgAnother spine-tingling moment of Cold War history ending as the stadium all rises proudly for both national anthems. pic.twitter.com/8yJbYqIcjg
It helped of course that the Cubans got off to a ripping start, dispatching an American with the first ball, before settling in for what looked to be a well-matched contest.It helped of course that the Cubans got off to a ripping start, dispatching an American with the first ball, before settling in for what looked to be a well-matched contest.
Major League Baseball has been lobbying hard for a relaxation of labour laws so it can hire some of Cuba’s top talent to play in the US.Major League Baseball has been lobbying hard for a relaxation of labour laws so it can hire some of Cuba’s top talent to play in the US.
Related: 'Born to play': Cuba sees exodus of baseball talent as MLB comes knocking
The game here is also fast-paced and frantic compared to the more sedate US version of the sport – perhaps without television advertising to slow the pace.The game here is also fast-paced and frantic compared to the more sedate US version of the sport – perhaps without television advertising to slow the pace.
With Cuban mambo echoing around the stadium and not a billboard or television screen to distract, it felt like a step back in time to the 1950s.With Cuban mambo echoing around the stadium and not a billboard or television screen to distract, it felt like a step back in time to the 1950s.
The only screens were placed immediately in front of the Obama family, which the president nudged his wife to watch during a particularly gripping replay. Sasha and Malia appeared more animated, clapping for both sides in an often tense match, punctuated with the inevitable slower sections.The only screens were placed immediately in front of the Obama family, which the president nudged his wife to watch during a particularly gripping replay. Sasha and Malia appeared more animated, clapping for both sides in an often tense match, punctuated with the inevitable slower sections.
Obama and Castro also shook hands after the Rays scored on a grounder into right field that sent the runner on second base all the way round to home.Obama and Castro also shook hands after the Rays scored on a grounder into right field that sent the runner on second base all the way round to home.
The first family left after the second inning, halfway through a long spring break trip that will also see them fly to Argentina later on Tuesday.The first family left after the second inning, halfway through a long spring break trip that will also see them fly to Argentina later on Tuesday.
But Obama stayed on to give television interviews and clearly seemed content to let baseball diplomacy do the work of detente that more stagey press conferences and speeches have struggled at times this week to convey.But Obama stayed on to give television interviews and clearly seemed content to let baseball diplomacy do the work of detente that more stagey press conferences and speeches have struggled at times this week to convey.