One early predecessor of FEPCUBE was the Federation of Professional Cuban Baseball Players in Exile (Federación de Peloteros Profesionales Cubanos en el Exilio). Between 1962 and 2007, the federation held elections in Miami to add new members to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame.[1]Tony Pacheco attempted to organize a "Free Cuba" team to participate in the 1965 Amateur World Series, but it did not materialize.[2]
Efforts to organize defected Cuban players began in the run-up to the 2023 World Baseball Classic, when several players expressed their willingness to field a team not organized by the Cuban government. Those efforts ultimately did not come to fruition, and Cuba was represented by the FCB-organized national team.[3][4]
History
FEPCUBE announced its intention to play in the inaugural Intercontinental Series, to be held in Barranquilla, Colombia in January 2024.[5] The team was expected to include Aroldis Chapman, Yandy Díaz, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Yennier Canó, and other players who are all ineligible to play organized Cuban baseball.[6] However, that tournament faced pushback from the Colombian government; FEBCUBE dropped its "Patria y Vida" slogan and agreed to play under the "Dream Team" name rather than with Cuban symbols. Nevertheless, the tournament was ultimately canceled, with FEPCUBE alleging it was due to pressure from the Cuban government.[7][8]
Members of the FEPCUBE team organized for the Intercontinental Series took part in an exhibition game against the Miami Dade College Sharks on January 18, 2024. The game was won by the FEPCUBE team, 3–2.[9]
