HOLGUIN, Cuba -- There were so many highlights for Team USA as they spent a week traversing the Holguin Province. Coming to southeastern Cuba to play ball topped the list, at least until day four of the USA-Cuba Goodwill Tour -- that's when the goodwill truly got in gear.
The kids from West Hartford, along with their parents and coaches, delivered hundreds of pounds of sporting goods -- bats, balls, gloves, and shoes -- to the Cuban players.
"This has nothing to do with governments," said Tim Brennan, a Team USA coach and the program leader. "This has to do with people and relationships."
The bonds were strong in the rural town of Tacajo, the place where Team USA played its first game. With about 500 people to greet them, the team returned to a Tacajo elementary school four days later with a bus load of school supplies for the Cuban students.
"The kids just showed us so much gratitude when we gave them just a pencil, it was really cool," said Ean Tyler, a Team USA pitcher and eighth-grader at the King Phillip Middle School in West Hartford.
Dennis Woodworth, the USA-Cuba Goodwill Tour program leader, added, "This is going to break down walls and build relationships, and, if you can do that, special things can happen in the world."
To find out more about the USA Cuba Goodwill Tour and how to help fund the Cuban players upcoming trip to Central Connecticut, click here.
