Spartans Enjoy Laid-Back Thursday in Cuba

HAVANA - While looking forward to its second game of the trip, the University of Tampa baseball team spent Thursday at a local school, followed by attending a game as spectators.

The team went to a children's school in a tough neighborhood. The children sang songs to the team as the Spartans talked and played with the children. Head coach Joe Urso described it as "a really good time."

UT then went to a playoff game between Matanzas and Artemisa. The Cuban teams then invited the Spartans on the field after the game with the participating teams and head coaches.

"We took a lot of pictures and had a lot of fun," says Urso. "One of them wanted to hit batting practice and Connor Obrochta was in the outfield running down fly balls having a good time."

"Everything is going great," states Urso. "We are heading to dinner now. Tomorrow we have a 10:30 game at Artemisa. They announced us at the stadium today and the fans all stood up and clapped for us when they announced us as the United States Division II champions. It was more good times, and lots of music at the game. It's a big party the whole game with the drums and everything going on."