The Calvary of the first Cuban coach in Cuban baseball

Annie Fonseca made history, in 2024, becoming the first Cuban coach in Cuban baseball. With 40 years and an outstanding race, he assumed the command of the Marianao team in the provincial series of Havana.

However, what should be a step towards gender equality in sport ended up being a fight against machismo that still prevails in Cuban diamonds.

From the beginning, Fonseca faced obstacles. Some players rejected their leadership and lack of institutional support aggravated the situation.

In their social networksThe coach confessed that what began as an exciting challenge ended up becoming a nightmare.

Despite the attacks and lack of support, Annie Fonseca remained firm in her conviction. In his farewell, he wrote an emotional message:

«Only I know how much I had to really be a warrior to be able to stand.»

The Calvary of the first Cuban coach

When Fonseca took the reins of the Marianao team, the expectations were high. However, defeats began to accumulate.

The team lost its first seven games and, instead of joining the situation, some players boycotted their leadership.

The height came when several players decided not to appear to a party, causing the loss by Forfeit. The sports page For the rubber criticized this act with forcefulness:

«Today, in the provincial series of Havana, a detestable act occurred, both for its magnitude and the background that it contains. Several players of the Marianao team were absent from the match in front of Plaza, leaving the debutant and only woman to direct in these competitions face the bitter taste of losing for Forfeit (no presentation). «

This episode showed the barriers that women still face in Cuban baseball.

The rejection of the first Cuban coach in Cuban baseball not only came from the team. In the stands and in social networks, the criticisms were constant, many of them based only on their kind.

The magazine Tense wings He analyzed the impact of this rejection and highlighted the inequality that persists in sport:

«The decision of the athletes left the team on the verge of losing multiple meetings by Forfeit and was interpreted as an act of rejection towards the female figure in command, which lit the debate on gender equality in Cuban sport.»

These comments reflect an undeniable reality: Cuban baseball remains a predominantly masculine space.

Annie Fonseca’s case leaves an open question: is Cuban baseball prepared to accept more coaches? Although the answer seems to be negative in the present, its courage has marked a precedent.

Time will say if your sacrifice will serve to change mentalities and allow more women to occupy leadership roles in national sport. What is certain is that Fonseca will not be the last to try.