Pittsburghers, Cubans Connecting Through Boxing, Baseball

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Have you heard about "Boxing on the Bridge" this Saturday on the Roberto Clemente Bridge?

Boxers from here will face off against boxers from Cuba in what will be a historic event.

But that's not all. It turns out one thing lead to another, and now some young baseball players are going to make some history of their own.

But let's back things up for a little explanation.

The boxers from Cuba have already arrived in our area and were in Carrick at a picnic Tuesday night.

With the help of a translator, one of them said that Pittsburgh is a great city and that he's enjoying that the Cuban and Pittsburgh boxers are spending time together.

It all came about after a group of local leaders including Congressman Mike Doyle and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald went to Cuba. Former State Rep. Michael Diven was also there.

"We went down with an invitation for Cuba to send a team of boxers up to compete on the Roberto Clemente Bridge," said Diven. "Amazingly, Cuba said yes!"

As part of the planning process, Cuba's baseball commissioner came for a visit, and when they happened to drive past the 14th Ward Baseball organization playing group in Frick Park: "The baseball commissioner said stop the car!" said Diven.

"He came on the field, and we welcomed him on the field," said Co-President Jeff Rosenthal, who was as surprised as anyone.

"He said, we want you to bring a team to Cuba, and of course, we all laughed about it. Yeah right! We're going to Cuba!" said Rosenthal.

Rosenthal even went home and googled the commissioner to see if he was legit. That's when he discovered a picture of him next to President Obama.

"I got a call later," said Diven. "Someone from the 14th Ward Baseball, and they said was he serious? And, I said, I asked the same question. He's a thousand percent serious!"

So, now, 14th Ward Baseball is getting ready for a historic trip. They'll begin the fundraising process to pay for the trip.

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They can't take everyone involved in the group, but they'll have tryouts and hope to take about 20 players sometime next year.

"This is really something very exciting that we're looking forward to," said Rosenthal.

In the meantime, "Boxing on the Bridge" happens this Saturday night.