1950 Amateur World Series

The 1950 Amateur World Series was the 11th Amateur World Series. It was held from November 18 through December 10 in Managua, Nicaragua, and resulted in a winner whose title would be revoked a year later - though they had done no wrong.

At the end of the regular phase of the competition, the Cuban national team, Dominican national team and Puerto Rican national team were all 9-2. They played a round-robin playoff, which the Dominicans won to claim their second straight Amateur World Series title. The next October, though, the FIBA ruled that Puerto Rico had illegally used some professional players. Several of their games were ruled as forfeits, including one victory over Cuba. That gave Cuba a 10-1 record and first place and the title was retroactively given to the Cubans.

The final rankings were:

1.  Cuba 10-1
2.  Dominican Republic 9-2
3.  Venezuela 9-2
4.  Panama 8-3
5.  Nicaragua 7-4
6.  Colombia 6-5
7.  Mexico 6-5
8.  Puerto Rico 5-6
9.  El Salvador 3-8
10.  Guatemala 2-9
11.  Costa Rica 2-9
12.  Honduras 0-11

Top performers

Cuba's Juan Izaguirre set AWS records in RBI (21) for a competition and for a single game (7). He hit 4 homers and scored 16 to lead in those areas. Mexico had the top pitcher, Nicolas Genestas (4-0, 1.13). Eduardo Green of host Nicaragua led in average (.487), hits (19) and doubles (7, tied). Panama's Cecilio Miller stole 14 bases in 11 games. Venezuela's Candelario Guevara tied for the most doubles, 7.

Also see 1950 Amateur World Series (Rosters)

Source: A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman