1951 Amateur World Series

The 1951 Amateur World Series was the 12th Amateur World Series and was unusual in several ways. First off, it was the only Amateur World Series ever held in Mexico, taking place in Mexico City. Secondly, it was the last time the Cuban national team participated in and did not win an Amateur World Series or Baseball World Cup for 56 years, until the 2007 Baseball World Cup. The Series was played from November 1 through November 19, 1951.

Cuba had certainly fared well in the preliminary round, going 9-1 with a one-run loss to Puerto Rico. Venezuela also was 9-1, followed by Puerto Rico (7-3) and the Dominican Republic (7-3). Failing to advance to round two were Nicaragua (6-4), Costa Rica (5-5), Panama (5-5), Colombia (4-6), Mexico (2-8), Guatemala (1-9) and El Salvador (0-10). Nicaragua did set a record by scoring 37 runs in a 37-5 rout of El Salvador. The first ten men to bat all scored, and every player in the lineup had at least 3 hits.

In the final round, Puerto Rico went 3-0 to win the Gold Medal. Venezuela claimed the Silver with a 2-1 mark, while Cuba was a disappointing 1-2; both losses were by 7-6 scores. The Dominican Republic was 0-3 in the medal round.

Bert Bradford of Nicaragua led the tourney with a .481 average and 25 hits, while the Dominicans had the top home run threat, Walter James, with 3. Puerto Rico's Sotero Ortiz led in runs (21) and stolen bases (10) while teammate Ramon Maldonado hit 8 doubles, the most. Overall, statistics are very limited from this tournament.

Also see 1951 Amateur World Series (Rosters)

Source: A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman