1998 Central American and Caribbean Games

The 1998 Central American and Caribbean Games were held in Maracaibo, Venezuela in late August. The Cuban national team won its fourth straight Gold Medal by going 6-0. Leading the way for Cuba were OF Loidel Chapellí (10 for 20, the tourney leader with 13 runs and tied for the lead with 3 HR), 1B Orestes Kindelan (.588, the best average), Robelquis Videaux (.480) and C Juan Manrique (.333, tied for the lead with 3 HR and 12 RBI). Omar Luis (2-0, 1.38) and Jose Contreras (2-0, 4.61) tied for the win lead while Yovani Aragon (1-0, 1.13) and Pedro Luis Lazo (1-0, 1.35) each won once.

 Nicaragua won Silver by going 5-1, with their only loss coming against Cuba.

 Venezuela was 4-2 and beat Panama in the Bronze Medal game. Jose Avila led the tourney in innings pitched (21 1/3), strikeouts (19) and wins (tied at 2-0). Venezuela included Clemente Alvarez and Cris Colon.

For fourth-place Panama, Earl Agnoly tied for the lead with 12 RBI and Jose Solis led the competition with 13 hits.

 Dominican Republic was 5th at 3-3. Juan Vinas led the event in ERA (1.04).

 Puerto Rico finished 6th with a 2-4 record.

 Netherlands Antilles and  Colombia tied for 7th at 1-5.

 United States Virgin Islands were last at 0-4.

Also see 1998 Central American and Caribbean Games (Rosters)

Source: A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman