AP Interview: Pitcher Aroldis Chapman says there was no drama in his defection from Cuba

AP Interview: Cuban pitcher defects without drama

Cuban pitcher who helped defeat Orioles in 1999 in stable condition after blow to face

Cuban pitcher who hurt stopping fight

HAVANA — The pitcher who helped Cuba defeat the Baltimore Orioles in the United States a decade ago is in stable condition after his face was crushed with a blunt object while trying to stop a fight.

Cuban volleyball player reported missing in Puerto Rico requests political asylum

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Cuban volleyball player who vanished from his team’s hotel in Puerto Rico appeared at a U.S. immigration office and requested political asylum on Tuesday.

In aftermath of Olympic shutout, baseball’s 7-nation European World Cup called a hit

NETTUNO, Italy — International baseball officials are starting to get over the shock of being shut out of the Olympics, and the recently concluded World Cup was hailed as a success in spreading the sport’s reach in Europe.

US beats Cuba 10-5 to defend baseball World Cup title, finish with 14-game win streak

NETTUNO, Italy — The United States defended its baseball World Cup title on Sunday with a 10-5 victory over Cuba that was powered by four RBIs from Lucas May, including a three-run home run.

US beats Cuba 5-3 at baseball World Cup; Venezuela, Canada and Puerto Rico also win

ROME — Former major leaguer Terry Tiffee hit his fourth home run of the baseball World Cup and the United States beat Cuba 5-3 on Thursday in a likely preview of this weekend’s final.

Stanford spent $500,000 lobbying US to let Cubans play in his cricket tournament

WASHINGTON — Financier R. Allen Stanford, who is awaiting trial on charges he orchestrated a massive Ponzi scheme, spent a half-million dollars in a lobbying effort to gain U.S. approval for Cuba to participate in his international cricket tournament.

Cuba has no plan to field female boxing team when sport debuts in 2012 London Games

HAVANA — Cuba has no intention of fielding a team in women’s boxing when the event makes its Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games, according to the president of the Cuban boxing federation.

Cuba’s Dayron Robles struggles before advancing in 110 hurdles at world championships

BERLIN — Dayron Robles hit the first hurdle that came his way Wednesday, a sign that one of the biggest stars of the world championships is struggling with an injury and might not make it into the men’s 110-meter hurdles final.

Cuba’s Dayron Robles struggles before advancing in 110 hurdles, uncertain for semifinals

BERLIN — Olympic champion Dayron Robles is uncertain if he can run in the semifinals of the 110 meter hurdles at the world championships because of a left hamstring injury.

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman signs agreement with agent

ST. LOUIS — Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who defected this month after arriving with his national team for a tournament in the Netherlands, has signed with an agent.

Report: Top pitching prospect defects from Cuba during tournament in Netherlands

A top Cuban pitching prospect with a 100 mph fastball has defected from the national team while playing in a tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Bush says he hopes Obama plan to close Guantanamo detention camp won’t risk national security

ERIE, Pa. — Former President George W. Bush said Wednesday that he hopes that his successor’s plans to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will not compromise domestic security.