Estadio La Rinconada in Caracas, Venezuela, will host the LVBP All-Star Game on December 18.
By Leif Skodnick
World Baseball Network
Less than three weeks from now, the Liga Venezolana Beisbol Profesional All-Star Game will be held at Estadio La Rinconada in Caracas, the new home of the Leones del Caracas.
The December 18 All-Star Game will be a celebration for the Leones’ new home after playing at Estadio Universitario, which opened in 1951.
“In reality, the move always generated a bit of uncertainty for us, but we can safely say that it was a total success, not only for the team but for the league, for the sponsors, for the players and for the fans. There are many things in store for us. more years in this new home,” Leones president Juan Carlos Escobar said in a space on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, according to Meridiano.net.
The Leones, at 21-11, are one game behind the Cardenales de Lara.
The LVBP All-Star Game will pit the East All-Stars from the Caribes de Anzoátegui, Leones del Caracas, Tiburones de La Guaira and Bravos de Margarita against the West All-Stars from the Águilas del Zulia, Cardenales de Lara, Navegantes del Magallanes and Tigres de Aragua.
This year’s All-Star Game will be the first for the LVBP since 2017, with the players selected via a fan vote and by Venezuelan baseball journalists.
Puig Arrives In La Guaira – Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig arrived in La Guaira last weekend to join the Tiburones, and went 1-for-3 with a single in his debut with the team, an 8-5 loss to the Leones del Caracas.
Puig adds another powerful bat and outfield arm to the Tiburones, who also have Ronald Acuna Jr., and followed up his Sunday debut with a 2-for-4 evening Tuesday, belting a home run in a 9-3 win against Caracas.
Leones Will Consider Adding Acuna as Reinforcement – Leones del Caracas president Juan Carlos Escobar said the club would be open to adding Ronald Acuna Jr. as a reinforcement should the Tiburones de La Guaira be eliminated before the Leones.
“In the event that Leones classifies first and Tiburones does not, would we take Ronald Acuña Jr. in a scenario? Of course, with our eyes closed. We would also see what need the team would have, but Acuña gives you a plus and can change the destiny of a game at any time,” Escobar said on an X space, according to Meridiano.net.
Acuna Jr., the reigning National League MVP, said he wants to play the entire LVBP season, including the Caribbean Series, even if that means playing for another club if the Tiburones are eliminated
Bravos de Margarita Adding Suarez – Five-year MLB veteran Jose Suarez is expected to join the Bravos de Margarita.
The left-hander has pitched for the Los Angeles Angels since 2019, posting a 5.38 ERA in 324.1 innings in 77 appearances, mostly as a starter. Suarez is eligible to go to salary arbitration this offseason with the Angels. He has yet to appear in the winter leagues in his career.
Pitch Clock Arrives December 1 – The LVBP will begin using a pitch clock on December 1, following the same rules as Major League Baseball. The pitch clock will be used in the league’s All-Star Game.