Play was suspended on Friday at the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Caracas, Venezuela after a player of Hong Kong was struck by a bullet in the lower leg. The player is in stable condition and underwent successful surgery at a military medical facility in Caracas. The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) issued a pair of statements:
1. The IBAF confirms that a bullet struck a player from the team of Hong Kong in the lower leg during the game that took place today, August 13th 2010 in Caracas Venezuela. At this point, IBAF suspended this game, and future games.
2. Notifying that the injured player is stable and she is currently being taken care of in a military medical facility in the city of Caracas. She underwent successful surgery.
3. All of the delegations are safe and back at the hotel facilities.
4. We gathered with the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Mr. Hugo Chávez via phone, the Vice‐president, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Justice and the Minister of the People’s Power for Sports. Likewise, the Minister of External Affairs has confirmed that he is already in conversations with the Embassies representing all the delegations.
5. The government has expressed its concerns and sadness regarding the events that took place today, August 13th 2010. Moreover, it has been confirmed that they will maximize safety and security measures for the delegations should they choose to stay for the duration of their stay in Venezuela. The government will also mobilize the Venezuelan Scientific Police Department, in order to make a detailed report regarding today’s incident.
6. All the games scheduled for August 14th, 2010, will be suspended until the evidences are gathered and the official report is finished. This will be presented to the visiting delegations for their review.
7. No final decision will be taken without prior analysis of the report rising from the investigation performed by the Scientific Venezuelan Police Department and consultation with the visiting delegations. The priority for IBAF, is the safety and security of the athletes, officials, organizers and volunteers.
8. The President of the International Baseball Federation, Mr. Riccardo Fraccari, has been updated at each development throughout the evening.
9. A meeting has been scheduled with all delegations for 10AM August 14th, at the Alba Hotel Caracas. The government report will be presented at this time.
Second Statement on the meeting from August 13:
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING, AUGUST 13TH 10 PM, HOTEL ALBA.
Delegations from the following teams attended a meeting hosted by the IBAF at 10pm August 13th meeting, with the presence of Venezuelan Vice‐Minister for Sports: Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Venezuela
Teams based in Maracay (Japan, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United States) were advised of the meeting with all delegations to occur at 10am August 14th.
Teams presented the following at the meeting at 10pm August 13th:
- Majority of teams expressed grave concerns for safety.
- Teams consider their next decision to be whether they stay in Venezuela, not whether they change venues.
- Teams did not feel they could play August 14th due to the circumstances and until they could review the government incident report and to see an action plan for changes the government will commit to in order to ensure security August 14th. They will then consult their respective delegations to formalize an opinion and a decision.
- Teams requested a meeting with all teams, including delegates from the teams placed in Maracay, in order to review the reports together and determine next steps.