The organization of baseball in Cuba offers a stark contrast with the organization of baseball in the United States. Whereas baseball in the United States is largely coordinated by market forces, in Cuba, political decisions account for the determination of player salary, team composition, team location, and the distribution of player talent. This article examines the operation and out-comes associated with the organization of Cuban baseball. Although the Cuban model avoids some of the problems afflicting professional baseball in the United States, a close analysis reveals the inequities and disadvantages in the Cuban model. The case study illustrates that organizing sporting leagues through nonmarket rules has its own drawbacks.
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