Venezolanos en Quito: El sóftbol contra la nostalgia

Venezolanos en Quito: El sóftbol contra la nostalgia

Venezuelan immigrants play softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018.   The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total.  / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
Venezolanos inmigrantes juegan softbol en Quito / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA

 

Cuando llegó a Quito desde su maltrecha Venezuela, Oliver Prada cargaba entre sus maletas un bate y una pelota.

“Lo primero que hacemos los venezolanos en otro país es buscar donde jugar”, dice mientras se alista para su partido dominical de sóftbol, una variante del béisbol.





En las alturas andinas, este médico de 34 años coincidió con cientos de compatriotas forzados como él a emigrar ante la profunda crisis económica y de violencia que golpea a su país.

Sin canchas para jugar en Quito, donde el fútbol es el rey, dibujaron con pintura blanca un diamante en el parque Bicentenario, en lo que antes era el aeropuerto de la ciudad.

Y convirtieron un terreno de césped mezclado con grava rodeado de árboles, en su cancha.

Y conforme la diáspora creció hasta llegar a unos 60.000 en Ecuador, según datos de la embajada venezolana, lograron armar una liga de 16 equipos con 450 jugadores, entre aficionados y algún que otro exprofesional.

Las visas entregadas a migrantes venezolanos pasaron de 11.012 en 2015 a 23.067 en 2017, según la cancillería ecuatoriana.

“Es como si estuvieras jugando en tu país, en Venezuela”, sostiene Prada, coordinador deportivo de la Liga de Sóftbol de Pichincha, cuya capital es Quito.

Hastiado de la devaluación sin fin del bolívar, la inflación crónica y la escasez asfixiante derivadas del prolongado control de cambios y de precios, Prada dejó hace cinco años su trabajo como médico en un hospital público de Maracaibo (noroeste).

“Fue el mes antes de la muerte de Hugo Chávez. La cosa no estaba tan mala como ahora, pero ya se empezaban a ver estragos”, recuerda.

– Empezar de cero –

Embutidos en ajustados pantalones blancos y camisas en las que resaltan los nombres de los equipos Matatanes, Gavilanes o Embajadores, los venezolanos colorean el panorama.

Con los ojos puestos sobre el bateador, Larry Escalona lanza una bola rápida ante la atenta mirada de las bases y los jardineros.

El caso de este hombre de 47 años, alto y de tez morena, es especial. Durante 19 años jugó en la selección venezolana de béisbol, y al retirarse montó una distribuidora de artículos de ferretería.

“Es duro porque tienes tu vida en Venezuela, tu casa, tu carro y empezar a los 47 años de cero en otro país es difícil”, más aún con una familia numerosa, admite.

Hace meses, cerró ese negocio, que ya no era rentable, y aceptó una oferta de la Federación Ecuatoriana de Sóftbol en Guayaquil (suroeste) para entrenar lanzadores. Todos los fines de semana viaja a Quito para participar en la liga.

El sóftbol, que volverá a ser olímpico en los juegos de Tokyo-2020, se practica en el Pacífico ecuatoriano, pero para los quiteños es inusual.

Menos físico que el béisbol, este deporte parece ajustarse mejor a los 2.800 metros de altura de Quito. Los lanzamientos son más lentos y fáciles de descifrar para el bateador.

En el sóftbol la bola viaja por debajo de la cadera. En el béisbol, por encima del hombro.

– Se busca público –

En los estadios de Venezuela, el multitudinario público sigue los largos partidos entre música, risas y baile.

Pero en Quito, los pocos espectadores, la mayoría venezolanos y de otros países caribeños, apenas aplauden, comparten su comida tradicional y conversan entre sí del país que dejaron atrás.

“Es fácil venir y decir que tengo un trabajo estable, pero tengo compatriotas que no lo tienen y esperan el domingo como un momento para liberarse un poco de eso que no consiguen”, comenta Raúl Juárez, de 45 años.

Con canas y una sonrisa permanente, Juárez jugó en los 90 en las ligas menores de los Twins de Minnesota, en Estados Unidos.

Hace dos años, cambió su trabajo en una universidad venezolana como instructor de pelota, por un salario en dólares como guardia de seguridad en Quito. Tuvo que dejar a sus dos hijas y esposa en Venezuela, y anhela ahorrar suficiente dinero para poder traerlas a vivir con él.

“Es una tristeza en un país tan rico ver como no nos alcanza el dinero para nada. Con un sueldo mínimo, si compras dos paquetes de harina ya no te queda más para rellenar las arepas”, se lamenta.

por Paola LÓPEZ/AFP

Venezuelan immigrants take part in the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA /
Venezuelan immigrants take part in the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA /
Venezuelan immigrants pose for a picture during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / 
A Venezuelan immigrant takes part in the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
/ AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / 
Venezuelan immigrants take part in the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / 
Venezuelan immigrants attend the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA /
Venezuelan immigrants take part in the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
Venezuelan immigrants play softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
/ AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
Venezuelan immigrants play softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
/ AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / 
Venezuelan immigrants prepare to play softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA /
Venezuelan immigrants prepare to play softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / 
Venezuelan immigrants cheer for their team during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / 
A Venezuelan immigrant plays softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
Venezuelan immigrants play softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / 
Venezuelan inmigrants play softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA /
Venezuelan immigrants play softball during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / 
Venezuelan immigrants pose for a picture during the inauguration of the Pichincha League Softball Championship, at Parque Bicentenario, in Quito on March 18, 2018. The increase in the number of Venezuelan immigrants in Ecuador leaded to growth of the softball league from four to 16 teams in the last years, with some 450 players in total. / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY PAOLA LOPEZ
 / AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA /