Venezuela cancels remainder of winter season

www.boston.com By Associated Press, 1/13/2003 12:44

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) The Venezuelan Winter League canceled the rest of its season Monday because it can't guarantee security, supplies and media coverage during an anti-government strike.

The league is consulting with the organizers of the annual Caribbean Series, to be played in Puerto Rico next month, to determine if Venezuela can participate. Several players have expressed interest in forming a Venezuelan team.

Play was suspended Dec. 9, a week into the strike. Several American and Venezuelan players left for the United States after travel warnings issued by the U.S. State Department.

The strike has cost the league at least $4 million.