On the occasion of her selection as one of the top athletes of 2025 in Las Tunas, in the category of best female athlete in team sports, 26 Newspaper spoke to Rosangela Jardines, who excels on the diamond and demonstrates how much can be achieved by pursuing one's dreams.

Las Tunas, Cuba.– In our country, baseball and softball have traditionally been associated with the male world. However, both disciplines are considered for women, and Rosangela Jardines has forged her path in softball fields. From a young age, this native of Las Tunas has been involved with gloves and bats, which has allowed her to become a symbol of perseverance and discipline.

Her career speaks not only of athletic achievements but also of the willpower that characterizes women who defy stereotypes and conquer spaces that once seemed off-limits.

“I started playing ball with my cousins and the neighborhood boys in the rural community of Dormitorio when I was very little. I’m from there, although I currently live in Villa Clara,” she explains. “My first attempt to get involved in sports was when I was 7 or 8 years old; my grandfather’s brother took me to a coach, but it never materialized.”

Her mother's determination when Rosangela turned 10 took her to the Carlos Leyva Sports' Initiation School (EIDE). There, in front of Coach Matos, she demonstrated her desire to excel. “I was the smallest, both in height and age, in the 13-15 category.”

Her time at the EIDE was an early lesson in adaptation and self-improvement. Playing third base, she immediately stood out for her impeccable defense. “That same year, we won bronze, and the next, a silver medal. In my first year as a junior, we were national champions; I led the league in batting average and RBIs. When I was 15, I was already competing in the top division with the Guantánamo team.

“My coaches always told me I had the talent to make the national team, but I never believed it. The turning point came when I truly saw my potential and began to focus even more on what I was doing.”

She set clear goals: to reach the national pre-selection first, and then the national team. Discipline ceased to be just for her physical training and became part of her daily routine to convince herself of who she was and who she could become.

“At 17, I went to play as a reinforcement for Holguín, and that's what allowed me to reach the national pre-selection,” she continues. “In 2017, I wore the Cuban national team jersey for the first time, where they allowed me to play, and since then, I've been the starting catcher.”

Women's softball has gained visibility and professionalism. Rosangela Jardines, with her talent and discipline, has crossed borders to demonstrate that Cuba has a wealth of sporting talent.

“I’ve played in different leagues: Guatemala, Italy, Colombia, Mexico… Those have been my biggest professional goals. I could fulfill my dream of playing at the professional level, especially in the prestigious Mexican Softball League, something that I saw as very difficult,” she confesses.

In addition to her professional achievements, Rosangela has great collective dreams with the Cuban national team, such as playing in a World Cup and participating in the Olympic Games. With Las Tunas, she longs to wear the green and red jersey again to attend a repechage tournament or even compete in the top division. “This year, we had the opportunity to participate in a repechage, but due to problems beyond our control, it didn’t happen. However, I hope we will make it at some point.”

Rosangela Jardines’ career is more than a collection of medals and contracts; it is a testament to the value of women in sports. She has planted her flag on the diamond with quality, leadership, and unwavering discipline.