Vermont-Florida rhubarb

“A Florida congressman has launched a war against baseball. Apple pie may be next.” That’s a quote from “Play Ball,” an editorial in The Rutland Herald, about Congressman Diaz-Balart’s opposition to a Vermont baseball team’s trip to Cuba.

Vermont’s Senator Leahy says the Congressman should “pick on someone his own size.”

It’s not just the ball games, it’s the symbolism, Congressman Diaz-Balart argues: “Sporting events may be interpreted as diplomatic gestures even when they are not meant to be.”

A Herald columnist blithely ignores the strategic issues, writing that he supports the trip and has “arranged with one of the coaches to smuggle me back a box of Cohiba Esplendidos.”

The players are 11 and 12 years old. They are scheduled to depart next Saturday.

[Photo: a weekend ballgame in Havana province, high school age players.]