HAVANA (AP) - Elian Gonzales, the 6 year old Cuban boy whose face has been plastered across newcasts worldwide, has been projected by the Cuban Sports Authority to be "a superstar in the making." Gonzales' ranking goes far in explaining Havana dictator Fidel Castro's insistence on having the boy returned to his native land.

	Elian Gomzalez, seen here in the Havana Cigars dugout as an honorary batboy.

"Elian is a future superstar," said Castro, who also does double duty as manager of the Havana Cigars. "We can't allow homegrown talent like his to leave the country; Cuba is already in a baseball crisis with defections as is."

A left-handed spray hitter with speed, Gonzales dominated the playground competition at his elementary school and was often seen playing with older kids. Scouts project him as a solid everyday player with the potential to become something special if his development and work ethic progress well.

"He did really well in physical testing," said Jana Gutierrez, his former kindergarten teacher. "Elian was always so hyper in class, so maybe baseball will be a good way to use that energy."

If Gonzales is returned to his native land, he will probably be placed on the roster of one of Cuba's competitive national youth teams. Cuba's youth teams traditionally place very well in international competition, often besting older, more experienced teams at the Little League World Series and the Olympics. These youth teams have also served as a successful talent incubator for the Weaver League's Havana Cigars; GM Edwin Mercado attributes much of the Cigars' win-loss turnaround to players coming from that system.

"Without the youth national teams, you'd still be seeing the Cigars at the bottom of the Roehm Division," said Mercado. "If we can get a talent like Elian back, in 15 years you'll see him wearing the red and white of Cuba's national (and Olympic) heroes, the Cigars."

Elian's father Juan Miguel Gonzales has simpler wishes for his son.

"It's true, it's true. All I want is for my son to grow up and have intelligence, integrity, and intensity," said Gonzales.