HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s unprecedented effort to stop a devastating baseball talent drain doesn’t seem to be working, with a string of stars leaving for the major leagues in the year since the government allowed a small number to play professionally overseas.

The island’s national league began its 54th season Sunday badly weakened by the departure of both stars and promising prospects chasing dreams of riches in the U.S. To fight the drain, Cuba relaxed a five-decade ban on professional play in September 2013 and allowed ballplayers to sign offseason contracts with leagues like Japan’s and Mexico’s as long as a large chunk of their contracts goes to the state and they return to play in Cuba. The state also gave raises to on-island athletes.