Gamekeeping, Field Sports and Country Pursuits

Posts Tagged ‘Major League Baseball’

Baseball in the United States dates back to the 1840s, but many other countries picked up and played the sport soon after. In Cuba, students who enrolled in the United States educational system returned home to the island nation with a bat and a ball. The popularity of the game in Cuba was so high as to be considered part of the identity during the war for independence during the late 1800s.

The Spaniards assumed that the baseball practice and teams were just a cover-up for the preparation to go to war. Throughout the Caribbean region, Cuban players spread their newfound knowledge which increased the popularity of the game. It was two Cuban brothers who carried the game to the Dominican Republic and Cubans in the country of Venezuela along with Venezuelan nationals who had matriculated in the U.S. brought the sport to Venezuela, beginning in 1895 and to the island of Puerto Rico in 1897.

In Mexico, it was also Cubans who had fled from the island during its struggles for independence that brought baseball to Mexico. The Cubans in Mexico were assisted by U.S. merchant marines and railroad workers. Various regions of Mexico were converted to the sport during the years from 1877 to 1899. In terms of popularity, the sport of baseball is number one in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Venezuela with a strong showing in Puerto Rico.

Mexico still places football as the dominant sport. In Central America, baseball is also very popular. In the United States, players from Latin America and Puerto Rico have become a growing force in major league baseball. There are professional leagues organized in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

As in the rest of the world, football (soccer) is unquestionably the most popular sport in Latin America. Yet, it is also true that in much of the Caribbean basin, baseball is the number one sport. In fact, where U.S. imperial power spread throughout the world, and in Latin America specifically, the influence of baseball was the strongest. During a military occupation, many countries were introduced to American baseball.

It has been said that if Fidel Castro had been a better baseball player, the history of the Cold War might have played out very differently. Castro is an avid fan and once played the game. The reverse is also true: Orlando Hernandez “El Duque” left Cuba in 2000 and played for the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Baseball season in Latin America stretches from October to January. The winners of the four national leagues meet in February to play the Caribbean Series. Mexican players participate in a summer minor league that has connections with the U.S. Minor League Baseball governing body. Mexico has been given Triple A status. There are also Dominican Republic and Venezuelan summer rookie leagues that are affiliated with Minor League Baseball.

Although professional baseball existed in Cuba from 1878 until 1961, it was abolished by the Cuban government at the professional level. The Cuban national team now dominates the world amateur competitions, winning gold medals at Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996.

About 30 percent of the major league players in baseball today are connected to Latin America in some fashion. Either they are from Latin America or are descendants of Latin Americans who grew up in the U.S. In the general population, only eleven percent of the people are from Latin America. Latino baseball players overwhelmingly are foreign born and claim Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic as a birthplace.

Unfortunately, some of the major teams have gained a reputation for an almost sweatshop approach to baseball academies in the Latin American region. Young boys with talent are signed and sent to these training regimens where life is harsh in the hopes of winning a contract with one of the major clubs. Many of these players travel to Latin America to play the winter league baseball games in the Latin American leagues.

The countries in the Caribbean basin that are baseball enthusiasts send national teams with championship titles to participate in the Caribbean World Series each year since 1949. For players of Latin American descent, the opportunity to play in Major League Baseball is high success and tremendous financial gain.

Beginning in 2006, the World Baseball Classic between the United States, Puerto Rico, Japan, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, was held. Nicaragua did not attend, but Cuba did send a team. The tournament was won by Japan, which was a tremendous surprise to many if not most of the observers.

Formerly known as BankOne Ballpark, Chase Field officially opened it’s doors in 1998. Following a merger with BankOne and J.P. Morgan Chase & Company, the stadium’s name officially changed to Chase Field. It’s design was created under the architectural insight of Ellerbe Becket and Bill Johnson and construction began in 1995 by Huber, Hunt & Nichols Inc. Upon it’s completion, Chase Field was estimated to have cost between $350-400 million. Of that, 68% was derived from a portion of sales tax and the remaining 32% from the owners of the Arizona Diamondbacks themselves.

In 1998, the Arizona Diamondbacks entered into what would be a very promising year. As they enjoyed competing at their newly constructed stadium, the Diamondbacks went on to win seven Major League Baseball games in a row, which tied them for the record of the longest winning streak in history by any expansion team.

Chase Field features all of the amenities of a modern facility, but with plenty of classic touches as well. A retractable roof is just one of the many innovative ideas found here. According to the agreement between Chase Field and the Arizona Diamondbacks, this MLB expansion team will occupy the stadium for a minimum of 30 years and an additional possibility of a 10 year extension at the request of the Arizona Diamondbacks. A great number of spectators, 48,569 to be exact, can sit back and enjoy the great American game of baseball at Chase Field. Housing 69 luxury suites and six specialty party suites, spectators have found ample space and comfortable seating in the spacious 17,000 sq. ft. facility.

What facility would be complete without a few memorable moments along the way? If history is what you are after, Chase Field has been the home to many of baseball’s greatest moments. Among them, Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the 2001 World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks ultimately bringing home the championship. Additionally, Chase Field was the first facility of it’s kind to be built with a retractable roof and natural grass. Today, it features a swimming pool, baseball hall of fame memorabilia and a wide selection of food served up from the Front Row Sports Grill. The stadium also features a store with a large variety of baseball memorabilia, including both vintage and current uniforms from all Major League Baseball teams.

Although still young in existence, Chase Field has already inked it’s spot in the history books. As the Arizona Diamondbacks became one of the league’s newest expansion teams in 1998, this facility was built to house their future success. The Diamondbacks call it home and the fans, who never want to miss a minute of the action, call it excitement.

Collectors who wish to request an autograph from any one of the players on the Arizona Diamondbacks roster should send their letter and a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) to:

Player’s Name

c/o Arizona Diamondbacks

401 E. Jefferson Street

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Fans requesting an autograph should limit their request to two items per letter. Popular items to have signed include photos, index or trading cards, baseballs, etc. Patience is key when requesting autographs through the mail, but the best time to reach an athlete is often during the off-season.