Baseball+in+Cuba

= Baseball in Cuban Culture = Tori Galloway = **Overview** =

====Baseball in Cuba was introduced in the 1860's and has survived much political and social strife, and has become one of the country's most popular past times. The nation of Cuba was introduced to the game of baseball through multiple sources; the first being the return of two Cuban students studying in the United States who brought home a baseball and bat. Soon after, American sailors who were interacting with Cubans in the ports began playing the game together. The game of baseball quickly spread throughout the nation but was met by much controversy by political leaders who fought to keep Spanish culture alive under Spain's rule.====

====Baseball was first banned on the Island of Cuba in 1869 during the Cuban First War of Independence. The ruling Spaniards saw that the country was beginning to prefer the sport of baseball over the sport of bullfighting. Under Spanish rule, bullfighting was considered a cultural mandate and a form of respect to the Spaniards who controlled them. After this event, baseball became a badge of identity for Cubans who used it as a symbol of freedom from the Spaniards.====

====After gaining independence from Spain, baseball in Cuba began to grow rapidly. It was represented by a culture that fought for it's independence and used baseball as a metaphor for life. Baseball as a symbol of resistance can be seen depicted in culture all over Cuba including artwork, music and social relationships. Cuba's baseball identity has had a profound affect on Cuba's idea of racial integration, as they integrated black and white players before the United States. It also serves as a badge of identity of freedom from Spain. Baseball in Cuba in the present is a social outlet that allows for freedom of expression that is not culturally accepted in most parts of the nation.====



= **The Cuban League** =

====The Cuban League was formed in 1878, which was a step in baseball becoming a national sport in Cuba. The league was an all-white segregated team and remained so until 1900 when they decided to integrate Cuban blacks into the league after the Cuban War of Independence. Black Cubans had been playing on semi-professional and sugar mill teams, and after they won the pennant, the league quickly began recruiting black Cubans. This was during a time when blacks were still prohibited from playing baseball on professional teams in the United States, which remained a in the major leagues until 1947. The Cuban League became a serious competitor to the major league in the United States as they loaded up with star American black players and also recruited top white players from the United States.====

====The Cuban League was the most long standing league outside of the United States and remained until 1961. Since the league continued through the winter, which was the off-season in the United States, players from the U.S were sent to Cuba to train and recover from injury during these months. By 1947 Cuba agreed to officially use the Cuban League as a source for development for United States players.====

= **For the People** =

====Cuba created the National Sports Institute in the early 1900's which was designed to create more cultural entertainment and pride in the Cuban people, and also to help recruit young players who showed talent in sports. The children who were recruited were taken to special academies that excelled in training and development, and helped create some of the best baseball players in Cuba's history.====

= **A Cultural Obsession** =

====Rather than soccer in most of Latin America being the national sport, baseball has become the centerpiece of Cuban culture. Sometimes referred to metaphorically as the national religion of Cuba, baseball can be seen depicted through artwork, music and is often the center of many social relationships. The priming of baseball stars begins early in childhood and is in the same degree of importance as education. Children scouted at a very young age and are selected for training into professional baseball, and their education then coincides with their training.====

====Even in the little league games, Cubans flock to the 9 and 10 year old tournaments as if they were attending a major league game, with music, dancing, and drinks are provided throughout the day. During a game there are no announcements or advertisements, and Cubans bring their own instruments to perform at the game. They play popular Cuban music such as salsa and reggaeton providing the stadium with a party atmosphere.Support of little league gives a whole new definition to the 'soccer mom' as the whole community turns out for such an event.====

====The Hot Corner, or Esquina Caliente, is an area that represents just how obsessed Cuba is with the sport of baseball. A heated discussion about the sport takes place in Parque Central everyday, all day. Self-proclaimed sports experts gather here to freely express and debate their opinions on baseball. Since free speech is limited in Cuba, The Hot Corner provides a place of expression, with not so much of a goal or resolution to such debates, but recognized as an organized area where opinions can be thrown out for others to extend their agreement or disagreement. These heated arguments have a subject range of favorite teams, players who should be recruited, and often veer into political debate. While mostly men attend The Hot Corner, it provides a wide range of ages with a variety of experience in politics and education. Rogelio Hernandez, a regular at the debate, says explained that baseball in Cuba transcends all, even family. It is a powerful passion that represents Cuba's pride and nationalism.====

=** Work Cited **=

"Baseball Culture in Cuba." //PlazaCUBA – Your Online Resource for Cuban Music, Dance, Art and Culture //. Beisbol.Cuba. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. .

Hughson, Callum. "Cuban Baseball ← Mop Up Duty." //Mop Up Duty ← Baseball, History, Bios, & Toronto Blue Jays //. Mop Up Duty. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. .

Franks, Jeff. "Cubans Indulge Baseball Mania at Havana's Hot Corner| Reuters." //Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com //. 01 Mar. 2009. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. .

"Cuban Baseball History." //Cuban Baseball Home //. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. .

Campello, F. Lennox. "Before El Duque There Was Luque and Before Robinson There Was Estallela." //The Writing of F. Lennox Campello //. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. .