| Baseball in the United States dates back to the 1840s, | | | | played for the New York Yankees in the World |
| but many other countries picked up and played the | | | | Series. |
| sport soon after. In Cuba, students who enrolled in the | | | | Baseball season in Latin America stretches from |
| United States educational system returned home to | | | | October to January. The winners of the four national |
| the island nation with a bat and a ball. The popularity of | | | | leagues meet in February to play the Caribbean Series. |
| the game in Cuba was so high as to be considered | | | | Mexican players participate in a summer minor league |
| part of the identity during the war for independence | | | | that has connections with the U.S. Minor League |
| during the late 1800s. | | | | Baseball governing body. Mexico has been given Triple |
| The Spaniards assumed that the baseball practice and | | | | A status. There are also Dominican Republic and |
| teams were just a cover-up for the preparation to go | | | | Venezuelan summer rookie leagues that are affiliated |
| to war. Throughout the Caribbean region, Cuban | | | | with Minor League Baseball. |
| players spread their newfound knowledge which | | | | Although professional baseball existed in Cuba from |
| increased the popularity of the game. It was two | | | | 1878 until 1961, it was abolished by the Cuban |
| Cuban brothers who carried the game to the | | | | government at the professional level. The Cuban |
| Dominican Republic and Cubans in the country of | | | | national team now dominates the world amateur |
| Venezuela along with Venezuelan nationals who had | | | | competitions, winning gold medals at Barcelona in 1992 |
| matriculated in the U.S. brought the sport to Venezuela, | | | | and Atlanta in 1996. |
| beginning in 1895 and to the island of Puerto Rico in | | | | About 30 percent of the major league players in |
| 1897. | | | | baseball today are connected to Latin America in |
| In Mexico, it was also Cubans who had fled from the | | | | some fashion. Either they are from Latin America or |
| island during its struggles for independence that brought | | | | are descendants of Latin Americans who grew up in |
| baseball to Mexico. The Cubans in Mexico were | | | | the U.S. In the general population, only eleven percent |
| assisted by U.S. merchant marines and railroad | | | | of the people are from Latin America. Latino baseball |
| workers. Various regions of Mexico were converted | | | | players overwhelmingly are foreign born and claim |
| to the sport during the years from 1877 to 1899. In | | | | Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela and the |
| terms of popularity, the sport of baseball is number | | | | Dominican Republic as a birthplace. |
| one in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Venezuela with a | | | | Unfortunately, some of the major teams have gained |
| strong showing in Puerto Rico. | | | | a reputation for an almost sweatshop approach to |
| Mexico still places football as the dominant sport. In | | | | baseball academies in the Latin American region. |
| Central America, baseball is also very popular. In the | | | | Young boys with talent are signed and sent to these |
| United States, players from Latin America and Puerto | | | | training regimens where life is harsh in the hopes of |
| Rico have become a growing force in major league | | | | winning a contract with one of the major clubs. Many |
| baseball. There are professional leagues organized in | | | | of these players travel to Latin America to play the |
| Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican | | | | winter league baseball games in the Latin American |
| Republic. | | | | leagues. |
| As in the rest of the world, football (soccer) is | | | | The countries in the Caribbean basin that are baseball |
| unquestionably the most popular sport in Latin America. | | | | enthusiasts send national teams with championship |
| Yet, it is also true that in much of the Caribbean basin, | | | | titles to participate in the Caribbean World Series each |
| baseball is the number one sport. In fact, where U.S. | | | | year since 1949. For players of Latin American |
| imperial power spread throughout the world, and in | | | | descent, the opportunity to play in Major League |
| Latin America specifically, the influence of baseball | | | | Baseball is high success and tremendous financial gain. |
| was the strongest. During a military occupation, many | | | | Beginning in 2006, the World Baseball Classic between |
| countries were introduced to American baseball. | | | | the United States, Puerto Rico, Japan, Mexico, Panama, |
| It has been said that if Fidel Castro had been a better | | | | the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, was held. |
| baseball player, the history of the Cold War might | | | | Nicaragua did not attend, but Cuba did send a team. |
| have played out very differently. Castro is an avid fan | | | | The tournament was won by Japan, which was a |
| and once played the game. The reverse is also true: | | | | tremendous surprise to many if not most of the |
| Orlando Hernandez "El Duque" left Cuba in 2000 and | | | | observers. |