baseball1

   Baseball

                          Baseball was first introduced to the Caribbean in 1866 on the island of
                          Cuba. Taught to the Cubans by American sailors who were there to load
                          sugar. Eight years later in 1874 the first organized game of baseball was
                          played between Cuban teams. In the years to come it would be Cuba
                          who would spread baseball throughout the Caribbean.

                          When the ten year war (1868-1878) in Cuba brought turmoil to the
                          country, many Cubans fled their country and migrated to the D.R.
                          bringing with them the game called "Baseball" or "Beisbol"
                          Dominicans were quick to learn the game and soon organized teams and
                          tournaments were being held.

                          Note: Baseball was being played in the DR long before the US Marines
                          arrived for their eight-year occupation of the island in 1916.

                          Four teams were formed becoming the oldest and founding teams of
                          baseball for the DR that is still evident today:

                               Tigers del Licey (The Tigers) - Santo Domingo 1907
                               Estrelles Oriental's (Eastern Stars) - San Pedro 1911
                               Sandino - 1921- Renamed Las Anguilas (The Eagles) 1936
                               Leon del Escogido (Lions of the Chosen One) - Santo Domingo
                               1921

                          As travel became possible in the DR in the 1920s' Dominicans went
                          abroad to play in competition with countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico,
                          and North America. In return these countries visited and played in the
                          DR as well.

                          Rafael Leonidas Trujillo first gained control in 1930 by overthrowing the
                          government by force. He soon controlled most of the Dominican
                          economy and used his power to eliminate competition and established
                          monopolities.

                          It was after the 1936 Dominican Baseball League was finished that
                          Trujillo took an interest in baseball. Knowing his people and the love of
                          baseball they had, he dedicated the 1937 Dominican Baseball League to
                          his re-election. To Trujillo advantage he merged the two rival teams
                          from Santo Domingo (Licey and Escognido) to play in that years
                          Dominican Baseball league. He then renamed the team "Ciudad Trujillo
                          Dragons" after him and the city of Santo Domingo, which he had
                          renamed already "Ciudad Trujillo" after he had taken power. These two
                          teams would only be merge together for one year, the 1937 series.
                          The three-team league of 1937 brought together some of the best
                          players money could buy. Santiago (Las Anguilas) acquired the skill of
                          such players Luis Tiant, Martin Dihigo and Horacio Martinez. San Pedro
                          (Estrelles Orientales) came back with Tetelo Vargas, Ramon Bragana and
                          Cocaina Garcia. Trujillo took one look at the rival teams line up of talent
                          and countered with Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell and Satchel Paige from
                          the Pittsburgh, Crawford's (Pirates).

                          Many would remember that 1937 baseball league. Baseball was played
                          at its best and it would be the "Ciudad Trujillo Dragons" who would
                          prevail and win the series, but it would come with much sacrifice for the
                          country. Due to the financial toll the country took for buying some of
                          the best players to play in the series, pro baseball would come to end
                          for fourteen years. There are many who say the sacrifice was just too
                          high.

                          While pro ball took a hiatus, Amateur baseball matured. International
                          Championships were being played throughout the Caribbean with teams
                          coming from the United States and throughout the Caribbean. In 1948
                          the Amateur Baseball team from Dominican Republic won the
                          championship. This came only months after the team's plane crash near
                          Rio Verde. Only a few survived but it sparked those fortunate to survive
                          to win the series.

                          Pro Baseball returned to the island in 1951 with the help of the
                          Dominican International team and backing from wealthy prominent
                          citizens. The league consisted of the original four- Licey, Escognido,
                          Anguillas and the Estrelles. In 1955 the Quisqueya Stadium was built in
                          Santo Domingo (Cuidad Trujillo) and on October 23 of that year the first
                          night game was played on the island. That same year the pro baseball
                          would take on a new schedule of a winter series while amateur ball
                          would now be played in the summer.