Baseball in Latin America

For the past half a century, the sport of baseball has
been gaining popularity in the .  Traditionally, soccer is the more popular
sport, but baseball has been rising in popularity.Both
sports can be played without much equipment Many people in Latin
America play baseball on the streets. They simply use a stick and ball.
Instead of gloves they catch the ball with their hands.In this
way, baseball is simplified.  Latin America has produced many baseball
stars. In June, 1999 the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum was
established to honor many of the Latin American baseball legends.   In
one of the more memorable instances in Latin American baseball
history,  on June 23rd, 2007 current Giant Omar Vizquel, former Giant
Matty Alou, and former NY Yankee Hector Lopez were honored during a
homeplate ceremony at AT&T Park for their recent induction to
the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum 's Hall of Fame before a crowd of
43,000 fans.This year, six of the sixteen nations playing the
world baseball classic are from Latin America. These teams are Cuba,
Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Baseball
can be said to have to greatest hold in the Dominican Republic.The
rise in the number of Hispanic baseball players and baseball in Latin America was
helped by the 1980's baseball super star Fernando Valenzuela. In 1981
he threw eight shutouts and gained his heroic status. Because
of immigration concern, the American government instituted a visa quota
system which limits the number of Hispanics baseball teams can bring
into this country.  Despite the quota, the number of Hispanic players
making baseball news continues to grow.

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