The True Colors of Cuba The True Colors of Cuba

EXPLORING CUBAN CULTURE THROUGH BASEBALL

WRITTEN & DESIGNED BY HAILEY VROLYK

The True Colors of Cuba The True Colors of Cuba

EXPLORING CUBAN CULTURE

THROUGH BASEBALL

WRITTEN

&

DESIGNED BY HAILEY VROLYK

TABLE OF

Estadio Latinoamericano

Introduction

12 Colophon

THE BEST WAY TO GET TO KNOW CUBANS

Baseball is Cuba’s “national obsession”. The sport is played at every level from children in the streets all the way to Cuba’s National Team members, who are viewed as heroes in their country. Baseball grew to be Cuba’s favorite pastime largely through the adoration of the sport held by Fidel Castro. Home of the second largest stadium in the world (by capacity), Cuba embraces their favorite sport in many ways, incorporating their best gameday cuisine, and proudly dressing in red, white, and blue in support of their national team. Baseball games are where Cuban citizens of all types and backgrounds come together to get loud and excited in support of their favorite team. Engulf yourself in Cuban culture through what unites and energizes them most: their love of baseball.

ESTADIO LATINOAMERICANO

(Latin American Stadium)

Originally built as “Gran Estadio de La Habana” then renamed, “Estadio del Cerro” the stadium was then given the name, “Estadio Latinoamericano” in 1961. Major baseball figure Bobby Maduro, gave $2 million to help build the stadium for the Cuban Winter League in 1946. Estadio Latinoamericano grew to become the world’s second largest baseball stadium by capacity. Holding 55,000 guests, the stadium grew from it’s original 34,000 patron capacity in 1971, and trails only the Dodgers stadium in Los Angeles.

The stadium known as “Gran Stadium” is home of Havana’s Industriales and previously hosted The

Metropolitanos. It has been used previously to host a number of events including dance performances and boxing matches. More importantly, the stadium hosted the 1991 Pan-American games and the Havana leg of the 1999 Baltimore Orioles Exhibition Series. Another historic event that found Estadio Latinoamericano as the host was the exhibitional game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national team in the presence of US President Barack Obama and Raul Castro, on March 22, 2016. No matter who enters the stadim, shy and quiet or outgoing and wild, “this is the Lationamericano stadium, the most Cuban spot that exists.”

Aerial View of Estadio Latinoamericao in El Cerro, outside of Havana.

“IN THE CONFINES

OF

ESTADIO LATINOAMERICANO, CUBANS LET THEIR GUARD DOWN AND SHOW THEIR TRUE COLORS.”

Of course, the story of Estadio Latinoamericano would not be complete without mentioning the legendary fan who frequented the stadium the most. Armando Luis Torres Torres, also know as Armandito el Tintorero, was a beloved sports figure in Cuba especially among baseball fans. His voice could be heard loud and clear from the second seat in the seventh row between home plate and left field cheering on the Industriales and Cuban National Team. He was proud to be the President of the sports club, which continues to opperate today in Cerro, and was invited by Fidel Castro to attend the 1999 Baltimore Orioles versus Cuban National Team game. A bronze statue that even includes the broom he would use to “sweep” away Industriales and Cuban National Team opponents, was made in his honor inside the stadium at the very seat he used to occupy at every game. Now he gets to cheer on the Industiales and Cuban National Team forever.

Armandito El Tintorero - Statue of lengendary Cuban fan inside Estadio Latinoamericano

COQUITO ACARAMELADOS

(Cuban Caramel Coconut Balls)

Close-up

of Coquito Acaramelados

As if an authentic baseball game experience wasn’t already a treat, the real sweetness comes from Coquito Acaramelados, balls of shredded coconut dipped in caramel sauce. Follow up the pull pork, hamburgers, and refreshments available at the ballpark with this delicious sweet towards the end of a winning game and you have won it all. All the

gameday food is so good you won’t even notice the absence of alcohol, as it is not allowed inside the stadium. If you miss the opportunity to grab some at a game they are also super easy to make right from your kitchen! Just 5 ingredients, 4 easy steps, and you’ll bring the taste of a Cuban baseball game home!

“BALLS OF SHREDDED COCONUT DELICIOUSNESS”

COQUITO ACARAMELADOS

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups desiccated coconut

• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

caramel ingredients

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup water

RECIPE:

1. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine coconut, condensed milk and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat, for 15 minutes.

2. To make caramel, combine sugar and water and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, until it starts to change color. Leave to cool for 5 minutes.

3. As soon as the coconut mixture is cool enough to handle, form into 18 balls. When it starts to stick to your hands, wet your hands.

4. Dip coconut balls in the caramel sauce and leave to set.

Coquito Acaramelados

FERIA INTERNACIONAL DEL DEPORTE (International Sports Fair)

This past year brought new beginnings for Cuba, one of those new beginnings came in the form of Cuba’s first International Sports Fair. The week long fair started July 31st and ran through August 6th, 2023 at the Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva (Havana’s Sports City), an indoor sporting arena, in Havana. Cuba’s Vice-President, Salvador Valdés Mesa, and

Deputy Prime Minister, Jorge Luis Perdomo Di-Lella, both made an appearance at the opening ceremony. The sports fair gathered 123 companies from 13 countries including; Mexico, China, Canada, Spain, and the United Erab Emirates. Products and services from these companies were on display until Sunday to wrap up the weekend event.

Ribbon Cutting at the opening ceremony.

The event brings about many business opportunities for Cuba including, “opportunities for the exports of sports services” as stated by president of Cuba’s National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation, Osvaldo Vento. Companies visiting Cuba brought many services including cosmetics, and even “Artificial Intelligence: potential applications in physical activity.” Also included in possible sports

business opportunities were conversations about gear and uniforms, repair and maintenance of facilities including Estadio Latinoamericano, state of the art technology, organization of sponsorship of sporting activities, nutritional supplements and many more. The event was focused on bringing about improvements for the treasured sports system of Cuba and it’s athletes.

“NEW SPACE FOR THE CUBAN ECONOMY AND THE VITALITY OF THE ATHLETIC SYSTEM”

This event also welcomed active and retired athletes and offered expert conferences, as well as a Sports Fair on the outskirts of the city campus

Visitors at the first Cuban International Sports Fair

from 9am - 6pm every day. The weekend allowed people to enter the venue to observe the stands and speak with exhibitors and fair participants.

COLOPHON

The True Colors of Cuba

Exploriing Cuban Culture Through Baseball

Copyright 2024 by Hailey Vrolyk

Designed and written by Hailey Vrolyk

Graphic Design Student, Ball State University

First published in the USA

First Edition

Source List

Baseball in Havana: What You Need to Know by Matt McLaughlin

Going to a Baseball Game in Havana by Zachary Williams

Cuba’s 1st International Sports Fair Concludes by Prensa Latina

Cuba’s 1st International Sports Fair Begins by La nueva Televisión del Sur

First International Sports Fair opens in Havana by acn Cuban News Agency

Coquito Acaramelados – Cuban Caramel Coconut Balls by Chef Mireille

The Latino, a Stadium Where Baseball is Life by Fidel Díaz Castro

How to Catch a Baseball Game in Cuba? Be Relentless by Jennifer Bain

The True Colors of Cuba The True Colors of Cuba

Immerse yourself in Cuban culture through their national sport of baseball. A prized pastime played throughout generations, in the streets, and on the fields, baseball is the heart of what brings Cubans together. Discover the world’s second largest baseball stadium (by capacity), and the classic baseball game feeling as you read about Estadio Latinoamericano. Learn about Cuba’s newest annual event, the Cuban International Sports Fair, and all the opportunities it brings for baseball as well as other sports and athletes in Cuba. The energy doesn’t stop at the sport’s fair though, sweet Cuban treats, Coquito Acaramelados, are waiting at the end of every game, and you can learn how to make them right from home! There’s a little something for everyone to learn as you discover the true colors of Cuba.