Cultural Differences In International Baseball

International Baseball: How Cultural Differences Come Together for the Betterment of the Game

Nothing will ever be able to beat or top that incredible feeling of being at a live, professional baseball game. The buzz of the crowd, the incredible smell of hot dogs and brats wafting in the air, and the wonderful crack of bats and leather as two teams duke it out for superiority. Baseball is still known as America’s national pastime, yet it seems as though baseball has transcended beyond American borders and has found an incredible place in the international scene. Contests like the World Baseball Classic are a testament to the popularity and success of baseball internationally. But, where has baseball made its impact the most both globally and

Baseball in the United States started as a pastime while in the country of Cuba, it was a driving force for revolution from Spain. Cuba used baseball as a way for freedom and liberation from their Spanish overlords. To copious people in Cuba at the time, baseball was the contrast to the other national sport, Bullfighting, which was seen as the oppressive sport of the colonizers, while baseball was seen as the liberating sport of the Americas, a game where anyone can play and be successful. (Perez) Baseball was also America’s way of influencing Cuban nationalists on to the side of America, which would historically be accurate of the time period. Baseball in itself became a symbol of the American dream, and in Cuba the American dream was freedom from Spain to create their own country founded on its own culture. But, after Cuba gained its freedom there was a large push of United States’ influence on the Cuban’s culture, almost trading in one overlord for another. So, baseball took a cultural shift based on Cuban culture, becoming tied into celebration and style. The style of play was based on big game hits and stylish necklaces and clothing, which when Latin American talent began flooding into Major League Baseball it had a profound impact on how baseball in America was played and with the smaller ball, line drive style of play in the United States combined

The game itself has never been more popular on an international scale, and this is because of the widely integrated use of culture, style, and honor that is readily accepted into baseball play. In my personal experience, I was genuinely influenced by all these styles of play, and in turn, I have had a tremendous opportunity to grow and learn about different cultures. The success of cultural integration into baseball shows just how incredible this sport is, where truly any style and way of playing can be successful. All that matters is your skill rather than who you are, how you look, or where you come from. Since more cultures are being integrated into the sport, baseball itself is being played at a much higher and more intense level. Baseball through international acceptance and growth has become a much better game overall, and one where no matter how you play, where you come from, or who you look like, as long as you have the skill you can be an