Team:
Haiti
The Republic of Haiti
Team Nickname: Les Révolutionnaires
Geography: The island of Hispaniola and surrounding small islands. OTL Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Population: 20,000,000
Language: French is the official language and spoken by the educated elite, although Haitian French tends to have significant Spanish and Creole words. Creole is spoken in the rural interior, with greater Spanish influence in the east and African influence in the west.
History: In 1821, Haitian president Jean Pierre Boyer invaded the newly independent "Spanish Haiti' as in OTL. He encouraged Haitian settlement in the new eastern part of the island, but unlike OTL he promised to protect the land of the Spanish elite in return for their support. The support of the large land-owners allowed the country to become more prosperous but also forced many of the citizens to live in a feudal-like farming system. Several uprisings took place during the next 100 years by various groups, but the country managed to remain unified.
One uprising in the 1860s led by Spanish Haitians in Saint Domingue (OTL Santo Domingo) nearly succeeded and was only crushed after 2 years of fighting. This provoked the government to move the capital to Saint Domingue, in part because it was becoming the largest and most wealthy city, and in part to both appease and keep an eye on the white Spanish Haitians. Although uprisings also occurred in other parts of the island, especially Cap Haitien, the black Haitian population was more evenly dispersed on the island. Rebellions in the west and the interior east were less connected to a fundamental ethnic or cultural independence and more to do with political issues with certain regimes.
Much of the wealthy elite came from the Spanish-decended whites living primarily around Saint Domingue. Presidents, however, tended to come from the class of mixed-race
gens de couleur and black Haitians from the French half of the island. Most residents of the rural interior were (and are) of black or some mulatto decent. By the 1930s, the Spanish/French divide had become less significant as many people had moved between the two former halves of the island, particularly from the west to the east.
It was around this time that baseball became the national past time. Although immigrants from Cuba and continental North America had brought it to Haiti in the late 1800s, starting in the 30s it was actively supported by President Jean-Patrice Romulus (ruled 1934-1971). Romulus was a dictator who is famous for his brutal rule, but among some good things he did was the promotion of baseball.
Today Haiti is a major country in the region and wealthier than OTL Haiti although it deals with many of the same issues, and is by no means a wealthy country. Although it has officially been a republican state since in the mid-1800s it has seen several dictators and a few civil wars. During Romulus's reign several leftist guerilla armies controlled portions of the mountainous interior. Following his death in 1971 a civil war broke out last most of the decade. Since peace in 1979, the country has been relatively stable with leadership coming from two of the former rebel-groups-turned political parties, both claiming to be Democratic Socialists. Supporters of Romulus's former party (which was banned following the civil war) have recently made a resurgence are expected to do well in the next election.
Baseball: Baseball is by far the most popular sport on the island. A professional league exists (The AHB) although the best players often play overseas where they can earn more money. Nearly all children play baseball, as do many adults, and in almost every village there is a field designated for the playing of the game, although they rarely resemble a formal diamond. It has traditionally been only a game for men and boys although in recent years some girls have begun to play. There are professional fields in several cities, but only a few are true stadiums.
Major Stadia:
Toussaint Louverture National Stadium- Location: Saint Domingue Capacity: 35,000 Built: 1963 Info: This is by far the largest stadium in the country and the home to 2 of the best and most popular AHB teams. The stadium regularly holds concerts and rallies in addition to baseball games. It replaced the old National Stadium (built in 1939) which was subsequently torn down.
Chevaliers Stadium- Location: Saint Jacques des Chevaliers (OTL Santiago de Caballeros) Capacity: 8,000 Built: 1966
Independence Field- Location: Gonayiv Capacity: 6,000 Built: 1988
Kafou Stadium- Location: Kafou, Port-au-Prince Capacity: 6,000 Built: 1955
Cap Haitien Park- Location: Cap Haitien Capacity: 5,000 Built: 1967
After this there is a major drop-off in the capacity. Although it is common for fans to overcrowd the seats and fill the areas behind the outfield in these smaller parks.
*I do not know French and only some Spanish, so if anyone can assist in translations it would be very appreciated.
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