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 Interactive map of Estadio Latinoamericano | |
| Former names | Gran Estadio de La Habana (1946-1961) Estadio del Cerro |
|---|---|
| Location | Havana, Cuba |
| Coordinates | 23°7′6″N82°22′34″W / 23.11833°N 82.37611°W /23.11833; -82.37611 |
| Owner | Government of Cuba |
| Capacity | 31,000 (1946–1971) 55,000 (1971 to present) |
| Field size | Left - 325 ft. (99 m) Left Center - 345 ft. (105 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Opened | October 26, 1946 |
| Tenants | |
| Cuban National Series Industriales (1961-present) Metropolitanos (1974-2012) Minor League Baseball Havana Sugar Kings (IL) (1954-1960) MLBSpring Training Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) (1953) Brooklyn Dodgers (NL) (1947) | |
TheEstadio Latinoamericano (English:Latin American Stadium) is astadium inHavana,Cuba. It is primarily used forbaseball, and is thesecond largest baseball stadium in the world by capacity. The stadium, a spacious pitchers' park with prevailing winds blowing in and boasting a playing surface and lighting system of major-league quality, was built in 1946 as the top baseball park inLatin America.
The stadium opened with the nameGran Estadio de La Habana, known to English-language sportswriters asGran Stadium, surpassingLa Tropical Stadium as the largest stadium in Havana. It was also referred to as theEstadio del Cerro, or more popularly, "The Colossus of Cerro" (Spanish:El Coloso del Cerro), due to its location in theCerro neighborhood.
The Latinoamericano currently holds about 55,000 people. In 1999, it hosted anexhibition series between theCuba national team and theBaltimore Orioles.
The stadium debuted on October 26, 1946, before a crowd of 31,000 fans for a clash between theAlmendares andCienfuegos baseball teams, the largest crowd that had attended a sports event in Cuba. Almendares won the game 9–1. The VenezuelanAlejandro Carrasquel, who played for the Washington Senators in the Major League, threw the first pitch of the game.
In its 70 years, the stadium has been utilised for diverse spectacles including popular dance performances and boxing matches.
The stadium was renovated and expanded in 1971. Its stands were enlarged, increasing its capacity to 55,000 spectators, and its gardens were extended.
| External videos | |
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 The First Family Takes in a Baseball Game in Havana, Cuba,White House |
On March 22, 2016, theTampa Bay Rays faced theCuba national baseball team in an exhibition game. This was attended by numerous dignitaries, includingPresident of the United StatesBarack Obama andRaúl Castro. This game represented the thaw between the two countries that had occurred in recent years, and was broadcast live onESPN. The Rays were selected after a lottery conducted byMajor League Baseball. The Rays won 4–1.
The stadium has also been used for political purposes. In 1956, it was the location of a student demonstration headed byJosé Antonio Echeverría, against the Government ofFulgencio Batista.
