How Did Baseball Impact The Latino Community In Hartford

America has always had a deep connection with sports. Starting in 1839, America began its love affair with what is now deemed America’s favorite pastime, baseball. Beginning in Cooperstown, New York it quickly spread across the country creating a community around the team. Baseball came to Connecticut in 1874 when Hartford had an early major league team that shifted into several minor league teams that still exist today. While baseball is taking off in Hartford, a city just outside of Hartford is forming. New Britain is established during the 1850s as industry begins to form which will lead to prosperity for the city. As success comes in the hardware industry, New Britain steps up to create a baseball tradition of their own. This tradition is something that existed up until 2016 and greatly influenced the community as a whole. It impacted the Latino community in New Britain as a connection to the larger community. Latinos are included in the narrative as some players who represent New Britain on the field are Latino. This early history of baseball in New Britain is important to understand the community in New Britain but also the Latino community in New Britain as well.

Having a meeting place in Electric Field was important to New Britain residents during the early 1900s. New Britain was a popular space for sports. Early articles indicate New Britain had baseball, polo and other sports organizations. New Britain made news during the early 1900s as they included 5 Cuban players to the team. In the 1908 season, Manager frank Leonard recruited five players from Cuba after the team traveled to Cuba in 1905. Baseball was a form of entertainment. Inexpensive and acceptable for the family, it fit New Britain’s demographic. This begins the long tradition of Latinos in New Britain but it would take time to make an