Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 172, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1917 — PLAYING BALL IN VENEZUELA [ARTICLE]

PLAYING BALL IN VENEZUELA

Many Diamond Stars Attracted From Cuba as Result of Expansion of < Sugar Industry. With discouraging comment on allsides as to the effect that war by this country will have on American sports, It Is sdmewhat refreshing Jo turn to at least one Instance where the present war In Europe would seem to have benefited sports in no little degree. The news comes from Venezuela, South America, and is to the effect that the magnitude of the sugar industry in the continent SOUtE pt ÜB, resulting fromthe demand growing out of the war, has attracted many Cuban baseball players to the continent and these men have organized baseball teams and started to play the great American game. 7. All of the South American countries whose soli is adapted to the cultivation of sugar are sending to Cuba fOr expert workmen and many of those who are responding have been diamond stats In the Pearl of the Antilles. As a result, baseball promises to become at least as well known, If not as popular, in Latin America as it Is in the West Indies. The South Americans are a sport-loving people, and once the fascination of the old cry “Play ball” fastens Itself on them,’ there should be a wave of enthusiastic response throughout the continent The turnstiles at bullfights may suffer, but this, in the minds of many, would be a consummation devoutly to be desired. ?