“Viva Baseball” is a story of love and pride. It is a story of the struggle, conflict, and triumph of Latino baseball players in America, beginning with the American occupation of Cuba during the late 19th century. The film explores the development of the game throughout Spanish speaking countries such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Mexico.

Compelled by their love of the game, these men who all grew up poor sought refuge on the baseball fields. When they arrived in America however, they faced a triple form of discrimination; racial, lingual and cultural. Due to the language barrier, the separation between white ballplayers and Latinos increased, leading some managers to even ban Spanish from the clubhouse. Moreover, names were even changed to close the lingual divide; Orestes became Minnie, Roberto became Bob, and many players were given the derisive name Chico.  At times, the style and flair which Latinos gave to the game didn’t help foster acceptance among those already wary of integration but caused jealousy, envy and ostracism.

With its riveting stories of accomplishment and triumph, this film shows the true spirit of man and what one will endure in order to fulfill a lifelong dream. In 1947 there were only three Latinos in the Major Leagues, today 44% of all professional baseball players here in America are from Spanish speaking countries.

“Viva Baseball” features and includes interviews with the likes of Minnie Minoso, Orlando Cepeda, Vic Power, Juan Marichal, Tony Perez, Rod Carew, Felipe Alou, Luis Tiant, Cookie Rojas, Dennis Martinez, Fernando Valenzuela, Tony Gonzalez, Preston Gomez, Tony Taylor, Keith Hernandez, Manny Sanguillen, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz, and the wife and children of Roberto Clemente, amongst others.

“Viva Baseball” aired on Spike TV® in September 2005 during Latino Heritage Month.