BRIEF HISTORY OF SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO

The Taínos who inhabited Puerto Rico before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, played a series of games which were both ceremonial and diversional, such as races, contests involving body strength and fishing. However, the two most important of these sports were the simulated warrior fights (similar to the gladiators) and ball playing. The ball game was played in a field, which they called “Batey”. Two teams played against each other. The objective of the game was to keep the ball in constant motion.

According to Fray Bartolomé de las Casas the game was played in the following manner: “One team served the ball and the other team returned it. In 1975, archaeologists from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, announced the discovery of the ruins of a “Batey” in an area called Tibes, on the outskirts of the city of Ponce. A total of 9 ball fields were discovered dating back to AD 25 in the area which is now known as “Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes”. The site is now a tourist attraction and is open to the public. Artifacts found on the site are on display and can be seen in a museum on the site and in the Ponce Museum of Art.

 SPANISH COLONIZATION:  The first Spaniards to inhabit the island were soldiers (Conquistadores), later they were followed by farmers, miners and their families. The most common sports were horse racing, cockfighting and dominoes. One of the most popular sports was “Boliche”.  “Boliche” was similar to bowling. Another popular sport was bullfighting, which was limited to the larger cities of Ponce and San Juan.

AMERICAN (UNITED STATES) COLONIZATION: In the late 19th century “new” sports were introduced in Puerto Rico, after Puerto Rico became an American territory when the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish–American War. Baseball, which was invented in the United States, was introduced to the island by a group of Puerto Ricans and Cubans who learned the sport in the United States. Puerto Ricans were also introduced to the sports of boxing and basketball by the occupying military forces.

Fast forward to present day times and we have outstanding athletics who break records on professional teams and/or at the Olympics:

1. Baseball: 2015, 10th in the world, Women’s Team
   
   
2. Basketball: 2018, FIBA, Women’s Basketball World Cup
   
   
3. Boxing: 2019, Ms. Serrano, International Boxing Hall of Fame
   
   
4. Martial Arts: 2021, Amanda Serrano
   
   
5. Wrestling: 2019, Amanda Serrano
   
   

This writer will keep you informed on the continual history of sports in Puerto Rico.