Estadio Alfonso Chico Carrasquel is a baseball stadium based in Puerto la Cruz , Venezuela , which serves as home for the Caribes de Anzoátegui of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League . At 28,000 square metres (300,000 sq ft), the plot is only just big enough to house the stadium, with room for expansion to the north and north west, and only sufficient room on the other sides to allow movement of spectators and access to the stands.
8-488: The stadium can seat 18,000 people and was originally built in 1959 under the name of Estadio Municipal de Puerto La Cruz. From 1956 through 1964, the facility served as the home for the Indios de Oriente and Estrellas Orientales clubs. Later it was rebuilt and opened in 1991, being created exclusively for professional baseball, and was renamed after former major league baseball player, Alfonso "Chico" Carrasquel . Eventually, it
16-614: A 22-19 mark in 1957–1958, good for a second place and a playoff berth, but failed in the opening round. In 1958–1959 Oriente finished second during the regular season. Then advanced to the playoffs and clinched the Championship title. As the league champions, the team represented Venezuela in the 1959 Caribbean Series played in Caracas . With a low-profile squad, Oriente came in on an honourable second place behind Cuba 's Alacranes de Almendares after finishing 4-2. Managed by Kerby Farrell ,
24-673: The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League . They played its home games at the Estadio Municipal de Puerto La Cruz in Anzoátegui , Venezuela . The Indios de Oriente replaced the Navegantes del Magallanes franchise for the 1956–1957 season. The team finished second in the first half with a 13-14 record, but slumped to 10-15 in the second half to finish last in the four-team league, out of contention. They improved to
32-426: The bases and the pitcher's mound, but dirt colored turf infield and base paths. The renovations involve creation of two-storey walkways and a pedestrian boulevard. Since then, lounges and other amenities have also been added. In 2013, the stadium unveiled a large LED video display board and a new clubhouse. Indios de Oriente The Indios de Oriente was a baseball club which played from 1956 through 1964 in
40-564: The best-of-seven championship series, four to one games. The Indios de Oriente declined considerably in 1962–1963, posting an 8-25 record before retiring during the midseason. The franchise was renamed and restructured to become the Estrellas de Oriente for the 1963-64 season. They also were misspelled as the Estrellas Orientales or simply Oriente. Nonetheless, the changes did not create a more competitive team, as they finished fourth with
48-488: The offensive was anchored by RF/1B and Series MVP Norman Cash , who collected a .360 average and 11 RBI, while slugging .680. Babe Birrer was the top pitcher with a 2-0 record, including a 13-inning victory, a 1.25 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 21⅔ innings of work. Besides, 3B Luis ′′Camaleón′′ García and OF Jesús Mora tied for the batting title with a .417 average. All of them made the All-Star team. The 1959–1960 VPBL season
56-559: Was suspended because of a players' strike. Returning to action the next season, the team finished second with a 29-23 record but lost the semifinal round to the eventual champion team, the Industriales de Valencia . In 1961–1962, for the fourth time in team's history, the Indios ended in second place during the regular season after going 29-22. Lastly, Oriente was beaten by the Leones del Caracas in
64-466: Was used as a multi-purpose stadium in 2006 and 2007 by hosting soccer games for the local team Deportivo Anzoátegui . During its history, the stadium has hosted two Caribbean Series editions in 1994 and 1998 . In 2010, after many talks and relocation threats, the government of Anzoátegui state started a renovation which included structural changes, a parking lot, brand new lighting kits, and artificial turf which gives realism by featuring dirt around
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