Head of State Michael Gregson, Prime Minister Rebecca Schoenlein, the Government, and the people of our nation join with the Universities Athletic Coalition in welcoming the visitors and teams from across the multiverse for the 31st World Lacrosse Championships. It's our great privilege to be chosen to host this event in just the third time we have entered.
Centrally located within Atlantian Oceana, Baker Park is one of the top tourist destinations in the region, welcoming nearly 1.9 million visitors per year. Especially in the northern third of the country, outdoor pursuits are most popular among visitors. We have a mostly temperate climate, with autumn and early winter the times of the year when precipitation is heaviest.
Baker Park was established in 1892, and has from its inception been open and inclusive of all people seeking to establish settled lives here; more recently, the country has seen a rise in the number of immigrants from other AO nations and has worked to provide wider access & accommodation to sentient non-human species who have made their home within our borders.
The nation consists of seven constituent states—the State of Baker Park, Endover, Osheana, Ezra, Midalia, St Leon, and Lynchana—each with their own unicameral legislative body and are united as a federal parliamentary democracy; the Parliament consists of the 175 member House of Assembly and the 56 member Council of State.
The engine that drives the country's economy is the industrial conglomerate that was founded by the family that established the nation, the Baker International Corporation. Known by citizens as "The Company" or BI, at one time it was responsible for close to 50% of the nation's GDP; over the past 30 years it has divested itself from many of the companies that dominated the economy, opening up opportunities for more investment and growth for both those entities and competitors alike.
The legal age for consumption or purchase of alcohol is 18, and the sale and use of cannabis is allowed for persons over that age as well, although no importation into the country is permitted—your stash will simply be confiscated and you'll be moved on.
As for other non-prescription drugs, we're not as nice. Possession of Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamines, and other 'E' Class drugs (the usual ones that everybody calls "controlled substances") will probably get you—A) deported, if you're lucky; B) incarcerated for up to a year, depending on how much we're talking about; or C) for an amount considered to be likely "an attempt to distribute", about 27 years with no chance for parole, even if your government are really nice and buy $210 million worth of goods from us. We believe that drug addiction is an illness, but we don't believe that drug trafficking is quite the same.
There are legal cannabis dispensaries in most cities; you will need to present your passport, or a government issued identity card with your photo to purchase, and the amount you are permitted to buy is regulated by local ordinance, so ask first what the limit is.
Most bars and pubs have closing time at 3am, and only such establishments that serve food can legally open prior to 11:15 am to serve alcohol.
We have legalized gambling in Baker Park; there is a modern casino downtown in Belle Haven as well as casinos in East Liverpool (just south of Endborough) and suburban Oceana. Prostitution is not illegal, but it's not technically legal either; there are just no uniform laws on the subject. Some local jurisdictions may have ordinances that confine the practice to certain places or certain degrees of "offense", but no legal entity is permitted to make prostitution or solicitation more than a minor misdemeanor.
Violent crime is extremely rare in the Commonwealth. There is a higher chance you will fall off a subway platform than be assaulted or robbed with a firearm, and we take pride in the safety of our subways systems.
Travel in Baker Park is easy and safe due to the modern mass transportation infrastructure that the country has built over the last 60 years. Connections to major cities are available via rail, road, plane or ferry. Rental cars are available at relatively modest prices as competition is fierce among rental firms; almost any type of vehicle you might wish to hire is available, as the Commonwealth automobile market is made up of about 35% imports, so you'll find about any make or model you could imagine.
You'll probably notice that we have a bit of Victoriana fetish here in Baker Park. You can't miss it even if you're only halfway paying attention. We have parks, buildings, bars, restaurants, streets and anything else you can think of named for Victoria, or some kind of reference to her.
Brief notes on the venues to be used for the WLC:
Belle Haven is the national capital of the Commonwealth; with a metro area population of over 5.6 million, it is also the largest city, the financial, entertainment, and cultural center of the country, and more than likely your first stop on your trip to Baker Park. Belle Haven International Airport (BHX) serves 41 foreign & domestic carriers and accommodates over 900 takeoffs and departures per day. The airport is approximately 18 miles south of the city center, and there are numerous ground transportation options for arriving visitors at Belle Haven International. Three venues will be hosting matches.
Sportsmen's Park, Belle Haven--capacity 39,000
Matches hosted:
Semi-Finals & the 3rd Place Playoff and FinalOpened in 1921, Sportsmen's Park was the largest stadium in the country for much of its first 45 years, and hosted many significant milestones in sport--the first nationwide radio broadcast of a sporting event, the first sporting event played under floodlights (until 1946 it was the only stadium in the country with lights), the first televised sporting event, and the first international soccer match played in the Commonwealth, to name just a few.
The University Stadium, Belle Haven--capacity 23,000
Matches hosted:
Group A (MD1), Group B (MD4), Group C (MD5), playoff 1stRThe University of Baker Park is the oldest institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, and the stadium is the oldest permanent sports structure, also. Completed in 1920, expanded in 1949, and again in 1977, it has hosted the UAC Lacrosse National Championship finals on 5 occasions.
Transportation: literally across the street from Belle Haven's Central Station, and accessible via pedestrian walks to the Light Rail electric trolley system connecting downtown Belle Haven to the campus.
Hillsborough Stadium, Belle Haven--capacity 17,500
Matches hosted:
Group D (MD4), Group E (MD1), Group F (MD6), playoff 1stRHaving hosted tens of thousands of sporting events through its' history, "The Hill" may be the most used venue in the Commonwealth. Spectators lucky enough to get certain seats in the Main Stand or the East Terrace are treated to spectacular views of the skyline of the nation's largest city off in the distance.
Transportation: on the Blue Line subway route, connections to downtown and beyond.
Northfield Borough and its "twin" Ridgedale comprise another one of Baker Park's anomalous political units, the loosely defined "big borough". There is nothing that a person from outside would recognize as a downtown, or central business district. Formerly the main hamlets of the two were about 4 miles apart, but gradually they filled in the space between them; today the area has about 115,000 residents, split pretty equally between the two.
Loren Abernathy Stadium, Northfield Borough--capacity 11,500 (temporary seating up to 14,000)
Matches hosted:
Group A (MD2), Group B (MD5), Group C (MD4)Abernathy Stadium is home to the teams of Commonwealth Methodist University, as well as Nor-Dale AFC, and CMU has agreed to co-host the matches here with Belle Haven State University. Completed in 1950 and renovated in the 1980's prior to CMU achieving full membership in the UAC, the stadium has a significant pedigree in hosting lacrosse at the collegiate, junior college and high school levels.
Kellerville was a sleepy, rural county seat until the early 1960's, when the expressway came through, which spurred growth in industry and led to the elevation of Kellerville State University from agricultural extension college to full 4 year status in 1973. Population is approximately 85,000.
Princess Helena Park, Kellerville, Midalia--capacity 11,867 (temporary seating up to 14,000)
Matches hosted:
Group D (MD3), Group E (MD2), Group F (MD5)Completed in it's current configuration in 1972 & dedicated to Princess Helena, wife of the 2nd Prince Regent of the Commonwealth, Prince William I; also mother to the two sons who succeeded their father--Prince Robert and Prince William II--and grandmother to the then reigning Prince Regent, Prince Daniel.
She was ranked as one of the 10 most influential people in the history of Baker Park at the 75th Anniversary Jubilee in 1967.
Ezriquay is the fourth largest city and capital of Ezra; situated on a peninsula formed by the last major bend in the Belle Haven River, it's often referred to as "The Thumb". Much more industrialized than the first three cities, it has more blue-collar feel to it. The matches here will take place across the river, to the west of the city in the suburb of University Park.
Alumni Stadium, University Park, Ezra--capacity 25,000
Matches hosted:
Group A (MD4), Group B (MD3), Group C (MD1), quarterfinalTechnically the second oldest stadium in the country--original construction completed in 1921 just prior to Sportsmen's Park--it's the home of the football, soccer and rugby teams for the University of Ezra; the actual field is the same piece of ground that the first Ezra-Osheana football game in 1911 was played on.
Coolville is the capital of Midalia state and the fifth largest city in Baker Park. The citizens have a bit of an identity crisis, with the other main towns in the state (St Warren & Kellerville) and their down-river neighbors Shirley all having less than positive feelings for them. One of the two major cities (Lima being the other) in the Chemical and synthetic products industry. Can be reached by air via Shirley's airport (45 minutes).
State College Stadium, Coolville, Midalia--capacity 26,000
Matches hosted:
Group D (MD1), Group E (MD3), Group F (MD4), quarterfinalHome of Coolville State University's teams, the venue is actually being made available for their crosstown rival University of Coolville as hosts; U of C's own stadium, Laidley Field, has an artificial surface, which the UAC was trying to avoid using. SCS was originally constructed in 1947 and expanded and updated in 1998.
Marshallton is the largest metro area in Lynchana, with over 300,000 residents within the town and surrounding suburbs. Like the rest of the state, and neighboring St Leon, mining & drilling are the major source of employment & wealth for the area. The Commonwealth's emerging winter resort industry is bringing new opportunities to the region as well.
Municipal Stadium, Marshallton, Lynchana--capacity 15,700
Matches hosted:
Group D (MD2), Group E (MD6), Group F (MD3), playoff 1stROpened in 1948 and the home of the Marshallton University and Marshallton Athletic SC, the stadium has excellent sightlines and is one of the easiest stadiums in the country to travel to.
Oceana is the capital of Osheana, and the third largest city. It has always had a reputation as being the "anti-Belle Haven", due to its more conservative outlook and tradition; it was the home base of the former Northern States Company, who were the second largest business venture in the country. Two venues will be used here.
Selvey Commons, Oceana, Osheana--capacity 12,000 (temporary seating up to 15,500)
Matches hosted:
Group A (MD3), Group B (MD2), Group C (MD6)Another example of the strange pattern of building, rebuilding and adding onto sports facilities that seems particular to the Osheana state capital, Selvey Commons eventually evolved into the open ended horseshoe that it is today about 1964; home of the University of Oceana, its extremely high sided stands bring spectators close to the playing surface.
Mann/Stevens/Ewing Stadium, Oceana, Osheana--capacity 14,800
Matches hosted:
Group A (MD5), Group B (MD6), Group C (MD2), playoff 1stRan open air, oval stadium with a full running track, the stadium of Osheana Capital University has seen better days. The WLC may be one of its final events, as there is a strong movement to construct a new on-campus venue.
Lima is the country's 13th largest city (pop 223,000) & has long called itself the Capital of the North. An important center for several major industries (forestry/paper products, petroleum, chemicals), the state established its first branch of the University of Baker Park here in 1919.
Lions Stadium, Lima BP--capacity 26,500
Matches hosted:
Group A (MD6), Group B (MD1), Group C (MD3), quarterfinalConstructed in 1937 and expanded in 1968, Lions Stadium has served the Northern Baker Park State University well over the years; considered one of the best grass surfaces in the nation.
Endborough is the Commonwealth's Second City, located in the northeastern part of the country. It is the state capital of Endover and the home of the nation's top institution of higher education, the University of Endover. Much of the state beyond the city is pristine wilderness, with the Lake District one of most popular family vacation destinations.
Ludlow Road Park, Endborough, Endover--capacity 14,000
Matches hosted:
Group D (MD5), Group E (MD4), Group F (MD1), quarterfinalThe University of Endborough has been one of the marquee programs in the sport over the past several seasons, and Ludlow Road hosted National Team matches during WLC XXX. Construction was completed in 1938 and the ground was enlarged in 1972. East Endborough AFC plays home matches for both their men's and women's here as well.
Hannover's loss was Springfield's gain when the Northern States Railway chose a more northerly route for the cross-country main line. Prior to then, it had been a hub for the farming and agriculture sector. It still continues to be a player in the agri-business model, as the town's 98,000 residents maintain a relatively high standard of living.
Fritz Schafer Stadium, Hannover, BP--capacity 14,000
Matches hosted:
Group D (MD6), Group E (MD5), Group F (MD2)The only stadium used in this WLC that has no connection with a university, "the Fritz" is no stranger to hosting the sport; the local area is a stronghold for lacrosse, and the stadium has been a venue for both UAC playoff matches as well as Baker Park Secondary School Interscholastic Activities Association championship playoffs. The home of Hannover United FC was built in 1966.