Head of State Timothy M Wentworth, Prime Minister Rebecca Schoenlein, and all of the citizens of the Commonwealth welcome the 23 teams and their fans from across the multiverse for the 37th World Lacrosse Championships. Our first opportunity hosting the event was for WLC 31, and it proved to a massive success as well as a springboard towards our co-hosting the AOCAF LVIII and World Cup 84 soccer tournaments.
Located on the southern tip of the Calanian landmass within Atlantian Oceana—at nearly the geographic center of the region--Baker Park is one of the top tourist destinations in the region and the multiverse, welcoming nearly 2.1 million visitors per year; we have a mostly temperate climate, with autumn and early winter the times of the year when precipitation is heaviest. Outdoor enthusiasts have a wide choice of activities and adventures to choose, as do folks who appreciate the arts, culture and sightseeing.
Baker Park was formally established in 1892, and has from its inception been open and inclusive of all people seeking to make settled lives here; more recently, the country has seen a rise in the number of immigrants from other AO nations and beyond, & 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, 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 has driven the country's economy through most on history is the industrial conglomerate that was founded by the family that established the nation, the Baker International Corporation. Known by citizens as "The Company", “The International” or simply BI, at one time it was responsible for close to 50% of the nation's GDP; the past 30 years has seen divestment from many of the sectors of the economy, resulting in a solidified base that has seen unprecedented levels of growth.
One of the unusual things you'll have a hard time overlooking is that we have a bit of a national Victoriana fetish; we have places, parks, buildings, bars, restaurants, streets and anything else you can think that has a referential connection to late 19th century life. But make no mistake, we are at the forefront of cutting edge technology, education, environmental action and proactive social policy.
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.
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. There are also international standard airports that have direct connection from many nations both within AO and beyond. (see map)
Belle Haven has the largest and best developed subway/commuter rail system in the country (and possibly in the multiverse!). CARTA (Capital Area Rapid Transit Authority) operates underground, above ground & light rail trains and trolleys, connected to a major bus network, all meticulously time coordinated to allow anyone the ease of traveling from one side of the Metro to the other at nearly any time of the day or night; free transfer across platforms, along with connections to the airport, central train station and passenger river ferry terminals makes Belle Haven one of the most hassle free places to get around in anywhere.
Host CitiesBelle 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. There is no shortage of things to keep one occupied or entertained here; “boring”, “dull”, or “not interesting” come up so rarely on comment cards left at the many public buildings, museums, galleries and exhibits that draw visitors (almost all free of charge) that it nearly causes an investigation when it does occur.
Venues
Sportsmen's Park, Belle Haven (39,000)Match Schedule:
Semi-Finals/3PPO/FinalThe nation's oldest stadium and its most visited & recognizable to even the slightly casual Baker Park sports fan. Most of the famous "firsts" in sport history occurred at the venue over the years since it was completed in 1921; its name comes from the former Deauville Sportsmen's Club—charter members of the FAC in 1901.
The University Stadium, Belle Haven (23,000) Match Schedule (GROUP A):
MD1—Gm 1&3
MD2—Gm 3
MD3—Gm 1
MD4—Gm 2&3
MD5—Gm 2
Playoff Gm #4It is still possible--right now as you read this--for someone living within the Commonwealth of Baker Park to leave their home and arrive at the The University Stadium, having only
literally walked and/or caught a train as the only transportation choices, within 18 hours.
Harold Knapp, the radio voice of UBP sports for 47 years, had no reservations about casually tossing out that claim on a regular basis
Endborough is the Commonwealth's Second City in almost every sense. A population of 1.7 million live in the city itself, with nearly another 2 million packed into the surrounding suburbs (and we're only half joking—it's the most densely populated county in Baker Park by a long shot).
Located in the northeastern part of the country, at the confluence of the Belle Haven and White River, it's the state capital of Endover and the home of the two of the nation's top institutions of higher education, the University of Endover, and Endborough College.
Venue
Ludlow Road, Endborough (14,000) Match Schedule (GROUP D):
MD1—Gms 1&3
MD2—Gm 1
MD3—Gms 2&3
MD4—Gm 3
MD5—Gms 1&3Oceana 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. About 3 million people live in the metropolitan region, and although it is one of the strongest lacrosse playing areas in the country, it will only have a single venue this time after having two in WLC 31.
Venue
Selvey Commons, Oceana (12,000/15,500)Match Scedule (GROUP B):
MD1—Gms 1&2
MD2—Gm 2
MD3—Gms 1&2
MD4—Gm 2
MD5—Gms 1&3Coolville is the capital of Midalia state and the fifth largest city in Baker Park. The leading area in production for the the Chemical and synthetic products industry, it also is the major center of the thoroughbred horse industry; the nation's most well known (and toughest) race track, Belvedere Course, lies about 20 miles southeast of downtown. (You've missed out on the second leg of the Baker Park Triple Crown--The Victoria Plate--which is run at Belvedere, but there's racing every day with the first post always at 1:27 pm sharp.)
Venue
The State College Stadium, Coolville (26,000) Match Schedule:
QF #1 & #3Riverside is either the 9th largest...or 7th largest, or maybe 11th largest city in the country; it won't be until the next census in 24 months time that numbers 7-11 (covered by 27,000 residents) are sorted out. Established 25 miles upriver from Belle Haven in 1889, it grew rapidly as a boom town and served as a check, along with Clayton to the west of Metro Belle Haven, to the capital's expansionist zeal over the years.
Venue
Riverside City Stadium, Riverside (18,000) Match Scedule: (GROUP A)
MD1—Gm 2
MD2—Gms 1&2
MD3—Gms 2&
MD4—Gm 1
MD5—Gms 1&3
The Riverside is easily accessible from downtown Belle Haven via subway/light rail connections and has an excellent atmosphere for matches, despite the running track that surrounds the pitch.
Salisbury has been one of the fastest growing areas in the Commonwealth for 20 years; the controversial expansion of the CARTA Red Line subway/commuter rail beyond the BH city limits to the heart of Salisbury's business district in the 1990's has meant that the town and surrounding borough have developed into an exurban satellite for commuters.
Venue
Salisbury Stadium, Salisbury (25,900)Match Schedule:
QF #2 & #4The town's central location at a major expressway crossroads means that the stadium hosts many prominent sporting events--pro, college, high school.
Alton is the capital of the Commonwealth's smallest state by population and area, Lynchana. Over 330,000 people reside in the metropolitan area, and it's not only a center for mining exploration but the terminus for the railways that run along the eastern and southern areas of the country.
Venue
War Memorial Stadium, Alton (23,000) Match Schedule: (GROUP C)
MD1—Gms 1&2
MD2—Gm 1
MD3—Gm 1
MD4—Gms 1&2
MD5—Gm 2
Playoff Gm#2Alton has coveted a host city role in nearly every major tournament Baker Park has bid for; they will not disappoint on a big stage.
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 growing hub for the farming and agriculture commodity sector, but although some agri-business companies moved north, several others stayed behind.
Venue
Fritz Schaefer Stadium, Hannover (14,000) Match Schedule: (GROUP D)
MD1—Gm 2
MD 2—Gms 2&3
MD3—Gm 1
MD4—Gms 1&2
MD5—Gm 2
Playoff Gm #3
St Stephen's County is another hotbed of lacrosse in this country, evidenced by the fact that 'the Fritz' had sellouts for every match played there in WLC 31.
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. The town and surrounding area is home to around 180,000 people.
Venue
Princess Helena Sports Park, Kellerville (11,867/14,000) Match Schedule: (GROUP C)
MD1—Gm 3
MD2—Gms 2&3
MD3 Gms 2&3
MD4—Gm 3
MD5—Gms 1&3Northfield Borough and its "twin" community, Ridgedale comprise one of Baker Park's anomalous political units, the loosely defined "big borough".
If you love fields of corn as far as the eye can see, you've come to the right place. Since WLC 31, there has been a concerted effort at improving the number available hotel rooms throughout the county and now they even have a Visitors & Tourist Bureau that has worked hard to build an impressive day-trip experience; the recent WGP2 race at the Drummond Vale Circuit (approx 25 min drive southwest) brought some more attention to the area.
Venue
Abernathy Stadium, Northfield Borough (11,500/14,000) Match Schedule: (GROUP B)
MD1—Gm 3
MD2—Gms 1&3
MD3—Gm 3
MD4—Gms 1&3
MD5—Gm 2
Playoff Gm#1FinallyYesses & Noes—Do's and Don'tsThe word almost every child learns when they reach a point where multi-syllable vocabulary becomes a part of speech is “
propriety”; understanding proper respect & behavior isn't limited to grandparents lecturing youngsters.
We, as a society, don't believe we make a lot of rules or restrict things arbitrarily; but we expect everyone to follow those rules and restrictions.
Drink—18 years old for consumption/purchase
Bars/Pubs/Clubs have closing time at 3:00 am. Only establishments that serve a full menu of food are allowed to serve alcohol prior to 11:15 am on any day.
Cannabis—same as above, although NO importation of any kind is permitted; your stash will be seized and you'll be moved along.
There are legal dispensaries for cannabis and related products in almost every city and town—you'll need to present your passport or a photo ID-- with the amount you are permitted to purchase set by local ordinance; ask ahead of time what restrictions are in force.
Other Narcotics—
stay at home. Don't come. The discovery of any drug on your person or in your physical possession that is not dispensed by a Medical Doctor, or not recognized as a legitimate OTC medicine in Your Nation, is legally considered under the Baker Park Criminal Code as
ipso facto smuggling, regardless if the amount is so small that it clearly is for your own private use. 1st Degree Misdemeanor, 5.5 months minimum or some lesser sentence + monetary punishment.
It only gets uglier from there.
Prostitution—the grayest of legal gray areas in this country. It is not illegal to pay for or accept money for 'services'; yet it's not technically legal as a federal standard everywhere. 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, i.e., what is called a “summary crime”, a 4th degree offense that results in a citation and a fine.
Gambling—we have legal casino 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. We have para-mutual wagering on thoroughbred horse racing (flat/chase} and video poker/slot centers at several other race tracks.
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.
At the end of the day, our police don't want to arrest foreign nationals visiting for sporting events; but we have the capability to expel you from the physical boundaries of the nation within 36 hours of the commission of crime.
Have a Nice Day.