Panama national baseball team

Lore & Background

Towns including Colón and Panama City in the Canal Zone had one or more clubs in which British West Indian middling classes played cricket. Cricket became a prime symbol of what Afro-Caribbeans knew made them “Britishers.” As decolonization progressed, the popularity of baseball increased in Panama. The similarity in skills required for cricket and baseball meant that an athlete who primarily practiced one sport could also excel in the other. Oscar Levy was a baseball player who had left Panama in 1920 for the United States. In 1928 the Panama Tribune reported on the success of “famous local pitcher” Chick Levy as a “hero in Cuba.”

Panama was placed in Pool C of the inaugural World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2006, playing at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In their opening game, they fell to hosts, 2–1, before losing to Cuba, 8–6, in extra innings. They concluded play with a 10–0, 7-inning mercy rule loss to Netherlands, as Dutch pitcher Shairon Martis threw a no-hitter. Panama once again played Puerto Rico for the 2009 WBC, this time as part of the double-elimination Pool D. They opened their campaign with a 7-0 defeat to Puerto Rico, setting up an elimination game against the Dominican Republic, which they lost 9-0. Having failed to score a single run, Panama finished in 15th place overall, just ahead of South Africa.

After finishing last in their pool for the 2009 WBC, Panama was forced to qualify for the 2013 edition. They were selected as the host for Qualifier 3 and were favored to qualify. However, they were upset by Brazil, 3–2, in their opener. After defeating Nicaragua and Colombia in elimination matches, they faced off with Brazil again. Despite having multiple Major League Baseball players to Brazil's one, Panama fell again, 1–0, and missed the 2013 WBC. Panama was again forced to qualify for the 2017 edition. They were selected as the host for Qualifier 3. After beating France in their opener, they lost to Colombia. After defeating France again, they set up a rematch with Colombia but lost the elimination game after Colombia's Dilson Herrera hit a late homer. Panama requalified for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, after again hosting the Americas qualifying tournament at Rod Carew National Stadium. They finished fourth in their group, which qualified them for the 2026 WBC. After winning only one game in 2026, the team was again relegated to the qualifying tournament.

Reader's Guide

The Panama national baseball team represents Panama in international baseball and is known as "Sancocho Power." Their history is intertwined with the shift from cricket, popular among British West Indian communities in Colón and Panama City, to baseball as decolonization progressed. The team has earned medals at the Baseball World Cup (silver in 2003, bronze in 1945 and 2005) and at other regional tournaments such as the Central American Games and Bolivarian Games. They have participated in multiple World Baseball Classics, including the inaugural 2006 edition, where they lost to Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Netherlands. Panama struggled in the 2009 WBC, failing to score a run and finishing 15th. They failed to qualify for the 2013 and 2017 WBCs after upset losses to Brazil and Colombia, respectively. They returned for the 2023 WBC and qualified for the 2026 edition, but after winning only one game in 2026 they were relegated to the qualifying tournament again. The team's ranking as 9th in the world reflects their competitive standing, though their WBC record shows inconsistency. Their legacy includes notable players like Oscar Levy and Chick Levy, early Panamanian baseball figures, and the team's resilience in repeatedly hosting and competing in qualifying tournaments.

Did You Know?

• Panama is nicknamed "Sancocho Power."
• The team earned a silver medal at the 2003 Baseball World Cup and bronze medals in 1945 and 2005.
• In the 2006 World Baseball Classic, Panama lost to the Netherlands 10–0 in a 7-inning mercy rule game as Dutch pitcher Shairon Martis threw a no-hitter.
• Panama failed to score a single run in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, finishing 15th overall.