Panama is buzzing with activity. This small country located in Central America, was awarded the privilege of organizing IBAF”s (International Baseball Federation) Baseball World Cup.
The 2011 Baseball World Cup is an international baseball tournament held from October 1 to October 15, 2011. It will be the 39th Baseball World Cup. IBAF selected Panama to host the tournament, turning down bids from Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) and Venezuela. Panama has a long-standing tradition in baseball and has several players participating in the major baseball league of the United States. The most recognizable is Mariano Rivera, the amazing closing pitcher of the New York Yankees currently disputing a post-season event with the Detroit Tigers.
Snapshot of the Panamanian flag flying high above Ancon Hill in Panama City, Panama. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
Sixteen teams qualified for the tournament, and these are:
- Canada
- Taiwan
- Greece
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
- United States
- Australia
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Germany
- Italy
- Nicaragua
- South Korea
- Venezuela
The 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup is set to start October 1st with the host nation Panama taking on Greece from Rod Carew Stadium at 08:00 p.m. (-5 GMT). The game will follow the opening ceremony of the tournament. The much-anticipated start to the 39th edition of the event will see 16 teams representing the IBAF member federations with the prize of World Champion on offer.
Live Stats and Online streaming for the event will be available through TVMax-9 television station. The local organizing committee also has a website, http://www.mundialbeisbolpanama2011.org.pa/ and will broadcast via Internet, the tournament in Spanish. Unequivocally Panama is the place to be for international baseball of the highest quality.
My wife participated in answering trivia questions about the tournament in a local radio station and won four admittance tickets to the games, as well as two Panamanian flags, four sweaters and several promotional stickers. We will donate the promotion package to the “Twister’s” parents so they can assist to the initial ceremony and the official opening of the games. I’m sure they will be delighted to be there.
Below is a picture depicting a representative of Radio Sol donating the tickets and sweaters to my wife. Her name is Janice and is a genuine representative of Panamanian beautiful women. Her long hair was absolutely gorgeous as you can appreciate in the snapshot.
Janice, a representative of Radio Sol, donates tickets, flags and sweaters to my wife Aura for IBAF's 2011 Baseball World Cup. Needless to say we are very proud to be the host country for this highly prestigious international sporting event. Photo ©Omar Upegui R.
