Puerto Rico to compete in U18 Baseball Pan American Championship
The island's national team will seek one of four qualification spots for the 2027 U18 World Cup in China at the tournament in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.
File photoThe short version
- NotiCel reported the Federación de Béisbol de Puerto Rico announced the U18 national team will play in the Pan American Championship from Oct 22-29 in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic
- El Vocero reports the top four teams at the IPL Academy event will qualify for the 2027 WBSC U18 World Cup in China
- RPC TV states the tournament opens Oct. 22 with Panama vs Puerto Rico in Group C that also includes Canada and lists 11 participating teams
- All three outlets agree Puerto Rico is seeking one of four spots for the 2027 World Cup in China
Updates
Update, Oct 20, 11:31 AM AST
RPC TV reports the first game will be Panama vs Puerto Rico on Oct. 22 and lists 11 participating teams instead of 12.
RPC TV reported that the U18 Baseball Pan American Championship will begin on Oct. 22 with Panama facing Puerto Rico in the opening game of Group C, which also includes Canada. RPC TV reported
The outlet states 11 national teams will compete for four qualification spots to the 2027 U18 World Cup in China and for the continental title. Abel Rodríguez is scheduled to start for Panama.
This updates the earlier account that listed 12 teams; the new source does not name the manager of Puerto Rico or mention returning players.
Qualification tournament begins this week
Puerto Rico will participate in the U18 Baseball Pan American Championship, which runs from Oct. 22 to 29 in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, according to both NotiCel and El Vocero. The event at the IPL Academy complex will feature 12 teams. The top four finishers advance to the 2027 WBSC U18 World Cup in China.
The Federación de Béisbol de Puerto Rico (FBPR) made the announcement. Puerto Rico aims to secure a spot in the world event after finishing fifth in its last two U18 World Cup appearances, both outlets reported.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Los muchachos se ven muy bien. Seguimos trabajando con el mismo enfoque y la misma energía.
Our translation: The boys look very good. We continue working with the same focus and the same energy.
The source's own statement, as quoted by NotiCel. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Manager cites team readiness
Eddie González, the team's manager, told reporters the players "se ven muy bien" and that the staff continues with the same focus and energy. He added that players arriving from the United States need to acclimate quickly because conditions are similar to those in the Dominican Republic, according to both sources.
González also stated the roster is versatile, with young players who could return for the 2027 World Cup. He said his staff and the players are ready "y vamos con todas las energías del mundo a buscar una medalla en el Premundial y la clasificación al Mundial del próximo año".
Returning players bolster roster
Several members of the squad have prior international experience with Puerto Rico teams. Pitchers Carlos Coira and Saúl Maldonado, infielders Adniel Quiles and Jean Rosa, and outfielder Valentín Carrasquillo were part of the U15 team that won silver at the 2024 World Cup, NotiCel and El Vocero reported.
In addition, pitcher Joniel Miranda and infielder Adniel Quiles return after competing in the 2025 U18 World Cup, both outlets stated.
Where the sources differ
NotiCel and El Vocero agree on all core facts including 12 teams, dates Oct. 22-29, location in Boca Chica at IPL Academy, manager Eddie González's comments, and the list of returning players. RPC TV, published on the same day as NotiCel, states there will be 11 teams instead of 12 and names the first game as Panama vs Puerto Rico on Oct. 22 but does not mention the academy location, manager, or returning players. The sources conflict on the number of participating teams.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not list the full roster, provide the complete schedule beyond the first game, name all 11 or 12 participating countries, state where the team is currently training, or indicate whether the tournament will be streamed or how fans in Puerto Rico can follow results.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published and last updated. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Puerto Rico participará en el Premundial Sub-18 de béisbol
- Reporting Puerto Rico buscará su boleto al Mundial Sub-18 de béisbol en República Dominicana
- Reporting Premundial de Béisbol U18: Hora y dónde ver Panamá vs Puerto Rico
How we checked this
NotiCel and El Vocero provided the original details on the roster, manager comments and venue while RPC TV added the specific opening matchup and revised the team count to 11. The discrepancy on the number of teams rests solely on RPC TV.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.