Panama's Baseball Tournament Participation at Risk Due to Missing League

The Caribbean Series will not be held in Venezuela, with Mexico being a possible alternative; Panama is not in the equation to host, explained David Salayandía. The last alternative for Panama to participate in these international events, if the Probeis League does not materialize, would be to select a team with Panamanian players from winter leagues, something that would also not be easy. "That's why I say that Panama's participation in the Americas Series and the Caribbean Series is in danger," he reiterated. All winter leagues are playing, except for Panama. If the Probeis tournament were to happen, it would be with only three teams: Federales, Jaguares, and Águilas; the Nacionales team is ruled out. "In my opinion, if we don't go to the Caribbean Series, the Americas Series, and the league doesn't happen either, that buries Probeis. I hope it doesn't happen," stated David Salayandía, who added that in his 15 years with Probeis, this had never happened to him. Salayandía explained that teams are constantly asking and pressuring for both the league and the international tournaments. Panama's participation in 2026 in the Caribbean Series and the Americas Series, where the country is the host, "hangs by a thread" due to the "danger" of the Probeis League not being held. "This is the part that it seems the Pandeportes executives don't understand: without this financial contribution, we wouldn't be able to participate in the Caribbean Series or the Americas Series," he said. "But with what team are we going to go, if I don't have a league?" Salayandía reflected. They are awaiting a response from the Panamanian Institute of Sports (Pandeportes) saying yes or no to supporting the League, said David Salayandía of Probeis. Probeis will not be held in December; if it happens, it would be in the first days of January, "a super-fast league, but it all depends on Pandeportes," he expressed. All this without counting the international commitments, which are an additional expense, justified Salayandía regarding the Probeis League, through which many players have passed who have reached the Major Leagues. "I have been trying since May to get a yes or no answer (on the support), or to find out how much they can give and see if it's viable," he added. "We are not asking for 100% support from Pandeportes; in other administrations, they have always supported us," said Salayandía, who clarified and regretted that he has not spoken directly with director Miguel Ordóñez. The team that invests the least in the league per year is at least 50 thousand dollars, the one that invests the most is 150 thousand dollars, plus another contribution that Probeis makes with its private sponsors and Pandeportes, adding up to an approximate total of 400 thousand dollars, explained Salayandía. They are looking for another venue, which will be announced soon. Salayandía explained that since last May, a plan and a detailed budget have been presented, and to date they have had no response and hope to get one by this Friday. The Professional Baseball Confederation of the Caribbean (CBPC) announced that the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Puerto Rico will not participate in the Caribbean Series in Venezuela. They have made the decision with their advisors and are awaiting the call.