(prensa.com)Panama’s national 11- and 12-year-old baseball team returned home from the Pan-American Championships in Colombia yesterday after forfeiting the championship game.
Manager Edgar Chávez defended his decision to forfeit the game, saying the home plate umpire made a mistake in deciding Panama’s pitcher was throwing curve balls, which aren’t allowed in the competition.
“We had a good team and we are happy with the work we did in Colombia,” said Chavez. “Pitifully, we could not win because of the decision of an umpire.”
Javier García, the Panamanian pitcher, was warned about throwing curve balls in the opening inning. The dispute eventually led to Panama leaving the field and losing the game by forfeit.
José Calazán, executive secretary of the Pan-American Baseball Confederation, said Panama would face sanctions for its actions. Calazán said the umpire made the proper decision.
Panama was facing Venezuela in the finals when it decided to forfeit the game.