Baseball arrived in Panama in the 1880s, when workers and visitors started bringing the game with them. It caught on quickly. Today, the national baseball league is one of the most-watched things on Panamanian TV during the season.
Some of the most famous Panamanian baseball players ever to play in the US Major Leagues include Mariano Rivera, often called one of the greatest pitchers of all time, and Rod Carew, a legendary batter. When Panamanian players succeed abroad, the whole country celebrates.
Children's leagues are huge. On Saturday mornings across Panama, dozens of small fields buzz with little baseball matches between schools and neighbourhood teams. Kids' team kits often have the player's name stitched on the back, just like the professionals.
Even Panama's national flag has a baseball connection - kind of. Many young Panamanian players say they dream of one day wearing the country's red, white and blue stripes on their chest as part of the national team. Panama has played in major world tournaments and beaten some very strong opponents.