Under the guidelines of Murray Cook and Chad Olson the field at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City was completely rebuilt in preparation of the upcoming World Baseball Classic Qualifier next month.
Drainage, sprinklers and clubhouses were renovated. The field was sodded last week and the grass is already starting to take root. After completion of the renovation the field manages rain much better, which leads to shorter delays.
The stadium, named after Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star Rod Carew of the Minnesota Twins and California Angels, was opened in 1999. It has a capacity of 27,000, 69 suites, 21 radio booths, a press box, conference rooms and 16 ticket windows.
In 2011 the stadium was the main venue for the IBAF Baseball World Cup, which saw the Netherlands upsetting International Baseball with its first ever World Championship, defeating Cuba in the championship game in Panama City.
Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City hosts one of four qualifying rounds for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Panama, Colombia, Brazil and Nicaragua compete for one spot in the main event between November 15 and 19. Panama opens the WBC Qualifier on November 15 against Brazil.
WBC Qualifiers were and will be also held in Regensburg (Germany), Jupiter (Florida) and Taipei City (Chinese Taipei). Canada and Spain already won the first two Qualifiers in September. Two more spots are open for the World Baseball Classic, which starts on March 2, 2013.
