What are the sports and games in and around Nicaragua?
Kent Payne
You might think that "futbol" or soccer as we know it would be the #1 sport played in Nicaragua. But in actuality, "beisbol" or baseball is the most widely viewed game and the national sport. It is not unusual to see huge crowds at the baseball stadium in Managua, and I had the pleasure of watching a highly animated game on Big Corn Island once. Animated became both managers kicked dirt onto the umpire over a very disputed call... And I...
You might think that "futbol" or soccer as we know it would be the #1 sport played in Nicaragua. But in actuality, "beisbol" or baseball is the most widely viewed game and the national sport. It is not unusual to see huge crowds at the baseball stadium in Managua, and I had the pleasure of watching a highly animated game on Big Corn Island once. Animated became both managers kicked dirt onto the umpire over a very disputed call... And I didn't recognize all the words, but I might be glad I didn't!!
You'll find local games played on Sunday afternoons, and some of the teams have 'corporate' sponsors who provide tee shirts and a few new balls. Games are viewed from under 'ranchito' shaded seating, and local vendors sell cheese and milk treats from a cooler at the concession stand.
At lunch breaks, it is not unusual to see the construction workers on our property taking the last 30 minutes or so for a quick pick up game. Never 18 players, but the guys really get a workout with a hit and run, but no stealing allowed. Good practice.
If you come to Nicaragua and want to make some real brownie points with some of the local athletes, throw a few new baseballs in your luggage...you'll quickly find a home for them.
Posted February 15, 2014
Blue van Doorninck - Rancho Chilamate Horseback Adventures & Guest Ranch
Baseball is the national sport of Nicaragua. The Americans introduced it and locals call it “Beisbol”. Every community has a baseball diamond and they have big stadiums, too. The closest stadium to us here in San Juan del Sur is in Rivas. If you are a big fan of baseball and you want to watch a professional game or see the best players in Nicaragua, you can absolutely go ahead and do it. Recently, here in San Juan del Sur, the Australian expats formed a rugby team,...
Baseball is the national sport of Nicaragua. The Americans introduced it and locals call it “Beisbol”. Every community has a baseball diamond and they have big stadiums, too. The closest stadium to us here in San Juan del Sur is in Rivas. If you are a big fan of baseball and you want to watch a professional game or see the best players in Nicaragua, you can absolutely go ahead and do it. Recently, here in San Juan del Sur, the Australian expats formed a rugby team, they invited some Nicaraguans to play, and they are doing very well. They have played against towns like Granada and Managua. This is all even though Nicaragua does not have a rugby team that competes internationally.
There are a lot of recreational sports that exist here in Nicaragua in general. They have a lot of pickup games such as baseball and soccer. They go to the park and anybody there could just join in. They have little leagues, too.
Posted October 9, 2014
Dr. Carlos Alemán - Centro de Diseño Denta (Clínica Dental)
The main sport that developed historically in Nicaragua is baseball. A lot of people and even little boys play baseball here. Baseball in Nicaragua was influenced by the US. We have two different types of leagues. There is a very popular league called the Pomares. Each state has a team on this league and there are about sixteen teams in the whole country. It is at a Double-A level compared to the US baseball leagues.
We also...
The main sport that developed historically in Nicaragua is baseball. A lot of people and even little boys play baseball here. Baseball in Nicaragua was influenced by the US. We have two different types of leagues. There is a very popular league called the Pomares. Each state has a team on this league and there are about sixteen teams in the whole country. It is at a Double-A level compared to the US baseball leagues.
We also have the professional league. When the Pomares League is finished, they start a new one that is like the Triple-A league. It is like when the MLB (US Major League Baseball) starts and some baseball players from other countries like Venezuela and Puerto Rico come to Nicaragua. If they are not playing on the USA baseball team, they come here to play for 3 months. These players are paid but not as much as they are paid in the US or in Venezuela or the Dominican Republic. But they do get paid because these players are good players and they don’t play cheaply.
Baseball used to be the biggest sport but now a lot of people are also starting to play soccer. It’s getting more popular. Basketball is big here. I used to always play basketball and I still play sometimes. Now, running is also becoming popular as people from all over the world are influencing Nicaraguans.
(US Marines who brought baseball to Nicaragua, pictured.)
Posted December 7, 2016