Padres Owners Visit Puerto Rico U-18 Team
José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones met with the national team during the U-18 Pan American Championship.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Baseball
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San Diego Padres owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones visited the Puerto Rican national team at the IPL Academy complex in Boca Chica. The team is competing in the U-18 Pan American Championship and currently holds a 2-1 record.
Why it matters
The tournament is critical for international advancement, as the U-18 Pan American Championship awards four spots for the 2027 U-18 World Cup. Success here determines which nations will compete on the global stage in China.
Puerto Rico holds a 2-1 tournament record after a 5-2 win against Canada and a 4-2 loss to Panama. The championship features 11 total national teams competing for four available spots in the 2027 U-18 World Cup.
The players
José E. Feliciano
He is an owner of the San Diego Padres who visited the team in the Dominican Republic.
Kwanza Jones
She is an owner of the San Diego Padres who joined the visit to the IPL Academy complex.
The details
The Puerto Rico and Canada game was previously suspended due to darkness before concluding on Friday. Panama solidified their position in Group C after scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat Puerto Rico.
Timeline
Friday: Owners visited and the team played two tournament games.
Saturday 12:00 p.m.: Puerto Rico plays Canada in final first round game.
2027: The U-18 World Cup occurs in China.
Season Trajectory
The U-18 Pan American Championship serves as the primary gateway for teams attempting to qualify for the 2027 U-18 World Cup. Performers in this tournament shape the future international competitive landscape for the next two years.
The top two teams from Group C will advance to the super round based on current standings. The final outcome against Canada will determine if Puerto Rico maintains its lead to secure an advancement spot.
The takeaway
Advancing through the group stage requires consistent performance across all phases of the game. Teams must maintain focus to secure one of the four available qualification spots for the upcoming World Cup.
What happens next
Puerto Rico plays Canada in their final first-round game on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
Further reading
For more on international competition, visit our Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by El Nuevo Día.
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