Attending a professional baseball game in Costa Rica is an experience for those who take the sport seriously. Fans accustomed to the entertainment-filled spectacle of Major League Baseball in the United States may find Costa Rican games surprisingly straightforward, centering entirely on the sport itself.
Absent are the elaborate scoreboards flashing stats, replays, and advertisements, or the crowd-pleasing antics like ceremonial first pitches, T-shirt cannons, and the seventh-inning stretch. Even the familiar wave is missing. Here, baseball games are all about the love of the sport and loyalty to teams and players.
A Small but Passionate Crowd
Baseball is far from Costa Rica’s national pastime. In a country where soccer reigns supreme, drawing tens of thousands to matches, the sight of just 150 fans at a recent semi-final baseball playoff game may seem underwhelming. However, the fans made up for their small numbers with enthusiasm, cheering for their favorite team and voicing their frustrations when things went awry.
“Aiii, Señor!” cried one woman as a ball sped past her team’s first baseman into right field during the third inning. Her team, Santo Domingo from Heredia, was struggling against the Jazz Casinos of San José, who jumped to a 4-0 lead early in the game.
While the Jazz Casinos were the home team, much of the crowd supported Santo Domingo, a team made up entirely of Costa Rican players. “The Jazz are semi-professional, with Nicaraguans, Cubans, and a few Costa Ricans,” one fan explained. “But Santo Domingo consists of all Costa Ricans, so we support our own.”
This loyalty was heightened by the knowledge that Santo Domingo players are not professionals; they work day jobs and play in their free time, unlike the Jazz Casinos players, who receive compensation.
A Pure Baseball Experience
The game lacked the distractions typical of larger professional leagues. No vendors walked the stands selling beer or snacks, and no flashy announcements or overhead blimps drew attention away from the field. Fans focused entirely on the game, with those needing refreshments making quick trips to the nearby Soda Béisbol restaurant between innings.
The action on the field unfolded with a courtesy unique to the region. Players shook hands with the catcher and umpire during their first at-bat, and disputes were resolved calmly without dramatic confrontations. Even the home plate umpire added flair, with exaggerated gestures to signal key calls.
Despite the dedication of fans and players, the game moved slowly, with the first four innings taking two hours. Ultimately, the Jazz Casinos defeated Santo Domingo 6-4, marking their third win in the best-of-seven series and dimming Santo Domingo’s hopes for a repeat championship.
