[Shoeless Moe]

I'm willing to say less then 1% of this board has heard of the Panama "Canal Zone League."

Yet 100% know 2 famous players that came out of Panama:

Rod Carew
Mariano Rivera

Well they really have nothing to do with this baseball, but they both played in Panama and this ball is from the grass roots of Panamanian Baseball.

The League was only around for 2 seasons, 1949-50 & 1950-51. It was a Winter League for some major league ballplayers and some Negro League players.

1947 Brooklyn Dodger and first Black pitcher in the Majors Dan Bankhead played in this Winter League. Tommy Lasorda also played there.

This is a Game Used Ball from the Championship Game of 1949-1950 season.

On the ball itself reads:

"Cristobal Mottas Canal Zone League Champions 1949-50"

Another panel reads:

"This ball caught by Bascelici (sp.) for last out in the final game for championship against Balboa"

Then looks to be signed by someone I can't make out and on another panel lists "Mgr Al Kuboski", another panel writing I can't make out.

I'm sure someone can get more info on who all played in this league and on the Caribbean Series that their champion then played in off the internet and perhaps newspapers.com.

However, all in all a very unique item. Nice ball for any board member from Panama or who visits Panama, for vintage ball collectors, for Negro League collectors, Game Used Baseball collectors, and collectors of the unique - one of a kind that's for sure!

Also, pretty cool to think that when this ball was caught for the last out of the championship the history attached to it. The players I'm sure celebrating. The ball then taken from Panama made its way back to the United States probably via the player who caught the ball or another teammate or Coach/Manager, then sat around for 70 years, then ends up on YOUR shelf! Things like this amaze me. The player are all gone, but this ball has survived the test of time. "People will come Ray......BASEBALL....." just kidding! but still such an amazing trip this ball has taken through history.

$50 Shipped (Paypal F&F preffered, but cash, checks, Burger King coupons take it as well)