Mexico replaces Panama in Baseball World Cup after error

 

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Mexico is headed to the Baseball World Cup quarter-finals after an administrative error denied Panama a final eight berth.

 

Panama was set to face Cuba in the quarter-finals Friday, but International Baseball Federation officials discovered that seven members of the Panamanian team failed to take out required insurance before their first group stage game against Spain, and handed it a loss late Wednesday.

That was enough to put Group A fifth-place finisher Mexico ahead of the Panama in the standings and earn it a ticket for Friday's quarter-final game against the Cubans.

Other quarter-finals matchups pair Australia against Japan, host Taiwan against the Netherlands, and the United States against South Korea.

Teams had an day off Thursday at the conclusion of the group stage. The semifinals are set for Saturday with the final to be played Sunday.