Baseball Accepts Invite to 2026 Puerto Rico Classic

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Earlier this month, the Manhattan Jaspers' baseball team officially accepted an invitation to the second annual Puerto Rico Classic, produced by JoGi Sports and MB Sports.

Joining the Jaspers on the tropical island will be Boston College, Houston, Indiana State, North Carolina State, Seton Hall, Wake Forest, and Washington.

The event will take place from February 13-16, 2026 across two venues. In Ponce, games will be held at Francisco "Paquito" Montaner Stadium. This home of winter training for a variety of Major League Baseball players has just installed new artifical turf and holds around 8,000 spectators. The city of Caguas, sitting a little less than 60 miles away from Ponce, will use the newly renovated Yldefonso Sola Morales Stadium, holding upwards of 10,000 fans. Both of these venues are inspected and approved annually by MLB's Commissioner's Office. 

Puerto Rico serves as an ideal host for early season competition, with its year-round baseball climate. In addition, it is the only tropical destination in the Caribbean to not require a United States passport or currency exchange for players and attendees.

Beyond the games played on the field, veteran MLB players and coaches will host free clinics and Q&A sessions with the local youth, emphasizing the event's community impact. Puerto Rico also expects to see economic impact trending north of $1.5 million.

"We are incredibly honored for Manhattan Baseball to be invited to the Puerto Rico College Baseball Challenge. This opportunity is a reflection of the growth of our program and the progress our players have made in building something special here in Riverdale. Competing against some of the nation's top programs in such a historic and culturally rich setting will be an unforgettable experience for our student-athletes. It's a chance to showcase Manhattan Baseball on a national stage, while continuing to develop our players both on and off the field. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited to represent Manhattan University in Puerto Rico," said Manhattan Head Coach Steven Rosen.