May 17, 2021
For NPC sophomore infielder Panama Mendez, his team’s journey to the NJCAA tournament
this season has been one for the history books. Even more remarkable, however, is
the journey that not only allowed him to find his next baseball home at National Park
College, but to also find himself.
“I’ve been playing baseball for as long as I can remember,” Mendez said. “I come from
a baseball family and I picked up a bat when I was three or four years old. I grew
up watching my older brother, Orlando 'Orly' Mendez, play and I remember wanting to
be out on the field with him, learning from him and following in his footsteps. ”
As Mendez grew with the game, so did his accomplishments, and the middle infielder
quickly turned into one of the top-ranked players in the country.
“I played for Miami Beach High School in Florida,” Mendez said. “There, I became Florida’s
high school batting champion. I was formerly the top-ranked infielder in the country
and a 2nd team All-American. In 2015, I was named the Miami Marlins RBI World Series
Champion. I worked hard to accomplish many things on the field as a player and those
are some of the ones that I am most proud of.”
Though all the success that Mendez achieved on the field over the years made him great,
it was adversity that taught the Floridian just how strong he could be. Two years
ago, a tragic car accident put Mendez’ baseball career and his physical well-being
in doubt.
“I was heading home after practice in Texas and I was rear-ended by a semi-truck,”
Mendez said. “It was devastating. I suffered injuries to my head, neck, back, shoulders,
knees and legs. I lost part of my vision. Walking was hard. I was out of the game
for the rest of that year and I wasn’t sure that I would ever get the chance to play
the way I used to ever again.”
With his playing career in jeopardy, Mendez found a new home in a place previously
unknown.
“Two years ago, while I was playing for a post-graduate program in Texas and working
on my recovery, (former NPC head coach) Dillon Hargrove reached out to me,” Mendez
said. “He told me that I had the opportunity to help with the start of something new—a
chance to build something good for the community of Hot Springs—all while competing
in one of the toughest regions in NJCAA Division II baseball. I knew I had to check
it out. When I got here and met the team and saw their motivation to do something
positive for this program and this community, I was sold.”
For Mendez, National Park College was not only a second chance to play the game he
loved, but also an opportunity for a fresh start.
“I had never been to Arkansas before, let alone Hot Springs,” Mendez said. “Being
from Miami, all we had was big cities and big buildings. Seeing the natural beauty
of Arkansas—the mountains, lakes and trails—is a different experience and I think
that I will really enjoy being here. The cold is something I will have to get used
to, though.”
As a member of an ambitious first-year program, Mendez knew he would have to work
harder than ever to make an impact and accepted the challenge with open arms.
“My personal goal was to get back into the rhythm I was in before my injury,” Mendez
said. “I had to work twice as hard to get back into the game and the state where I
am now. I hoped to be able to share my experience with some of the younger players
and help drive them to a winning season.”
Despite being shortened by COVID-19 in its historic first season, National Park College
enjoyed a successful start with 11 wins in the team’s first 18 games. In a year filled
with big moments, Mendez will never forget the atmosphere of NPC’s first game.
“The turnout was great," Mendez said. "There were fans, family and community everywhere.
To be a first-year program and see that kind of support on the first day was a very
uplifting experience. I know that it will be the first of many good memories for this
team.”
Fast forward to 2021, where Mendez and Nighthawks are competing in the NJCAA Region
II Plains District Tournament. After picking up the program’s first two postseason
wins in school history, NPC’s second baseman says the sky’s the limit for the high-flying
Nighthawks. 
“It has been great to be out there making history with this program and this group
of guys,” Mendez said. “After being shut down due to COVID-19 last year, we were hyped
up and ready to go this year. When we got our first postseason win, being in that
moment and knowing how hard we had worked for it was an amazing feeling. We’ve had
each other’s backs all season long and it was great to achieve that together. Right
now, we feel like we’re in a good spot to make a deep run.”
In its first full season, NPC finished the regular season as the top home run hitting
team in the nation—a statistic that Mendez is immensely proud of.
“To be a part of this squad is great,” Mendez said. “Even though we’re the new dogs
on the block, we’re out here trying to make a name for ourselves and putting our names
on the map. We want to show the world that we’re not an easy program to push around.
Having that mentality that we will give it our best every day and let our opponents
know that when they come to play NPC, it will be a game, no matter what.”
When a head coaching transition left a vacancy at assistant coach this season, Mendez
rose to the challenge to fill the gap.
“When [NPC head coach Rich Thompson] pulled me aside and asked me if I wanted that
role, he knew I could handle it,” Mendez said. “It’s been a great experience so far.
With this role comes a lot of responsibility and having that level of trust from my
coach means a lot.”
When he’s not hitting homers toward Panama Street (conveniently located behind the
stadium at Hot Springs World Class High School), Mendez is busily working in the classroom
to secure his career. Boasting a 4.0 GPA, Mendez recently received his Associate of
Applied Science in Criminal Justice and plans to follow in his family’s footsteps
once his playing days are over.
“After baseball is over, my plan is to work in counterterrorism work with the government,”
Mendez said “My family comes from law enforcement. My older brother worked as a marine
in homeland security and it inspired me to do the same. I take high pride in my schoolwork.
Whether it’s athletics or academics, if I start something, I want to make sure it
gets done right.”
In his free time, Mendez works part time for The Practice Field in Hot Springs, giving
baseball lessons to youth athletes in Garland County.
“I give hitting and fielding lessons to athletes in the community,” Mendez said. “It
feels good to work with the kids and give back to the community and those who want
to follow in my footsteps."
As Mendez continues to recover from the injury that nearly cost him his playing career,
the infielder remains optimistic about his health and his future.
“It has been a long fight back from injury, but I feel pretty good today,” Mendez
said. “I’ve committed myself to giving one hundred percent anytime I hit the field,
no matter what. I won’t let a little pain stop me from doing what I love to do.”
Mendez hopes his story of triumph over adversity inspires others who are dealing with
injury to do the same.
“No matter what life throws at you, don’t give up hope,” Mendez said. “Follow your
heart and your dreams. The support of my family was what kept my head up during the
most uncertain of times. For me, even with everything I’ve been through, I couldn’t
see giving up now. I knew that I still had so much left to give the game and I found
a way to keep moving forward. I love the guys I’m playing with and I enjoy being here
in this community. I’m looking forward to helping NPC put Hot Springs on the map in
baseball for years to come.”
Panama Mendez and Nighthawks Baseball faces Northern Oklahoma College-Enid in the
NJCAA Region II Plains District Tournament in Enid, OK today at 4 p.m. and can be
streamed live through Bravado TV.
