International Baseball Postage Stamps
Here’s every international postage stamp depicting baseball from the stamp explosion from 1980 through 1984, including from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Netherlands, and more!1980
Costa Rica
In 1980, Costa Rica issued a postage stamp celebrating baseball in relation to the Olympic Games, despite baseball not having been an official Olympic sport since 1964 and not resuming this status until 1992. This stamp likely symbolized baseball’s growing popularity and its path toward becoming an official Olympic sport, while also catering to philatelic interests and encapsulating the broader spirit of the Olympics.
Nicaragua
In 1980, Nicaragua issued three variations of the 1979 postage stamp that commemorated the International Year of the Child, each featuring a distinctive overprint. The overprints were “Año Liberación” in red and in silver, translating to “Year of Liberation,” symbolizing the country’s political transformation following the Sandinista revolution, and “alfabetización,” meaning “literacy,” which represented the national literacy campaign initiated by the Sandinista government to significantly reduce illiteracy across Nicaragua.
Turks and Caicos
The 1980 Turks and Caicos “Human Rights leaders” stamp series, issued on December 22, features significant figures in human rights: Martin Luther King Jr., a Nobel Laureate and civil rights leader, John F. Kennedy for his political contributions, Roberto Clemente, celebrated for his humanitarian efforts in baseball, Sir Frank Worrell, a cricketer advocating for sports and human rights, Harriet Tubman, known for her Underground Railroad efforts, and Marcus Garvey, a pivotal figure in the promotion of African descendant rights. Each stamp in this series honors their unique contributions to social justice and human rights.
1981
Anguilla
The 1981 Anguilla “The Night Before Christmas” postage stamp series, issued on November 9, is a commemorative collection showcasing scenes from the story as Disney cartoons. Among these, a unique stamp features Santa Claus having gifted a baseball bat into a Christmas stocking.
Antigua & Barbuda
In 1981, Antigua and Barbuda released a postage stamp series for the International Year of Disabled Persons, featuring themes of sports and disability. This collection included stamps depicting baseball played by those with dwarfism, wheelchair basketball, swimming with crutches, and discus throwing by an amputee. These stamps emphasized inclusivity and the abilities of people with disabilities in sports. The joint issuance by both countries symbolized their united effort to promote awareness and inclusivity for people with disabilities.Antigua
Barbuda
Antigua
Barbuda
Dominican Republic
In the 5th National Sports Games of 1981, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the Distrito Nacional team won the gold medal in baseball. The teams from the Norcentral and Noroeste regions secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Additionally, the event featured other sports, such as track & field, boxing, and gymnastics.
Nicaragua
The 1981 Nicaragua postage stamp series commemoraing the 2nd Anniversary of the Revolution reflects the historical and cultural shifts in Nicaragua following the Sandinista revolution. Issued two years after the revolution’s victory in 1979, which overthrew the Somoza dictatorship, these stamps symbolize the new government’s efforts to redefine the nation’s identity. Admittedly, the only thing making the Adult Education stamp baseball-themed is the cap on one man’s head.
Singapore
In 1981, Singapore introduced the “Sports for All” program, a national fitness initiative promoting sports participation among its citizens. This program was commemorated with a series of postage stamps featuring various sports activities, emphasizing Singapore’s dedication to promoting physical well-being and community engagement through sports. You can find a baseball scene in one of the pictograms.
1982
Central African Republic
The 1982 Central African Republic stamp series, issued for the Summer Olympic Games 1984 in Los Angeles, includes a stamp featuring sailing. Notably, this stamp displays 22 pictograms of various sports, including baseball, at the top, symbolizing the range of athletic disciplines at the Olympics and highlighting baseball’s debut as a demonstration sport in the forthcoming 1984 Games.
Cuba
These 1982 Cuba baseball stamps celebrates their participation in the 14th Central American and Caribbean Games, held in Havana, Cuba, from August 7 to August 18, 1982. In these games, the Cuban baseball team secured the silver medal with a record of 4-2 as the Dominican Republic took home gold.
Cuba
Cuba
Cuba
Dominican Republic
The 1982 Dominican Republic baseball stamp celebrates their historic achievement in the 14th Central American and Caribbean Games in Havana, where they won the gold medal in baseball for the first time in 20 years. Despite an initial 4-1 loss to Cuba, the Dominican team beat all other teams, finishing 5-1, with their only loss to silver medalist, Cuba.
Nicaragua
The 1982 Nicaragua baseball stamp celebrates their participation in the 14th Central American and Caribbean Games in Havana. Nicaragua’s baseball team, competing in a strong field, finished the tournament with a 2-4 record. This performance, while not leading to a medal, still represents a significant moment in Nicaragua’s sports history.
South Korea
The 1982 Amateur World Series, also known as the 27th World Baseball Championship, was held in South Korea for the first time from September 4 to 14, 1982. South Korea emerged as champions in a 10-team field. A postage stamp was issued to commemorate the event.
Taiwan
The Fifth World Women’s Softball Championship was held in Taipei from July 1 to 12, 1982. To commemorate this significant event, a special issue was released on July 2, 1982, coinciding with the Championship’s opening day. The two stamps featured a shared design. The emblems of the International Softball Federation (ISF) and the Softball Association of the Republic of China were depicted as the background motif, with three women softball players — batting, catching, and base running — prominently highlighted in the foreground.
Turks & Caicos Islands
The 1982 Turks & Caicos Norman Rockwell postage stamp series celebrated the iconic American artist, known for his vivid and relatable depictions of everyday American life. Issued on June 23, 1982, the series featured notable works like “Second Thoughts,” “The Proper Gratuity,” “Before the Shot,” and “The Three Umpires,” each stamp reflecting Rockwell’s unique style and cultural impact. This series honored Rockwell’s artistic legacy and also showcased the international appreciation for his contributions to American art.
1983
Cuba
The 1983 Cuba baseball stamp was issued to commemorate Cuba’s participation in the 9th Pan American Games, held in Caracas, Venezuela. The Cuban baseball team entered the Games as the three-time defending champions, having previously won gold medals in 1971, 1975, and 1979. In the 1983 Games, Cuba successfully defended their title, with Nicaragua finishing second, solidifying Cuba’s dominance in baseball at the Pan American Games.
Cuba
Dominican Republic
In 1983, the Dominican Republic’s baseball team participated in the 6th National Sports Games and the 9th Pan American Games. Valdesia won gold at the National Sports Games for teams within the country. In the international Pan American Games, the Dominican team finished 5-5, tying for 4th, while Cuba won gold. Commemorating these events, the Dominican Republic issued two baseball-themed stamps, celebrating the nation’s baseball passion.
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
Nicaragua
At the 9th Pan American Games in Caracas in 1983, the Nicaraguan baseball team went 6-4 to win the silver medal. Meanwhile, Cuba clinched the gold medal for the fourth consecutive time. To commemorate the Games and recognize baseball, Nicaragua issued a special postage stamp series dedicated to the Juegos Panamericanos.
Venezuela
At the 9th Pan American Games held in Caracas in 1983, the Venezuelan baseball team finished with a 4-4 record, going 2-1 in pool play and 2-3 in the finals round, but did not secure a medal. “Copan ’83” refers to the nickname for these Games. To commemorate the event, Venezuela issued a special postage stamp showcasing several sports played in the Juegos Deportivos Panamericanos.
1984
Anguilla
The Anguilla “Disney – Christmas Around the World” stamp series featured vibrant and colorful stamps celebrating Christmas traditions in various countries, including Mexico, Sweden, Italy, Holland, Spain, Disneyland (USA), Japan, Anguilla, Germany, and England. Notably, the Mexico stamp depicts Donald Duck smacking a piñata with a baseball bat. Each stamp, issued on November 12, 1984, had denominations in East Caribbean cents and dollars. The designs showcased a blend of Christmas, cartoon, comic, and Disney themes.
Bhutan
The 1984 “Slide Donald Slide” stamp, part of Bhutan’s series celebrating Donald Duck’s 50th anniversary, was released on December 10. It features various portrayals of Donald Duck in media, such as “Good Scouts” and “Donald’s Golf Game.” This particular stamp, valued at 5 Bhutanese chhetrums, depicts Donald playing baseball.
Comoro Islands
In 1984, the Comoro Islands issued baseball-themed stamps to commemorate the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, despite not participating in the Olympics until 1996. This was a philatelic initiative to celebrate the global event and appeal to collectors, rather than reflecting any athletic involvement by the Comoros in those Games.
Cuba
The 1984 Cuban postage stamp, part of the Summer Olympic Games 1984 – Los Angeles series, commemorates baseball’s inclusion in the Olympics as a demonstration sport. While the stamp symbolizes Cuba’s initial qualification for the event, the country ultimately withdrew due to the Soviet-led boycott. This tournament marked the return of Olympic baseball after a significant hiatus, culminating in Japan’s victory over the United States.
Dominican Republic
In the 1984 Summer Olympics, the Dominican Republic’s baseball team, having secured its spot by finishing fourth in the 1983 Pan American Games, participated as a replacement for Cuba, which withdrew due to the Soviet-led boycott. The Dominican Republic lost all three of their games. Celebrating the Olympics, the Dominican Republic released on August 1, 1984, a postage stamp series featuring baseball, boxing, weightlifting and athletics.
Japan
In 1984, Japan released stamps to honor the 50th anniversary of professional baseball, featuring Eiji Sawamura, a legendary pitcher, Masaru Kageura, an acclaimed two-way player, and Matsutaro Shoriki, the founder of the Yomiuri Giants and a pivotal figure in professionalizing the sport. These stamps celebrated their significant contributions to Japanese baseball’s history and development.
Maldive Islands
In 1984, the Maldives issued a baseball-themed stamp for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, though they did not participate in the event. In fact, since their Olympic debut in 1988, the Maldives have participated in various sports at the Summer Olympics, but baseball has never been one of them. The baseball stamp celebrated the event and was created to appeal to collectors.
Netherlands
In 1984, the Netherlands issued a series of baseball stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of the Curacao Baseball Federation, celebrating the island’s rich baseball heritage and its ties to Dutch culture. Although Curacao did not participate in the 1984 Summer Olympics where baseball was featured as a demonstration sport, the stamps underscored the island’s growing significance in the baseball world, reflecting its status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its emerging talent in the sport.
Nicaragua
The 1984 Nicaragua postage stamp series celebrated international baseball legends, featuring players from different countries. It included Ventura Escalante (Dominican Republic), Daniel Herrera (Mexico), Adalberto Herrera (Venezuela), Roberto Clemente (Puerto Rico), Carlos Colas (Cuba), Stanley Cayasso (Argentina), and Babe Ruth (USA), highlighting baseball’s global impact.
Nicaragua
In 1984, Nicaragua issued commemorative stamps for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, including a field hockey stamp (erroneously featuring a baseball) and a baseball stamp, both released on July 6. The field hockey stamp was standard-sized, while the baseball stamp was a larger souvenir sheet. At the games, Nicaragua’s baseball team went 1-2 and did not medal.
Panama
In 1984, Panama released a commemorative stamp featuring baseball for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics as part of their Pre-Olympics series, issued on March 15, 1984, and designed by Alvaro Pulido. Despite the issuance of this baseball stamp, Panama did not qualify to have a baseball team participate in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Scotland
This 1984 stamp from Staffa, Scotland, commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodgers Stadium. It is a proof not believed to ever have been officially issued. Its creation coincides with the Olympics being held in Los Angeles that year.
Singapore
In 1984, Singapore issued the “25 Years of Nation Building” postage stamp series, marking its development since 1959 when it gained self-governance with the State of Singapore Constitution’s adoption. This series included a stamp referencing the 1981 “Sports for All” program, which featured a baseball pictogram. Together, these events underscore Singapore’s commitment to physical well-being and community engagement since gaining political autonomy.
See all Baseball U.S. Postage Stamps:
Baseball Postage Stamps
- U.S. Baseball Stamp Issues:
- 1939 Centennial of Baseball
- 1969 100th Anniversary of Baseball
- 1969 Grandma Moses
- 1982 Jackie Robinson
- 1983 Babe Ruth
- 1984 Roberto Clemente
- 1989 Lou Gehrig
- 1989 Legends Stamp Album
- 1991 Abbott & Costello
- 1992 Olympic Summer Games
- 1995 Recreational Sports
- 1996 Centennial Olympic Games
- 1996 Folk Heroes
- 1998-2000 Celebrate the Century
- 2000 Legends of Baseball
- 2000 Youth Team Sports
- 2001 Legendary Playing Fields
- 2006 Baseball Sluggers
- 2008 Take Me Out To The Ballgame
- 2010 Negro League Baseball
- 2012 MLB All-Stars
- 2012 Play Ball! Stamp Book
- 2017 Have a Ball
- 2020 Bugs Bunny
- 2021 Yogi Berra
- 2021 Backyard Games
- 2024 Hank Aaron
- MLB Pro Stamps
- Non-Postage Stamps
- International Baseball Stamps:
- Int'l Stamps (1930 to 1959)
- Int'l Stamps (1960 to 1969)
- Int'l Stamps (1970 to 1979)
- Int'l Stamps (1980 to 1984)
- Int'l Stamps (1985 to 1989)
- Int'l Stamps (1990 to 1994)
- Int'l Stamps (1995 to 1999)
- Int'l Stamps (2000)
- Int'l Stamps (2001)
- Int'l Stamps (2002)
- Int'l Stamps (2003)
- Int'l Stamps (2004)
- Int'l Stamps (2005)
- Int'l Stamps (2006)
- Int'l Stamps (2007)
- Int'l Stamps (2008)
- Int'l Stamps (2009)
- Int'l Stamps (2010)
- Int'l Stamps (2011)
- Int'l Stamps (2012)
- Int'l Stamps (2013)
- Int'l Stamps (2014)
- Int'l Stamps (2015)
- Int'l Stamps (2016)
- Int'l Stamps (2017)
- Int'l Stamps (2018)
- Int'l Stamps (2019)
- Int'l Stamps (2020)
- Int'l Stamps (2021)
- Int'l Stamps (2022)
- Int'l Stamps (2023)
- Int'l Stamps (2024)
Browse the Complete Baseball Stamp Checklist, view U.S. Postage Stamps, or view a year from the international stamp collection.