Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen hosted the first-ever PONY (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) Softball Qualifier Tournament on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the McAllen Municipal Softball Complex. The event marked the beginning of a new partnership between the City of McAllen, PONY Softball, and Visit McAllen. It was the first of seven qualifying tournaments held across Texas, leading up to the 2026 PONY Softball International World Series, which McAllen will host next summer.
Mayor Javier Villalobos led the official kickoff press conference at 10:00 a.m., joined by members of the McAllen City Commission, City Manager Isaac J. Tawil, and representatives from the McAllen Parks and Recreation Department and Visit McAllen. The event attracted local media, sports organizations, and community members, signaling McAllen’s growing prominence as a destination for youth sports.
During his remarks, Mayor Villalobos reflected on the personal and community value of youth athletics. “This brings back so many memories,” he said. “Not softball, but baseball. I had a little boy since he was three years old. We played when it was super-hot, we played when it was super cold. But the memories we made are just incredible.” He also encouraged visiting families to enjoy the city, adding, “We welcome everyone from Corpus Christi, from Laredo, and all the way from Oklahoma. McAllen welcomes you with open arms because McAllen is a great place. Go enjoy our great food, hospitality, and people. May the best young ladies win. Bienvenidos a McAllen.”
The tournament brought together 54 teams from across Texas, Oklahoma, and Mexico. Participating regions included Oklahoma, Dallas, Houston, Mexico, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and several cities throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The qualifier represents a major milestone for McAllen as it prepares to host the international championship in 2026.
Roy Cantú, Vice President of Communications for the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, praised the city’s efforts in making the event possible. “When you come to McAllen, you see a world-class event put on by a world-class team — the City of McAllen and McAllen Parks and Recreation,” Cantú said. “They don’t just provide an event — they make it memorable so that kids can live out their dreams on these fields of dreams.” He added that the tournament reflects “a strong relationship built on shared commitment to providing quality opportunities for young athletes to excel.”
McAllen Parks and Recreation Director Denny Meline emphasized the city’s long-term investment in sports infrastructure and community partnerships. “I want to first thank the Mayor, City Commissioners, and our City Management team for allowing us to host events like this,” Meline said. “We’re very fortunate and blessed to work with PONY to showcase what McAllen can do. This complex was built for you, so enjoy it and good luck.”
PONY Baseball and Softball, headquartered in Washington, Pennsylvania, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1951. It supports more than 500,000 youth players annually across 4,000 leagues in over 40 countries. The organization focuses on promoting sportsmanship, teamwork, and community through its baseball and softball programs.
The event’s success underscored McAllen’s emergence as a leading destination for youth sports in South Texas. Beyond the competition, the tournament boosted local tourism and brought families together through shared experiences on and off the field. As McAllen prepares to host the 2026 PONY Softball International World Series, city leaders see this first qualifier as a significant step toward building a legacy of youth sports excellence in the Rio Grande Valley.
“We’re not just hosting a tournament,” Cantú said. “We’re building the future of youth baseball and softball.”
