McALLEN — Softball teams from different parts of the world paraded through the concourse of the McAllen Convention Center on Thursday, celebrating the opening ceremony of the inaugural PONY Softball International World Series, hosted by the City of McAllen in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen.
Three countries — the Czech Republic, Mexico and the United States — will be represented during the event, with 20 of the 73 teams coming from outside the United States.
“We’re here. This tournament is finally here,” PONY South Zone Division Softball Director Ed Sanchez said. “We’ve been waiting for this for a very long time. We’re really happy to see everyone out here. … I ask the parents, coaches and players to remember good sportsmanship. But most of all, lets all have fun and play ball.”
The ceremony opened with the presentation of each team competing in the event, ranging from seven different divisions (Shetland 6U, Pinto 8U, Mustang 10U, Bronco 12U, Pony 14U, Colt 16U, Palomino 18U-High School).
After team presentations, each represented countries’ national anthem rang through the packed convention center, followed by a message from keynote speaker India Chiles, who played for the University of Tennessee from 2004-07.
Chiles, the 2007 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, addressed the players prior to the start of the tournament, speaking on her own days of playing recreational softball.
“This is awesome. I’m super excited and super thrilled to be here,” she said. “Watching the girls and the coaches with their introductions and walking in, it drew a little bit of a tear to my eyes. This was 100% the best part of softball for me. Very similar to these girls, I started off playing recreational softball. … Recreation softball, PONY softball, it taught me everything I know as far the foundation for playing the game, respecting the game and loving the game.”
The opening ceremonies concluded with an international exhibition game at the Municipal Softball Complex.
Official tournament play begins at 8 a.m. today with pool play. Games are slated to take place at three different locations across McAllen.
Following pool play Thursday, teams will compete in a double-elimination bracket Friday-Sunday, with the championship games for each division set for Sunday at the McAllen Softball Complex.
“This is our first time competing in an international tournament like this,” Chihuahua, Mexico 16U head coach Edson Solis said. “We’re honestly really happy to be here and with the work the girls have given us. In Mexico, we competed to be able to come here. That’s why we’re here. Being here, we’re able to get some international experience, playing with teams from outside of Mexico. We hope to see some great games from our girls but most of all see them have fun.”
To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:
Photo Gallery: PONY softball celebrates opening ceremony for international world series
