EDINBURG — Praise and celebration broke out Saturday evening at H-E-B Park as a group of youngsters from Reynosa were honored for their performance during this year’s Little League World Series International Championships.
The Guadalupe Treviño Kelly Little League baseball team from Reynosa earned the right to represent Mexico at the annual tournament in Pennsylvania last month. There, they advanced all the way to the international bracket title match against Japan, where they lost 5-0.
The RGV Toros football club hosted the recognition for the team as part of their Mexican independence day event preceding their Saturday night game.
“Reynosa is an extended community of the Rio Grande Valley and it’s important to showcase the solidarity between neighbors and how these young men represented the region,” said Bert Garcia, president of the RGV FC Toros.
The Reynosa team became hometown heroes across South Texas and Northern Mexico with their come-from-behind, scrappy performance at the Little League World Series, which was televised internationally.
Diego Díaz, 12, who was number three on the team roster, played second and third base for the team. He said he was thrilled about his experience and making it to the finals.
“It was really cool. We got to play with people from around the world and get to know their culture,” Díaz said. “It was hard (making it to the finals), a lot of work and a lot of effort.”
Díaz dreams of one day playing professionally for the Houston Astros.
“I’ve been playing baseball since before starting school, since three years old.” Díaz added.
The Reynosa Little League team and their families were presented with personalized Toros jerseys in the ceremony before the soccer team took on Reno 1868 FC.
Yajaira Flores, director of booking and marketing for H-E-B Park, said they chose to honor the team for representing not just Mexico, but the Rio Grande Valley, as well.
“These kids are the future of our border cities,” Flores said. “When you have so much dedication and you have that perseverance to move forward, you can achieve your dreams and that is a message that is very important and transcends to our lives, as well.”
The game-day festivities and celebration of Mexican independence day at the park included a performance by Grupo Siggno at the annual H ‑ E ‑ B CarneSazo South TX Fest.
