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Laredo to host international Pony World Series; city, sponsors and community to coordinate logistics
Summary
Organizers told council Laredo will host the international Pony baseball World Series with six countries participating. Staff and council discussed hotel capacity, signage, volunteer support and the need for a year-long planning cycle for future tournaments.
Organizers and city staff briefed the council that Laredo will host an international Pony baseball World Series this week and highlighted broad community and corporate support. Presenters said teams from Belgium, France, Taiwan, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico will participate and arrive across the coming days.
"We have 6 international teams coming in from Belgium, France, Taiwan, Dominican, Mexico... Puerto Rico is coming in," a presenter said while listing private and public partners and naming H‑E‑B, Laredo Medical Center and Whataburger among corporate supporters. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and the Mexican consulate were also cited as partners, and the visiting delegation from Taiwan's director general, Yvonne Xiao, was identified as attending.
Council members asked how the city would coordinate hotels, transportation and signage; staff said the convention and visitors bureau (CVB), Parks & Recreation, special events and public safety would form a leadership hierarchy with a designated point of contact. Staff noted the tournament's scale requires roughly 2,500 hotel rooms and a sustained year‑long planning horizon for future large events.
Organizers and council discussed volunteers, food sponsorships and promotional opportunities for local businesses. Staff said they will return with a memorandum detailing how sponsors and corporate tents will be housed at the Buena Vista Sports Complex and will update city policy for event‑sponsored external food where appropriate.
