By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Friday, April 24, the Laguna Madre Youth Center celebrated their 2026 Pony League Opening Day ceremony at the newly remodeled Laguna Sports Park. The much-anticipated event was previously postponed due to weather in the prior week, but this time the event went without a hitch.
All the Pony League teams were dressed in their uniforms and were introduced to the attending family, friends, and community members.
Port Isabel’s mayor, commissioners and other city officials were in attendance to say a few words and then they got to throw out the “first pitch”.
Commissioner Michelle A. Barreiro stated she “was excited” to have the new fields and especially new Sports Coordinator Tuffy Martinez leading the way.
Mayor Martin C. Cantu Jr then spoke and said he made the project of remodeling the field a priority when he first got elected as commissioner back in 2016. “I wanted to fix our fields for our kids, and ten years later we are here”, said Cantu Jr.
“I want to thank and congratulate Tuffy Martinez. I know he is going to do amazing things here for us, bring in tournaments from all over, leagues, he’s going to do everything for our kids”, said Cantu Jr.
Upon completion of the ceremony, the players were treated to pizza, juice, and a goodie bag of snacks.
Attendees were then encouraged to bring their blankets and chairs to view the scheduled T-Ball games which started at 7pm. Concessions were available and the proceeds went to support league programs.
The Pony league is currently comprised of 14 teams separated into five divisions.
The boys’ teams in the Shetland, Pinto, and Mustang have regularly scheduled games as do the girls’ Pinto division.
And although the girls’ divisions (Mustang, Bronco, and Junior) only have one complete team, some teams have already played or will play against teams in other leagues from the Los Fresnos and Brownsville areas according to Sports Coordinator, Tuffy Martinez.
“Let’s have a great season. Kids have fun, play hard, and have pride.” Said Commissioner Martin C. Cantu.
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