On June 8, the 2026 PONY Asia-Pacific Zone Championship Tournament (Bronco 11 & 12 Divisions) grandly pitched off at Xujiadai International Baseball Field in Pinghu, China. As the top-tier annual youth baseball qualifying event of the PONY Asia-Pacific Zone, the tournament drew 12 elite youth teams from Chinese Mainland, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia. Winners of each division will earn direct qualification for the 2026 PONY World Series, representing the Asia-Pacific Zone on the world’s premier stage for youth baseball.
The opening ceremony was solemn, well-organized and filled with excitement. Present at the ceremony were Zhang Jian, Director of the Chinese Baseball Association Youth Committee; Walker Xia Yi, PONY China Director, Wang Jianjun, Member of the Party Leadership Group of Jiaxing Foreign Affairs Office and Vice President of Jiaxing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Shi Xihua, Deputy Director of Jiaxing Municipal Bureau of Sports; Shen Zhilin, Member of the Standing Committee of Pinghu Municipal Party Committee; Song Yiling, Vice Mayor of Pinghu Municipal People’s Government; Song Hongwei, Director of Pinghu Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports; Ni Jianfeng, Party Secretary of Lindai Town, Pinghu; Yang Jun, Board member of the Chinese Baseball Association and Secretary-General of Shanghai Baseball Association; Lin Weicheng, Representative of Brett Company, strategic partner of PONY China. Also in attendance were representatives of sponsors and cooperating organizations including Zaifun Sports, Mouscap, New Balance and Mizuno. Coaches, athletes, event staff of all teams and nearly 1,000 spectators witnessed the opening moment together.
During the ceremony, Ni Jianfeng delivered a welcome speech. He extended sincere welcome and high recognition to the hosting of this high-profile international PONY event in Pinghu. He noted that Xujiadai Baseball Field boasts complete facilities and a sound environment for international tournaments. The local government will provide comprehensive support to help all teams deliver their best performances. Meanwhile, he expressed the hope that this top-tier Asia-Pacific event would further strengthen regional baseball exchanges and drive the professional and international development of youth baseball.
Song Yiling, Vice Mayor of Pinghu City, officially announced the start of the tournament. Amid warm applause and enthusiastic cheers, the five-day elite showdown of Asia-Pacific youth baseball officially began.
The tournament features two official divisions: Bronco 11 and Bronco 12, governed strictly by the unified international rules of PONY. Over the next five days, the 12 teams from across the Asia-Pacific will compete in intense round-robin and knockout matches. All sides will strive for the championship title of the Asia-Pacific Tournament and the coveted berths for the PONY World Series.
As one of the world’s most influential youth baseball and softball organizations, PONY has dedicated decades to youth sports. Its core missions are to foster sportsmanship among young people, build international exchange platforms and standardize youth baseball competition systems. The PONY Asia-Pacific Tournament is a pivotal regional event within PONY’s global competition system. It undertakes key responsibilities including talent selection, event standardization and cross-border sports and cultural exchanges, serving as a vital link connecting regional competitions with the world’s top-tier tournaments.
Currently, all matches of the 2026 PONY Asia-Pacific Baseball & Softball Tournament (Bronco 11 & 12 Divisions) are in full swing. PONY wishes all young athletes to challenge themselves and perform to their fullest potential. May they shine on the baseball field of Pinghu, compete for the top honor of the Asia-Pacific region and secure qualification for the PONY World Series!
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