# PONY League World Series canceled due to heavy rain

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pony-league-world-series-in-pennsylvania
> Updated: 2026-08-15T01:07:01.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 3.

The 75th anniversary of the PONY League World Series in Washington, Pennsylvania, was canceled due to persistent, heavy rainfall that left Lew Hays Pony Field waterlogged and unplayable. This marked the first time in the tournament’s 75-year history that the event could not be completed.

Ground crews and volunteers attempted to dry the natural surface using trenching and drying agents, but organizers were unable to restore the field in time for the scheduled championship game between Washington County and Chinese Taipei. Nathan Voytek, president of World Series Tournaments Inc., noted that the organization lacked a contingency plan because they had not previously encountered such conditions. Nearby turf fields were also unable to meet tournament specifications.

To avoid significant additional expenses for participating families and teams scheduled to depart, organizers decided not to extend the tournament. This resulted in the elimination of teams in the losers' bracket from Maryland, California, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. While the official tournament concluded with only the two undefeated teams having finished their scheduled play, coaches from Puerto Rico organized unsanctioned exhibition games at Canon-McMillan’s McDowell Lane Field. These games allowed athletes from Puerto Rico, Washington County, Mexico, and West Covina to play despite the official disruption.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-15: Pony League World Series faces disruption due to heavy rain

Heavy rain forced the Pony League World Series to scale back after Lew Hays Pony Field became waterlogged, leading teams to organize unsanctioned exhibition games to continue playing.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pony-league-world-series-faces-disruption-due-to-heavy-rain

### 2026-08-12: PONY League World Series canceled due to heavy rain

Relentless rain has forced the unprecedented cancellation of the PONY League World Series in Washington, PA, marking the first time in the tournament's 75-year history that it could not be completed.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pony-league-world-series-canceled-due-to-heavy-rain

### 2026-07-23: PONY League World Series returns to Washington, PA for 75th anniversary

The Pony League World Series returns to Washington, PA (Aug 7‑12) for its 75th anniversary, featuring ten teams from the U.S. and abroad and relying on thousands of volunteers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pony-league-world-series-returns-to-washington-pa-for-75th-anniversary

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Cite as: PONY League World Series canceled due to heavy rain. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pony-league-world-series-in-pennsylvania