Kristian “Chino” Valadez Honored with Welcome Home Victory Parade and Festivities
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
Eagle Pass youth baseball prodigy Kristian “Chino” Valadez, age 12, was honored by City of Eagle Pass officials, family, and friends with a “Welcome Home Victory Parade” and festivities on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 upon his triumphant return from the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s World Cup Series U-12 in Taipei, Taiwan as a Team USA 12 Under member that won the prestigious Gold Medal.
Valadez enjoyed a stellar performance at the WBSC World Cup Series as a pitcher, third baseman, and batter for the world champion Team USA 12 Under Team, garnering individual awards for the Most Home Runs (4), the Most Runs Batted In (RBI-14), and as a member of the elite All-World Team as Best Third Baseman in the tournament. He became the most feared batter at the World Cup that opponents began giving him bases on balls (walks) instead of pitching to him for fear of hitting a home run against them, receiving 10 bases on balls during the tournament.
Valadez and his parents, Eddie and Annabel Ramos Valadez, arrived from their international travel in Eagle Pass on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, whereupon they were greeted and met by an entourage of Eagle Pass officials at the Patsy Winn Sports Complex, including Mayor Aaron Valdez and City Council members Jessica Rey Ramon and Elias Diaz, Eagle Pass Fire Department personnel, Eagle Pass Police Department Officers, and many family and friends within the community.
Mayor Aaron Valdez welcomed Valadez back home and thanked him for representing Eagle Pass with such outstanding sportsmanship and talent, placing the name of Eagle Pass high among the youth baseball world. Mayor Valdez invited Valadez to ride atop an Eagle Pass Fire Department Rescue Truck for a Welcome Home Victory Parade. Over 50 vehicles participated in the parade while hundreds of residents cheered Valadez, welcoming him home and congratulating him for proudly representing the community on the world stage.
The parade traveled through Main Street then to Garrison Street then to Monroe Street and into Moncada Baseball Park where a large gathering of over 200 well-wishers awaited him to congratulate him.
Despite his young age of 12, Valadez handled the large gathering and press with class, dignity, and humility by thanking everyone in the community and his coaches for supporting him during his young baseball career. He noted he was overwhelmed by the warm welcome and love bestowed upon him by City officials, family, friends, and community residents, which he deeply appreciated.
Later on August 5th in the afternoon at the City of Eagle Pass City Council regular meeting held at City Hall, Mayor Valdez and the City Council presented Valadez with the Eagle Excellence Award for his extraordinary performance and representation of the community at the WBSC World Baseball Cup U-12. Maverick County Commissioners Court also presented Valadez with a Proclamation honoring him for being a Goodwill Ambassador for the 60,000 residents of Maverick County at the WBSC World Baseball Cup U-12 in Taiwan.
Family and friends of Valadez led by City Councilwoman Jessica Rey Ramon organized a community celebration festival for the young man in honor of his Herculean accomplishments at the WBSC World Baseball Cup U-12 in Taiwan and having represented the community of Eagle Pass and Maverick County with such high honors at Plaza San Juan in downtown Eagle Pass with music, food and refreshments, games, prizes, and bouncing castles for children. Valadez was present with his parents at the community celebration and signed autographs and baseballs to everyone requesting one. Valadez thanked the community and everyone who came out to support and cheer him at the parade, City Hall award presentation, and community celebration.
Valadez has one more baseball tournament to participate in before he starts seventh grade at Eagle Pass Junior High on Monday, August 11, 2025, that is the Perfect Game National Select Festival in Marietta, Georgia during August 8-10, 2025.
Best wishes to Kristian “Chino” Valadez in Marietta, Georgia and in all of his athletic and academic endeavors.
