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MLB Little League Classic

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MLB Little League Classic
VenueBowman Field
Location(s)Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Inaugurated2017
Previous eventAugust 18, 2024
Next eventAugust 17, 2025
Organized byMajor League Baseball
SponsorGEICO

The MLB Little League Classic is an annual Major League Baseball (MLB) specialty game held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, during the Little League World Series, first contested during the 2017 edition of that event.[1] The series is part of MLB's effort to get more children interested in and involved with baseball at a younger age.[2]

History

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Exterior view of Bowman Field

Background

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After the success of the Fort Bragg Game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in July 2016, reports spread that MLB was planning another similar event in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which is the venue town for the annual Little League World Series and home to the Williamsport Crosscutters, then of Minor League Baseball. Many locals of the area and reporters across the nation thought it was almost impossible due to the size and capacity of Bowman Field, as seating for fewer than 3,000 fans seems much less than ideal for an MLB game. As the reports were dispelled by many, the news faded. However, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch column in early March 2017 stated that MLB was finalizing plans for the game.[3]

On March 9, 2017, MLB officially announced the first MLB Little League Classic, selecting the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals as the participants,[4][5] and released the following statement:[6]

Major League Baseball's greatest responsibility is to ensure that today's youth become active participants in our game as players and fans. The 'MLB Little League Classic' exemplifies our entire sport's commitment to building a stronger connection between young people and the National Pastime. Our players will honor the great tradition of the Little League World Series and create lifelong memories for the Little Leaguers, their families and the city of Williamsport. I thank the Pirates and the Cardinals, Little League Baseball, Governor Wolf, the Crosscutters, the City of Williamsport, and ESPN for helping us organize an unforgettable weekend.

— Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball

Prior to the inaugural game, funding from MLB and grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania given to the City of Williamsport provided more than $4 million to improve Bowman Field. These included adding new seats, padding around the infield fence, new irrigation and draining to the field itself, moving the bullpens out beyond the outfield fence, new dugouts closer to home plate, and improved dining areas.[7]

Games

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Josh Bell had four RBIs in the 2017 game.[8]

The Pirates defeated the Cardinals, 6–3, in the first Classic, played on August 20, 2017.[9] Residents from Lycoming County were eligible to win a very limited number of tickets to the game via a lottery system found on the MLB website.[10] The game was originally scheduled to be a home game for the Pirates; ticket holders for that game were offered a food-and-beverage credit, tickets to another game, or a refund.[11] The Cardinals and Pirates wore special uniforms, including features such as pullover jerseys with bright colors and contrasting sleeves, specially colored caps, and a unique logo that drew design cues from the official logos of both MLB and Little League Baseball. In addition, players were encouraged (although not required) to put nicknames on the jerseys' rear nameplates. These uniforms were worn again by both teams on August 25–27 for Players Weekend, an initiative of MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association that saw all 30 MLB teams wear similar uniforms.[12]

In late September 2017, MLB announced that a second Classic would be held in 2018, between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.[13] On August 19, 2018, the Mets won the second Classic, 8–2.[14] The Phillies had last played at Bowman Field on July 31, 1962, when the team lost to the Williamsport Grays, the Phillies' Eastern League affiliate, in a mid-season exhibition game.[15]

The third Classic was played on August 18, 2019,[16] with the Chicago Cubs defeating the Pirates, 7–1.[17] Chicago's uniforms for the game read "Cubbies" on the front, while Pittsburgh's read "The Burgh".[18]

The fourth edition was announced for August 23, 2020, between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles,[19] and was to be the first Classic with American League teams. The game was cancelled,[20] due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[21] with a Boston–Baltimore matchup in Williamsport later scheduled for 2022.[22] The limited 60-game regular season schedule of the 2020 season did include a four-game series between the Red Sox and Orioles on August 20–23, which was played in its entirety at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.[23]

The game of August 22, 2021, when the Cleveland Indians defeated the Los Angeles Angels, 3–0, became the first edition contested between American League teams and the fourth overall edition played.[24][25] The teams were issued uniforms corresponding to the Little League regions they are based in: the Great Lakes Region for Cleveland and the West Region for Los Angeles.[26] Joe Maddon, managing the Angels, had previously managed the Cubs in the 2019 edition of the game.[27]

The Red Sox and Orioles, originally scheduled to play during the 2020 season, played the fifth edition of the Classic on August 21, 2022.[22] The teams wore standard uniforms. The Orioles won the game, 5–3, largely powered by a three-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning by Jorge Mateo.[28]

The Washington Nationals hosted the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth Classic on August 20, 2023.[29] The teams again wore standard uniforms. The Nationals jumped out to a 4–0 lead in the first inning, and there was no other scoring until the Phillies scored three times in the ninth inning, for a 4–3 final in favor of Washington.[30]

The seventh edition of the Classic was held on August 18, 2024, featuring the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees.[31] Detroit won in 10 innings, as Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows hit a walk-off single to drive in the winning run.[32] It was the first edition of the Classic to require extra innings.

On August 18, 2024, it was announced that the Seattle Mariners and the New York Mets would play in the eighth edition of the Classic, with the game scheduled for August 17, 2025.[33] The Mariners will make their first appearance in the Classic, and the Mets will make their second, having previously appeared in the 2018 edition.[33]

Games

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Bowman Field during the 2023 game
Season Date Winning team Losing team Attendance Ref.
2017 August 20 Pittsburgh Pirates 6 St. Louis Cardinals 3 2,596 [8]
2018 August 19 New York Mets 8 Philadelphia Phillies 2 2,429 [34]
2019 August 18 Chicago Cubs 7 Pittsburgh Pirates 1 2,503 [35]
2021 August 22 Cleveland Indians 3 Los Angeles Angels 0 1,832 [36]
2022 August 21 Baltimore Orioles 5 Boston Red Sox 3 2,467 [37]
2023 August 20 Washington Nationals 4 Philadelphia Phillies 3 2,473 [38]
2024 August 18 Detroit Tigers 3 New York Yankees 2 (10) 2,532 [39]
2025 August 17 Seattle Mariners vs. New York Mets [33]

Broadcasting

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Television

[edit]
Buster Olney has been a reporter for the game since the 2018 edition.

The game has been televised annually as an edition of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball; this creates a further synergy with the Little League World Series, as it is also televised by ESPN.

Season Network Play-by-play Analyst(s) Sideline Ref.
2017 ESPN Dan Shulman Aaron Boone & Jessica Mendoza Tim Kurkjian [40]
2018 Matt Vasgersian Alex Rodriguez & Jessica Mendoza Buster Olney [41]
2019 [42]
2021 Alex Rodriguez [43]
2022 Karl Ravech Eduardo Pérez & David Cone [44]
2023 [45]
2024 [46]

Radio

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Season Network Play-by-play Analyst Ref.
2017 ESPN Radio Adam Amin Chris Singleton [47]
2018 Mike Couzens Jim Bowden [41]
2019 Chris Singleton [48]
2021 Karl Ravech Tim Kurkjian [49]
2022 Dave O'Brien [50]
2023 Roxy Bernstein Doug Glanville [45]
2024 Mike Couzens [46]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ESPN to cover MLB Little League Classic August 20 in Williamsport". sportsvideo.org. March 10, 2017.
  2. ^ "Pirates and Cardinals will attend the Little League games during the day and the little leaguers will attend the Major League game at night". WTAE-TV. March 9, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  3. ^ Goold, Derrick (March 7, 2017). "Williamsport Calling". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 20, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Cardinals and Pirates have been selected to participate in the first "MLB Little League Classic"". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 9, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  5. ^ "Major League Baseball has officially announced that the Pirates and Cardinals will take the field on August 20th in Williamsport". KDKA-TV. March 9, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  6. ^ "MLB ANNOUNCES LITTLE LEAGUE CLASSIC". Baseball America. March 9, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  7. ^ "Crosscutters Baseball Field Gets Upgrade Thanks to MLB". WNEP-TV. April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Pittsburgh Pirates 6, St. Louis Cardinals 3". Retrosheet. August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  9. ^ "Cardinals vs. Pirates - Game Summary". ESPN. August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  10. ^ Beauge, John (June 15, 2017). "Lycoming County residents can win free tickets to Aug. 20 Pirates-Cards game in Williamsport". pennlive.com.
  11. ^ Brink, Bill (March 9, 2017). "Pirates and Cardinals will play a game in Williamsport". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  12. ^ Lukas, Paul (August 9, 2017). "It's uniform change for MLB's Players Weekend". Uni Watch. ESPN.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  13. ^ Trezza, Joe (September 29, 2017). "Phils, Mets to play in MLB Little League Classic". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  14. ^ "Mets vs. Phillies - Game Summary". ESPN. August 19, 2018. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "Williamsport Scores 4 In 1st to Whip Phillies". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. August 1, 1962. p. 32.
  16. ^ Randhawa, Manny (August 19, 2018). "Bucs, Cubs to match up in 2019 LL Classic". MLB.com. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  17. ^ "Quintana, Rizzo lead Cubs past Pirates 7-1 at LLWS". AP. August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  18. ^ Bell, Demetrius (August 9, 2019). "MLB Continues The Spirit Of Previous Players' Weekend Uniforms With 2019 Little League Classic Uniforms". Forbes. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  19. ^ "Red Sox, O's to play in '20 Little League Classic". MLB.com (Press release). August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  20. ^ "Little League® Cancels 2020 World Series and Region Tournaments" (Press release). Little League Baseball. April 30, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  21. ^ "Angels, Indians in 2021 LL Classic". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 24, 2020. p. B4. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b "Red Sox, O's set for '22 Little League Classic". MLB.com. August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  23. ^ "The 2020 Baltimore Orioles Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  24. ^ Reichard, Kevin (August 23, 2020). "Williamsport Little League Classic announced for 2021 season". Ballpark Digest. August Publications.
  25. ^ Bell, Mandy (August 22, 2021). "Cal, Cleveland cruise vs. Halos at LL Classic". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  26. ^ Bell, Mandy (August 20, 2021). "Little League Classic FAQ: Angels vs. Indians". MLB.com. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  27. ^ "MLB Little League Classic to Welcome the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians to Williamsport in 2021". MLB.com. June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  28. ^ Benbow, Julian (August 21, 2022). "Bullpen blowup leaves sour taste for Red Sox as Orioles win Little League Classic". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  29. ^ Zolecki, Todd (August 21, 2022). "Phils, Nats to face off in '23 Little League Classic". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  30. ^ Camerato, Jessica (August 20, 2023). "Nats cap special day in Williamsport with a victory". MLB.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "Yankees, Tigers to face off in 2024 Little League Classic". MLB.com. August 20, 2023.
  32. ^ "Parker Meadows gives Tigers 3-2 walk-off win over Yankees in MLB Little League Classic". detroitnews.com. AP. August 18, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  33. ^ a b c Kramer, Daniel (August 18, 2024). "Mariners, Mets to face off in 2025 Little League Classic". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  34. ^ "New York Mets 8, Philadelphia Phillies 2". Retrosheet. August 19, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  35. ^ "Cubs 7-1 Pirates". ESPN.com. August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  36. ^ "Cleveland Indians 3, Anaheim Angels 0". Retrosheet. August 22, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  37. ^ "Orioles 5-3 Red Sox". ESPN.com. August 21, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  38. ^ "Washington Nationals 4, Philadelphia Phillies 3". ESPN.com. August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  39. ^ "Tigers 3-2 Yankees". ESPN.com. August 18, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  40. ^ "ESPN to broadcast MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport PA". ESPN Media Ventures, LLC. March 11, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  41. ^ a b Skarka, Michael (August 14, 2018). "ESPN Plans Full Day of Coverage Culminating with MLB Little League Classic on Sunday Night Baseball August 19". espnpressroom.com (Press release). Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  42. ^ Bastian, Jordan; Berry, Adam (August 18, 2019). "Every Little League Classic question, answered". MLB.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  43. ^ Hughes, Katie (August 18, 2021). "ESPN to Provide Exclusive Coverage of the 2021 MLB Little League Classic on Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Taco Bell Featuring the Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleveland Indians". espnpressroom.com (Press release). Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  44. ^ Hughes, Katie (March 17, 2022). "Play Ball! 2022 ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Taco Bell Schedule Opens April 10 with Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees". espnpressroom.com (Press release). Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  45. ^ a b Panitz, Bea (August 15, 2023). "On Deck: Philadelphia Phillies play Washington Nationals in the 2023 MLB Little League Classic". espnpressroom.com (Press release). Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  46. ^ a b Feuz, Alex (August 2024). "Headed to Williamsport: ESPN Platforms Begin Exclusive Coverage of 2024 Little League Baseball World Series, Presented by T-Mobile". espnpressroom.com/ (Press release). Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  47. ^ Cafardo, Ben (August 16, 2017). "ESPN to Provide Comprehensive Coverage of MLB Little League Classic on Sunday Night Baseball". espnpressroom.com (Press release). Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  48. ^ Hughes, Katie (August 15, 2019). "ESPN To Exclusively Televise Third Annual MLB Little League Classic Presented By GEICO on Sunday Night Baseball: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates". espnpressroom.com (Press release). Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  49. ^ Hughes, Katie (August 18, 2021). "ESPN to Provide Exclusive Coverage of the 2021 MLB Little League Classic on Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Taco Bell Featuring the Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleveland Indians". espnpressroom.com (Press release). Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  50. ^ Rajan, Ronce (August 18, 2022). "ESPN to Exclusively Televise 2022 MLB Little League Classic Presented by GEICO – Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles – on August 21 Sunday Night Baseball". espnpressroom.com. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
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