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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

TheMLB Little League Classicis an annualMajor League Baseball(MLB)specialty gameheld inWilliamsport, Pennsylvania,during theLittle League World Series,first contested during the2017edition 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

[edit]
Exterior view ofBowman Field

Background

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After the success of theFort Bragg Gamebetween theMiami MarlinsandAtlanta BravesatFort Bragg,North Carolina,in July 2016, reports spread that MLB was planning another similar event inWilliamsport, Pennsylvania,which is the venue town for the annualLittle League World Seriesand home to theWilliamsport Crosscutters,then ofMinor League Baseball.Many locals of the area and reporters across the nation thought it was almost impossible due to the size and capacity ofBowman 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, aSt. Louis Post-Dispatchcolumn 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 thePittsburgh PiratesandSt. Louis Cardinalsas 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 theCommonwealth of Pennsylvaniagiven 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 thebullpensout beyond the outfield fence, newdugoutscloser tohome plate,and improved dining areas.[7]

Games

[edit]
Josh Bellhad 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 fromLycoming Countywere 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 forPlayers Weekend,an initiative of MLB and theMajor League Baseball Players Associationthat 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 theNew York MetsandPhiladelphia 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 theWilliamsport Grays,the Phillies'Eastern Leagueaffiliate, in a mid-season exhibition game.[15]

The third Classic was played on August 18, 2019,[16]with theChicago Cubsdefeating 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 theBoston Red Soxand theBaltimore Orioles,[19]and was to be the first Classic withAmerican Leagueteams. The game was cancelled,[20]due to theCOVID-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 atOriole Park at Camden Yards.[23]

The game of August 22, 2021, when theCleveland Indiansdefeated theLos 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: theGreat Lakes Regionfor Cleveland and theWest Regionfor 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 byJorge Mateo.[28]

TheWashington Nationalshosted thePhiladelphia Philliesin 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 theDetroit TigersandNew York Yankees.[31]Detroit won in 10 innings, as Tigers center fielderParker Meadowshit a walk-off single to drive in the winning run.[32]It was the first edition of the Classic to requireextra innings.

On August 18, 2024, it was announced that theSeattle Marinersand theNew York Metswould 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

[edit]
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 Marinersvs.New York Mets [33]

Broadcasting

[edit]

Television

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

The game has been televised annually as an edition of ESPN'sSunday 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 Kurk gian [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 Kurk gian [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.RetrievedApril 4,2017.
  3. ^Goold, Derrick (March 7, 2017)."Williamsport Calling".St. Louis Post-Dispatch.RetrievedAugust 20,2017– viaNewspapers.
  4. ^"Cardinals and Pirates have been selected to participate in the first" MLB Little League Classic "".St. Louis Post-Dispatch.March 9, 2017.RetrievedApril 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.RetrievedApril 4,2017.
  6. ^"MLB ANNOUNCES LITTLE LEAGUE CLASSIC".Baseball America.March 9, 2017.RetrievedApril 4,2017.
  7. ^"Crosscutters Baseball Field Gets Upgrade Thanks to MLB".WNEP-TV.April 4, 2017.RetrievedApril 4,2017.
  8. ^ab"Pittsburgh Pirates 6, St. Louis Cardinals 3".Retrosheet.August 20, 2017.RetrievedAugust 7,2019.
  9. ^"Cardinals vs. Pirates - Game Summary".ESPN.August 20, 2017.RetrievedAugust 8,2019.
  10. ^Beauge, John (June 15, 2017)."Lycoming County residents can win free tickets to Aug. 20 Pirates-Cards game in Williamsport".pennlive.
  11. ^Brink, Bill (March 9, 2017)."Pirates and Cardinals will play a game in Williamsport".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
  12. ^Lukas, Paul (August 9, 2017)."It's uniform change for MLB's Players Weekend".Uni Watch.ESPN.RetrievedAugust 9,2017.
  13. ^Trezza, Joe (September 29, 2017)."Phils, Mets to play in MLB Little League Classic".MLB.MLB Advanced Media.RetrievedApril 24,2018.
  14. ^"Mets vs. Phillies - Game Summary".ESPN.August 19, 2018. Archived fromthe originalon April 12, 2018.RetrievedAugust 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.RetrievedAugust 20,2018.
  17. ^"Quintana, Rizzo lead Cubs past Pirates 7-1 at LLWS".AP.August 18, 2019.RetrievedAugust 18,2019.
  18. ^Bell, Demetrius (August 9, 2019)."MLB Continues The Spirit Of Previous Players' Weekend Uniforms With 2019 Little League Classic Uniforms".Forbes.RetrievedJanuary 10,2023.
  19. ^"Red Sox, O's to play in '20 Little League Classic".MLB(Press release). August 7, 2019.RetrievedAugust 7,2019.
  20. ^"Little League® Cancels 2020 World Series and Region Tournaments"(Press release).Little League Baseball.April 30, 2020.RetrievedApril 30,2020.
  21. ^"Angels, Indians in 2021 LL Classic".St. Louis Post-Dispatch.August 24, 2020. p. B4.RetrievedAugust 29,2022– via newspapers.
  22. ^ab"Red Sox, O's set for '22 Little League Classic".MLB.August 22, 2021.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  23. ^"The 2020 Baltimore Orioles Regular Season Game Log".Retrosheet.RetrievedAugust 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.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  26. ^Bell, Mandy (August 20, 2021)."Little League Classic FAQ: Angels vs. Indians".MLB.RetrievedAugust 21,2021.
  27. ^"MLB Little League Classic to Welcome the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians to Williamsport in 2021".MLB.June 16, 2021.RetrievedJune 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.RetrievedAugust 21,2022.
  29. ^Zolecki, Todd (August 21, 2022)."Phils, Nats to face off in '23 Little League Classic".mlb.MLB Advanced Media.RetrievedAugust 22,2022.
  30. ^Camerato, Jessica (August 20, 2023)."Nats cap special day in Williamsport with a victory".MLB.RetrievedAugust 23,2023.
  31. ^"Yankees, Tigers to face off in 2024 Little League Classic".MLB.August 20, 2023.
  32. ^"Parker Meadows gives Tigers 3-2 walk-off win over Yankees in MLB Little League Classic".detroitnews.AP.August 18, 2024.RetrievedAugust 19,2024.
  33. ^abcKramer, Daniel (August 18, 2024)."Mariners, Mets to face off in 2025 Little League Classic".MLB.RetrievedAugust 19,2024.
  34. ^"New York Mets 8, Philadelphia Phillies 2".Retrosheet.August 19, 2018.RetrievedAugust 7,2019.
  35. ^"Cubs 7-1 Pirates".ESPN.August 18, 2019.RetrievedAugust 18,2019.
  36. ^"Cleveland Indians 3, Anaheim Angels 0".Retrosheet.August 22, 2021.RetrievedMay 9,2022.
  37. ^"Orioles 5-3 Red Sox".ESPN.August 21, 2022.RetrievedAugust 21,2022.
  38. ^"Washington Nationals 4, Philadelphia Phillies 3".ESPN.August 20, 2023.RetrievedAugust 20,2023.
  39. ^"Tigers 3-2 Yankees".ESPN.August 18, 2024.RetrievedAugust 19,2024.
  40. ^"ESPN to broadcast MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport PA".ESPN Media Ventures, LLC.March 11, 2017.RetrievedApril 4,2017.
  41. ^abSkarka, Michael (August 14, 2018)."ESPN Plans Full Day of Coverage Culminating with MLB Little League Classic on Sunday Night Baseball August 19".espnpressroom(Press release).RetrievedMay 8,2022.
  42. ^Bastian, Jordan; Berry, Adam (August 18, 2019)."Every Little League Classic question, answered".MLB.RetrievedMay 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(Press release).RetrievedMay 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(Press release).RetrievedMay 8,2022.
  45. ^abPanitz, Bea (August 15, 2023)."On Deck: Philadelphia Phillies play Washington Nationals in the 2023 MLB Little League Classic".espnpressroom(Press release).RetrievedAugust 17,2023.
  46. ^abFeuz, Alex (August 2024)."Headed to Williamsport: ESPN Platforms Begin Exclusive Coverage of 2024 Little League Baseball World Series, Presented by T-Mobile".espnpressroom /(Press release).RetrievedAugust 19,2024.
  47. ^Cafardo, Ben (August 16, 2017)."ESPN to Provide Comprehensive Coverage of MLB Little League Classic on Sunday Night Baseball".espnpressroom(Press release).RetrievedMay 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(Press release).RetrievedMay 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(Press release).RetrievedMay 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.RetrievedAugust 21,2022.
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