You might be watching the Mets and Phillies play in the Little League Classic, an annual MLB game staged at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, this Sunday evening. The major-league game is scheduled on an annual basis in Williamsport in support of Little League Baseball.
During Sunday night’s game telecast on ESPN, Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed that the Cubs will participate in next year’s Little League Classic, opposing the Pittsburgh Pirates in the game that will be played Sunday, August 18, 2019.
“The MLB Little League Classic has been a fun summer highlight for Baseball the past two years. We are thrilled to give both the Major League players and Little Leaguers another opportunity in 2019 to have the direct personal interaction that strengthens and inspires a lifelong passion for our game. We look forward to joining the Pirates and Cubs in Williamsport to welcome an outstanding collection of engaging players as great ambassadors of our sport,” Manfred said in a statement.
Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said, “It is an honor for the Cubs to participate in next year’s Little League Classic. For so many who played baseball growing up, playing in the Little League World Series was a dream. We cannot wait for this amazing opportunity to continue building the future of this great game and encouraging more kids to realize their potential on this big stage.”
Bowman Field is the home of the Short-Season A Williamsport Crosscutters, an affiliate of the Phillies. The Little League World Series takes place at Howard J. Lamade Stadium elsewhere in Williamsport. Cubs and Pirates players are anticipated to attend some of the LLWS games earlier in the day of their matchup, which will be an ESPN Sunday night telecast at 7 p.m. CT.
Congratulations to the Cubs for being chosen to participate in a game that celebrates youth baseball around the world.