Here's what to know about the Little League Classic (LIVE on ESPN)
Jessica Camerato
@jessicacamerato
Paul Casella
@paul_casellaMLBThe Nationals and Phillies took center stage in front of hundreds of aspiring Major Leaguers in the sixth annual Little League Classic tonight in Williamsport, Pa.
Twenty teams that advanced to the 2023 Little League Baseball World Series will fill the stands at Historic Bowman Field to watch the NL East opponents play a regular season game at this special venue.
¡°It¡¯s going to be fun,¡± said Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz. ¡°I played Little League a lot [in Venezuela], since I was 4 years old, and I know it¡¯s going to be great for them and for us, too. I never had that opportunity [to play in the LLWS]; we only thought about it. It¡¯s special.¡±
The Little League Classic is a unique opportunity for the next generation of baseball players to interact with Major Leaguers and watch a big league game up close. This will mark the second time the Phillies have participated in the event. For the Nationals, it¡¯ll be their first appearance.
¡°I remember going in 2018,¡± Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola said. ¡°I enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun meeting the players before the game. I think it¡¯ll be fun going back.¡±
The Little League World Series, which is played a few miles away at the Little League International Complex Lamade and Volunteer Stadiums, started Wednesday and runs through Aug. 27 and features teams from around the world.
¡°I never got a chance to go to the Little League World Series, but I can only imagine playing in front of however many thousands of people attend those games,¡± Nola said. ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine. I¡¯d be really nervous, too, as an 11- or 12-year-old.¡±
What is the MLB Little League Classic?
It is an annual MLB game played in Williamsport, primarily in front of Little League Baseball World Series players and their families. The event helps reinforce MLB¡¯s commitment to youth baseball and its young fans from all over the world.
Where will the games be played?
As in years past, the game will be played at Historic Bowman Field, which is the home of the Williamsport Crosscutters of the collegiate MLB Draft League. The ballpark, which opened in 1926, was renovated prior to the inaugural MLB Little League Classic in 2017 to meet MLB standards.
How can I watch the game?
First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. There will also be a KidsCast available on ESPN2, as well as an ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes broadcast.
What¡¯s the history of MLB games in Williamsport?
In 2017, the Pirates and Cardinals met to play in the inaugural Little League Classic, which marked the first time an MLB game had been played in Williamsport. Since then, the matchups have featured the Mets vs. Phillies (2018), Pirates vs. Cubs (¡®19), Guardians vs. Angels (¡®21) and Orioles vs. Red Sox (¡®22).
What other activities will be a part of the trip?
Groups of Little League World Series players will meet each of the MLB clubs at the airport when they land in Williamsport, then a handful of players from both the Nationals and Phillies will ride the bus back to the LLWS complex with the kids. At that point, the big leaguers can either take in some of the Little League action at Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium, or they can head over to "The Grove," where they will hang out with Little Leaguers and partake in activities such as Wiffle Ball, cornhole, video games and ping pong.
And, of course, any players who are up for it will have the chance to grab a piece of cardboard and take a slide down legendary Lamade Hill.
Who will be in the stands?
Players from the 2023 Little League Baseball World Series, their coaches and families, along with Williamsport-area residents will fill the 2,300-seat stadium.
Who are the likely starters?
With Ranger Su¨¢rez dealing with a hamstring issue that came up in his last start, it will instead be Zack Wheeler getting the call for the Phillies. Philadelphia's ace has a 2.50 ERA over his past six starts, during which he's racked up 41 strikeouts over 39 2/3 innings. This will be Wheeler's fourth start against the Nationals this season. After giving up a season-high seven runs over 3 2/3 innings in a June 2 outing in D.C., Wheeler has won each of his past two outings against the Nats -- including on Aug. 8 in Philadelphia.
Right-hander Trevor Williams will take the mound for the Nationals. He is an alumni of the Carmel Mountain Ranch Sabre Springs Little League team from San Diego. Williams is 5-7 with a 5.20 ERA across 24 starts in his first full season in the starting rotation since 2019.
Anything else fans should know?
- This is a home game for the Nationals. They hosted the Phillies at Nationals Park on Friday and Saturday leading up to the event.
- Of the 10 position players to appear for the Phillies in the 2018 Little League Classic, only two are still with the organization -- and neither is on the active roster. Rhys Hoskins (torn left ACL) is on the 60-day IL, and Scott Kingery is in Triple-A.