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Special Major League Baseball event

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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 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 , 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 stated that MLB was finalizing plans for the game.[3]

On March 9, , 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 game.[8]

The Pirates defeated the Cardinals, 6&#;3, in the first Classic, played on August 20, .[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 , MLB announced that a second Classic would be held in , between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.[13] On August 19, , the Mets won the second Classic, 8&#;2.[14] The Phillies had last played at Bowman Field on July 31, , 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, ,[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, , 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 .[22] The limited 60-game regular season schedule of the 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, , 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 edition of the game.[27]

The Red Sox and Orioles, originally scheduled to play during the season, played the fifth edition of the Classic on August 21, .[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, .[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]

Games

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Bowman Field during the game

Broadcasting

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Television

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Buster Olney has been a reporter for the game since the edition.

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

Radio

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See also

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Notes

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References

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In order to utilize the Little League Softball® base running circle rule, the eight-foot radius circle surrounding the pitcher&#;s plate must be adequately marked. This is the first and primary essential to properly applying this rule.

7.08 (a) (5) Note 2

In 7.08 (a) (5) Note 2 of Little League Softball&#;s current Rules, Regulations, and Policies, when the pitcher is in possession of the ball in the circle and is not making a play (for purpose of the rule, feinting a throw is considered a play), all runners off their bases must immediately attempt to advance or retreat. Immediately, is interpreted to mean within a three-second time frame. It is equally important, from an umpire standpoint, to realize that a runner(s) may vacate their bases and begin to attempt to advance once, on EACH play or pitch.  In the Little League Softball Minor division and below, runners may come off their base when the ball reaches the batter.  In the Major and above divisions, runners may vacate their base when the ball is released by the pitcher. If the pitcher drops the ball at any time before delivery of the pitch, the ball is alive and all runners may advance at their own risk, without penalty.

Situation 1:

One situation that seems to be confusing to many, focuses on a batter-runner being awarded a base on balls.  The batter-runner cannot be frozen at first base on a base-on-balls by merely returning the ball to the pitcher in the circle. The batter-runner after reaching first base may continue on, without stopping, in an attempt to reach second base. Said runner may stop in the baseline after rounding first base.  At this point, the umpire should begin a three-second count on the runner. If the runner again begins movement to advance or retreat before the count reaches &#;three&#; and does not stop again, this is a legal action and should not be penalized. However, if the runner stops a second time, without an attempt by the defense, that runner is out immediately. On any base hit, the runner is allowed to continue advancement even if the pitcher has received the ball back in the circle.  Again, in this case, a stoppage will cause a count to commence. The attempt to advance must be one continuous motion without a stoppage at a base. If a runner(s) is/are off base(s) and making not attempt to advance, with the pitcher in possession of the ball in the circle, and the umpire&#;s count reaches &#;three,&#; the runner is out, the ball is dead, and no advance may be gained with the play. If multiple runners are in violation of the rule, the runner that left base first is called out. If multiple runners are in violation and the umpire cannot detect which runner was first to vacate their base, the lead runner will be called out, the ball is dead, and no advancement will be allowed.

Situation 2:

A very important point to keep in mind is that, if the pitcher makes a ball fake at a runner, the runner(s) is/are again allowed to stop, change direction, or resume advancement. The pitcher must make an obvious attempt to play on the runner or execute a ball fake to allow the runner(s) to again stop without penalty. Any movement of the arm (with the ball in hand), which simulates the start of a throwing action, is considered a ball fake. A &#;head fake&#; is not considered an attempt to make a play on the runner(s).

Situation 3:

Another situation pertains to runners on base who do not attempt to advance on a particular pitch. For example: With a runner on first base, the pitch reaches the batter, and the runner does not attempt to come off base. The ball is returned to the pitcher in the circle, and the base coach, at this point, informs the runner that she was supposed to run. She now comes off the base. This violation should, and does, constitute an immediate stoppage of play by the umpire, the runner is called out, and no one else on base may advance.

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• Interpretation using the preceding points will make it easier to recognize the situations. Keep in mind, that softball players are well-trained and versed in the running rule. You will not see many mistakes or instances when you must enforce the immediate &#;out&#; call.