The Midwest Region team leaves Bowman Field after the MLB Classic game. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
As Sunday approached, one of the most anticipated moments of the Little League World Series seemed to be in jeopardy.
Forecasts called for plenty of rain during the afternoon and early part of the event — the hours leading up to the seventh edition of the MLB Little League Classic. Since its inception in 2017, the event has only been canceled once, in 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which canceled the series), but many people expected that number to rise to two with Sunday’s rain.
But miraculously, Mother Nature seemed to change her mind, probably realizing what this event meant for the Little Leaguers.
Instead, the first pitch took place under sunny skies and despite the slight humidity, the temperature was just above 20 degrees. In Williamsport, there was still a threat of rain as storm clouds were gathering in the distance. But Bowman Field was spared from the opening ceremony to the end of the game.
It was as if Mother Nature had placed a force field around the stadium. And the result was a great experience for the Little Leaguers, spectators and professionals.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette correspondent: Fans watch the 2024 MLB Little League Classic on Sunday from a scaffold set up outside Bowman Field.
“It’s great.”“It’s undoubtedly a fantastic event,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the opportunity to coach the Classic.
“The Little League World Series has long been an integral part of our society and the world. And for what Major League Baseball has accomplished here
“What Major League Baseball has done here over the years by somehow connecting the two events this weekend is really good for everyone involved.”
As in years past, Little Leaguers filled the front areas and fans filled the rest. Players warmed up for batting and headed to their dugouts, which were only 30 feet from most of the teams – half on the Yankees’ side and half on the Tigers’ side.
Throughout the game, Little League players were able to participate in games between innings. Cooper Hastings of Texas had to choose the correct hat in a baseball version of the shell game, and a child on the Florida team completed a cycle by throwing a ball into four hoops labeled single, double, triple and home run within 45 seconds.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette South Dakota players celebrate after the MLB Little League Classic on Sunday at Bowman Field.
In the middle of the sixth inning, they started a wave that was briefly strong enough to involve some outside spectators before play resumed. During the break in the seventh inning, Paws – the Detroit Tigers mascot – led the children through “Take me out to the Ballgame.”
And when all was said and done, the children were rewarded with a great game.
Although the offense was lacking for most of the regular season, they witnessed an excellent pitching duel between Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and New York’s Marcus Stroman. Both pitches featured exciting plays throughout, from difficult trackdowns to crisp double plays.
And just when the game seemed over, things heated up. Detroit’s Jace Jung hit a run in the final period of regulation to tie the game, sending the MLB Little League Classic into overtime for the first time in its eight-year history.
Two periods later, they also saw their first walk-off win, as the Tigers made the most of the opportunity they had created. Although some fans had already left the field, the cheers echoed loudly throughout Bowman Field at that moment.
Whether victory or defeat, everyone involved had great fun.
The Little Leaguers were able to spend the day with their role models and watch them play up close, fans and residents of Williamsport were able to enjoy a great game on a historic field, and the professional players and coaches were able to take a nice break from the routine of their long season.
“The memories of this experience and of being here, you try to keep that perspective when you get the chance over the course of the long season,” Boone said after the team’s loss.
“It’s pretty unbelievable,” said New York starting pitcher Marcus Stroman about the experience. “I think these events are great for baseball and I think it needs to continue.”
With the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets already announced as the eighth pair of teams to participate in one of the series’ most highly anticipated events, even more excitement is expected.
