Every August, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is the mecca for Little League baseball players from around the world who dream of perhaps playing professional baseball. This year, those dreamers were treated to a taste of the real thing with players from the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.
The third annual MLB Little League Classic pits these National League Central rivals for a regular-season game at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field on Sunday Night Baseball. But before that game, Little Leaguers get a chance to spend some time with the big leaguers who were also in Williamsport to play ball.
Arrivals and introductions
On our way!#LittleLeagueClassic | #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/uiqZX7YIFj
— Pirates (@Pirates) August 18, 2019
On a bus with the fam.#LittleLeagueClassic | #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/kIM60MUVX0
— Pirates (@Pirates) August 18, 2019
Autographs and selfies as the Cubs make their way to the bus... pic.twitter.com/oGhic5ZBDl
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 18, 2019
We've arrived. #EverybodyIn #LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/hAdAfia93W
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 18, 2019
Getting advice from @ItsbuccnJoe59 >#LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/4mC2kebn0C
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2019
Rowan Wick talking pitch grips with the Canadian team pic.twitter.com/bj9GfVl5Gq
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 18, 2019
Into the ballpark!
Talking Mexico v Japan, I mean Cubs/Pirates from here coming up at 11 CT on ESPN 1000. Tune in! pic.twitter.com/ME7FFoGCrj
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 18, 2019
The major leaguers have arrived in Lamade Stadium to watch some Little League World Series action. @Pirates right-hander @ItsbuccnJoe59 is making friends with a few players from Rhode Island. What are they discussing? What to get from the concession stand. #LLWS #Pirates pic.twitter.com/JiGi8285kU
— Aimee Crawford (@AimeeJCrawford) August 18, 2019
A little sledding at the LLWS
This is what it's all about. #LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/A0OlJHeAL0
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2019
Nobody rocked cardboard sledding down the hill above Lamade Stadium quite like @ClarktheCub did. #LLWS pic.twitter.com/FWUw2a1TYJ
— Aimee Crawford (@AimeeJCrawford) August 18, 2019
Take your seats
📸😁 This is it.
— Pirates (@Pirates) August 18, 2019
♥️⚾️ This is everything.#LittleLeagueClassic | #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/o9KVjQ92zG
Cubs players sitting w little leaguers as Japan and Mexico face off.
The Pirates have arrived in Williamsport Sunday for the #LittleLeagueClassic. pic.twitter.com/tnt2z0yIu1
— Matt Freed (@mattfreedpghpg) August 18, 2019
The father of Canada's Matt Shanley told @SebiSalazarFUT why his son's nickname is Beef Dip.
— ESPN (@espn) August 18, 2019
"One day, I think he looked at himself in the mirror without a shirt on and said, 'I'm Beef Dip now.'" #LLWS pic.twitter.com/QWioONH4mV
Pin trading is almost as much of a competition as the baseball here in Williamsport. This Midwest fan was more interested in trading with @cotuck than getting an autograph from @ChrisArcher22. #LLWS pic.twitter.com/LlN3dUWMfB
— Aimee Crawford (@AimeeJCrawford) August 18, 2019
" ... the last time I saw that much blonde hair throwing that hard, it was [Noah] Syndergaard."
— ESPN (@espn) August 18, 2019
-Pirates manager Clint Hurdle with respect for Maddy Freking 👏 pic.twitter.com/1MAE8MX2nc
All three of Maddy Freking's siblings also play baseball-and they're here at the #LLWS to support her. Before the game, Ella Freking (left) told me that her big sis helps her with pitching tips. "She pitched to one batter in regionals," said Ella proudly. "And struck him out!" pic.twitter.com/cDlH24GYTL
— Aimee Crawford (@AimeeJCrawford) August 18, 2019
Maddy Freking describes how proud she is to be just the 19th girl to play in the Little League World Series and offers advice to girls who want to play baseball.
As Jenn Bloom spent 48 days in the hospital undergoing chemo for leukemia, she found solace in Jennifer Lopez's music. Jenn is watching her son Dylan play in the #LLWS. Sunday, she and her daughter, Marissa, met @JLo at the Little League Classic. "I'm rooting for you," J-Lo said. pic.twitter.com/12RfXrphcc
— Aimee Crawford (@AimeeJCrawford) August 19, 2019
Play ball!
Cubs and kids lining up for the anthem
Coolest Little League high-five line ever? #LLWS pic.twitter.com/qs13ktbPsE
— Aimee Crawford (@AimeeJCrawford) August 18, 2019
Watch Joe Maddon throw out the first pitch at a LLWS game — and the second and third pitch as well.
Everybody is a kid today
.@faridyu visits team Japan! 🇯🇵 #LittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/0MYg4PLUvH
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 19, 2019
The postgame handshakes pic.twitter.com/VAoKDVuYm8
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 19, 2019