Baseball is a kid's game. During the day on Aug. 17, big leaguers from the Mariners and Mets will enjoy watching kids play in Little League World Series games in Williamsport, Pa.
That evening, those kids and their families will return the favor when they watch the Mariners take on the Mets at 7 p.m. ET in the eighth annual MLB Little League Classic at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport. The jewel event will also wrap up MLB Players' Weekend.
This will be the first trip to the Little League Classic for the Mariners and the second for the Mets, who played the Phillies in 2018.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 MLB Little League Classic presented by New York Life.
What is the MLB Little League Classic?
It is an annual MLB game played in Williamsport, Pa., 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.
How can I watch the game?
The 2025 MLB Little League Classic will air nationally on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The game will also be available on ESPN Radio.
Where will the game be played?
As in years past, the game will be played in Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, which is the home of the Williamsport Crosscutters of the MLB Draft League. The ballpark, which opened in 1926 and hosted Minor League games for years, was renovated prior to the inaugural MLB Little League Classic in 2017 to meet Major League standards.
What’s the history of MLB games in Williamsport?
The Tigers walked off the Yankees in the 2024 edition of the Little League Classic. Previous matchups featured the Pirates vs. Cardinals (2017), Mets vs. Phillies (2018), Pirates vs. Cubs (2019), Guardians vs. Angels (2021), Orioles vs. Red Sox (2022) and Phillies vs. Nationals (2023).
What is MLB Players' Weekend?
The 2025 Little League Classic will conclude MLB Players' Weekend, which runs Aug. 15-17. Back for a second consecutive year after a four-year hiatus, Players' Weekend is a platform for big leaguers to showcase their personalities and bring attention to the causes that inspire them. At its heart, Players' Weekend is about growing the game and strengthening the connection between the fans and the players.
Is there anything else fans should know?
- This will count as a home game for the Mets, who will host the Mariners at Citi Field on Aug. 15-16 before the teams travel to Williamsport. The home team has won the past four Little League Classic games.
- The 2025 Little League Baseball World Series is taking place in Williamsport from Aug. 13-24.