Major League Baseball’s annual Little League Classic returns to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Sunday night, pitting the Seattle Mariners against the New York Mets at Journey Bank Ballpark. The nationally televised game coincides with the Little League World Series and is designed to connect big-leaguers with youth participants at the tournament. Both clubs arrived in Williamsport earlier in the day and spent the afternoon mingling with the Little League teams. Mets stars Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor signed autographs on the tarmac after landing, while Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh unveiled a custom chest protector covered with childhood photos of his teammates. Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez joined the festivities by sliding down the tournament’s signature outfield hill, and teammates Randy Arozarena and Andrés Muñoz greeted Mexico’s LLWS squad. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET on ESPN. Seattle will start right-hander George Kirby against New York right-hander Clay Holmes in the rubber match of their three-game series, which is tied 1–1.
The Mariners' Randy Arozarena and Andrés Muñoz meet Team Mexico at the LLWS in Williamsport 🇲🇽 https://t.co/SUCQHP93VP
The Mariners' Julio Rodríguez slides down the famous hill at the Little League World Series 😂 https://t.co/xE0aq9DrPc
For the Little League Classic, Cal Raleigh is suiting up with something special: a chest protector covered in youth baseball photos of his Mariners teammates. The Mariners take on the Mets tonight in Williamsport. https://t.co/sQWhBurK5Y