The Phillies and Mets will travel to Williamsport to play in the MLB Little League Classic on Aug. 19 next season, according to a statement released by Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association.
In a city that serves as a middle ground between the two teams, the game will coincide with the Little League World Series. It is also the home of Philadelphia’s Single-A club, the Williamsport Crosscutters.
MLB held the first ever MLB Little League Classic this summer between the Pirates and Cardinals, with the Pirates winning 6-3.
“It’s experiences like the 2018 MLB Little League Classic that create baseball fans for life, and we are honored to be a part of it.,” Phillies executive vice president David Buck said.
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No current Phillies have ever played in the Little League World Series, but Mike Schmidt once did on his way to the Hall of Fame.
Playing the game in Williamsport does take a home game away from Philadelphia during what was originally thought to be a four-game home series. Instead, the team starts their homestand with two games against the Boston Red Sox before inviting the Mets into town.
With a 4:05 game on Saturday the teams will likely travel the 178 miles north, only 55 minutes by air, and begin the Little League festivities that night.
Their schedule then sends them on a six-game road trip to Washington D.C. and Toronto with an off day on Monday.
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This series could be even more entertaining if a team from the Philadelphia-area is playing in the tournament, similar to Taney a couple of years ago.