My Vote To Make the "MLB Little League Classic" A National Event

To me, baseball is the best sport to watch live. The roar of the crowd, the smell of steamed hot dogs in the aisles, the beautifully manicured outfields, the crack of the wooden bat meeting the baseball, the list goes on and on. And Major League Baseball stadiums add so many more modern conveniences like TV's with live feeds of the games in the concession areas, pools (some with live fish in them), playgrounds, beer gardens, every imaginable food choice, and all those important souvenir opportunities. It has gotten so the stadium is almost as entertaining as the play on the field.

I watched a game on ESPN on Sunday night that was more about baseball and connecting with the fans than any other game I've watched this season. The "MLB Little League Classic" was played on renovated BB&T Park at historic Bowman Field, which is the home of the Williamsport Crosscutters in the New York-Penn League. In the same general area, Williamsport, PA, the Little League World Series is being currently being held. The St. Louis Cardinals faced the Pittsburgh Pirates, who by the way arrived in Williamsport earlier in the day to watch the Little League World Series games just a few miles from BB&T Park. Major League players sat in the stands, signed autographs, took selfies, answered questions, engaged with the players, it was incredible to watch this unfold. What a thrill for the kids and families and what a great way to give back to the baseball community by Major League Baseball.

Back to the game itself. The Little League players found themselves seated in the front rows of BB&T Park to watch the game. Not in the bleachers 400 feet away, not tucked in some right field upper deck or on top of a Green Monster. Right there in the front rows to watch and observe and study Major League caliber players. Pitchers throwing 100 mph got huge ovations. Hits and home runs were met with thundering cheers. Players from each team mingled with other players and got autographs on their shirts, baseballs, gloves, to mark the occasion. No phony gimmicks, no sideshows, no contests, no Jumbo-Trons. Just baseball at its purest form. Fans watching players and reacting. It was awesome.

I hope Major League Baseball considers games like this in other cities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, etc. These minor league ball parks, especially those in the California League, Carolina League, Florida League have just what you need to play a ball game - a field, a fan base, and love of baseball at its very core. Sure modern ballparks are great for families and fans of the game. But some of them, honestly, work so hard to engage fans with something other than the game on the field. This "MLB Little League Classic" was a truly wonderful experience for everyone involved. A true baseball experience and I hope that MLB watches a ton of video on the faces, reactions, and engagement of that Little League classic game vs any other game this season. So, get your stadium ready in Fort Myers, FL or Rancho Cucamango, CA or Asheville, NC because if you had it my way, Major League Baseball would be coming to your park soon.