ESPN has tapped Pixar and Marvel characters in sundry bids to create new ways for viewers to watch their favorite games. Now the sports-media giant will investigate the use of a different kind of character.
While the ninth annual MLB Little League Classic airs August 23 on ESPN, ESPN2 will feature an “alumni alt-cast” of the event featuring a commentary team with personal connections to Little League Baseball.Mike Monaco will handle play-by-play alongside analysts Todd Frazier and Devon Travis, with the trio calling the game on-site in Williamsport, Pa.
During the telecast, the Milwaukee Brewers will take on the Atlanta Braves at historic Bowman Field, with a spotlight placed on the connections between Major League Baseball players and Little League players from around the world who are gathering for the Little League World Series. Karl Ravech, analyst Eduardo Pérez and reporter Buster Olney will provide commentary on ESPN.
“The Little League Classic AlumniCast is a celebration of everything that makes Little League so special. It brings together the alumni who once dreamed on the fields of Williamsport, including former LLWS stars and players who have experienced the Little League Classic firsthand,” says Scott Gustafson, coordinating producer for ESPN, in comments shared via email. “It’s a chance to relive those memories, share the stories behind the game, and celebrate the lasting connection that Little League creates across generations. No matter how far these players have gone in baseball, they all share the same starting point — Little League.”
