MLB Little League Classic 2023: ESPN Taps Into Bowman Field’s Intimate Setting, Increased Team Access

A new edition of KidsCast will air with young broadcasters, special guests on ESPN2

Kicking off with yesterday’s four-game slate of international and domestic matchups, the 2023 Little League World Series is officially in full swing in Williamsport, PA. When two professional franchises, the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals, square off in the 2023 MLB Little League Classic on Sunday, Aug. 20, ESPN will attack this annual event with a REMI production from Bristol, CT and technology that highlights the nostalgic spirit of the Little League World Series (LLWS).

“It’s always special to get a chance to see Major League players in a more youth-oriented environment and see that side of their personalities,” says Phil Orlins, VP, production, ESPN. “MLB has bought into that access, and it’s the best we get for a regular season game.”

Broadcasting From Bristol: REMI Production Includes NEP Mobile Units, 13 Game Cameras

During each summer, ESPN becomes the home of all levels of baseball. Whether it’s the College World Series in June, the weekly Sunday Night Baseball slate, or the MLB Home Run Derby in July, the fun continues with the nearly two-week-long Little League World Series in August. With that onslaught of productions on their plate, ESPN is opting for a REMI production from Bristol of this Sunday’s regular season clash of National League East opponents. Leveraging this production method since 2021, which featured the then-Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels, this approach not only allows ESPN’s MLB personnel to focus on the swath of other broadcasts but also has other benefits.

“It allows us to keep our traditional model consistent and is definitely more cost efficient,” says Orlins. “The ESPN broadcast is similar to how we produce Sunday Night Baseball, but for the KidsCast on ESPN2, we’ll have a producer in Williamsport to be in direct contact with [on-air talent] and another producer in Bristol to collaborate on the execution of elements.”

ESPN has constructed an independent compound at Bowman Field.

Prior to the first REMI in 2021, the operations team at ESPN made a concerted effort and investment into bolstering the infrastructure at the venue. This strengthened connectivity is bringing together NEP’s NCPII mobile unit with the two control rooms being used in Bristol. This onsite compound is separate than the extensive LLWS complex located six miles away, and despite the idea of utilizing the LLWS compound for the Little League Classic being an option, it wasn’t a time-sensitive one.

“We’ve had those discussions, but trying to route fiber across town after doing four games the day before would be difficult,” adds Orlins. “For instance, we’ve done a REMI for the MLB Draft at MLB All-Star this way, but it wasn’t really a viable approach without jeopardizing what we have in place for the Little League World Series.”

From an equipment perspective, the game will feature 13 cameras (10 hard and two handheld) as well as the popular UmpCam that has been seen during Sunday Night Baseball.

New Faces on KidsCast: Alternate Feed Spotlights Skills of the Broadcasters of Tomorrow

Since making its debut in 2019, KidsCast has grown into another example of ESPN’s excellent work with alternative broadcasts. On the commentary side, second-time participant and reporter Pepper Persley will be joined by a pair of two new talent: Zach Brody and Owen Heffron. Emanating from the Bruce Beck Sports Broadcasting Camp, the network has seen success with these up-and-coming announcers. And although these future stars are still working to perfect their craft, this alternative broadcast is still shaped around presenting their talent in a professional-level environment.

Pepper Persley (right) interviews President George W. Bush during last year’s KidsCast.

“Their skill level is good, and my confidence in them is very high,” continues Orlins. “What I always say is that we don’t just do the game with kids, but also create a broadcast scenario that’s roughly the same as what we’d ask Michael Kay to do on KayRod Cast.”

This includes numerous interviews with celebrities, players, and dignitaries. In the past, previous editions have included special guests like LLWS legends Mo’ne Davis and Todd Frazier, MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, President George W. Bush, and more. This year’s edition will see MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and another slate of new guests.

Operationally, this edition of the game will also be conducted as a REMI in a similar way that KayRod Cast is done. For the main broadcast on ESPN, this version will include the SNB team of Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez, David Cone, and Buster Olney. Roxy Bernstein and Doug Glanville will have the call on ESPN Radio, and on ESPN Deportes, the trio of Ernesto Jerez, Luis Alfredo Alvarez, and Guillermo Celis will provide commentary.

Inside the Clubhouse: Fans Gain Access to Players With In-Game Interviews, Talent on Team Buses

ESPN is always trying to bring fans closer to the players they’re watching on television, and an event like the Little League Classic is one of the best places to do it. With the idea of putting Little Leaguers and the amateur game at the forefront, the league is allowing the network to have more time and access with both clubs. After limitations last year due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, those restrictions are now being loosened and are allowing activations like reporters on team buses after landing at the airport. Another production wrinkle that will allow players in the dugout to speak with announcers is in-game interviews. Games on Sunday Night Baseball rely on the typical IFB method of communication, and that will be seen more than once on the traditional broadcast. On KidsCast, players will tap into the FaceTime-style interviews that were used heavily during MLB Spring Training in 2021.

An ESPN-operated drone will once again fly over the LLWS complex and Bowman Field.

“For teenagers on the broadcast, I think this approach feels appropriate and will hopefully add some interest to those watching the game,” says Orlins. “We’re able to take the shot of the player talking in the dugout, but they sometimes turn the camera around to show their view of the field. There are a lot of kid-centric elements that will bring out a lot of fun.”

Workflows on the ground aren’t the only ways for fans to keep an eye on their favorite players. Taking to the skies, an ESPN-operated drone will highlight the vistas of the LLWS complex and the players’ arrival. This same drone will be used on Sunday night at Bowman Field. Further away from the campus, a fixed-winged airplane will track the team’s progress from landing to entering the stadium.

In addition to these multiple access points, the smaller capacity of 2,366 at Bowman Field is allowing announcers and players alike to go into the stands and hangout with fans.

“Over the years, we’ve brought announcers into the crowd to try something different, but at Bowman Field, it’s imperative because there’s not enough room in the press box,” adds Orlins. “For a MLB regular season game, the access is unique, so someone who’s not starting may actually go sit with kids or to our set up. That idea is inconceivable in a normal sized stadium, but it’s definitely more intimate here.”

Perez, Bush, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, and Ravech on last year’s traditional broadcast.

Bringing Youth to the Sport: The Impact of the MLB Little League Classic

Since MLB’s first attempt at this event in 2017, it’s slowly become an annual staple on the league’s calendar. Increased access, a laxed atmosphere, and the overall connection that the LLWS brings has become a perfect combination embodied by the Little League Classic. Moving forward, the event has become yet another chance for everyone involved to grow the game of baseball.

“[This game] went from an initial experiment and novelty to now becoming a tradition with sustainable value,” says Orlins. “For these Major League players, this broadcast always shows them in a positive light and puts them in a spot to interact with kids around the game.”

Coverage of the 2023 MLB Little League Classic will begin with Baseball Tonight with Kevin Connors, Jeff Passan, Jesse Rogers, and Tim Kurkjian at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.