Why should Little Leaguers have all the fun?

Major League Baseball gets a piece of the action Sunday, Aug. 23 as the excitement and celebration that engulfs central Pennsylvania this time of year shines the spotlight on a pair of first-place MLB teams.

The Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers are set to meet at Historic Bowman Field in the 2026 Little League Classic.

Members of both teams will have a chance to check out some of the Little League World Series action during the afternoon, and then the LLWS participants will return the favor at the ninth annual MLB game in Williamsport.

USA TODAY Sports will provide updates and highlights of the 2026 MLB Little League Classic:

Manfred on labor talks and 2027 season

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred came off as optimistic about baseball in 2027, emphasizing they expect to play. He talked about their commitment to Iowa for the Field of Dreams game and announced the lineup for next year’s Little League Classic. He acknowledged that there is an expiring collective bargaining agreement to get over first, saying he is optimistic because they are already meeting early and often.

“We want to make a deal. We want to play baseball next year. We’re planning on playing baseball next year,” Manfred said.

The owners are seeking a salary cap, the union has spent years saying that is a non-starter. The current CBA expires on Dec. 1.

Braves back on top

Drake Baldwin doubled to lead off the inning and scored on Sean Murphy’s two-out single to third baseman David Hamilton, who slipped on the play.

Brewers right-hander Shane Drohan has thrown 65 pitches through four innings.

Blue Jays and Cubs in 2027

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed that the Little League Classic will continue in 2027 with ESPN, despite their reduce broadcast schedule. He said the game will be played on a Thursday night and will feature the Blue Jays and the Cubs.

He also had to address the caveat to that scheduled game.

He said that the players and the league are meeting to try and address the next collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA expires on Dec. 1, 2026. Many expect a lockout as the owners seek a salary cap.

Brewers tie it

Jake Bauers singled in Brice Turang on a sharp line drive to right field to tie the game at 1-1.

David Hamilton did it by himself

Ronald Acuna Jr. had no chance on Matt Olson’s ground ball in the third. David Hamilton, the Brewers third baseman, cut off the ball in front of shortstop Joey Ortiz, stepped on second and threw out Matt Olson to stop Atlanta’s momentum.

The Braves still lead 1-0 over Milwaukee heading into the bottom of the third.

Acuna ends Brewer’s threat

Tyler Mahle loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the second and got out of it – with a little help from his friend Ronald Acuna Jr. He struck out Garrett Mitchell swinging, then Acuna made a tremendous sliding catch of David Hamilton’s fly ball to end the inning.

The Braves still lead 1-0.

Mitchell pays tribute to Ravech

Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell, who was mic’d up for the top of the second inning, took a moment as he ran off the field to thank ESPN play-by-play man Karl Ravech, who was laid off by ESPN last month. He stuck around to do the Little League World Series.

Braves strike first

Mauricio Dubon’s fly ball bounced over the right-field fence for a ground-rule double to bring in the Braves’ first run. Ozzie Albies, who beat out a ground ball to shortstop, lead off with a single and scored on Dubon’s double.

After walking Austin Riley, Drohan worked out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the score Atlanta 1, Milwaukee 0 heading into the bottom of the second.

Drohan works around a walk for scoreless top of the first

Shane Drohan works about a walk to Ronald Acuna Jr. with the help from his defense. He coaxed a ground ball out of Matt Olson for an inning-ending double play.

What is the Little League World Series Classic?

Since 2017, MLB has played one regular-season game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to celebrate the Little League World Series. This year’s game will feature the Milwaukee Brewers (81-49, first place in NL Central) vs. the Atlanta Braves (75-55, first place in NL East). The game serves as the conclusion to MLB Players’ Weekend.

How to watch 2026 Little League Classic

There will be two broadcasts of the Little League Classic. The national broadcast on ESPN, plus an “Alumni-cast” on ESPN2, featuring several former major leaguers such as Todd Frazier and Devon Travis who have participated in the Little League World Series.

• Date: Sunday, Aug. 23
• First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN/ESPN2
• Streaming: Fubo

Starting lineups

Braves

Harris II CF

Acuna Jr. RF

Olson 1B

Albies 2B

Baldwin DH

Thomas LF

Dubon SS

Riley 3B

Murphy C

Brewers

Chourio LF

Turang 2b

Contreras Wm C

Bauers RF

Vaughn 1B

Yelich DH

Ortiz SS

Mitchell CF

Hamilton 3B

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