This summer, the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals could head to Williamsport, PA for a regular-season game that would be played in conjunction with the Little League World Series.
No announcements have been released by the teams or Major League Baseball, but some details have been reported. On August 20, the two teams would take face off in a game in Williamsport, with the Pirates hosting the Cardinals. The Cardinals are currently scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh that weekend as part of a four-game series that begins on Thursday, August 17.
Details on where the game will take place are expected to be announced soon, and the contest is expected to air on ESPN. More from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
The Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates are in the process of relocating their August 20 game from PNC Park to a facility in Williamsport, Pa. The game would be part of the annual Little League World Series tournament, and it would be featured on ESPN as part of Sunday Night Baseball. An announcement is expected later this week. Sources have told the Post-Dispatch that such an opportunity was in the works, but that the mechanics of relocating two major-league teams to the LLWS facilities was being worked out.
DKPittsburghSports.com reported Monday morning that the game was set, that the details of the move had been worked out.
Having an MLB coincide with the tournament could be a big boost for the Little League World Series, which was first established in 1947. Games for the Little League World Series are played at both Volunteer Stadium and Howard J. Lamade Stadium, but Williamsport offers a minor league venue in the form of BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, home of the Williamsport Crosscutters (Short Season A; NY-Penn League).
Located a few miles from the home of the Little League World Series, BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field offers a playing field that is already up to professional standards. The ballpark is also in the midst of receiving upgrades for the coming season.