Orioles and Red Sox to play in Williamsport, Pa., next season

The Orioles are scheduled to play a home game next season in Williamsport, Pa.

Major League Baseball and the Players' Association announced this afternoon that the Orioles and Red Sox will serve as participants in the fourth iteration of the "MLB Little League Classic" on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.

The game will air nationally on ESPN and ESPN Radio at 7 p.m. and count as a home date for the Orioles.

Camden Yards will handle the other 80.

"Participating in next year's Little League Classic is a tremendous honor for our club," Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said in a statement. "Our entire organization is deeply committed to growing the game at all levels, and to celebrating the invaluable life lessons learned through youth baseball. As a Little League Baseball alumnus myself, I look forward to visiting Williamsport as we come together to share the game of baseball with the next generation."

The release also included a statement from Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy.

"Connecting with the next generation has been a critical part of Commissioner Manfred's agenda over the past several years and we are thrilled to participate in next season's Little League Classic that directly connects Major League Players with Little Leaguers," Kennedy said. "We look forward to spending time with the next generation of fans and playing in the intimate setting of Historic Bowman Field filled with Little Leaguers and their families."

MLB and the Players' Association launched the Little League Classic, played on Historic Bowman Field, back in August 2017 with the Pirates hosting the Cardinals.

The Phillies were deemed the hosts the following year in their game against the Mets. The Pirates are hosting the Cubs next week.

The Orioles get their turn in 2020.

A large segment of Historic Bowman Field will be occupied by players and families of the participating Little League Baseball World Series teams, along with local Williamsport youth baseball and softball organizations.

The agenda for the Orioles and Red Sox will include attending Little League Baseball World Series games earlier in the day.

Historic Bowman Field opened in 1926 and underwent a multi-million dollar renovation two years ago. It houses the short-season Single-A Williamsport Crosscutters in the Phillies' organization.