Watch: Bryce Harper, Phillies teammates root on Little Leaguers at World Series
Imagine playing in the Little League World Series, and a two-time MLB MVP and his All-Star teammates are cheering you on from the stands. That was precisely the case for the Media Little League team from Pennsylvania Sunday afternoon.
While Media battled Smithfield, Rhode Island, in Williamsport, several members of the Philadelphia Phillies stars, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber among them, took in the action.
In town to take on the Washington Nationals, players from the National League East rival joined the Phillies in the stands.
One moment in particular, a fifth-inning single up the middle by Media that tied the game 2-2 forced the Phils out of their seats and gave Harper goosebumps.
Unfortunately for Media, it's as close as they would get. After a dramatic run, Media saw their Little League hopes dashed, falling to Rhode Island, 7-2. Smithfield's Brayden Castellone scored the game-winning score in a five-run sixth and earned the win on the mound after taking over in the fifth inning.
The Phillies and Nationals showed up to the game mere hours before their scheduled contest on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball live from Williamsport at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Fields. The park opened in 1926 and holds only 2,300 fans, creating an unusually intimate atmosphere for pro baseball. Furthermore, to make it even more wholesome, most in attendance will be Little League players, coaches and their families.
Sunday's contest marks the sixth MLB Little League Classic played in Williamsport. The inaugural game, pitting the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, took place in 2017. Meanwhile, it's the Phillies' second visit, having matched up against the New York Mets in 2018.
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