The Pirates will get the Little League experience one more time. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Sunday night during the second Little League Classic in Williamsport Pa. that the Pirates and Cubs will play in the event next season on Aug. 18, 2019.
It will be the second time in three years the Pirates appear in the unique annual event after they beat the Cardinals, 6-3, at Historic Bowman Field on Aug. 20, 2017. The Mets and Phillies were chosen for the game this season, and next year's event, along with a June 13th game between the Royals and Tigers in Omaha, Neb., will make up what Major League Baseball is calling the inaugural GEICO Summer Series.
The Pirates' matchup with the Cubs will be featured on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball with first pitch at 7 p.m.
"We are thrilled to return to Williamsport," Pirates owner Bob Nutting said in a statement. "It was such a rewarding experience for our players and staff having played in the inaugural classic in 2017. Our players loved the time that they were able to spend with the Little League players, both at the Little League complex and at Historic Bowman Field. We are proud to actively participate in the Commissioner's ongoing efforts to grow the game and positively impact the next generation of players and fans."
Last year's game was attended by 2,596 fans, mostly children participating in the Little League World Series, and began early in the day with players participating in activities around the complex. Players from both teams wore bright-colored pullover jerseys with nicknames on the back, which were also used for MLB's Players Weekend five days later.
The event was designed to get more children interested in baseball and involved with the sport at a young age. Manfred had previously expressed optimism that the event would continue beyond 2018, but he did not make an official announcement until hours after the Pirates' 2-1 win over the Cubs Sunday afternoon.
The rest of the 2019 schedule won't be released until sometime next month.