The Little League Classic is just 1 of 162 — but it’s way better, as the Nationals and Phillies found out Sunday.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — For the rest of his life, Nate Hellberg will have the bottom of the fifth inning Sunday afternoon at Lamade Stadium. Tying run on second, two outs, two strikes, the fans above the first base dugout growing raucous.“I was trying to block it out and just think, ‘Stay up the middle,’ ” Hellberg said. “I thought he would throw me a curveball, and he threw me a fastball. And I kind of was just thinking, ‘Two strikes.’ It worked out.
In so many ways, this is the toughest part of the major league season — 120-something games in, 40 or so to go. If it feels endless, it’s often August. “I know it’s a long day for both teams,” Washington Nationals first baseman Dominic Smith said. “But I think when we see the kids, it kind of makes it worth it. It’s a tremendous opportunity to see the kids competing, and it’s just neat to interact with them, their families. It’s great to see the direction the game is headed.”
We’ll get back to the game between Media and a team from Smithfield, R.I. The day that began in Washington for the Nationals and Phillies also included a major league game — one attended only by the Little Leaguers and their families, which makes it special, but one that counts in the standings, which means it matters. That’s particularly true for the Phillies, who lead the National League wild-card race.
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