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Little League World Series Challenger Game to Air on WPSU

Posted by Emily Wiley on 08/24 at 09:36 AM

WPSU will air the Little League World Series Challenger Exhibition Game live from Williamsport on Saturday, August 27 at 10:30am.

More than a half-century ago, games played at the Little League Baseball World Series were first televised.

Since 2001, an exhibition game has been played by teams that are a part of Little League’s Challenger Division. This year, for the first time, that game will become a part of the television coverage of the World Series.

The 2011 Little League Baseball World Series Challenger Exhibition Game, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time) on Aug. 27, will be produced by WVIA and will air on WPSU. In addition, the game will be carried live on the internet worldwide at www.ESPN3.com.

“We are pleased to be able to televise this important aspect of the Little League Baseball World Series,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “I know viewers will enjoy watching the game, and we hope more communities will add the Challenger Division locally because of it.”

Underwriting for the telecast is being provided by the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP). The foundation works regionally and locally serving the Danville Area, Union County, and Williamsport-Lycoming county, to bring together people, partners and places to grow local giving and investment, strengthen area organizations and results, and take on the critical issues and efforts needed to build vibrant communities and a thriving north central Pennsylvania region.

“We’re grateful to WVIA Public Media and the First Community Foundation Partnership for their support of the Challenger Division,” Mr. Keener said. “They both have a long history of support in our community, and they are two of the significant reasons our area is a wonderful place to live and work.”

The Challenger game will be played at Volunteer Stadium on the Little League International complex in South Williamsport, Pa.

The game will feature teams from Lafayette (La.) Little League and Baugo Little League from Mishawaka, Ind.

“WVIA is proud to be part of Little League International’s efforts, through ESPN, to bring the inspiring Challenger Exhibition Game to not only the region, but also the country,” Thomas M. Currá, Executive Vice-President and Executive Producer at WVIA Public Media, said. “This collaboration with these partners would not have been possible without the support of the First Community Foundation Partnership.”

“FCFP is proud to provide regional access to this special event and hopes the visibility will strengthen support for this unique and special program,” Marshall D. Welch III, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, said. “Our organization is proud to partner with Little League Baseball and Softball, WVIA, and ESPN3.com for the benefit of our community.”

Lafayette Little League has 60 players in its Challenger program, which started in 2008. Baugo Little League has 25 players participating in its program which is entering its 17th season.

Gary Chrisman and Tom Speicher, both members of the WRAK Radio crew for the World Series, will provide the commentary on the game. WRAK is the flagship radio station for the Little League Baseball World Series.

The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League that enables boys and girls with physical and developmental challenges, ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school, to enjoy the game of baseball.

The teams playing in the Challenger game as part of the World Series this year are representing more than 30,000 Challenger players and more than 900 leagues worldwide.

More information on Little League’s Challenger Division can be found on the Little League website, or on Facebook, or by contacting Sam Ranck, Little League’s Director of the Challenger Division, at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with more than 2.5 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.