A dream realized.

Just a few months or, for some, even weeks apart from competing through a grueling regional schedule against some of the best teams in their respective regions, players and coaches competing in the 2025 Little League World Series received the night off on Sunday to watch the annual Little League World Series Classic.

The contest featuring the New York Mets against the Seattle Mariners offered not only the chance to see the game at its highest level up close, but also granted an opportunity for Little Leaguers from all different backgrounds and settings to come together and watch the game at its very best.

In continuation with the festivities of the tournament, the players board a bus before being dropped off at the front entrance of Journey Bank Ballpark. From there, the teams enter one by one to the applause of the personnel and staff at Historic Bowman Field before being ushered into their seats.

The players, who may be perhaps used to catching a Minor League game at such a close distance, can be seen with audible shock when they see just how close they are to their idols on the field.

“I’ve been in the stands at Astros games, but I’ve never been this close to the field,” said Jaxson Packard, a pitcher and outfielder for Lamar Little League in Richmond, Texas representing Team Southwest. “I’ve been pretty close, but I haven’t been this close.”

The game closed out what was an eye opening experience for the Little Leaguers. Flying in this morning, the Major League players were seen interacting at the Little League complex before arriving at Bowman for the much anticipated fixture.

“To meet them so far has been amazing,” added Packard. “I’ve never met an MLB player in my life until today. It’s really cool to be able to see them.”

The players were able to take their seats in time for on field batting practice. Amidst the buzzling crowd of photographers and MLB personnel, the Major Leaguers can be seen interacting with the Little Leaguers in the buildup to the contest.

One of the louder cheers from the pregame came courtesy of Seattle Mariner Julio Rodriguez, with the Dominican Republic native pumping up the arriving crowd while dawning a Team Caribbean jersey.

Surprisingly, the notable name that interacted with the crowd the most was Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. In a scene that would seem unheard of a few years ago, Manfred was one of the few that interacted and signed autographs to a majority of the teams.