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When asked if there was a sporting event that compared to the Little League World Series, Karl Ravech, David Cone and Eduardo Perez, who are all covering the event this year for ESPN, all had the same answer: no.
Whether it's the way the event brings people from all over the world together, the opportunities it the provides the kids with or the nostalgia it gives those adults who also had dreams of making it to Lamade when they were younger, this is an event that means so much to those involved. Whether you're on the field, in the stands or in the broadcast booth, it's bound to have an impact.
"I can't tell you how many people wherever I'm at, whether it's back home in Connecticut or on the road, talk about the Little League World Series of Williamsport and this experience," said Ravech when discussing what the event means to him. "I recognized a long time ago the positive impact that the Little League World Series has on people. It's reaffirmed what I love about this sport."
For the players, the competition is fun and gives them a decent opportunity to test their skills and play the best of the best at their level. But it isn't what this event is all about.
"Little League Baseball is still one of the most important things I think that I participated in as a young kid," said five-time MLB all-star David Cone, who's covering the event for the second time. "It taught me so much not only about baseball, but just about life in general and how to deal with failure. How to just be on a team and learn how important that is."
Along with learning points of wisdom they'll end up using in their day-to-day, their friendships with their teammates grow. Through the sharing of a common goal, this two-week event can build bonds that last forever.
"It's about spending time with your friends," said Perez, who's covering the Little League World Series for the second time as an analyst. "It's not even about the game as much as it is just goofing around and having an opportunity to wear a uniform with your buddies."
It also gives them an opportunity to not only meet their heroes, the MLB players they've grown up watching and molding their game after, but also have conversations and spend time with them throughout the day leading up to the MLB Little League Classic. That's invaluable to the kids in attendance, and an aspect that's unique to baseball.
"It's something they'll never forget. It impacts them for the rest of their lives and those memories will never be forgotten," said Perez. "That's something that goes on both sides too. For the little leaguers and for the big leaguers themselves."
Amidst a stressful time of the MLB season, the MLB Little League Classic gives the MLB players of the chosen teams -- in this case, the Phillies and Nationals -- a chance to experience the Little League World Series in Williamsport and unwind.
And for many, it's their first chance of getting to experience it.
"For one day, the big leaguers can sort of forget the tensions and the pressure of what it is to play in the big leagues and be that kid again," added Perez. "Only a certain number of players have been able to say that they made it at the big-league level, and I know this year, with the Nationals and the Phillies, no player from either team had played here in Williamsport."
All in all, it's an event like no other. One that provides a vast array of different age groups with memories, lessons, nostalgia, excitement and other emotions. ESPN has been along for the ride since 1987 when it started broadcasting events.
"I really believe that ESPN understands how big the event is and how many people are interested in it and how it goes beyond just the sport itself," said Cone. "How it brings everybody who loves baseball back to their childhood.
"That's a unique dynamic that you just can't replicate anywhere."