Why is Karl Ravech Calling the Little League Classic for ESPN Tonight?

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 26: Karl Ravech of ESPN speaks on set the day before Game 1 of the 2015 World Series between the Royals and Mets at Kauffman Stadium on October 26, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

Wait, didn’t ESPN lay off iconic broadcaster Karl Ravech?

So why is he calling the Little League Classic between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers tonight?

Update: The Braves won the Little League Classic 4-2 and avoided the sweep. Karl Ravech signed off with a meaningful message.

More MLB on Heavy: Where is the Little League Classic Being Played Between the Braves and Brewers?

Has Karl Ravech Been Laid Off by ESPN?

Yes, Karl Ravech has been laid off by ESPN, but as part of the farewell between Ravech and ESPN, he has been given the option to remain on call throughout the year.

However, Sunday night’s Little League Classic is likely to be Ravech’s last MLB broadcast.

ESPN parted ways with several top personalities, including folks like Ravech, who have been with the company for 20+ years, but due to company-wide cuts, Ravech has been let go by the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

Because Ravech’s layoff happened during the MLB season, ESPN allowed him to continue working select games that were already on his schedule. That’s why spectators have seen him calling MLB games even after his departure was revealed.

Since Ravech has been one of the primary voices for the Little League Classic, ESPN and Ravech decided to honor Ravech’s commitment despite his employment ending.

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Karl Ravech’s MLB Coverage Has Come to an End

Karl Ravech is likely set to finish out his coverage of the Little League World Series, but the Little League Classic is likely to be his final MLB broadcast. I don’t have the schedule in front of me, but ESPN’s coverage of MLB will go by the wayside to College Football/NFL/WNBA/other sports in the coming weeks, and Sunday Night Baseball is already no longer.

He’s spent 33+ years with the company, and during the LLC (on Sunday), Brewers’ outfielder Garrett Mitchell and Braves’ ace Chris Sale both thanked Karl Ravech for being such a staple in their households growing up and for his impact on the game of baseball throughout the years.

Ravech is a legendary broadcaster, and love him or hate him, his service will be missed and is respected throughout the league.

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Garrett Mitchell and Chris Sale both thanked ESPN’s Karl Ravech for his 30+ years covering baseball during Ravech’s final broadcast

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9:40 pm · 23 Aug 2026

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@TheBackPage wrote: “Eduardo Perez is a class act through and through. His heartfelt speech just now praising Karl Ravech during the special Sunday night game from Williamsport was awesome. ESPN is losing a good one with Ravech being let go.”

Here’s what a few other folks were saying during the LLC broadcast:

@kdjTV611: “Grew up watching and listening to Karl Ravech. Whether or not you like his PxP is irrelevant here — his voice was synonymous with baseball for me growing up”

@CGProgram: “Cheers to @karlravechespn calling the Braves-Brewers game in Williamsport tonight on ESPN. He was unceremoniously let go after 30+ years but offered to call games for a bit longer. That alone is remarkable. And all Karl has done is be the epitome of class and professionalism. No wonder his colleagues have nothing but admiration and respect for him. A pro’s pro.”

@StuteBlowfish10: “End of an era in announcing tonight. I’m sad listening to Karl Ravech for one of the last times. An all time great.”

@Jacotrades: “Karl Ravech thanking ESPN for giving him the chance to do the Little League Classic,in light of the news that he was being let go by the network.How fantastic is that? Classy,humble,not one ounce of bitterness.A unique star.A shining example.”

@aleighaemilee: “I am so mad. there is no reason karl ravech should have to thank espn for letting him do the little league world series. he should still be employed.”

More Little League Classic Information

MLB Little League Classic - St Louis Cardinals v Pittsburgh Pirates — GettyWILLIAMSPORT, PA – AUGUST 20: Starting pitcher Ivan Nova #46 of the Pittsburgh Pirates works a St. Louis Cardinals batter in the inaugural MLB Little League Classic at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field on August 20, 2017 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The 2 MLB.com writers who cover the Brewers and Braves are Adam McCalvy and Mark Bowman. They have helped contribute to an ‘everything you need to know’ guide about the Little League Classic.

Here are some of the highlights of their piece:

“The 2026 MLB Little League Classic will air nationally on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. There will also be an alternate broadcast on ESPN2 called Alumni-cast. That broadcast will include special guests and commentators who have participated in the Little League World Series, such as former Major Leaguers Todd Frazier and Devon Travis.”

McCalvy and Bowman also noted where the game is being played:

“As in years past, the game will be played in Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, which is the home of the Williamsport Crosscutters of the MLB Draft League. The ballpark, which opened in 1926 and hosted Minor League games for years, was renovated prior to the inaugural MLB Little League Classic in 2017 to meet Major League standards.”

As for the actual game being played on the field, it’s a big one between the Braves and Brewers, who both have World Series aspirations.

Atlanta is 2.5 games ahead of the Phillies in the NL East, while the Brewers enter Sunday night with MLB’s best record (81-49) and a seven-game lead over the Chicago Cubs.

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