HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and State Rep. Jamie Flick (R-83), along with Williamsport City Mayor Derek Slaughter, applauded $750,000 recently awarded to the city through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Sports Marketing and Tourism Program. Funding will help support the 2025 Little League Baseball World Series and Major League Baseball (MLB) ‘Little League Classic’ game held at Williamsport’s historic Bowman Field by making needed capital infrastructure improvements. Equally important, the funding will benefit the Williamsport Crosscutters organization, a member of the MLB Draft League, which plays at the stadium each year from late May until mid-August, along with the Pennsylvania College of Technology Wildcats baseball team.
“There’s no better place to enjoy America’s favorite pastime than in the home of Little League Baseball,” Yaw said. “Here in Williamsport, it has a long-standing tradition of bringing our community together, driving economic growth and bolstering tourism opportunities in Lycoming County and the surrounding region. Bowman Field is a historic destination in and of itself. This funding announced by the Shapiro Administration is great news for this ballpark and for all who play there and visit.”
“As the proud state representative of Williamsport, the home of the Little League World Series, I am grateful to the Shapiro administration for recognizing the importance of hosting Major League Baseball’s Little League Classic at historic Bowman Field during the series, not just for our community, but for families and fans around the world,” said Flick. “This investment is a win-win as it will upgrade the safety and experience of all players on the field, including our hometown MLB Draft League team, as well as strengthen our local economy and enhance the impact the Little League Classic brings to our city for years to come.”
The MLB Little League Classic at Bowman Field was launched in August 2017. The game, held during the Little League Baseball World Series each August, supports more than 2,000 jobs and generates over $2.2 million.
“On behalf of the City of Williamsport, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Gov. Josh Shapiro, DCED Secretary Rick Siger, Sen. Gene Yaw and Rep. Jamie Flick for their unwavering support and continued investment in our community. The announcement of a $750,000 Sports Marketing and Tourism grant will have a lasting impact on our city’s growth, bringing new opportunities for tourism, recreation and economic development,” said Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter. “Together, we are building a brighter future for Williamsport, and we are excited for the possibilities this funding will unlock for our residents and visitors alike.”
Upgrades expected at the venue include the replacement of the outfield wall and backstop net, new field lighting, purchase of new field maintenance equipment and an enhanced audio system. In addition to this grant, the two lawmakers were also able to secure $400,000 in state funding for a total investment of $1.15 million for upgrades to the ballpark this year.
The Sports Marketing and Tourism Program was created to attract high-quality, amateur, and professional sporting and e-sports events to Pennsylvania. The program capitalizes on the influx of tourism that comes with hosting a major national or international event, which can increase sales for both large and small businesses in the surrounding area and in turn boost the regional economy.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or Rep. Flick’s website at www.RepFlick.com.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel (Sen. Yaw)
717-787-3280
Huntre Keip (Rep. Flick)
717-772-9837