5-4-3-2-1 — there is no countdown needed to announce the beginning of the 2026 Little League Baseball World Series. It is here with all its accompanying hoopla, and the events of the next 12 days will transform our area into a media center as what happens here is relayed around the globe.
It is always fun and exciting as Williamsport becomes a dreamed-about destination for starry-eyed baseball players and a bucket list item for many folks, including well-known personalities walking among us.
For some 1,800 folks gathered at Bowman Field two weeks ago, one of the most unique entertainment legends in the country paid a visit and was warmly greeted by the gathering. Appropriately, in conjunction with the Williamsport Crosscutters annual ‘Belly Buster’ promotion, World Champion eater Joey Chestnut was on hand to multi-task his way through a fun-filled evening for all involved.
It all began with an on-field interview with Crosscutters Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Gabe Sinicropi, soon to be followed by a brief appetizer for Chestnut. The 43-year-old, appropriately nicknamed ‘jaws,’ took but a minute and a half to devour five pounds of heavily loaded tater tots in front of a cheering Crosscutters dugout.
Championship performers always draw a crowd, and the players from the visiting West Virginia Black Bears paused their pre-game routine to gather around and take in the action.
Chestnut then turned cheerleader, taking the time to meet and speak with the ten Belly Buster contestants who were about to begin their quests for local bragging rights. He posed for photos and signed autographs for all with a fitting penned message, “Eat like a champion!”
A few innings into the game, he graciously held court in the stadium concourse to greet, sign autographs, and pose for photos with a line of fans stretching several hundred folks long. During a brief conversation, I asked him about the crowds that show up each July Fourth to watch hot dogs disappear.
“It’s a bit crazy,” he explained. “People start showing up before dawn. I feel a bit sorry for them. It’s hot and some of them get sick from the heat, but it has become a July 4th tradition, and the crowd has a good time.”
While his accomplishments have been seen by millions on TV, Chestnut is the top-ranked competitive eater in the world, ranked first by Major League Eating. He holds 55 major world records across 55 disciplines. He has won the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest a record 18 times, including the past July Fourth, retaining the Mustard Yellow Belt, which he proudly shared with Crosscutters fans.
Now headquartered in Indianapolis, the Kentucky native began his competitive eating while a student at San Jose University in 2005. There he won the fried asparagus eating championship. Later that year, he entered the Nathan’s Fourth of July eat-off, finishing third, and his career was launched. His many records include the world Philly cheese steak title, with 19 6-inch subs in ten minutes; the Pepto Bismol Pizza eating crown, downing 32 slices in seven minutes; and the ice cream eating honors, swallowing 1.25 US gallons of vanilla ice cream in five minutes.
Before departing Bowman Field, Chestnut watched the final round of the Belly Buster contest and awarded the championship prize to Joe Rogers, who out-chewed the local competition to win his fourth consecutive title.
Although he has been seen chowing down on concession stand goodies at Lamade Stadium, one of the most-loved visitors to the annual Series returns this year under some unusual circumstances.
After calling the Phillies’ July 20th game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, 33-year veteran ESPN broadcaster Karl Ravech was informed he was among a series of high-profile layoffs by the TV network. Highly admired for his work at the LLB Series, Ravech sent a direct message to fans about his work at the Little League Series.
Ravich confirmed he would still be covering the 2026 Series, stating, “It is my favorite time of the year.”
His return to the Series is unusual, but he was given the option to complete remaining assignments, and sources suggest he chose to do so for his love of the game and a role he has held since 2006. His announcement reassured longtime viewers that one of his signature assignments would remain intact despite his unexpected departure from ESPN.
During his distinguished ESPN career, in addition to the LLB Series, he has called MLB games, the College World Series, hosted Baseball Tonight, and anchored numerous ESPN programs.
While Ravich wasn’t there to witness Chestnut’s August Bowman Field triumph, he has fond memories of his times at the old ballyard airing the Little League Classic to folks around the world. Those locally who have had the opportunity to interact with either can attest to their positive Williamsport encounters.
