Karl Ravech Lands Little League World Series Gig Amid ESPN Layoffs
Karl Ravech, the longtime lead play-by-play voice of ESPN's baseball coverage, will be behind the microphone at the Little League World Series despite being laid off by the network.
Ravech, an ESPN mainstay since 1993, was among the latest round of layoffs at The Worldwide Leader in Sports. However, he was given the option to call the Little League World Series and a select number of MLB games, according to a person with knowledge of his status with the network.
It is my favorite time of the year. @LittleLeague baseball is back and all over the ESPN app. Check out the amazing, fun action as we work toward Williamsport and the Little League World Series beginning Wednesday, August 19th," Ravech wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on August 7.
Ravech has called Little League World Series games since 2006, expanding his responsibilities in 2011 by adding the championship games and hosting ESPN's Baseball Tonight from the event.
For the last two decades, Ravech's voice has been synonymous with the Little League World Series broadcast. The tournament has become a bucket-list destination for baseball fans, offering a chance to watch 11- and 12-year-olds from around the world become the biggest stars in town.
According to his ESPN profile page, Ravech has called pool play in the United States bracket, with Mike Monaco serving as the play-by-play announcer for the International bracket.
Ravech was let go by ESPN on Tuesday, July 21, as part of the network's round of layoffs, two people close to the situation confirmed to USA TODAY on the condition of anonymity.
On the July 21st episode of his Foul Territory Network podcast "Dirt From The Dugout" with Justin Musil, Ravech acknowledged the layoffs at ESPN but deflected speaking on the subject overall.
"There is a lot going on with ESPN. We’re well aware of it. We’re not going to discuss that tonight."
Ravech will be in the booth in Williamsport calling the Little League World Series over the next few weeks, a development that has sparked interest among baseball fans.
The Little League World Series kicks off on Wednesday and Thursday, with Ravech's broadcast available on the ESPN app.
Source: Yahoo Sports