SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT -- The Little League World Series games will go on during the Aug. 21 solar eclipse, but precautions are being taken to protect everyone in Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer stadiums.

Approximately 30,000 AAO-certified solar eclipse safe-viewing glasses designed by Visionworks especially for Little League will be distributed to those entering the complex, said Little League spokesman Kevin Fountain.

Players, managers and umpires also will get them, although the glasses will not be worn on the field, Fountain said.

An education effort will begin several days before the eclipse to alert players, coaches, umpires and fans of the danger of looking directly into the sun without protective eyewear, he said.

Looking at the sun, even when partially covered by the moon as it will be during the eclipse, has the potential to cause serious eye damage or blindness.

Both fields are equipped with lights so as the sky darkens during the eclipse -- which will begin in central Pennsylvania at about 1:14 p.m. and hit its apex at about 2:38 p.m. -- play can continue, he said.

The solar eclipse, the first in world series history, comes one day after another historic event - the MLB-Little League Classic.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates will play a major league game at historic Bowman Field in Williamsport the evening of Aug. 20 after players from both teams visit the series.

Series activities begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 with the Grand Slam Parade in downtown Williamsport. Series games begin the following day and continue until the world championship contest on Aug. 27.

Eight U.S. teams and eight from foreign countries will vie for the title won last year by Endwell, N.Y.