ADVANCE PREVIEW: Pitch Throws All the Right Balls

Minor league pitcher called up to the big leagues sounds like it could be an entertaining TV
show. But add in the fact that it is a young female pitcher coming into an all-male sport and things take an very interesting and exciting twist.

Tonight, September 22, FOX premieres its new series, Pitch. The show follows Ginny Baker, played by Kylie Bunbury, as she is called up to pitch for the San Diego Padres. Members of the team, including captain and catcher, Mike Lawson (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), believe this is just a PR stunt to bring in more viewers and fans, but others know this woman is an exceptional athlete and needs the chance to show it.

The premiere episode lays the beginning groundwork for the rest of the season, outlining the
major characters and their different story arcs. It is slow at times and bits of the dialogue are stale, but the episode does a nice job of balancing what happens on and off the field with the characters, notably Baker.

Nothing about the episode is too over the top and it left me wanting to know more about the characters. It was frustrating being reminded just how political the sports world can be. But it is the last two minutes that will throw a curveball you won’t see coming. The final two minutes will be the best chance to hook you for future episodes.

Give this one a shot.