The Battered Bastards of Baseball (TFF 2014)

The Battered Bastards of Baseball (Chapman and Maclain Way, directors) is a documentary of a time and place in baseball’s history which is long, long forgotten. It is the world of the independent farm team and focuses on the appropriately named Portland Mavericks, a team founded and run by Bing Russell (1926-2003; aka Clem Foster of Bonanza fame), character actor and father of Hollywood star Kurt Russell.

The brief life of the team (1973-77) is chronicled in wonderful detail. Part historical account, part biography, we see that although he had a successful career acting in a steady stream of movies and television programs, Bing Russell’s lifelong passion for the American pastime never left him. His being involved in organized baseball against many odds is a moving testament to the power never letting go of your dreams.

As for the Mavericks’ own story, in it we have a David/Goliath tale which found Russell constantly butting up against Major League Baseball, who was at this time was near completion of the systematic dismantling of the independent minor league franchises and enveloping them into the MLB farm network.

With all of this happening, the Portland Mavericks never lost their spirit or love for the game. Archived footage and a few present day interviews with players, family members and team supporters, showed a motley crew of fun and unique personalities. I liken it to a Bad News Bears: The Adult Years.

(Fun fact: the Mavericks ball boy was none other than award-winning actor/director Todd Field).

I have always felt that baseball, while being possibly not the most exciting event to watch live, makes for great storytelling and The Battered Bastards of Baseball is no exception. The story with all of its moving parts will leave you engaged and entertained until the very end and maybe even afterwards …

Photo Credit: Tribeca Film Institute