From the producers of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and the Disney original, “Cars” Dan Fogelman along with Rick Singer, bring us Fox’s new drama, PITCH. Pitch is a story about a young girl, Ginny Baker, who is given the opportunity to play Major League Baseball with the San Diego Padres. The show does not air until September 22nd but in the meantime, Fox teased us with this trailer. When I first heard about the new drama I didn’t take much interest. However, soon enough the show was popping up everywhere- the press was eating the concept up. I decided to take a look at the trailer for myself to decide it the show was really worth all the hype. While the clip is only a minute and forty seconds long, it was much too long for me. The first 30 seconds are a montage of Ginny playing baseball throughout her life. I believe Fox intended for the trailer to radiate an aura of inspiration and progression, however I just thought the whole thing was cheesy and “been there, done that”. Ginny’s story is like any other universal journey, hardship, isolation, perseverance, and finally achievement.
So, if Ginny’s story is like every other story on TV, what makes it so special? Is it because she’s a girl playing in the Major Leagues? Bingo. I’ll give the producers credit- they took advantage of a hot social topic, feminism. But just because she’s a girl playing baseball does not meant the show is going to be an automatic hit. In fact, I think it might turn men, the predominant viewership of the MBL, away. Not only will it turn men away, I think it might rub some women the wrong way. It did for me. As a collegiate athlete, I like to think that I can play ball with anyone, girls or boys. Therefore, I don’t appreciate how Fox felt the need to create a new drama on the struggles of a girl making her way up through the major leagues. I don’t appreciate how Fox is portraying all female athletes as if we even want to play with the guys. What if we like being girls? I know I like being a girl. I like being able to get dressed up, and baking cupcakes, and crying about my feelings. So why if I like being a girl does Fox feel the need to push progressive ideas down my throa?
I get it- feminism is a hot social issue right now. Believe me, I’m all for equal pay and equal rights. But, is it really necessary to create an entire television series on a female baseball player? My honest opinion is no. Sometimes traditional gender roles are nice. But obviously Fox feels differently. I’m sure the drama will be somewhat successful, whether or not it can receive the ratings that other dramas receive is another story. One thing I know for sure, I won’t be watching on the 22nd.
