Published: August 21, 2008 09:29 am         

Hall plans baseball film series in Sept.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will recognize the twin traditions of baseball and film when, for the third consecutive year, it hosts a Baseball Film Festival in Cooperstown, Sept. 19- 21.

The 2008 Film Festival will be preceded by a Sept. 19th evening salute to the 20th anniversary of the release of Bull Durham, featuring appearances at the Museum by the film’s director-writer Ron Shelton, along with three of the film’s actors: Tim Robbins (“Nuke LaLoosh”), Susan Sarandon (“Annie Savoy”) and Robert Wuhl (“Larry Hockett”).

The 7 p.m. program will feature a moderated discussion with the four participants in the Museum’s Grandstand Theater, hosted by nationally renowned movie critic Jeffrey Lyons.

Tickets for the Friday evening Bull Durham anniversary salute will first be available to Museum members beginning Monday, Aug. 25.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased in person at the Museum’s membership desk or by phone at 607-547-0397. Should any tickets remain following the Members only purchase period, the general public will be able to purchase tickets for the discussion beginning Monday, Sept. 15.

“We’re delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bull Durham, and we are honored to welcome Ron, Tim, Susan and Robert to Cooperstown,” said Jeff Idelson, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “As evidenced by our ‘Baseball at the Movies’ exhibit, Hollywood’s romanticism with baseball has extended the reach of our national game to worldwide audiences for nearly a century through more than 150 films. This 20th anniversary event is all about celebrating the film’s impact in a comedic exploration of minor league baseball. To partner it with our fledgling Film Festival is a great fit in fulfilling our educational mission.”

Several films will be screened on Saturday and Sunday, as filmmakers compete for two awards given at the conclusion of the festival: Best Film and the Award for Baseball Excellence. A complete list of the films to be screened and competing for top honors during the weekend include:

Gandhi at the Bat, by filmmakers Stephanie Argy and Alec Boehm, based on an original short story by Chet Williamson; Fuera De Liga (Dreaming in Blue) by filmmaker Ian Padron; Base Ball Discovered by filmmaker Sam Marchiano; Eye on a Dream by filmmaker P.J. Moynihan; Mathematically Alive: A Story of Fandom by filmmakers Joseph Coburn and Katherine Foronjy; Cobb Field: A Minor League Day at the Ballpark, by filmmaker Craig Lindvahl; Dummy Hoy: A Deaf Hero, by filmmaker David Risotto; Pitching Man: Satchel Paige – Defying Time by filmmaker Craig Davidson; Yankee Stadium: The Golden Age, by filmmaker Les Krantz.