Stompers, Fox TV team up for ‘Pitch'

Coed ballclub on deck for fall show about first woman major leaguer|

Fox Broadcasting Company is putting significant marketing muscle behind its much-anticipated fall primetime show, “Pitch.” The drama is about the first female baseball player signed to the major leagues.

Jack Burkam, operations director of the Sonoma Stompers, disclosed on Friday that Fox has signed on as a new sponsor of the team and the pilot will “sneak preview” at the Stompers’ ballpark on Saturday, Aug. 13. The new show’s official premiere on Fox TV, channel 2 in Sonoma, will be at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22.

In “Pitch,” a young pitcher named Ginny Baker becomes the first woman to play in the major leagues when she is signed by the San Diego Padres.

According to Burkham, the Stompers’ home game on Aug. 13 will be dubbed “Pitch” night and, after the game, the show will be aired on a big screen at Arnold Field.

The Stompers made national news earlier this summer when the team signed left-fielder Kelsie Whitmore, 17, and pitcher Stacy Piagno, 25. Last week, the team added catcher Anna Kimbrell, 25.

“Pitch” stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Ali Larter, Dan Lauria, Mark Consuelos and a Canadian-American actress Kylie Bunbury, 27, in the lead as Baker. Bunbury previously appeared in “Under the Dome.”

The drama is being billed by Fox as the first scripted television program of its kind to be officially associated with Major League Baseball, giving showrunners unusual access to the league’s teams, uniforms, current and former players, stadiums and marketing muscle.

The pilot was written by series creators Dan Fogelman and Rick Singer and directed by Paris Barclay.

Originally the show was slotted for Tuesdays at 9 p.m beginning in the spring but earlier this summer it was moved to a more coveted fall slot at 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Variety describes “Pitch” as “one of the most-talked-about” fall premieres.

“We’re really excited about this,” said Burkham. “The series is looking to be one of Fox’s hottest new shows and the topic couldn’t be more timely in light of our signing of Kelsie, Stacy and Anna.”

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

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