Revisiting Will Ferrell’s “Ferrell Takes The Field”

Nearly a year has passed since Will Ferrell took the field for 10 different teams while playing 9 different positions (as well as DH). His love for baseball, and support for Cancer for College, led him to a tour around baseball that most don’t get to see.

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As part of his tour around spring training on March 12 of 2015, Will Ferrell played for the Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

He was able to get two plate appearances, striking out twice, but fouling off a pitch from the Giants’ Jean Machi (which was epically portrayed in the movie.)

Ferrell’s comedy is not for everybody. Those that find him crass and obnoxious may not want to watch “Ferrell Takes The Field”. It also is rated TV-14 for foul language, and not recommended for the younger crowd.

He got one ball hit to him in center, while playing for the Angels, and fielded it cleanly after replacing Mike Trout.

While some players and fans may look at the day and subsequent movie (released Sept. 12, 2015 on HBO) as a way of mocking the game, it doesn’t really come across that way to those that see the game as what it is, a game.

Sure there are guys out there busting their butts to make the squad. But if an inning played by a comedian who is raising awareness for cancer is preventing someone from winning the 25th roster spot, then they have a lot more to worry about.

This film was made by people who are fans of the game, who enjoyed going to the games as a kid. The perspective is one that does not get shown too often, while still protecting the ultimate privacy of the locker room environment.

The on-field scenes are understandably real, since Ferrell in no way wanted to disrespect the game. So you can see the nervousness he felt out there. But also the playfulness of a boy out on the diamond in Little League.

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I recommend “Ferrell Takes The Field” as one to watch if you are a fan of both baseball and Will Ferrell. Otherwise, you may miss the point he is trying to make with it.