The Battered Bastards of Baseball

Documentary about Hollywood veteran Bing Russell creating the only independent baseball team in America at the time, operating without a Major League affiliation. From public tryouts to the in-your-face attitude, the 1973–1977 Portland Mavericks are a thrill to watch. Featuring interviews with Kurt Russell, Todd Field, Frank "The Flake" Peters, Joe Garza, Jim Bouton and Joe Garagiola. What's even more exciting than hearing about these underdogs win is hearing about Bing Russell going face-to-face with the powerful establishment of Major League Baseball and basically telling them that the only rules he'll play by are the rules of baseball. Nowadays, however, it feels a bit ironic that a guy like Bing Russell, the man who did it all for the love of the game which included practically giving the middle finger to the bureaucracy of sporting establishments, would be a New York Yankees fan.

***½ (out of four)

I love a good baseball story, and this one was so well done.

I know nothing about baseball. I dont know why players are running, how they earn points, you get the idea. But I enjoyied this film very much, it makes me feel realy good

Just want to say I was at the first tryouts for the team and it was a savory sight there were guys out there that when they had batting practice each one got so many swings I think and there were guy that couldn't even hit a batting practice picture. I remember a left-handed catcher from Vancouver WA, an older guy that was also a catcher I don't think he made the team rather he wasn't half bad but I think his age was against him. The game frank the Flake Peters played all nine positions I think he pitched the 8 inning and threw 9 pitches and retired the side all nine pitches were knuckle balls. One day in tryouts there was a kid from Spokane WA and he got hurt his shoulder and they ask if I would take him to the hospital I took him and when I went back the next day he left during the night They had no insurance and he didn't have any. They were a fun bunch to watch. At the time Frank Peters was the first to steal first base. He just picked it up and left the park.

Where do I begin? I remember my dad driving us cross-country to see this team play. That's how big the phenomenon was at the time. I was all of 11, when we loaded into the Plymouth Fury, and by the time we made it to Portland, I was amped up to see this 'miracle team' play. Dad was a student of baseball; he knew everything, everyone and every stadium intimately. When word got around about this team, he had to go, and I was lucky enough to witness firsthand the greatness of this team/organization. The storytelling of this documentary took me right back to those days and even threw a few curveballs at my brain. I didn't realize at the time that I had watched Kurt Russell playing baseball, or that Todd Fields was the ballboy, or that Bing Russell was Kurt's dad. Such a well done picture that really takes you into the time and sets a beautiful scene of triumph, heartbreak and a longing for what used to be. Thank you for this amazing piece that draws you in and never lets go.