Knuckleball!

The knuckleball is an enigma in the sport of baseball. Only a handful of pitchers in the 100+ year history of the game have thrown it well enough to make a career out of it. This documentary focuses on two knuckleballers in particular (Tim Wakefield & R.A. Dickey) in trying to shed some light on both the physical and mental side of being a baseball oddity.

There are basically two distinct themes running through this doc:

1. A history of the pitch, so to speak, in which former knucklers like Charlie Hough, Wilbur Wood, Tom Candiotti, and Phil Niekro are interview regarding their thoughts on their bread-and-butter pitch.

2. A narrower focus on Wakefield & Dickey, delving into more the psychological toughness needed to soldier on despite being label a baseball "freak", of sorts.

This is a great little documentary for all baseball fans (especially those who vividly remember Wakefield's long career or Dickey's magical run with the Mets) and is about as unique as the fluttering pitch itself (I can't remember any other documentary covering similar material). It is lighthearted, emotional, informative, and serious all at the same time.

The only reason I can't give it the full five stars? I wish it would have focused on the personal stories of Wakefield/Dickey even a bit more. Their interactions with the "old gang" of knuckleballers is great, don't get me wrong, but there are WAY too many slo-mo shoots of fluttering knucklers used simply to fill time/space. The personal stories would have been compelling enough to explore even more fully.

Overall, though, this is a fun little baseball documentary that is very professionally produced and doesn't try to "ruffle feathers" by making outrageous statements for publicity's sake. It is clear that the filmmakers were truly interested in and inspired by their creation and that fact shows in the final product.

This is an interesting documentary for baseball fans. Much of the iconic attributions to baseball's knuckle-ballers has been made before by sportscasters during games, but this is fun to watch nonetheless. The movie focuses on two pitchers in 2011, Tim Wakefield, and R.A. Dickey. I believe Dickey is still pitching in 2013 for the Blue Jays.

There is a tendency in documentary filmmaking to include too much footage, and "Knuckleball" is no different. The documentary jumps back and forth in time rather than follow a chronological order. The same crowd shots are used multiple times. There is footage of the pitchers driving around in cars. There is a lot of game footage of the two pitchers which becomes tiresome after an hour. Just when you think there is going to be some breakthrough or change of pace in the film, it lapses back into footage from the mid 2000's. There is excessive coverage of the Red Sox-Yankees series.

This movie would be good for people who aren't familiar with pitching styles or the history of the famous knuckle-ballers in baseball.

There are entertaining interviews with Niekro, Hough, and Wilbur Wood.

In short, this documentary is about 15 minutes too long. It is a good bet for serious baseball fans.

When this documentary Knuckleball was made only Tim Wakefield and RA Dickey were making their primary pitch the knuckleball. This domentary focuses on them with some reference to others of the past. Both Charlie Hough and Jim Bouton make appearances as well.

When I was a kid when you talked knuckleball you talke of Hoyt Wilhelm who was the number one relief pitcher pitcher of the New York Giants and was playing for the Baltimore Orioles when I started following the sport.

The knuckler which is thrown off the tips of your fingers floats rather than spins toward the plate. I behaves unpredictably for hitters and just as bad for catchers. I well remember that the Orioles first string catcher Gus Triandos couldn't deal with it. Oriole manager Paul Richards used their number 2 catcher Joe Ginsberg when Wilhelm as on the mound. They also developed an oversized catcher's mitt later banned.

With less strain on the arm knuckleball pitchers have lengthy careers for the most part. The downside is that they are used primarily in relief and can't run up Hall of Fame stats.

In this story the climax focused on Tim Wakefield in 2011 going for his 200 career win. At the ge of 45 and the oldest player in Major League basebll it was a struggle, Wakefield retired after that leaving RA Dickey of the Mets the only knuckleball pitcher in the Majors.

Both Wakefield and Dickey come off as fine athletes and a credit to the game.

Recommended for baseball fans everywhere.

If you are a fan of baseball, you should absolutely love this documentary on Knuckleball pitchers. Outstanding production. Loved every minute of it.

Was lucky enough to catch this at the world premier free screening at the Tribeca Film Festival last Saturday.

Really enjoyed its interesting and heart warming story telling about the rare baseball bread of the knuckleball pitcher. Both looking back and looking forward the film brought the story of this select band of pitchers beautifully to the screen.

R.A Dickey... such a class guy and there is something quite touching that he is the only knuckleballer left in the MLB. And you couldn't wish for a better champion of the 'freak' pitch.

Would happily watch it again. Congrats to all those involved.