Tell-Tale TV Series Premiere Panels: Pitch

Is anyone else in dire need of a Ginny Baker jersey?

Pitch follows the fictional San Diego Padres team who just called up the first woman to the major leagues. Ginny Baker may have made it, but her life isn’t getting any easier. She’s got new teammates to win over, and she’s struggling to deal with the pressure put on by her father and hundreds of fans to succeed.

What did you think of the series premiere of Pitch? Join the discussion in the comments below.

Our panelists are:

• Sheena Bosket, staff writer from Tell-Tale TV
• Katie Houlis, staff writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Samantha Coley, staff writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Lissete Lanuza Saenz, associate editor for Tell-Tale TV
• Ashley Bissette Sumerel, editor-in-chief for Tell-Tale TV
• Tamar Barbash from Shipping Room Podcast

Give it to me straight. What did you think of the premiere?

Lizzie: I have legit not been as excited for a new show in ages. Can’t remember the last time I saw a new show and went, I’m in. I’m so in. Maybe Once Upon A Time.  

It wasn’t only because it was a well-told story, though it was, but because it felt relevant and important. Also, the last few minutes of the episode had me outright sobbing.

And then there were the chills when Ginny takes the mound. Literal chills. It was like a 45 min advertisement as to the fact that you can do whatever you dream of.

Samantha: I was really impressed! I’m a big fan of going to sporting events, but I usually have little interest in watching them on television. That said, I would watch Ginny Baker play baseball all day long.

The premiere did an excellent job of introducing its characters and making me love some and hate others already. And it’s got me excited to see what happens next! Let’s just say the Pitch premiere knocked it out of the park.

Katie: My expectations were pretty high going in based on early reviews and buzz, and I was not disappointed. Coming from someone who is not a sports fan at all, it’s still a really great, interesting drama.

It’s a story that feels perfect to tell right now. Kylie Bunbury is excellent, and I can’t wait to see her explore this role.

Sheena: Loved it! I’ve been excited about this show since I first heard about it, and it did not disappoint me!

Tamar: I first saw this pilot a few months back at a preview at the ATX Television Festival in Austin. I have not stopped thinking about it.

Not only is it entertaining, but as Lizzie said, it’s relevant and important. This is exactly the kind of storytelling we need on television, and I can’t wait to see where it goes. Not to mention, the performances are stellar.

Ashley: I also really enjoyed it. I have to say, I was skeptical, not because of the overall premise, but because I’m usually not interested in sports films or shows. But this is more than that — it’s a bigger story. And the pilot episode is really well done. I’m on board.

What’s the show’s biggest problem?

Lizzie: The balance of the sports was very well done in the first episode, and I think if it continues to be this way, even people who don’t know anything about baseball will appreciate. But, I don’t know that it can.

This is a show about baseball, after all. That’s not a problem for me, but it might be a problem for some people.

Katie: I think it kind of comes with the territory with sports shows/movies, but it did get a tiny bit cheesy at a few points. It’s to be expected with an underdog story like this, and they did sort of acknowledge it when Mike Lawson said something along the lines of, “This is the part where I give the big speech.”

The moments in the pilot were only slightly cheesy, though, so hopefully it can avoid any huge cliches or cheesy speeches in the future.

Samantha: I don’t think it really has any problems yet, though I do agree with Katie and I hope it can avoid the cliches that accompany the genre. One thing I’m not too jazzed about is the set up for a romance between Amelia and Oscar Arguella, especially after the whole married/separated reveal.

Hopefully, they don’t go there, but that may just be a personal preference of mine.

Sheena: As I said in my review, for me, the reveal at the end of the episode didn’t work. It would have had much more impact if they had waited until the end of the season to do it.

Tamar: It’s interesting to hear Sheena’s feelings on the reveal at the end because I had a similar reaction to the twist at the end of the This is Us premiere, also penned by Dan Fogelman who is a master of the didn’t-see-it-coming twist (see: Crazy Stupid Love).

These pilots feel like short films in and of themselves, and I think the concern is just how a full season of television can follow. In this case, though, I feel that Ginny’s story is captivating enough and that there is plenty more of it to tell. Now that the reveal has happened the show can focus on how that loss has shaped Ginny and brought her to the present.

Ashley: My concern about the show is where it goes from here, though that’s something that was addressed by one of the co-creators this summer, and if the show goes where they say it will, I think it’s going to be awesome.

What/Who do you want to see more of?

Lizzie: I want to see more Mike Lawson. I want to see Ginny make more friendships between the team, the type of friendships that pop culture would have us believe don’t exist, because men and women can’t be friends. And I’d like to see more of Ali Larter’s relationship with Ginny.

Katie: More ladies! I know sports in general are very male-dominated — from the teams to the managers to sports reporters — so I think it would make sense for women in the industry to seek each other out to provide one another with support and friendship.

I know the show is about Ginny’s career, but at one point when she’s frustrated, she yells, “I have NO friends!” so it would be nice to see her be able to talk to someone who she doesn’t work with.

Samantha: I absolutely agree with both Lizzie and Katie. I definitely want to see more of the relationship between Ginny and Amelia, as well as Ginny and Evelyn. I’m looking forward to seeing how she makes a place for herself on the team, and how the guys come to accept her as their teammate.

I also still want to see more of Ginny’s backstory and her relationship with her father. Even in death he seems to be the most influential person in her life, and I think there’s a lot to explore there.

Sheena: To echo Katie, I would love to see Ginny interact with more women. I’d love to see her interviewed by Kelly Ripa or Hoda Kotb about her experiences being the first woman to play in the Major Leagues. I’d also love to see more interactions between her and her teammates about how they really feel about having a woman on the team.

Tamar: I agree with Katie that more women would be great. One of my favorite scenes in the pilot was when Evelyn came to Ginny’s room to talk her down after her terrible first outing. I also love the friendship between Ginny and Blip and hope to see more of it.

Ashley: Yes to all of this! More of Mike, but especially, more of Ginny interacting with other women. I’m most looking forward to seeing her relationship with Amelia.

What was your favorite moment/quote?

Lizzie: “I’ve been ready my whole life” gave me chills, but the end of the episode had me outright sobbing. “We ain’t done nothin yet,” Ginny’s dad said, and it feels like he’s not just speaking for the character, but for the show. I have high hopes.

Samantha: I loved the final “We ain’t done nothin yet.” Out there in the stadium alone at the end of the episode. But when Ginny finally starts throwing strikes and screwballs in her second game and that sweet cover of “Sympathy for the Devil” starts building, I genuinely had chills.

Katie: My favorite moment was when Ginny had that outburst at her father, when she said she was just a child when he decided what her path was going to be.

I know she’s upset with herself in that moment, but that thought, to me, is really interesting. It’s something I really hope she talks about and deals with more down the line.

Sheena: “If you wanna say she’s only getting her shot because she’s a woman, go ahead. …If you’re saying that, you’re a man. You’re a backwards-thinking, backwards-cap-wearing, male-pattern-baldness-hiding man. So bitch and moan all you want, gentlemen, but tonight, a girl’s gonna be the lead sports story in the world. And if that upsets you, well, maybe you’re just getting your period.”

I mean if this isn’t just EVERYTHING, I don’t know what is!! I was so pleasantly surprised to see this show be this feminist.

I thought they were going to try to hedge around feminism or just say something small about it so as not to upset people, but when I heard this quote, I wanted to jump for joy! I really applaud the writers and showrunners for just going for it.

Tamar: Ahhh, it’s so hard to pick just one! I agree with Sheena about that speech. “Maybe you’re just getting your period” is perfection.

I think maybe my favorite moment is wrapped up in my least favorite moment. When Ginny is remembering her father’s coaching, and he slaps her brother to prove to her that she can do what she needs to do if she has to, I cringed.

It was awful. At the same time, it was a huge piece of information about who Ginny is and how she got to this place. I loved it for that, and I can’t wait to learn more about her.

Ashley: For me, I think it’s the reveal that Ginny’s father is dead. It’s so emotional, and I did kind of see it coming, but it was still a great moment.

What did you think of the premiere of Pitch? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Pitch airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Fox.

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