Pitch Review: The Break (Season 1 Episode 4)

Every week, I’m finding myself surprised by what Pitch has to offer.

As the story moves forward, it’s clear this isn’t just a baseball drama. It’s not even just a drama about the first female baseball player to make it to the Major Leagues — though that would be enough. It’s a story about people, about families, and about sacrifice.

Pitch Season 1 Episode 4, “The Break,” explores the relationship between Ginny and her mother, which turns out to be incredibly complicated. Ginny’s mother feels that baseball essentially took her daughter away from her. In flashbacks, we see the internal struggle Ginny deals with — her father wants her to focus on playing baseball, while her mother wants her to have the same kinds of experiences every young girl gets to have.

That includes going to her first dance, which Ginny declines at first in favor of playing baseball — and perhaps, pleasing her father.

But at school, she has this moment where she *almost* chooses something else — that normal life. It might have even sent her down a different path. She runs home, we assume to tell her mother that she’s changed her mind and wants to wear that pretty new dress to her first school dance.

She’s surprised when she gets there, though, to see her mother with another man. She turns her fury into energy, focusing more intently on the game than ever.

It’s that moment that complicated the relationship with her mother — and it’s that moment that seems to have been her motivation.

Ginny also struggles with being given something she doesn’t feel she deserves. She’s chosen for the All-Star game in large part because of a public campaign, and it takes her a few steps backward in getting her teammates to feel kindly toward her.

I get it, and I think one of the things I appreciate most about Ginny’s character is also what frustrates me about her at times. I want to see more confidence in her — not just in her ability to play, but in being a part of that team. Al’s advice to her is spot on — rather than apologizing for what she’s been given, or worse, trying to give it away — she needs to take her opportunities and make the most of them.

Meanwhile, Mike worries his job is in danger, and he tries out what he calls “phase two,” but realizes that’s more challenging than he thought it would be. Mike isn’t a character we thought we’d see become so vulnerable early on, but inside that tough exterior, he’s worried about losing everything.

He’s still dealing with his divorce, his body is failing him, and now, a young new catcher is joining the team.

Maybe what he should do when his baseball career ends is to become a motivational speaker — because that’s definitely something he’s good at. On this episode, we don’t get the same kind of big speech we’ve been seeing him give, but we do see the way he talks about Ginny.

He takes that moment on camera to be himself and speak from the heart, and he does so honestly. Even though he’s supposed to be something of a mentor to her, I think we’re seeing how Ginny might have an effect on him as well. He’s amazed and inspired by her, and that’s going to become more and more important as we move forward.

Blip and Evelyn have their own struggle as well. This is a couple that, on the outside, seems like they have it all together, but Evelyn finally expresses how much she’s sacrificed when Blip gets the news he’ll play in the All-Star game — which effectively ruins their family vacation.

It reveals the strain this kind of lifestyle must put on a family, and maybe even gives us a little more insight into why Mike’s marriage fell apart. You can see where both of them are coming from. It’s a big moment for Blip’s career, and he wants his wife to be excited. But Evelyn just wanted her family to be able to spend time together.

I’m glad she says her piece — and seems to get through to her husband since he gets back to his family as fast as possible after the game.

Other Thoughts:

• Corinne Messiah, who plays young Ginny, is outstanding. Hers are some of the best scenes in this episode.
• There’s a bit of humor in that awkward family dinner thanks to Mike and Amelia. It’s a good thing Mike is willing to pick up the check.
• Oscar turning a doll head into a ball is one of the creepiest things I think we’ll ever see on this show, but it also turns out to be pretty endearing.

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

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Pitch airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Fox.

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