An upcoming Fox drama about the first woman to play Major League Baseball is not merely about baseball, said its co-creator and co-executive producer, Dan Fogelman.
“It’s a show that takes place in the world of baseball,” he said, “It’s about this young woman coming of age with the lens of the world watching her.”
Fogelman doesn’t believe the series is based in folklore either, but more a precursor to when women do play pro sports with men.
“I think this is going to happen in modern lifetime. The human anatomy makes it a challenge,” he said, “It’s addressed in the pilot. I think the right young woman is going to come along.”
Fox also draws upon the network’s partnership with the real MLB when it is time to play ball, to keep the games looking as realistic as possible.
Series lead, Kylie Bunbury, spent two-and-a-half months learning to pitch prior to filming and her efforts have paid off.
“The girl can pitch now,” said another co-executive producer, Paris Barclay. “Now she’s pitching and she’s got a little heat and she’s got great form.”
Fogelman said he doesn’t expect the show to get much backlash.
“Maybe I’m naive, but I find it hard to fathom in the great wide world — who would really be against this?” he asked, according to the Los Angeles Times. “If a young woman comes along who is capable of playing with ‘the guys,’ I can’t think of a person who wouldn’t be interested in seeing it.”
Mark Consuelos plays an ex-ballplayer on the show. He said he took the role to inspire his daughter.
“I think it’s the message about empowerment,” he explained. “I’m a father of a 15-year-old daughter, and I think it’s super important that she understands that she can do whatever she wants to do, especially now… there are so many amazing things happening, so many things being brought to light about equality. I’m a big baseball fan, but aside from that…it’s a show I am proud to do, and I’m proud she will be able to see it.”
Fox News’ Blanche Johnson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
