newjerseynewsroom.com

BY JERRY MILANI

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Anyone getting on in years who loves baseball has always pondering the “what if,” and many times that “what if,” if you are a fan of pitching, involves the knuckleball. It moves slowly and tantalizingly, limits wear and tear on the arm and for those few who have mastered it, has brought some great success, although many times it seems like it is a last resort.

On Saturday, fans of all ages will get a chance to watch and learn from some of the masters of the pitch, as the ESPN TriBeca Film Festival will debut the film “Knuckleball,” for free in an outdoor setting in lower Manhattan. The screening begins at 8:15 at Tribeca Drive-In® at the World Financial Center Plaza West Street between Vesey & Liberty Streets.

Created by documentarians Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg with the assistance of MLB productions, the film follows the history of the knuckleball, centered around the stories of veteran Tim Wakefield of those who have used the pitch for success, from Phil Neikro and Wilbur Wood to Charlie Hough and Jim Bouton, and really tells the story of these men and how they did whatever they could to keep their dreams going, a story which is very relevant in today’s challenging times.

As an added treat, beginning at 6 p.m., Dickey, Hough, Wakefield and Jim Bouton will also hold a free clinic on throwing the Knuckleball, with 1050 ESPN radio personality Ryan Ruocco serving as host. The outdoor setting for the clinic and screening has capacity for thousands.

All events are rain or shine, according to organizers.