One Helluva Sports Weekend for Chicago Fans (Warning: Shameless Movie Plug Included)

Man, what a weekend we’ve got coming up for Chicago sports fans.  First and perhaps foremost, Cubs obviously have a big series with the ahem, 2nd place Cardinals coming to town. Too early to call this a "do or die" series, but a sweep or even winning 2 out of 3 would definitely make a statement to the rest of the division.  Of course, losing 2 of 3 or getting swept would make a statement as well, but we’re not going to go there...

And for those of you who realize sometimes there is more to life than baseball, we’ve got Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup finals on Saturday night (Game 2 on Monday) with the Blackhawks hosting the Philadelphia Flyers.  I’m sure Kaner, Niemi, Dustin & friends will make sure the United Center is a No Fly(ers) Zone all weekend.

Stretching the sports envelope a little further...  Lady & Gentlemen, start your engines!  The Indy 500 will come roaring into your living rooms on Sunday.  And the NBA playoffs continue, though of more importance to Bulls fans will be the continual countdown on the LeBron watch.

But bringing it back to baseball, (begin using shameless plug font) this weekend also marks the Chicago premiere of BALLHAWKS, a Mike Diedrich film narrated by Bill Murray.

The story of the men who for the last ninety years have chased baseball history just outside the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Yep, somebody actually took the time to make a movie about those crazy guys who hang outside Wrigley waiting to catch home runs. Well, actually it’s a documentary – not sure if there’s a difference between a "movie" and a "documentary", but if there is, I’ll bet Doggie Stalker can explain.

And yes, fool disclosure here – I am one of those guys.  I haven’t seen the film yet so I don’t know how much screen time I get.  I’m guessing not that much, seeing as how I’m not one of the 5 main storylines featured.  Those honors went to Rich, Moe, Andy, Dave and George.  Still, it was pretty cool being a part of this effort and working with Mike over several years.  It was definitely a labor of love for him and I hope the film does well for just that reason. Oh, and it’s way cool to have my own IMDB entry.

Screenings will be at the Gene Siskel Film Centre in downtown Chicago all weekend:
* May 28th—6:00pm, 8:00pm (sold out)
* May 29th—8:30pm
* May 30th—5:30pm

The director, Mike Diedrich, and several of the ballhawks will be on hand for audience discussion throughout the weekend.  Unfortunately (and this one really hurts), I will not be there seeing as how somebody decided to have an out-of-town wedding this weekend. Family...  (shakes head and sighs mightily).

So if anyone here goes to one of the screenings, please take a moment afterwards and share your thoughts with the rest of us on BCB.  Either post a mini-review as a comment here or maybe a new fanpost/shot if this one has already scrolled off the screen.  And be honest – if we come off looking like a bunch of dorks, say so.  Don’t worry about hurting my feelings – after doing this for 20 years, I’ve pretty much heard it all out there on Waveland. And don't worry about hurting the director's feelings either - Mike's got some thick skin.  At one point during the filming process, somebody yelled down to him “The only thing sadder than the ballhawks are the guys making the movie about them!”

Of course, if you think being a ballhawk is second only to being the Dos Equis Most Interesting Man in the World, well, by all means, share those sentiments as well.

Here are some more links:

• BALLHAWKS movie website
• Official trailer
• "Blizzard" trailer (I'm the one in the green jacket)
  
• Heckler article

And of course, what would a fanpost be without a poll...