September 4, 1942 – The Goofy Short Film How to Play Baseball is Released to Theaters
“Baseball: the great American game, the national pastime of millions, both young and old.”
On September 4, 1942, the Goofy short film How to Play Baseball was released to theaters. The short was produced in 12 weeks, coinciding with the release of MGM’s The Pride of the Yankees. It was directed by Jack Kinney.
The short begins with a short introduction of the game, including equipment and the field. Goofy then is seen as a baseball player, with the narrator explaining Goofy’s outfit. Goofy then acts as the pitcher, winding up his arm for the pitch enough to bring him off the ground; he then lands all knotted up and unable to pitch well. The opposing team comes up to bat, and the player rubs dirt all over himself as he prepares for the pitch. The pitcher then throws a curve ball, and the batter, no matter what he does, is unable to hit the ball. The pitcher then throws what’s known as a “spinner,” which saws through the bat and lands in the catcher’s mitt. The pitcher next tries a slow ball, slowing down his speed in a comedic fashion. Try as he might, the batter is unable to hit the ball, tiring himself out quickly.
At the last inning of the World Series, the Blue Sox are leading, three to nothing
The World Series arrives, and the two teams playing are the Blue Sox and the Gray Sox, with the Blue Sox winning 3 to 0 in the ninth inning. The Gray Sox player hits the ball on the third base line and makes it safely to first base, although he trips over several bats and other pieces of equipment on his way there. He then starts to lead on first base, and finds himself caught between first and second while the ball is in motion, but is able to make it to second base. The pitcher then hits the batter, giving the batter a free trip to first base. The next batter bunts the ball, and several Blue Sox players chase after it, only to bump into each other and knock themselves out. The bases are loaded, and the pitcher is losing his nerve. The Gray Sox player hits the ball hard enough the tear the ball apart, and the score is tied as the batter runs for home. As both team members hit home base, it’s up to the umpire to make the call, and he calls the Gray Sox player out, which leads to an all-out brawl between the two teams.
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