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I am ready for my close-up, but as an umpire?
I had always wanted to be a movie star, who wouldn’t and when I received that
email that Mr. Sigler sent out to the MSBL members in the Metro area and I
thought, “Let me give it a shot at acting.” So I submitted my photo and hoped
that the television production company (Red Line Films) wouldn’t ask my age.
The episode we were to shoot was part of the TV show, “Amazing Sports Stories”.
This episode, “Blind Faith,” aired Sunday, June 8th on MSG Plus. It was about
Bob Aspromonte, who played for the Houston Colt 45’s. Aspromonte promised a
young boy who was going through some major surgeries and had temporarily lost
his sight that he would hit two home runs. Aspromomte was not known for his
power, but you know what? He actually came through. It was a great experience to
see how filmmaking works. Scenes were shot at Skyland Park in Augusta, New
Jersey..
I still look decent for fifty years of age so I submitted the photos and thought
I may have a shot at stardom, but I never thought it would be as an umpire.
Anyway, a few days before I was to appear on the set, Ms. Jaclyn Malley (if you
have any questions this is Ms. Malley’s email-Jaclyn.redline@gmail.com) from
RedLine Films asks me the big question and of course I couldn’t lie, (how many
of you guys told the truth?) … anyway I said I was “50 years young” and she said
her boss could be mad so she said would you like to be an umpire, “of course” so
the rest is history--now I just hope I don’t end up on the cutting room floor.
So if you saw a scene where an umpire wipes home plate, that would be me or just
my hand and the broom.
I was working with a few actors as well: Yarc Lewinson, who will be featured in
Spike Lee’s new film “Miracle at St. Annes” be opening at the end of the year.
Also Major Dodge, who is currently acting in an Off-Broadway play “The Set Up”
written by James Lindenberg. It was a cool experience.
Also on the Bridgeport CT site, my teammate of ten years, Mike Tartaglia
participated in another episode, portraying Gil Hodges of the Brooklyn Dodgers
(funnily enough our MSBL team is the Brooklyn Dodgers).
Fun, but Boring
It was fun but boring because they have to set-up for
lighting and angles, and when they finally shoot the scene some of the scenes
may have be shot from different angles or just over and over again until they
think they have it right. I ended being around some great guys--mostly actors
but a few from our league--and everyone was having a good time and got along
well.
O.K. Mr. director, I am now ready for my close-up, BATTER –UP!
Eric Kempes
Tom Kerrigan
L-R: Jeff Eisenberg, Brian Sztabnik and Kevin Toolen (photo by Tom Kerrigan)
My Co-stars
Eric Kempes-Westchester MABL RyeBrook Dodgers
Ray Due
Eric Krywe-Bayside Demons MABL
Tom Kerrigan (Umpire)-Player for the 45
+ Long Island Cardinals
Gary Ferraro (Umpire) he is a real umpire.
Orrin Coward-Actor
Major Dodge-Actor
Ron Roscia-Actor
Yarc Lewinson-Actor
Danny Pennachi-Actor
Matt Pender-Actor
Andrew Torres-Actor
Kevin Toolen-MSBL Player
Brian Sztabnik-MSBL Player
Bridgeport, CT-movie set:
Paul Regensburg-umpire
Mike Geoffrion-MSBL Player
Mike Tartaglia-Player on my team the Brooklyn Dodgers
And he portrayed Gil Hodges also from the real Brooklyn Dodgers on the
Bridgeport, CT film shoot site.
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