The Battered Bastards of Baseball (2014)

In the annals of baseball, there lies a tale largely unsung yet undeniably gripping - The Battered Bastards of Baseball. In the year 1973, Bing Russell, a Hollywood stalwart famous for his role as Deputy Clem in "Bonanza", decided to pen his own underdog story. Defying conventions, he birthed the only unaffiliated baseball team of the era - the legendary Portland Mavericks. Set against the backdrop of a city dismissed as a barren landscape for professional baseball, Bing harnessed the raw, untamed spirit of the game. Public tryouts became a beacon for hopefuls across the nation, luring in a motley crew of rejects from organized baseball. Skeptics awaited their downfall, but the Mavericks had other plans. They shattered attendance records, embraced Bing's son, Kurt Russell, as a player and team VP, nurtured the most successful batboy in baseball - filmmaker Todd Field, revived the contentious career of Jim Bouton, and even appointed the first female general manager in Baseball's history. Their influence even extended to America's favorite bubblegum - Big League Chew. The Battered Bastards of Baseball is as much a testament to the spirit of independence as it is to the sport itself. The Mavericks, with their unapologetic defiance, became an infectious symbol of rebellion for their fans. Bing Russell and his Mavericks didn't just play baseball; they flipped a metaphorical bird at the sports establishment, declaring their determination to play the game on their terms. Their story, in essence, mirrors the real-life exploits of the Bad News Bears, only this time, the bear bites back.

The Battered Bastards of Baseball is a documentary movie featuring Kurt Russell and directed by Chapman Way.

The Battered Bastards of Baseball is currently streaming on Netflix and Netflix basic with Ads.