When Will Ferrell did his whirlwind tour of the Cactus League back in March, it was understood that the stunt was accomplishing two objectives: 1) The footage would result in a HBO special titled Ferrell Takes the Field and 2) The entire venture was intended to raise awareness and money for charity.
That second point is certainly worth noting. Following an opening credits sequence that resembles old baseball serials, Ferrell Takes the Field reminds us that the actor playing 10 different positions for five MLB clubs in one day during spring training wasn’t just for giggles. This really was for a good cause, and Ferrell puts a face to it by talking to his friend Craig Pollard, whose college baseball career ended because of cancer. Pollard started Cancer for College, the organization benefiting from the awareness and donations generated by Ferrell’s Cactus League tour and we meet a few students who had scholarships funded by the charity.
After that, the baseball hijinks get rolling. Ferrell reports to the Oakland Athletics complex in Mesa, Ariz., which is really the best part of the entire special. In the clubhouse, he tries to fit in with the players while stealing a locker to get ready, and the tension and awkwardness of the situation is played well for laughs. Particularly funny is an exchange with shortstop Marcus Semien, who will be supplanted by his position by Ferrell.
Eventually, Ferrell is called over by A’s general manager Billy Beane, who informs him that he’s been traded to the Mariners, thus beginning the 10-team progression through the Cactus League. As Beane is breaking the news, the show cuts to talking-head confessionals of Ferrell saying how much he hates him, which deteriorates into some over-the-top insults.
Honestly, Ferrell Takes the Field could have used much more of this. Obviously, there was a time consideration and the driving narrative is Ferrell switching positions and teams, and traveling to the five ballparks where he’ll be playing. But the show is funnier when he’s talking to players and coaches, and Ferrell trying to act like he’s on the same level as these professional athletes play right into the persona he takes on in most of his comedies, the clueless doofus who thinks he’s a big deal and better than he really is.
Yet the show must literally go on, and there just isn’t time for Ferrell to mingle much more with players as he has to get in and get out from each of his spring training stops. The show doesn’t miss the opportunity for comedic moments, of course, such as when Ferrell plays for the Angels and goes out to center field to tell Mike Trout he’s being replaced at his position. And there’s actually a little bit of suspense when Ferrell is out in the field. Will a ball be hit to him? Can he make a play? Or will the whole thing be a farce?
Obviously, the circumstances are contrived and played up for comedy. But it’s clear that Ferrell is taking the baseball part of this endeavor seriously. He doesn’t want to embarrass himself out there or mock MLB. Playing 10 different positions is also intended to pay tribute to Bert Campaneris, who played all nine positions on the field 50 years ago, and goofing around would take away from the sincerity of that effort. Even if Ferrell is trying to be funny, he’s not disrespecting the game or players, as John Madden ridiculously accused him of doing.
Funny or Die, the website and production company created by Ferrell and Adam McKay, took the lead on creating this special. But Ferrell Takes the Field might have been funnier if HBO had been more than a place to broadcast the program and actually taken the wheel on production. What this show really needed was some of that HBO Sports documentary feel to it. With the same tone or style as the 24/7 boxing series or Hard Knocks, along with the slow-motion photography and Liev Schreiber narration that comes with the package, this might have been a more memorable documentary-type of program.
Instead, it just feels like kind of a goof. Sure, there were some chuckles and it’s enjoyable to see Ferrell in those 10 MLB uniforms (and you can only imagine how fun this ultimate baseball fantasy camp must have been for a lifelong sports fan), but Ferrell Takes the Field is ultimately empty comedy calories. That’s not to say it’s not worth watching. It is. And there are some legitimately funny moments, although you might be disappointed if you’re hoping for roll-on-the-floor, tears-in-your-eyes kind of laughter.
Maybe that’s because this was a sincere effort that went toward a good cause, and both Ferrell and the show don’t let us forget that. And if helping charity is what ultimately ends up being remembered (to continuing benefit of Cancer for College) by Ferrell Takes the Field, then it was a worthy endeavor. So is the reminder of how fun baseball — and sports — can really be for all involved.
Ferrell Takes the Field premieres this Saturday, Sept. 12, on HBO at 10 p.m. ET. It will also be available on HBO Now and HBO GO.