I just saw the feature length version of this film ("Up For Grabs") at the Phoenix Film Festival. It is a really interesting and humorous tale of these two grown men who fight over ownership of this baseball. Adding to the entire silliness of this situation are the various funny and interesting characters and witnesses and people surrounding this story.
The movie opens with the actual footage from the Keppel Tape (which shows Barry Bonds' 73rd homerun and the mad fight for the baseball. It then goes and gives some background on Bonds' attempt at breaking the record and telling the stories of the people who caught Roger Maris' 61st home run, McGwire's 70th and Bonds' #70 and #71.
Then the unfolding of this fight over the possession of this baseball. The first time director weaves the tale really well. Most of the tale revolves around Alex Popov, the man who caught the baseball and lost it in the mad scramble. Less time is spent with Patrick Hayashi (the man who found the ball) but that is due more to him not wanting to talk to the director.
The film starts off slanted towards Popov and his claim but gives both sides of the story fairly and ultimately the journey of the story leads to the belief that the ball should have just been shared equally. And that is the ultimate verdict.
It is a very interesting contrast between Popov and Hayashi. Popov is an extrovert, hungry for media exposure, ready to fight what he thinks is right. I almost came to dislike Popov. Hayashi is the introvert and he was cautious in his involvement in the film.
I really enjoyed the documentary. I would think any baseball fan, any fan of human interest stories, a slice of life type story would be interested in this comedy and saga about this $4 baseball.
The movie opens with the actual footage from the Keppel Tape (which shows Barry Bonds' 73rd homerun and the mad fight for the baseball. It then goes and gives some background on Bonds' attempt at breaking the record and telling the stories of the people who caught Roger Maris' 61st home run, McGwire's 70th and Bonds' #70 and #71.
Then the unfolding of this fight over the possession of this baseball. The first time director weaves the tale really well. Most of the tale revolves around Alex Popov, the man who caught the baseball and lost it in the mad scramble. Less time is spent with Patrick Hayashi (the man who found the ball) but that is due more to him not wanting to talk to the director.
The film starts off slanted towards Popov and his claim but gives both sides of the story fairly and ultimately the journey of the story leads to the belief that the ball should have just been shared equally. And that is the ultimate verdict.
It is a very interesting contrast between Popov and Hayashi. Popov is an extrovert, hungry for media exposure, ready to fight what he thinks is right. I almost came to dislike Popov. Hayashi is the introvert and he was cautious in his involvement in the film.
I really enjoyed the documentary. I would think any baseball fan, any fan of human interest stories, a slice of life type story would be interested in this comedy and saga about this $4 baseball.
