How to Play Baseball
Encyclopedia
How to Play Baseball is a cartoon
released by Walt Disney Animation Studios in September 1942, produced at the request of Samuel Goldwyn
and first shown to accompany the 1942 feature film
The Pride of the Yankees
.
takes the time to demonstrate America's national pastime, then plays a game - one in which he plays all the bases. The short describes the basics of baseball
in humorous terms; the equipment, uniforms, positions, and pitches, as well as the mannerisms of the players. It then switches to a game in progress, a deciding game in the World Series
between the fictional Blue Sox and Gray Sox. The Blue Sox are up three runs and working a no-hitter
when the Grays rally in the bottom of the ninth. In a series of events the Grays load the bases, leading to a base clearing hit.
The game is tied, but the play at the plate is too close to call for the umpire, and it then ends in an argument. The narrator then concludes the short praising the values of what makes baseball America's sport.
. It was followed by nine “How To” shorts in Walt Disney
’s lifetime: How to Swim and How to Fish
; (both also in 1942); How to Be a Sailor and How to Play Golf
(both 1944); How to Ride a Horse (1941); How to Be a Detective (1952); and How to Sleep and How to Dance (both 1953).
After Disney’s death, the studio produced How to Haunt a House (1999) and How to Hook Up Your Home Theater
(2007). Similarly-styled Goofy shorts that do not include the “How to” titling convention are Hockey Homicide
(1945) and Motor Mania
(1950). Prior to How to Play Baseball, Disney had released two other "instructional" shorts starring Goofy: The Art of Skiing
and The Art of Self Defense
in November and December 1941, respectively.
of The New York Times
called it "deliciously confused ... goofy burlesque."
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
released by Walt Disney Animation Studios in September 1942, produced at the request of Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.-Biography:...
and first shown to accompany the 1942 feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
The Pride of the Yankees
The Pride of the Yankees
The Pride of the Yankees is a 1942 American film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, and Walter Brennan. The film is a tribute to the legendary New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, who died only one year before the film's release, at age 37, from amyotrophic lateral...
.
Synopsis
GoofyGoofy
Goofy is a cartoon character created in 1932 at Walt Disney Productions. Goofy is a tall, anthropomorphic dog, and typically wears a turtle neck and vest, with pants, shoes, white gloves, and a tall hat originally designed as a rumpled fedora. Goofy is a close friend of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck...
takes the time to demonstrate America's national pastime, then plays a game - one in which he plays all the bases. The short describes the basics of baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
in humorous terms; the equipment, uniforms, positions, and pitches, as well as the mannerisms of the players. It then switches to a game in progress, a deciding game in the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
between the fictional Blue Sox and Gray Sox. The Blue Sox are up three runs and working a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
when the Grays rally in the bottom of the ninth. In a series of events the Grays load the bases, leading to a base clearing hit.
The game is tied, but the play at the plate is too close to call for the umpire, and it then ends in an argument. The narrator then concludes the short praising the values of what makes baseball America's sport.
Production
This is the first of Disney’s “How To” shorts starring GoofyGoofy
Goofy is a cartoon character created in 1932 at Walt Disney Productions. Goofy is a tall, anthropomorphic dog, and typically wears a turtle neck and vest, with pants, shoes, white gloves, and a tall hat originally designed as a rumpled fedora. Goofy is a close friend of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck...
. It was followed by nine “How To” shorts in Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
’s lifetime: How to Swim and How to Fish
How to Fish
How to Fish is an animated short produced by Walt Disney Productions and first released in 1942. It stars Goofy.-Plot:Like all "How To" Disney shorts, this one opens with a narrator explaining how to fish, with Goofy acting as the visual narrator. This short film does not have a plot; all the facts...
; (both also in 1942); How to Be a Sailor and How to Play Golf
How to Play Golf
How to Play Golf is a 1944 short animated Walt Disney Productions film directed by Jack Kinney. Eight minutes long, it was distributed by RKO, and was a part of a series where Goofy learned to play various sports....
(both 1944); How to Ride a Horse (1941); How to Be a Detective (1952); and How to Sleep and How to Dance (both 1953).
After Disney’s death, the studio produced How to Haunt a House (1999) and How to Hook Up Your Home Theater
How to Hook Up Your Home Theater
How to Hook Up Your Home Theater is a 2007 theatrical cartoon from Walt Disney Animation Studios, directed by Kevin Deters and co-directed by Stevie Wermers-Skelton. This is the first theatrical Goofy solo cartoon short made in 46 years, since Aquamania...
(2007). Similarly-styled Goofy shorts that do not include the “How to” titling convention are Hockey Homicide
Hockey Homicide
-Synopsis:Narrator Doodles Weaver explains the rules of ice hockey in satirical format. The narration's emphasis on good sportsmanship is countered by the violence of the players...
(1945) and Motor Mania
Motor Mania
Motor Mania is a cartoon made by Walt Disney Productions in 1950. In this madcap motoring animation, Goofy transforms into a Mr. Hyde-type split personality, when he gets behind the wheel and provides the lowdown on how not to drive safely.-Synopsis:The cartoon shows how the character, as the...
(1950). Prior to How to Play Baseball, Disney had released two other "instructional" shorts starring Goofy: The Art of Skiing
The Art of Skiing
The Art of Skiing is a Goofy cartoon made by Walt Disney Productions in 1941. It has historical significance as the first cartoon to use the goofy holler, as well as being the short that led to the "How To" series, beginning with How to Play Baseball and continuing with How to Hook Up Your Home...
and The Art of Self Defense
The Art of Self Defense
The Art of Self Defense is a cartoon made by the Walt Disney Company in 1941.-Synopsis:After a brief history on the many different forms of manly arts through the years, Goofy demonstrates the different methods of boxing, as well as punching the bag and shadow boxing - literally - until finally he...
in November and December 1941, respectively.
Reception
Bosley CrowtherBosley Crowther
Bosley Crowther was a journalist and author who was film critic for The New York Times for 27 years. His reviews and articles helped shape the careers of actors, directors and screenwriters, though his reviews, at times, were unnecessarily mean...
of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
called it "deliciously confused ... goofy burlesque."