I thought I'd give Wilma the quote for the title of my review for Take Me Out To The Ballgame, the closer from Season 2 of The Flintstones. Although it was originally broadcast in black and white (the last one, in fact, since Seasons 1 and 2 were originally broadcast that way), it was produced in color like all other episodes. The title comes from an old tin pan alley song from the early 20th century and Hoyt Curtin includes a spirited reading in the soundtrack. This episode was written by Warren Foster, Mike Maltese and Arthur Phillips. Don Messick plays Arnold the Paperboy, Jean Vander Pyl plays the kids Clarence (aka Melvin), Norman and Sandy. Bea Benederet plays Eugene "Slugger" Slate, Fred's boss's son. John Stephenson plays Mr. Slate and some of the other little leaguer's fathers, including Arnold's father. Hal Smith plays the Scout, Red the announcer and one of the little leaguer's fathers.
Plot summary: Fred awaits his daily newspaper and suspects it landed on the roof. Arnold the paperboy throws it to him and it lands in his face! A while later, Fred and Wilma later hear something hit the walls of the house. Fred sees baseballs on their lawn addressed to Pee Wee League. So he sees kids playing baseball with Arnold pitching and Barney as coach. They suggest Fred play umpire. So Fred, honored, accepts. He calls a strike on Slugger who complains. Fred responds "I call 'em as I see 'em!" but declares "Ball one!" on the next pitch- before the ball is even thrown! When it's time for.supper, Wilma leaves out the dessert, Yabba-dabba-doo-berry pie and Fred smells it. He dismisses the team and heads home! After supper, Fred borrows a book from the library. Wilma thinks Fred is taking it to serious, not knowing other fathers are taking it too seriously as well, especially Fred's boss! The next day at work, Mr. Slate gives Fred the rest of the day off and a bonus. Fred buys a baseball cap and an umpire's guard in the shell of a large turtle. Wilma says "You've got your hat on backwards" as Fred tries it on. "It's supposed to be!," corrects Fred! A scout comes over to meet Fred and Barney joins him to encourage his decision. Fred throws them both out and the scout gives Fred the job! Right before the ballgame, the scout calls Fred every bad name under the sun for practice. Fred calls a ball on the 1st pitch for the home team and a strike on the 2nd pitch. The 1st call naturally delights Mr. Slate and the 2nd call annoys him, of course. Wilma and Betty predict a long ballgame. Many innings later, the opposing team has a hit. The boy runs to home as the home team tries to catch that ball. Finally, the boy slides home and the catcher carches the ball, tripping Fred. Fred calls the boy safe and gets clobbered with soda bottles! Fred comes home in pain and Betty asks "Remember all those bad words Barney called you?... Well, he told me to tell you he reiterates them!" "Tell him I accept my apology ," Fred sarcastically snaps. Then the Pee Wee League comes to the house and apologize for their father's poor sportsmanship.. Then they donate their equipment to their fathers to let them play and the Pee Wee League will continue to play in a sandlot. Fred says "More important than the fundamentals is the fun!"
What I liked: I liked the honesty of the kids. They wanted to win, but honestly. Some of the lines the announcer uses are pretty funny like mentioning one kid's hobbies as "stealing bases and losing teeth." The fathers' discussions with the kids are pretty funny. And Fred's unbridled enthusiasm as he reads the How To Be An Umpire book is pretty funny as he bangs his fist while reading out loud! By the way, reiterate means repeat. 9 home runs out of 10! This concludes our sports theme. Since next week is Fathers Day, I will be reviewing an episode including Pebbles!
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