Take me out to Baseball Day

Baseball takes the stage as the Two River Theater Company in Red Bank partners with Fameabilia to host Baseball Day on Sunday, Aug. 12, noon to 5 p.m.

This unique and fun-filled afternoon celebrating America's favorite pastime includes special guest appearances by Brooklyn Dodgers player Johnny Podres, David Kaplan of the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center, and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist Warren Levinson.

The entire theater will be overrun with baseball readings, movies and games, in addition to Fameabilia's baseball expo in the lobby.

Former Brooklyn Dodger Johnny "the Yankee Killer" Podres will be in the lobby from 1 to 3 p.m. for autographing photos and baseballs. Pre-ordering is strongly recommended. Call Fameabilia directly at (732) 450.8411.

Fameabilia, Monmouth Street in Red Bank, will also deck the lobby with a complete baseball expo - baseball cards, posters, collectibles and memorabilia.

In the main theater, the game of "Stump Vin" will be played with Fameabilia's resident baseball expert. Win bragging rights, Mets tickets, and other prizes if you can stump Vin.

A lineup of designated readers will present readings from baseball-themed books: Andy Griffith's "What It Was Was Baseball" read by Erin Weaver; "Baseball and Football" by George Carlin read by Phil Dorian; "The Babe" by Garrison Keillor read by TRTC's founder Robert M. Rechnitz; "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest L. Thayer read by Joe Russo; "The Year, The Moment and Johnny Podres" by Robert Creamer read by Guy Gsell; "Baseball's Sad Lexicon" by Franklin Pierce Adams; and "The Thrill of the Grass" by W.P. Kinsella read by Aaron Posner.

Special guest speakers will include Kaplan presenting "Baseball and Social Justice," and Warren Levinson, Associated Press bureau chief, will present "Warren Levinson's Baseball Confessions."

In the gallery under the Rechnitz Theater, local baseball fanatics will show off their own collections of baseball memorabilia.

In the Marion Huber Theater, step into TRTC's own movie house for famous baseball movie moments and shorts including: "Who's on First?," Buster Keaton's "The Cameraman," Bugs Bunny, baseball bloopers and more. This baseball movie series features a rarely seen silent classic starring Babe Ruth.

How fast is your pitch? Find out on the plaza outside the theater, where you can clock your pitching speed with special speed sensor baseballs. Of course, it can't possibly be Baseball Day without hot dogs and a cold brew. The beer garden opens at noon.

Tickets for Baseball Day are $15 by calling the box office at (732) 345-1400 or coming to 21 Bridge Ave., or visiting online at www.trtc.org.