Major League Baseball and “Abbott Elementary” Collaborate
Nick Trotta’s 10-year-old son made a special request, expressing his admiration for the ABC sitcom “Abbott Elementary” and hoping to see baseball featured in it. Trotta, who serves as MLB’s VP of global media and licensing, consulted with Carolyn Lehman, head of original content development, regarding any collaborations with the show.
Interest from ABC and Quinta Brunson
MLB discovered that Quinta Brunson, the creator and lead actress of “Abbott Elementary,” had long been interested in working with them. Trotta expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Brunson, remarking on her talent and dedication to her hometown, Philadelphia.
A Special Episode Filmed at a Phillies Game
On Wednesday, an episode filmed during the Philadelphia Phillies’ game against the Atlanta Braves aired. This isn’t the first time a Philly sports team has appeared on the show; previous seasons featured cameos from Philadelphia Eagles players and other local sports figures.
Filming Coordination with the Phillies
Trotta noted that MLB worked closely with the “Abbott Elementary” team to schedule the shoot on August 28, aligning it with the Phillies’ game calendar. The Phillies organization was receptive, having previously collaborated on other projects.
Excitement from the Cast
Chris Perfetti, who plays Jacob Hill, highlighted the unique experience of filming at Citizens Bank Park, noting the lively atmosphere compared to typical filming conditions. The crew embraced the challenge of shooting live, making the most of the opportunity with 41,293 fans in attendance.
Spontaneity and a Memorable Performance
During filming, Kyle Schwarber hit an impressive four home runs, which led to spontaneous changes in the episode’s script to include his performance. His historic game helped the Phillies secure a dominant victory over the Braves.
A Successful Collaboration
The collaboration between “Abbott Elementary” and the Phillies proved beneficial for both parties. Perfetti remarked that their partnership felt like a good luck charm for the Phillies, and Trotta and the cast agreed that the experience would be memorable in the show’s history.
