Episode: “The Ball Game” (1966)
REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
“Boooooo!!!! … The ump needs glasses!!”
Is there any more thankless job in all of baseball than being an umpire? Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith’s character) would probably agree.
In “The Ball Game,” when the original ump can’t make it, Andy is asked – by both teams – to call the big game that will determine which team is heading to the state tournament. He’s reluctant because his son, Opie, is on the hometown team, the Mayberry Giants. But Andy feels obligated and agrees.
Mayberry’s team is coached by filling station owner Goober. And all of the show’s main characters are at the game: Aunt Bee, Floyd the Barber, Howard Sprague, and Andy’s girlfriend, Helen.
Sure enough, the game comes down to Mayberry’s final out. Opie hits a long drive and rounds first, second and third base and dashes for home. The ball is coming in. The throw is on the money. He slides. Then Andy yells “You’re Out!” Opie, his teammates, Goober and members of the Mayberry rooting section all immediately descend upon Andy … shouting and screaming that he was safe.
From that point on, Andy gets the cold shoulder from almost everyone in town: Goober won’t service his car. Floyd won’t cut his hair. Aunt Bee skimps on his meal preparation. But what hurts most is Opie thinking his Dad wrecked his team’s chances.
Helen, Howard, Floyd and Aunt Bea at the big game
However, Howard Sprague writes a special column in the local newspaper that was sympathetic to Andy’s plight. Among other things, Howard points out how Andy was placed in an extremely awkward position … umping a game that included his own son’s hometown team. Suddenly, after reading the column, everyone is in a much more forgiving mood.
Meanwhile, Helen, who had taken pictures at the game, gets her photos back and shares all of them – except one – with Andy and the others. Among them is a shot that clearly shows Opie was safe. She only shows that one to Aunt Bee and both agree to keep quiet as Helen tears it to shreds.
According to MeTV’s website, Ron Howard stated “The Ball Game” was his favorite Andy Griffith episode because it was based on a similar real-life situation involving him and his Dad. In fact, Ron’s father, Rance (also an actor), co-wrote this show.
1991 Pacific Trading Cards Andy Griffith set
THE CAST:
• Andy Griffith – as Andy Taylor
• Ronny Howard – as Opie Taylor
• Francis Bavier – as Aunt Bee
• George Lindsey – as Goober Pyle
• Howard McNear – as Floyd Lawson
• Jack Dodson – as Howard Sprague
• Aneta Corsaut – as Helen Crump
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AS FOR UMPIRES, HERE ARE THREE OF THE 31 UMPS
INCLUDED IN BOWMAN’S 1955 SET:
Hissssss
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NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW” … In general, know that some television programs are currently only available on DVD, so check your local library … Others may not be available at all at this time.
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