"Throwing out the first pitch at a Major League game is the chance of a lifetime," explained Irish first baseman Joe Kealty. "It's like a dream come true."
Kealty and the rest of the Irish National Team are the subjects of a new documentary called "The Emerald Diamond." The film chronicles the growth of baseball in Ireland since the early 1990s.
"The Emerald Diamond" will be playing in Minneapolis on May 5 and 6 at the Lagoon Cinema (1320 Lagoon Ave., (612)825-6006). Showtimes are listed below:
The Emerald Diamond
Lagoon Cinema
1320 Lagoon Ave., Minneapolis
Friday, May 5 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, May 6 @ 2:00pm
Kealty joined the Irish National Team in 2004 after a distinguished career at Boston College, where he was named to the All-Big East team in 2000. Kealty's presence in the Irish lineup helped lead Ireland to its first bronze medal at the European Baseball Championships.
Although he was born in America, Kealty is a dual citizen of Ireland and America.
"My grandfather was born in County Mayo, Ireland, so it has been a great honor to be able to represent the country of my ancestors by playing a sport that is synonymous with America," explained Kealty.
Kealty and director John Fitzgerald will be on hand at the Metrodome before the first pitch to discuss Irish baseball and answer questions about the state of the game in Ireland.
"I'm very excited to be able to bring the film to Minneapolis," explained director John Fitzgerald. "Beginning with Irish Night at the Metrodome on May 4, I think it will be a great weekend for the film and Irish baseball."
Baseball in Ireland began in the early 1990s, despite a lack of fields and equipment. Ireland's National Baseball Team began play in 1996 at the European Baseball Championships. Since then, the sport has gained momentum and what began as a few friends playing pickup games in Dublin has spread throughout the country. Youth and adult leagues in Cork, Kerry, Belfast and Dublin have made baseball one of Ireland's fastest growing sports.
"The Emerald Diamond" opened to a sellout crowd of 250 people at the Burns Film Center in New York on February 25, 2006. A 20-city screening tour of the United States is being sponsored by Boru Vodka. Upcoming screenings will take place in Atlanta, Phoenix and Denver.
For more information about "The Emerald Diamond," visit http://www.IrishBaseballMovie.com
For interviews, please contact director John Fitzgerald at 914-316-2056.
Press Contact: John Fitzgerald
Company Name: The Emerald Diamond
Email: vintagefitz@aol.com
Phone: 914-316-2056
Website: http://www.IrishBaseballMovie.com
AndhraNews.net News for May 2, 2006