I will admit that I had to look up the word "eephus" after spending time with writer-director Carson Lund's feature debut by the same name. Defined as a slow pitch that travels at a high arc, this rare pitch is an unusual beast. 

This is very much the same for Lund's film Eephus, a unique and entertaining cinematic creature centered around a local baseball diamond, Soldier's Field, that is 24 hours from elimination to make way for a new school. The diamond is home to the town's adult men's recreational league. The men, a motley sort varying in ages, abilities, and in other ways, have gathered to spend one final day playing baseball on their beloved diamond. 

Eephus is a gentle, understated love song of sorts to baseball, sport, and community. 

You can always take me out to this ballgame. 

Lund avoids excessive sentimentality here. Eephus is funny, though dryly so. Eephus is communal in nature yet one gets the feeling that once this baseball diamond is gone so will be many of the friendships, acquaintances, and loose camaraderies found here. While one logically thinks "Why not just find another space?," this film isn't about that storyline. In fact, it often seems to be more about incidents and happenings than an actual story. These aren't the bad news bears nor is this film Major League. While there's certainly a tip o' the hat to Field of Dreams, Eephus is a film all its own. 

There's Ed (Keith William Richards, a highlight here for sure), the delightful Troy (David Pridemore), the emotionally resonant Cooper (Conner Marx), and Preston (Jeff Saint-Dic) among others. There's also unexpectedly inspired performances by the likes of iconic documentarian Frederick Wiseman and legendary pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee. 

I'm not much of a fan of baseball. Here in my hometown of Indianapolis, we have the minor league Indianapolis Indians who I enjoy watching on occasion. However, it has been years since I checked out a pro game and I couldn't begin to tell you who won the World Series in recent years. And yet, Eephus gave me a warm affection for the game and for the communities that wrap around it. I enjoyed my time with Eephus and I can easily see myself watching it again. 

With a warm heart and a clear vision for what Eephus is supposed to be, Lund has crafted one of early 2025's underrated gems. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic