Philadelphia Phillies Announce World Premiere of 'Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life' at 17th Philadelphia Film Festival

The life and legacy of Richie Ashburn is about to hit the big screen

03/12/2008 -- Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life will make its world premiere at the 17th Philadelphia Film Festival on Monday, April 14, at 7 p.m. at the Prince Music Theater, the Phillies announced today.

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This special screening event will feature a red carpet entrance with baseball luminaries and former players ... an introduction by Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, who narrated Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life ... a 90-minute screening of the movie ... and an exclusive post-screening question and answer session with the film's writer and producer, Dan Stephenson.

"Richie Ashburn is arguably the most beloved figure in the long and storied history of Philadelphia sports," said Stephenson. "He thrilled fans for over a decade with his exploits on the baseball diamond, and then spent the rest of his life entertaining generations of Phillies fans from the broadcast booth. This documentary is a celebration of Richie's life - as well as Phillies history and the fans who loved him."

Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life chronicles an amazing journey that takes fans from Ashburn's humble beginnings in Nebraska all the way to his enshrinement in the halls of baseball immortality at Cooperstown, NY. His story is told by his family and friends, teammates and colleagues, and by Richie himself in the form of archive interviews, broadcasts and rare Ashburn home movies.

"It's so wonderful how this city has embraced my father," said Sue Ashburn Morrison. "And now, we are honored once again at this heartfelt tribute that will last a lifetime."

Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life will debut nearly 60 years after his first game in the Major Leagues.

TICKET INFO

Premiere (Includes introduction by Harry Kalas and post-screening Q & A with Dan Stephenson): Limited tickets go on sale Friday, March 14, at 9 a.m. for the premiere screening of Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life (April 14, 7 p.m., Prince Theater). For tickets, call the Phillies at 215-463-1000. Cost: $25, with portions of the proceeds going to Phillies Charities, Inc. to be earmarked for the Richie Ashburn Foundation.

Second Screening: Tickets go on sale Monday, March 17, for an additional screening of Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life (April 15, 5 p.m., Prince Theater) and other Philadelphia Film Festival features. Visit phillyfests.com for ticket purchasing locations.

ABOUT THE 17TH PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
Declared the third largest film festival on the East Coast, the Philadelphia Film Festival offers a two-week showcase of the finest films from around the world. The 2008 Festival boasts the largest number of countries represented in the Festival's history, and an increased focus on story-telling with a bit of fun, drama and entertainment.

HOW TO PURCHASE THE DVD
A special two-disc set, Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life, features a 90-minute main program and over four hours of bonus footage. It will be available on April 22 at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park, by calling 1-877-GO-PHILS, online at phillies.com and wherever DVD's are sold.

Source: MLB