When we first heardย about FOX television’s plans to air a show about the first woman to be recruited to Major League Baseball, The Chocolate Voice’s reaction was,ย we’re so here for this! ย And we’re so here for actressย Alex Bunbury, who signed on to FOX’sย Pitchย to play the fictional history-making female baseball pitcher.
Although, theย Disney Alumย had never even stepped inside a baseball diamond, Bunbury needed a little practice to up her pitching game considering, she’s somewhat of a sports legacy. She’s theย daughterย of Alex Bunbury, a Guyanese soccer player, and sister of Teal Bunbury, a current player on the New England Revolution.
In an interview with PEOPLE she says, “I grew up in an athletic family. My dad played and my brother currently plays professional soccer, so I’m athletic. So it was a little bit easier for me to tap into it.”
Inย Pitch, Fox’s upcoming new fictional baseball drama, the 27-year-old plays Ginny Bakerโa young female pitcher who becomes the inaugural woman drafted into the leagueโrecently toldย PEOPLEย that she had no prior experience in Americaโs favorite pastime.
“I had never played baseball before, so I was training about three or four days a week,” she said. โBut I grew up in an athletic family. My dad played and my brother currently plays professional soccer, so I’m athletic and it was a little bit easier for me to tap into it.”
Bunbury’s training for her onscreen role as a member of the real-life San Diego Padres included time with a coach learning the sport and the mechanics of pitching, as well as game viewings. The process, she says, was immersive.
“I definitely had to live like a pro athlete, so I am doing like epsom salt baths, I’m icing myself, eating well,” she says. “The biggest thing is the workout. I was boxing as well. Three to four days a week I was boxing, three or four days a week I was pitching… Real deal over here.”
We’re so here for the series Pitchย for showcasing female empowerment!
Pitchย also starsย Mark-Paul Gosselaarย as catcher/team captain Mike Lawson,ย Mo McRaeย as center fielder Blip Sanders, and her agent and confidante Amelia Slater is played byย Ali Larter. Also in the cast areย Meagan Holderย as Blipโs wife,ย Tim Joasย Ameliaโs assistant Eliot,ย Michael Beachย as Ginnyโs dad,ย Dan Lauriaย as team manager Al Luongo, andย Mark Consuelosย as the general manager Oscar Arguella.
Pitchย premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.
