Local filmmaker Francis Damberger makes documentary on legendary baseball scout Mel Didier – film to air this weekend on TSN

Local Tofield filmmaker Francis Damberger’s one-hour documentary on legendary baseball scout Mel Didier airs on TSN this coming weekend.

Damberger travelled to Phoenix, Florida and Los Angeles to make the film. Besides Mel, Francis met and interviewed several baseball legends, including Kirk Gibson, Mike Scioscia, Orel Hershiser, Andre Dawson, Buck Martinez, Buck Showalter and many others.

“It was a great experience,” said Damberger. “At 87 years, of age, Mel Didier is an inspiration! He’s still working as a special scout and advisor to the Toronto Blue Jays.

“He has a true passion for the game and he’s still out there doing it. I thought when we started the film it might be just another sports doc but it turned out to be a real powerful human-interest story. Mel Didier is a force of nature and he’s a real southern gentleman. With over 60 years in MLB he is an interesting guy. I could have made three docs on him.

“I know there are a lot of baseball fans in the Tofield area so I thought I’d put the word out about the film so people might catch it. I think it’s worth checking out.”

The first airdate is July 26 at 2 p.m. M.S.T. right after the Blue Jays-Yankees game; but not on SN Pacific, though. It gets another two airings on Sunday July 27 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. M.S.T.

Damberger is currently directing the Super Channel TV series Tiny Plastic Men, which he describes as an off the wall comedy about three toy testers in the basement of a toy factory. Crazy stuff but never a dull moment. Tiny Plastic Men will air later this fall.

For more see the July 22/14 issue of the Tofield Mercury