NY Composer Hits A Home Run With Williams Documentary

The National Pastime has been a fan favorite for movie buffs since the infancy of the two American institutions. The annual celebration of that connection returns this week in Cooperstown at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's 13th Annual Film Festival. Ted Williams: "The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived" headlines the Film Festival, which begins on Friday, Sept. 21. The film was produced by Al Tapper, composer and lyricist of the Off Broadway hits "Sessions", "An Evening at the Carlyle", "All Aboard!" and "National Pastime," the baseball musical which has played all over the world. Tapper's latest musical "The Paparazzi", opens in Guadalajara October 19th. Tapper has also produced the hit documentaries "Broadway: The Golden Age" and "Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy". "Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy" won the 2013 Peabody Award.

"Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived" details Williams' desire to become the best hitter in the game's history. The film will be screened in the Museum's completely renovated Grandstand Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 to start the Film Festival, which runs through Sept. 23 at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Nineteen films, with themes ranging from the challenges of women baseball players to THE JOURNEY of baseball scouts, will be screened on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as filmmakers and fans celebrate the TIMELESS connection between baseball and the big screen.

Tickets for all films are free but must be reserved in advance by calling 607-547-0397 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Admission to the Museum is required for films shown during regular Museum hours.