Widely considered to be some kind of freak gimmick pitch due to its general slowness and unpredictability, the much dissed knuckleball gets treated with refreshing reverence and general seriousness in this engaging and illuminating documentary. The bulk of this doc focusses on Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox and R. A. Dickey of the New York Mets, who were the only two knuckleball pitchers playing at the pro major league level during the 2011 season. Wakefield's story proves to be especially moving since he's a man in his mid-40's out to make a 200 win record. Moreover, the special camaraderie that exists amongst this select group of daringly different baseball pitchers adds extra depth, humor, and even poignancy to this always enjoyable and occasionally affecting documentary.

The knuckleball is an enigma in the sport of baseball. Only a handful of pitchers in the 100+ year history of the game have thrown it well enough to make a career out of it. This documentary focuses on two knuckleballers in particular (Tim Wakefield & R.A. Dickey) in trying to shed some light on both the physical and mental side of being a baseball oddity.

There are basically two distinct themes running through this doc:

1. A history of the pitch, so to speak, in which former knucklers like Charlie Hough, Wilbur Wood, Tom Candiotti, and Phil Niekro are interview regarding their thoughts on their bread-and-butter pitch.

2. A narrower focus on Wakefield & Dickey, delving into more the psychological toughness needed to soldier on despite being label a baseball "freak", of sorts.

This is a great little documentary for all baseball fans (especially those who vividly remember Wakefield's long career or Dickey's magical run with the Mets) and is about as unique as the fluttering pitch itself (I can't remember any other documentary covering similar material). It is lighthearted, emotional, informative, and serious all at the same time.

The only reason I can't give it the full five stars? I wish it would have focused on the personal stories of Wakefield/Dickey even a bit more. Their interactions with the "old gang" of knuckleballers is great, don't get me wrong, but there are WAY too many slo-mo shoots of fluttering knucklers used simply to fill time/space. The personal stories would have been compelling enough to explore even more fully.

Overall, though, this is a fun little baseball documentary that is very professionally produced and doesn't try to "ruffle feathers" by making outrageous statements for publicity's sake. It is clear that the filmmakers were truly interested in and inspired by their creation and that fact shows in the final product.

When this documentary Knuckleball was made only Tim Wakefield and RA Dickey were making their primary pitch the knuckleball. This domentary focuses on them with some reference to others of the past. Both Charlie Hough and Jim Bouton make appearances as well.

When I was a kid when you talked knuckleball you talke of Hoyt Wilhelm who was the number one relief pitcher pitcher of the New York Giants and was playing for the Baltimore Orioles when I started following the sport.

The knuckler which is thrown off the tips of your fingers floats rather than spins toward the plate. I behaves unpredictably for hitters and just as bad for catchers. I well remember that the Orioles first string catcher Gus Triandos couldn't deal with it. Oriole manager Paul Richards used their number 2 catcher Joe Ginsberg when Wilhelm as on the mound. They also developed an oversized catcher's mitt later banned.

With less strain on the arm knuckleball pitchers have lengthy careers for the most part. The downside is that they are used primarily in relief and can't run up Hall of Fame stats.

In this story the climax focused on Tim Wakefield in 2011 going for his 200 career win. At the ge of 45 and the oldest player in Major League basebll it was a struggle, Wakefield retired after that leaving RA Dickey of the Mets the only knuckleball pitcher in the Majors.

Both Wakefield and Dickey come off as fine athletes and a credit to the game.

Recommended for baseball fans everywhere.