Tom Hanks recently shared a humorous anecdote from his time filming “A League of Their Own” while appearing on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” The iconic actor reflected on the joy of being part of the beloved baseball film but admitted that he strategically avoided filming a specific scene that he anticipated would be time-consuming and tedious.
Promoting his new off-Broadway production “This World of Tomorrow,” Hanks described how he had the first and last lines in the dugout scene. Understanding the potential for prolonged filming, he ingeniously devised a plan to escape the grueling shoot. “If I didn’t get out of that friggin’ dugout, I was going to be shooting that scene for three and a half days,” he noted.
To navigate his way out, he offered to deliver the lineup to the umpire and timed his return just before his final line. “I walked back into the dugout saying, ‘All right girls, come on, atta baby, atta baby!’” he explained. Hanks revealed that while the crew continued to film the intricate scene, he enjoyed leisurely activities instead, likening it to playing Three Flies Up and eating turkey franks.
Meyers was amused by Hanks’s clever maneuvering, calling it a prime example of “pro actor” thinking, which Hanks wholeheartedly embraced. “That’s what pros do, baby!” he exclaimed, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to step back.
This entertaining story showcases Hanks’s playful approach to his craft and highlights a memorable moment from one of his most cherished films. His ability to balance professionalism with a sense of humor reminds fans of the joy that can be found in the filmmaking process.