Former Baseball Manager Announces Company to Produce Sports Themed Documentaries

NEW YORK, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Add movie producer to Bobby Valentine's expanding and eclectic off-the-field resume.  Beyond his duties as co-host of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball and Director of Public Safety for Stamford, CT, the former Major League manager recently announced the creation of Makuhari Media, a film production company.  Formed with producer, Andrew J. Muscato, Makuhari Media will focus on producing sports themed documentaries.  The 25 year-old Muscato was a producer on "The Zen of Bobby V," the 2008 ESPN documentary that chronicled Valentine's successful managing career in Japan's major league baseball.  "To have this opportunity to create sports documentaries by teaming with Andrew Muscato is one of the most exciting and fulfilling ventures of my lifetime," said Valentine.  The duo has already begun work on producing an initial slate of three documentary features.

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The first film being produced by Makuhari Media is tentatively titled "Pelotero" and follows two young baseball prospects from the Dominican Republic who dream of signing Major League contracts.  The film is a co-production with Guagua Productions.  It is being directed by newcomers Jonathan Paley, Trevor Martin and Ross Finkel and is currently in post-production with Editor Mary Manhardt (Street Fight, Racing Dreams, American Teen).  Valentine noted, "Our first documentary will bring viewers into the world of Dominican youth baseball like no other film before it.  This vivid and captivating documentary will stand alone in its presentation of this fabulous baseball culture."

Makuhari Media has two other two films currently in production.  One tells the compelling story of a chess tournament between the Princeton University Chess Club and prison inmates who are serving life sentences.  The other presents the life and career of former Brooklyn Dodgers pitching great, Ralph Branca, as he completes his long awaited autobiography.  Muscato is producing and directing these two films while Valentine will serve as their Executive Producer.

Website: www.makuharimedia.com

SOURCE Makuhari Media

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