This Next Great Queer Sports Series Deserves Heated Rivalry-Level Love

Baseball. Sapphics.

Those two words alone should be enough to sell you on Crave’s newest comedy series, Slo Pitch.

Based on a web series with the same name, Slo Pitch follows Joanne, the coach of the Brovaries, as she leads the team to the beer league championships, hoping to get revenge on her ex-girlfriend.

The trailer showcases the Brovaries in bright yellow jerseys as they shower each other with beer.

I already recognized some familiar faces from other queer shows that I love, such as Emily Hampshire from Schitt’s Creek and Amanda Cordner from Sort Of.

Even cooler, Elliot Page, known for his work on The Umbrella Academy, and his production company, Pageboy, are backing the project.

Just from the few snippets of the Brovaries laughing together and playing baseball, I’m already sold on the show — and you should be too.

Show Me The Sapphics!

This series is created by the Canadian streamer behind Heated Rivalry, which is arguably the most popular queer sports TV show ever.

But unlike Heated Rivalry, the series has one major problem: it doesn’t have USA distribution rights yet.

Part of the reason Heated Rivalry got so much love is that HBO acquired the streaming rights.

I have high hopes HBO will do the same for Slo Pitch, given Heated Rivalry’s success, but Slo Pitch may not make it to the States before its release.

If that’s the case, I’d worry Slo Pitch’s chances of scoring a renewal might not be great.

The current TV landscape hasn’t exactly been welcoming to sapphic series.

Gone are the days of The L Word. Most sapphic series barely make it past the first season (RIP Paper Girls).

Plus, one of the most prominent sapphic series, Yellowjackets, is ending this year, and Heartstopper recently wrapped up this summer.

With fewer sapphic shows than ever, it’s essential that Slo Pitch scores USA distribution so as many people as possible can see the series.

After all, we don’t want a repeat of A League of Their Own.

A League Of Their Own’s Legacy

One of the most devastating TV cancellations for me was Prime Video‘s A League of Their Own.

Based on the film from the ’90s, this series was an explicitly queer reimagining of an all-women’s baseball team during World War II.

Not only were the romances totally swoony, but the friendships between the characters were also so heartwarming.

Prime Video originally renewed it for a second season, but the streamer walked back its decision and broke the fanbase’s heart.

Three years after that whole fiasco, it might be time for A League of Their Own’s fanbase to finally get a second chance with Slo Pitch.

I don’t love comparing new TV series to previous ones, but I want to acknowledge the impact that A League of Their Own had on the world of sapphic TV.

Slo Pitch already seems to differentiate itself from A League of Their Own in a few ways, including its comedic angle rather than drama.

It shares a similar spirit of teamwork and friendship with the Prime Video show, but for the most part, Slo Pitch offers originality.

I’m excited to learn more about the characters and their own individual quirks.

Ensemble comedies always work best with unique characters, and it certainly seems like each teammate has their own strengths to offer.

With only a month out from the series dropping, I’m already counting down the days until it comes out and I can experience it in all its glory.

Sapphic series are best enjoyed when people can watch together, so here’s to hoping that HBO, or another streamer in the USA, picks up the series and brings Slo Pitch to the States!

Now that you know more about Slo Pitch, are you planning to tune into this series? What are your hopes for this new show?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

As always, I’m happy to hear any and all suggestions for new sapphic series to check out.

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