A Queer Team of Underdogs Steps Up to the Plate in New Series "Slo Pitch"

Crave is bringing the world of queer beer league softball to television screens with its new original series "Slo Pitch," a mockumentary comedy that promises to deliver laughs, heart, and plenty of athletic chaos. The streaming service announced casting details for the 10-episode, half-hour series, which is currently in production through October 2025 .

"Slo Pitch" began its journey as a Canadian web television comedy series that premiered on August 3, 2020, on OUTtvgo in Canada before airing on OutTV's linear television channel in 2021 . The web series was later picked up by IFC and aired on their platform on October 18, 2021, with a second season premiering in June 2022 . The original web series earned a 7.4/10 rating on IMDb, demonstrating its appeal to audiences .

The series was co-created by J Stevens, Gwenlyn Cumyn, and Karen Knox, who met 12 years ago at George Brown Theatre School where they began collaborating on plays . Their vision has now expanded into a full television production for Crave, developed for television by Katie Ford and Jane Cooper Ford .

The Crave series centers on Joanne Pico, played by Jess Salgueiro, who coaches the six-time league losers known as "The Public Lass Brovaries" . Coach Joanne is determined to turn the team's fortunes around this season, despite facing personal turmoil after being brutally dumped by her girlfriend and co-founder of the team .

Throughout the summer season, Joanne leads her lovable and chaotic crew through various challenges including strikeouts, petty rivalries, conservative politician sponsors, and fundraising events gone awry . Adding to the drama, Joanne's ex-girlfriend is now playing on a rival team, giving the coach plenty to prove as she attempts to win the breakup, reunite her team, and perhaps find new romance over beers in the dugout .

The series features a talented ensemble cast including Karen Knox, Gwenlyn Cumyn, Chelsea Muirhead, Emma Hunter, Lane Webber, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, Amanda Cordner, and Emily Hampshire . Guest stars include actors Varun Saranga, Laura De Carteret, Don MacLean Jr., and Nadine Bhabha, who also serves as a writer on the series .

Comedians Carolyn Taylor, Chris Locke, and Chris Sandiford will also make appearances . In a notable cameo, Japanese softball pitcher Ayami Sato, who recently made history as the first woman to play in a Canadian men's professional baseball league, will appear in the series .

The original web series established a strong foundation for inclusive representation, featuring a fully female and/or non-binary led creative team, with a key cast that was 50 percent BIPOC, 70 percent of the cast and crew identifying as female or non-binary, and 80 percent of key cast identifying as LGBTQ+ . This commitment to authentic and diverse representation continues in the expanded television series.

The series represents a significant milestone as Bell Media's first project with PAGEBOY Productions, following the announcement of a co-development deal earlier in 2025 . Elliot Page serves as executive producer for PAGEBOY Productions, while Emily Hampshire also takes on an executive producer role .

"Slo Pitch" is produced by Shaftesbury in association with Crave, Boss & Co, and PAGEBOY Productions, with participation from the Bell Media Fund and Ontario Creates . The executive producers for Shaftesbury include Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, and Paige Haight .

Karen Knox and Gwenlyn Cumyn serve as executive producers, writers, and stars, while Katie Ford and Jane Cooper Ford are executive producers . J Stevens is executive producer and director, and Michael Schram is executive producer .

The series will be available to Crave audiences in both English and French, with international distribution handled by Shaftesbury .

Following in the tradition of beloved mockumentary series, "Slo Pitch" utilizes the format with talking heads and occasional direct camera addresses . The original web series primarily took place on the diamond, in locker rooms, or at the bar the team frequents after games, working within a modest budget but in clever ways that resonated with audiences .

The web series' success can be attributed to its authentic portrayal of queer community dynamics within the context of recreational sports. Co-creator J Stevens has stated that the idea for the show came from playing many team sports and witnessing the drama that naturally arises among players . This relatable premise, combined with sharp writing and strong performances, helped the series gain traction and ultimately secure a full television production deal.

The original web series featured Kirsten Rasmussen as Coach Joanne, with the character described as arguably too devoted to the team while working as a data analyst and being engaged to her longtime girlfriend Sasha, played by Chelsea Muirhead . While the new Crave series reimagines some aspects of the story, including casting Jess Salgueiro in the lead role, the core premise of a dedicated coach leading an underdog queer softball team remains intact.

With production underway through October 2025, "Slo Pitch" is positioned to bring fresh queer comedy content to Canadian television audiences . The series offers a unique blend of sports comedy, LGBTQ+ representation, and the particular dynamics of recreational league athletics, where personal drama often takes center stage alongside the competition itself.

The show's focus on a queer women's and non-binary softball team fills an important gap in television programming, providing authentic representation of LGBTQ+ community spaces and the bonds formed through recreational sports. By centering the stories of queer athletes and their personal lives, "Slo Pitch" contributes to the growing body of LGBTQ+-focused content that reflects the diverse experiences within the community.

As audiences await the series premiere, "Slo Pitch" stands as a testament to the power of independent web content to evolve into fully-realized television productions. The partnership between established production companies like Shaftesbury and newer ventures like PAGEBOY Productions demonstrates the industry's increasing commitment to diverse storytelling and LGBTQ+ narratives.