Million Dollar Arm is based on JB Bernstein’s travels to India to find new baseball talent in hopes of keeping his sport agency alive. In a country known more for the sport of Cricket than baseball, he found two exciting pitching prospects thanks in part to a reality show competition he helped create in India. The two winners both received cash prizes, with the top pitcher winning a million dollars in cash.
Now, that idea is being brought here to the states. To help promote the film, Disney is running a Million Dollar Arm contest of their own, where the winner has a chance to receive, you guessed it, a million dollars. Hit the jump to see how you can win.
Here is what you need to know about the contest, including rules, regulations, how to qualify, where to pitch, and more.
WHAT: Disney is giving amateur baseball pitchers a chance to compete for a $1 million prize in the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest.
WHERE: Amateur baseball pitchers—male or female, who are legal United States residents at least 18 years of age or older—are invited to compete in the Qualifying Rounds of the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest at one of the following locations: Walt Disney World®Resort in Florida, Disneyland® Resort in California, Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day at the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City.
WHEN: Qualifying Rounds will be held at:
Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif.: April 25 and 26, 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida at Walt Disney World®: April 25 and 26, 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day at the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City: April 26 only, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHAT HAPPENS:
· At the Qualifying Rounds, contestants will throw three pitches, each tracked by a radar gun, in an attempt to throw the fastest pitch.
· All participants in the Qualifying Rounds will receive tickets for themselves and a guest to see an advance screening of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” at an AMC Theatres location later that evening.
· The top three eligible pitchers with the fastest pitches from each Qualifying Round location will be selected as finalists and flown with his or her guest to compete for the $1 million in the final contest, which will take place at the world premiere of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” in Hollywood, Calif., on May 6, 2014. In the final contest, each eligible finalist will have three pitches to throw one 100 mph strike to become a potential winner of the $1 million grand prize.
· The nine finalists and their guests will be VIPs at the world premiere of “Million Dollar Arm” in Hollywood, Calif., on May 6, 2014, along with stars, filmmakers, major league players, coaches, scouts and celebrities.
WHAT ELSE:
· In addition to the chance to win $1 Million, all nine of the finalists will receive gifts, including a $500 gift package from Rawlings, a $250 gift certificate from Under Armour and tickets to the ESPY Awards.
· JB Bernstein will offer the fastest pitcher of the nine finalists – whether they win the $1 million or not – the opportunity to be discovered and sign a contract with his management company, Seven FiguresManagement.
· Special guest in Orlando: Tom “Flash” Gordon (3-time MLB All Star, World Series Champion and 1998 Saves Champion)
· Special guest in Anaheim: 7-foot center for the Orlando Magic, Nikola Vucevic, who was a first round draft pick out of USC. Vucevic will actuallyenter the contest to pitch.
Details and Official Rules available at disney.com/PitchingContest or at contest locations. Open to legal residents of the 50 US/DC, 18 years old or older, who have not played professional baseball and are not employees of The Walt Disney Company or its affiliates or any entity involved in the creation, administration or fulfillment of the contest, nor members of their households. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary.
Million Dollar Arm opens in theaters on May 16.