“Abbott Elementary” filmed its fifth-season episode “Ballgame” during a live Philadelphia Phillies match, moving much of its cast and crew from studio sets into an unpredictable stadium environment. Director and executive producer Randall Einhorn said the production’s ability to adapt to weather, play and genuine reactions helped make the episode feel authentic; the work earned him an Emmy nomination for comedy directing.

The team filmed wider scenes with 400 extras the day before the match, then recorded at the game itself, where wind prevented the use of planned silk screens. Einhorn used shifting sunlight and nightfall to show time passing, while coordinating around 70 camera pans between the field, stands and the Phillies’ PhanaVision scoreboard. The script required designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to hit a home run, but he hit four, allowing the mockumentary-style cameras to capture spontaneous cast reactions.