The Quill & Quire reported yesterday the following news regarding Geddy Lee and his friend Dave Bidini's book Baseballissimo:

Geddy Lee, lead singer of Rush, has optioned the film and TV rights to Dave Bidini's Baseballissimo. Published in 2005 by McClelland & Stewart, Baseballissimo is the writer’s story of his travels to the small town of Nettuno, the baseball capital of Italy since 1944. The deal was arranged by Sarah Cooper of The Saint Agency on behalf of Samantha Haywood of the Transatlantic Literary Agency.

There's also this CBC article (thanks Jamie C) which adds the following:

... Aside from being a Rush fan, Bidini also delivered the induction speech as the veteran Toronto rockers were ushered into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in March.

"Ged was one of the first people to really get behind the book, which was a thrill for me, obviously," Bidini wrote in an email on Thursday.

"It's early days yet, but I think he's a natural producer. And really, once you've helped run one of the greatest and most respected rock and roll bands of all time, the film biz has got nothing on you, I figure."

It's not yet clear what Geddy's plans are regarding the film and TV rights, but it's interesting news nonetheless. Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for the heads up.

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