Ratings Review: BACK IN THE GAME

BACK IN THE GAME was just another casualty in a long list of ABC cancellation during the 2013-14 season. What is slightly odd about the cancellation is that at the time, BACK IN THE GAME was one of the better performing new series for the network. That could be mostly attributed to the prime time slot between THE MIDDLE and MODERN FAMILY.

I watched the pilot episode of the series and, just from an entertainment value, it earned it's cancellation striped. The best way to describe the series is that it is THE BAD NEWS BEARS: THE NEXT GENERATION. You have the grouchy old guy who loves the game of baseball and will do ANYTHING to win. Now in his golden years, his very talented daughter returns home, with her young son, and get drafted into coaching a rag-tag team of misfits in the local little league. Great potential, bad execution.

BACK IN THE GAME produced 13 episodes, but ABC only aired 10 of them. Those 10 episodes averaged 6.39 million viewers and a 1.8 rating in Adults 18-49. it really is too bad the series couldn't have been better. James Cann can play great characters, but this just wasn't meant to be.

BACK IN THE GAME (Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., on ABC)

Date	Viewers*	A18-49	L+3	L+7
09/25/13	8.01	2.2
10/02/13	6.71	1.9
10/09/13	6.53	1.8
10/16/13	6.35	1.9
10/23/13	6.27	1.7
10/30/13	6.11	1.7
11/06/13	Preempted
11/13/13	6.47	1.8
11/20/13	6.14	1.6
11/27/13	preempted
12/04/13	5.12	1.4
12/11/13	6.14	1.5

* - in millions