'Goon' scribe to co-write 'Baseballissimo'

As purchasers circle hockey comedy "Goon" following its raucous Saturday preem," co-author and star Jay Baruchel is starting to warm up to co-script sports comedy "Baseballissimo" with writing partner Jesse Chabot.Pic is dependant on the most popular 2005 non-fiction book by beloved Canuck music performer and scribe Dork Bidini (of Gemini-winning docu "Tropic of Hockey," according to his 2003 book). "Baseballissimo" charts the author's family adventures in Nettuno, the baseball capital of Italia, where American G.I.s introduced the overall game in the mid 1940s.Guide was optioned this past year by Hurry frontman and baseball fanatic Geddy Lee, who connected with Toronto producer and A71 Productions prexy David Burns (2007 Toronto pic "Amal") and introduced the project to Montreal-based Baruchel and Chabot last December. Burns guaranteed some Canuck development cash, which summer time required the writing duo, Lee and Bidini (both becoming professional producers) to Nettuno, as well as started the scout for Euro co-professional partners."Bidini felt it had been vital for Jay and Jesse to see the city and satisfy the manager from the local baseball team," stated Burns, whose shingle just wrapped Nova Scotia helmer Jason Buxton's feature bow "Bye Bye Blackbird," professional created by Thom Fitzgerald ("The Hanging Garden"). Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com