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Former Northwest Honker Makes it big in Hollywood

This past week former Northwest Honker, Brett Smith released his film “Freedom’s Path” in over 200 bigs screens across the country.

A Bellevue Washington native, Smith played in the Pacific International League for the Honkers from 2010-2012 as a right handed pitcher and infielder. “For me, baseball is the most beautiful game there is. It’s strategic, methodical, and filled with all kinds of ups and downs. You can’t play it alone, and you have to be filled with faith or it will all go downhill pretty quick.” Said Smith, describing his love and passion for the game.

Freedom’s Path tells the story of “A Union soldier flees from battle, rescue comes unexpectedly from Kitch (RJ Cyler), a free black man and his band of friends. Risking everything, Kitch takes William (Gerran Howell) deep into the woods to the safety of his adopted home. It is here that William discovers Kitch is a part of a secret community of freed slaves, who run a portion of the Underground Railroad. However, when a ruthless and desperate slave catcher (Ewen Bremner) discovers the underground network, he conspires to bring it burning down to the ground.” – Rotten Tomatoes

Smith gives lots of credit to his experience on the field that has helped turn him into the up and coming director he is today. “It’s not so much about winning and losing, as much as it is about doing the best you can do with the role you are given. And while we undoubtedly will make many mistakes along the way, there are others to lean on and pick us up when we are down.

I have taken that approach into the filmmaking process. That being to build the best team possible… not the biggest or strongest team, but a team of people with passion and heart and desire. A team i can trust and lean on when I feel like I just can’t buy a base hit (or even a walk).

I owe so much to my time playing with the NW Honkers and competing against some of the best athletes around in the PIL. There is a brotherhood and bond in baseball that doesn’t dissipate with age or time… and for that I am incredibly grateful.”

Freedom’s Path is playing across the country in select theaters. The film is currently boasting great reviews on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes.

“The older i get, the more I realize that life and baseball are so closely intertwined. Happiness, like baseball, lies in focusing on the task at hand, doing all you can to make the necessary tweaks of improvement, give all the effort possible and lean on those around you to pick you up when you are down… because you just can’t do it on your own.” – Brett Smith