Philadelphia, PA -- Not everyone gets to take a swing at pro baseball, but a graphic artist from Philadelphia recently had the chance to try being "The Natural."

Bob Hornsby is a big fan of the 1984 Robert Redford film and recently spent time training with the minor league Camden River Sharks as part of the AMC series "Into Character."

The training was exhaustive to say the least. When Hornsby wasn't trying to catch fly balls or make base hits, he had to learn how to make his own wooden bats and adapt his softball-trained swing to hitting fastballs.

Hornsby even spent time training with River Sharks mascot, "Finley," but says their communication was limited to hand and body movements.

Despite the silent treatment, Hornsby says he and Finley shared a common bond through baseball and considers the mascot a "silent friend."

Hornsby's episode of "Into Character" airs July 7.

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