How Kevin Costner Earned His Bull Durham Role by Taking Vodka Shots and Practicing Batting

Before Kevin Costner became the iconic star of American epics, he was just an actor eager to prove he could really swing a bat. When it came to landing the role of Crash Davis in Bull Durham, Costner didn’t wait for the cameras to start rolling—he hit the vodka, the batting cages, and even a parking lot to seal the deal.

Director and writer Ron Shelton remembers the unconventional prep in an interview. At that point, Costner was already cast but wasn’t yet a household name. So, instead of relying on fame, he chose to show Shelton he had the grit and skill to embody a washed-up minor league catcher with style and heart.

“We put quarters in the machine,” Shelton recalled. “People were passing by, completely unaware who he was.” Costner had baseball in his blood, having played in high school, and his swing was still sharp. That night, after sharing vodka shots with Shelton at a mini-golf spot in L.A., they found a batting cage nestled among fake castles and an arcade. There, Costner fully stepped into the character of Crash Davis, batting from both sides of the plate with clear confidence.

But the hustle didn’t end there. The two tossed a ball back and forth in a parking lot—no cameras, no lights—just Costner proving he was the right man for the job. At that moment, he wasn’t a star yet. No fans stopping for autographs. Just a player showing up to work. But that was about to change.

When Bull Durham hit theaters in 1988, it was a home run. The romantic sports comedy followed the trials of the Durham Bulls and the complicated love triangle between Crash Davis, pitching phenom “Nuke” Laloosh (Tim Robbins), and the baseball-loving Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon). Costner’s portrayal of Crash was cool, seasoned, and perfectly cynical—a catcher with a complicated past and undeniable charm.

The film was a hit with critics and audiences alike. Shelton’s sharp script and authentic baseball insights gave the story depth and grit, balanced with humor and heart. He earned a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay and an Oscar nomination. Sarandon also received a Golden Globe nod, along with the movie’s classic song, When a Woman Loves a Man.

Costner’s vodka-fueled batting cage hustle paid off in a big way. Bull Durham launched him into stardom, paving the way for a career filled with legendary sports and drama roles.

But back then? He was just a guy in a batting cage, working hard to prove his swing—and his ambition—were real.