Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Eliza Dushku has saved Sean Astin's new baseball movie from the scrap heap, after signing on to play his love interest.

The future of The Final Season was in doubt when shooting delays prompted a recent cast walk-out, but Lord Of The Rings star Astin stayed faithful to the project and now the family film has been given a boost.

Joining Dushku are Tom Arnold, Powers Boothe and Astin's brother Mackenzie, according to moviehole.net.

The film focuses on a baseball fan, who gave up a job and ditched his wedding plans to take over as head coach of a high school baseball team.