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It’s been over a year since we filmed Left Field, following Eli’s journey from baseball to a life fully immersed in the outdoors. Since then, a lot has changed—both on and off the water. We caught up with Eli, Isla, and Axel, as well as filmmakers Tyler and Camden to see what’s been happening in the year since filming and the premiere.
Carter: It’s been a while since the filming. The film shows your journey from baseball to life a year ago; but now, things look quite different. What are some major highlights from the last year?
Eli: The biggest change? Another human we’re responsible for. That alone has shifted everything—responsibilities, priorities…everything. Our life, even this past summer, revolved around her.
We didn’t plan on having another kid. Honestly, it was a surprise, but it’s been incredible. Life throws unexpected things at you, and that’s what keeps it exciting.
Even with all the change, we’ve found balance. We established a home base, which gives us stability for school, doctors, and the kids, but we still get to chase the adventures we love.
Carter: Having a baby at 42—how’s that been?
Eli: Not easy on the body! [laughs] But totally worth it. Life’s evolved. We still prioritize adventures—fishing, elk hunting, hiking—but now the kids are old enough to understand it all, and balance what we need to balance. The timing has been perfect.
Even Nina, who always thought she was an ocean person, is realizing the mountains make her feel alive. That’s pretty wild.
Camden: The ongoing joke now is that all the stress from film production last fall was basically the inciting incident for the creation of the baby.
Eli: Yeah, I was going back today, counting the months, and realized it all lines up--it was right in September.
Carter: Lots of good stuff being created that week...
Carter: Isla, what’s life been like since we filmed last year?
Isla: School is probably the biggest thing — and having baby Esme. I’m in fourth grade now and it’s going good. I’ve got good grades.
We go fishing every Friday since we don’t have school on Fridays. And we went on a field trip to South Pass and got to see real gold and how they mined it a long time ago. That was fun.
Carter: Axel, what was your favorite moment from fishing this year?
Axel: Probably when my sister caught a 20-inch trout on the Wall. And camping with Keith and Camden — that was really fun.
And yeah… I hooked a really big one that snapped me off in like three seconds.
Eli: Tyler, how’s Lexi [Tyler's wife, also helped with the production of Left Field] doing?
Tyler: She’s got a little baby bump now. You can see it! I woke up yesterday morning and looked at her and thought, “Oh man, this is real.” Just a couple more months to go. March will be here before I know it. Honestly, I’m a little nervous.
Eli: Yeah, you’re in the middle of your second trimester, right?
Tyler: Yep. Everything’s healthy. Isla, you’ll have to show her the ropes, just like you showed Lexi. She still tells everybody that story about you putting her on her first trout.
Eli: Screw the books. Just watch Left Field on repeat whenever you have questions about fatherhood [Laughs]…
Life has changed a lot since Left Field, but some things remain: the passion for adventure, fishing, and family. With a growing family, new responsibilities, and still plenty of time to chase the outdoors, this year has been about evolution.
