ST. LOUIS — Joe Buck couldn't throw a strike, couldn't hit it out of the cage, couldn't track a flyball down.

Fox's lead baseball play-by-play man suited up at Busch Stadium several hours before game-time Wednesday to participate in a promotional spot the network is considering for the All-Star Game being held in St. Louis in July.

The gist of the ad: The announcer is humbled after being challenged by Cardinals manager Tony La Russa over critical commentary Buck made about the team.

"He's up there saying how easy it is," a joking La Russa said after the filming stopped. "That was the genesis of this, and maybe he'll be a little more careful in his comments the next time he gets back up there."

The 40-year-old Buck was trying, but with handicaps. He hasn't played since he was 18, and he was facing major league players.

Pitching to St. Louis cleanup hitter Ryan Ludwick, he couldn't get a fastball down. And when he did, Ludwick homered.

Facing hard-throwing Mitchell Boggs instead of a coach, Buck fouled off a pitch or two, tops. He estimated he caught three of 15 high flyballs off the expert fungo bat of first-base coach Dave McKay.

"He challenged me and I failed the challenge," Buck said. "We're going to see what comes out of it, put it together and see what happens."

Buck was most worried that he might hurt someone. Ludwick retreated to the clubhouse to grab a helmet before standing in.

"The off chance that something happens and I'm responsible for Ryan Ludwick not playing the rest of the year, that's not something I enjoyed the thought of," Buck said. "He should have gone back in for catching gear."

La Russa joked that Ludwick had nothing to worry about.

"Usually when you get hit with a 50 mph pitch, it's not real painful," La Russa said. "I think he got it up to 50 once or twice.

"I give him credit for coming out here. Not a lot of credit," La Russa added.