TV & VIDEO - Nov. 22, 1989

‘Hardball’ Put on Leave: NBC won’t be playing much “Hardball” in December. The network has placed the detective series on hiatus after its Dec. 1 airing. “The strength of our schedule gives us the opportunity to do some creative re-tooling on ‘Hardball,’ which will continue in production,” NBC Entertainment President Brandon Tartikoff said in a statement. “Hardball” is ranked 66th among 81 prime-time shows on the three major networks in season-to-date ratings. Taking its place Friday at 9 p.m. is “True Blue,” a drama inspired by the life-saving work of the New York Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit.