HBO asks for more 'Eastbound & Down'

(Via Variety)

HBO is going back to the ballpark with "Eastbound & Down," picking up the comedy series for a fourth season.

Pay cabler confirmed that Danny McBride-starrer, which recently concluded its third season in April, will go forward with eight episodes.

McBride exec produces with Will Ferrell, Chris Henchy, Adam McKay of Gary Sanchez Prods., along with Jody Hill.

Show premiered its third season on Feb. 19 to 1.3 million viewers, with horseracing drama "Luck" as a lead-in, and was paired with "Life's Too Short." The season closed out on April 12 to 1.1 million viewers.

The past season featured McBride's politically incorrect character Kenny Powers -- a former Major League Baseball pitcher -- living in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and coping with a newborn baby as a single parent.

Show also stars Steve Little, Elizabeth De Razzo and Katy Mixon. Last season's guests included Jason Sudeikis and Matthew McConaughey. Ferrell also occasionally appears.

HBO recently renewed two others laffers: Lena Dunham's "Girls," and "Veep," starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and also gave new-season orders on Monday for dramas "The Newsroom" and "True Blood."