Article by Sergey Piterson
There aren’t many people who would disagree that baseball is America’s favorite sport. For years it has helped define who we are and what we can achieve, no matter the color of our skin or whether we come from a poor family or a rich family. It’s easy to see why Hollywood has tried to capture our love of baseball, and the following movies prove that baseball will be in our hearts and minds forever, whether we play it, watch it, coach it, or dream about it. Let’s take a look at some good baseball movies, past and present, and if you haven’t watched them all, make a note to do so at some point in the future:
The Natural–This movie is about a mysterious player, Roy Hobbs, who seems to come from out of nowhere and begins making smashing home-runs for team The New York Knights. A sports reporter tries to unravel the mystery and try to keep Roy from becoming a living legend. Is this baseball hero for real, or a fantasy? Stars Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, and Glenn Close, 1984.
Hardball–A guy who can’t seem to get a break and pay off some debts he owes, finds he has no choice in making money but to take on a job as coaching a little league team in the inner-city.The team is in need of guidance and a good coach, but even though the coach has his faults, he teaches them the right way to play the game. Their teacher wants them to win in life and in baseball, and together they work to beat the odds. Stars Keanu Reeves and Diane Lane, 2001.
Field Of Dreams–When farmer Ray Kinsella hears a voice in a cornfield telling him to build a baseball field, almost everyone thinks he’s gone over the edge, but he sticks to his dream, and the reason for the baseball field is soon revealed.–Stars James Earl Jones, Kevin Costner, and Ray Liotta, 1989.
The Babe–This bio-pic about the great Babe Ruth tries to show the human side of the legend, and it isn’t always a pretty picture, but it is an honest attempt at showing that baseball heroes are very real people.–Stars John Goodman and Kelly McGillis, 1992.
Bang The Drum Slowly–This is the story of two baseball players who are very good friends, and how one helps the other enjoy his last days in baseball when he finds out he is very ill. This is a remake of a movie by the same name. Stars Michael Moriarty and Robert DeNiro, 1973.
A League Of Their Own–During World War II, there were so many men who went off to fight in the war, that baseball started losing players, so to keep baseball going in game and spirit, a man named Charles Comiskey organized a Women’s Baseball League to play while the men were at war. This movie reflects on the endurance of men, women, baseball, and America, and the unity that we as humans can have in times of trouble.–Stars Madonna, Tom Hanks, and Geena Davis. 1992.
Baseball–Filmmaker Ken burns makes memorable documentaries, and it shows with his coverage of baseball. He shows the soul of baseball, its players, fans, and everyone in between. A lot of interviews, photographs, and historical research is used in presenting baseball in an authentic, comprehensive way, from its early days until present day–Filmmaker Ken Burns, 1994.
The Rookie–This is based on the true story of player Jim Morris, who made it to the major leagues in spite of the fact that years ago he’d lost out on his big chance because of shoulder injury. Years later when he is coaching a high-school baseball team, he tells the players that he will try out for a major league team if they win. He is as surprised as everyone else when he discovers that he still has what it takes, and more. Stars Dennis Quaid, 2002.
Angels In The Outfield–A young fan prays for his favorite team, The California Angels, a losing team, to win a championship, and an angel is sent to help answer the prayer. The team starts winning and succeeding at everything they do. The angels that were sent to help the team can only be seen by the boy who prayed and his friend. Stars Danny Glover, Tony Danza, and Christopher Lloyd, 1994.
The Bad News Bears–A Little League team is turned around when a lazy coach puts a girl in as a pitcher. The team begins to win, and is a great example of how perseverance and commitment pays off, and how sometimes loving baseball is more important than winning baseball. Stars Walter Matthau, 1976. (The remake of this movie was filmed in 2005 and stars Billy Bob Thornton as the coach.)
As you can see, there are a lot of good baseball movies out there, and this is only a partial list. Don’t count out a movie just because it’s old. If you’re not sure if you’ll like any of these movies, just ask your parents. They’ve probably seen them all.
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