Jonelle HaykelWith the start of a brand new baseball season just weeks away, what better way to help those die hard fans get back into the swing of things then by watching their favorite baseball movies? In the midst of all the baseball movies out there, choosing what to watch may kill some time awaiting the always exciting first pitch of the season. Chosen are some various baseball movies that deal with an array of themes in baseball.
“A League Of Their Own”
Starring: Geena Davis, Tom Hanks and Madonna
While all the male professional baseball players are at war, there is concern as to what the people will watch for entertainment. So in 1943, the All-American Girls Baseball League takes shape. Geena Davis stars as Dottie Hanson whose husband is one of the men fighting in the war. Jimmy Dugan, played by Tom Hanks, a washed-up baseball player is offered the chance to coach the Rockford Peaches, which is the team that Davis and Madonna are part of. While a somewhat historical movie, it offers all kinds of laughs as the women play baseball, deal with their children on road trips, hope and pray everyday for letters from their husbands fighting in the war, and try to be strong American women. This movie is definitely an inspiration to anyone who has ever wanted to do something that was seemingly impossible and for those just looking for a laugh.
“61*”
Starring: Thomas Jane and Barry Pepper
Produced by Bill Crystal, “61*” tells the story of 1961 homerun race between Yankees players Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. Babe Ruth had set the record at 60 homeruns and during the ’61 season where Maris and Mantle battled it out not just on the baseball field, but within the media. America only wanted one hero and it was Mantle. Accusations were made that Maris and Mantle weren’t really friends, that they actually hated each other and were feuding. The pressure builds as they both inch closer to the record and one will emerge as the hero. This inside look about the drama that surrounded the race gives even the biggest Yankees fan an inside look at a piece of history.
“Hardball”
Starring: Keanu Reeves
This movie takes a different approach to baseball. Conor O’Neill, played by Reeves, is a gambler who has run out of money to gamble with. In order to fulfill his craving, he reluctantly agrees to coach a youth baseball team in Chicago’s inner city. Conor’s plan is to drop the team if he wins a bet that he placed; until he starts to take another look at the children he is coaching and who look up to him. Through the game, the kids on the team give Conor a look into their lives and he sees why baseball and winning the championship, commonly referred to as the “ship,” is so important to them. As one critic said “‘Hardball'” hits an emotional homerun.”
“For the Love of the Game”
Starring: Kevin Costner
This movie is a look at the inside story of baseball. Kevin Costner is a big time ball player who falls in love with a woman he meets in New York City. They agree that they will see each other when he is in town for games but other than that, will go on with their lives as usual. When he invites her down to Florida to stay with him during spring training, the trouble starts to brew. Costner’s character isn’t used to being involved with someone and she isn’t ready to be commited to someone who can’t put forth all of his time and energy towards her. However, it is their mutual love of the game that brings them back to what is really important.
With these choices of movies and other classics such as “Field of Dreams” and “Sandlot,” there are plenty of movies to choose from to satisfy the craving some may have awaiting the start of the season. Just don’t get too caught up in watching all the various baseball movies out there.
Posted to the web by: Jonelle Haykel
