Sports movies have captured the hearts of viewers for decades now. Between the teamwork, sports camaraderie and victories displayed, it can be said that nothing encourages an individual’s soul quite like an old-fashioned sports movie. For fans of baseball, the following flicks are some of the most beloved ball game movies to hit the screen.
Fever Pitch
Featuring the star-studded cast of Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon, Fever Pitch appeals to both the romantic hearts and the sports fanatics. The plot follows an avid Red Sox fan who brings his new girlfriend to games with him, only to have her be knocked out by a foul ball while working on her laptop during a game. The film follows the ups and downs of their relationship, many arguments which are brought on due to Fallon’s character’s Red Sox priority. Although not a typical team-building movie, Fever Pitch shows the deep commitment many sports fans hold to their beloved teams.
42
Centering around the American baseball player Jackie Robinson, who bore number 42 on his jersey, this biographical sports film follows his escapades as the first black athlete to play in the MLB in the Modern Era. Given the racist roots in the United States, this story is a monumental achievement on behalf of all black athletes, making for a film that inspired many “underdogs” to defeat the odds and prove their worth to the watching world. Between overcoming adversity, social pressure and discrimination, Jackie Robinson’s story is an inspiration for many.
A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own is an early 90s fictional sports film surrounding the real All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that was in existence from 1943 to 1954. This mostly fictionalized story of the woman’s baseball league that came into existence just as World War II was threatening to shut down the MLB. The plot follows the extraordinary stories of women who traveled to tryouts across the country and kept the camaraderie for this sport alive. This film is a classic baseball flick that reminds viewers of American values and the sport’s history.
When it comes to baseball flicks, there are many more where these came from. Most moviegoers expect to see teamwork and sportsmanship depicted on the screen, but these films take it one step further by introducing cultural ties, romance and comedy into their plots that have now been cemented into the imaginary Baseball Movie Hall of Fame.