Little Big Men

Little Big Men is part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. This documentary focuses on the 1982 Little League baseball champions out of Kirkland, Washington, their amazing run to the championship, and the aftermath of their fame.

Release Year: 2010
Rating: NR (no bad language)
Length: 55m

For more information, view its page on ESPN Films: 30 for 30.

• Youth Sports: The focus of the movie is on the experience of the children who were a part of this team. Several youth sport issues come up throughout the movie, including practicing because they wanted to (not because they were forced to), developmental differences (Cody Webster could throw a 75mph fastball at age 12), burnout (baseball wasn't fun after the Little League World Series), and the amount of pressure placed on youth athletes following success (just because a kid is good at 12 does not mean that kid will be good at 18).
• Parents/Family: Parents played a small role throughout the movie. The kids' parents were supportive and encouraged their kids to play, but they never forced them to play against their will. Following their success, however, parents (of opposing teams) turned nasty, directing insults and slurs towards Cody Webster, which ultimately caused him to stop enjoying the game.
• Media: Because of the time period, this became a major news story across the country. Twelve-year-old kids were thrust into the national spotlight, and an inordinate amount of pressure and focus was placed on Cody Webster (he was dubbed "America's Youngest Folk Hero"). The now-adult players commented that the innocence of youth was stripped away by the superstar attention they received.
• Underdogs: Taiwan was a heavy favorite. They had won 9 of the previous 11 LLWS titles (and one of those years all foreign teams were banned). They were on a 31 game winning streak at the LLWS, while Kirkland was this small unknown town that came out of nowhere. Despite this, the players on Kirkland always believed they could win.

The Rookie

The Rookie is about Jim Morris, who pitched in the minors, but after injuring his arm and having multiple surgeries, he became a science teacher and baseball coach in a Texas high school. After a bet with his team he found himself at a MLB tryout and at 35 years old he attempts a childhood dream.

Release Year: 2002
Rating: G
Length: 127m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

• Coaching: Jim Morris is a high school coach, so there are several examples of him coaching throughout the movie.
• Confidence: Jim pitches batting practice to the team, and once they start hitting off him, they have the confidence to hit any pitcher they face.
• Going for your Dream: His childhood dream was to pitch in the MLB, which is the dream he is now chasing again.
• Injury: He was drafted young, but after injuring his arm, he had to give up his pitching career and his chance at making it in the big leagues.
• Motivation: The bet between Jim and his team give the team extra motivation to win the championship, while Jim also turns to his family for motivation.

Rookie of the Year

Rookie of the Year is about a 12 year old boy who suffers an accident that leaves him able to pitch amazingly well.

Release Year: 1993
Rating: PG
Length: 103m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

The Natural

The Natural is about a man's invigorating return to a baseball team after a mysterious absence.  Great scene with a sport psychologist in it.

Release Year: 1984
Rating: PG
Length: 134m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Major League

Major League is a goofy comedy about a team of misfits who turn around their fortunes.

Release Year: 1989
Rating: R
Length: 107m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own is the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from the 1940s.

Release Year: 1992
Rating: PG
Length: 128m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

For Love of the Game

For Love of the Game is about a pitcher during the twilight of his career, who has flashbacks about the decisions he made in his life during a no-hitter.

Release Year: 1999
Rating: PG-13
Length: 137m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams is the story of an Iowa farmer who hears voices and builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield.

Release Year: 1989
Rating: PG
Length: 107m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

The Fan

The Fan is about an obsessed baseball fan who causes problems for an all-star player.

Release Year: 1996
Rating: R
Length: 116m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Eight Men Out

Eight Men Out chronicles the famous "Black Sox" scandal of 1919 where players were accused of throwing the World Series.

Release Year: 1988
Rating: PG
Length: 119m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Bull Durham

Bull Durham is about a minor league catcher who grooms a rookie pitcher for the major league.

Release Year: 1988
Rating: R
Length: 108m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

Bang the Drum Slowly

Bang the Drum Slowly is the story of a professional baseball player with a terminal illness who strikes up a friendship with a rookie teammate.

Release Year: 1973
Rating: PG
Length: 96m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.

The Bad News Bears

The Bad News Bears is about a little league team of misfits and their cranky coach.

Release Years: 1976, 2005
Rating: PG (1976), PG-13 (2005)
Length: 102m (1976), 113m (2005)

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database (1976 and 2005) and Rotten Tomatoes (1976 and 2005) or purchase it from Amazon.



View the original trailer from 1976 here.

Angels in the Outfield

Angels in the Outfield is about a baseball team that receives a little heavenly help in their pursuit of the pennant.

Release Years: 1951, 1994
Rating: PG
Length: 102m

For more information, view its pages at the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes (1994) or purchase it from Amazon.

The Sandlot

The Sandlot is about the new kid in town who tries to make friends by joining the local baseball team.

Release Year: 1993
Rating: PG
Length: 101m

For more information, view its pages on the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes or purchase it from Amazon.