Spring has sprung, and with that, baseball season has returned. As someone who has grown up at the baseball field since she was 2 years old and has spent her entire life watching countless games and movies about baseball, I consider myself an expert on this sort of thing. So, in honor of baseball season returning, I am going to rank my top three baseball movies and tell you why they need to be added to your must-watch list.
1. “the sandlot” (1993)
“The Sandlot” is a classic for almost all baseball fans, a funny and timeless watch. As a classic, I think everyone should watch it at least once in their lives or watch it “FOR-EV-ER,” but there are so many reasons to watch this movie. For starters, have you seen Benny “the Jet” Rodriguez? He captured girls’ hearts the second he walked onto the screen. This movie is the perfect blend of comedy, coming-of-age and even a little bit of romance and horror. I mean I know I was terrified as a kid the first time I saw the beast jump that fence and go after Benny. But also, there is something so beautiful about getting to watch a group of kids unite over their love of baseball and turn a simple game into lifelong friendships. This movie truly showed what it meant for the new kid, Smalls, to find a group of people that wanted to be around him and help him in every scenario – even if it meant coming up with elaborate plans to get his step dad’s signed Babe Ruth baseball back from the beast after Smalls hit it over the fence. If you really want to feel like you’re a part of the crew, watch this during the Fourth of July, and you’ll be able to experience the glory that is playing baseball under the fireworks right alongside the boys.Â
Where to Watch: BYUtv, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Fandango at Home, Disney+, Apple TV, Google Play Movie
2. “the perfect game” (2009)
Now this one is kind of niche, but it was a staple in my childhood. I watched this movie about a hundred times with my brothers and it never once got old. “The Perfect Game” takes place in 1957 and is about a ragtag group of boys from Montgomery, Mexico, who dream of playing in the U.S. Little League but are living in poverty. That is until they meet Coach Cesar, a former Major League player who turned their dreams into reality. If you love a good underdog story, then this movie is for you. This movie teaches you to always be prepared for “the unexpected play at the unexpected time.” “The Perfect Game” is not only a coming-of-age movie, it’s also a lesson that if you truly want something and are willing to work for it, nothing is impossible. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be the one playing in the U.S. Little League.Â
Where to Watch: Tubi, YouTube, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Google Play Movie
3. “the benchwarmers” (2006)
For my third favorite baseball movie, we’re going to change the vibe completely. My other favorite ones were coming-of-age or success stories where the impossible becomes possible. “The Benchwarmers,” however, is a completely different story. This movie is in my opinion, one of the funniest baseball movies ever made. “The Benchwarmers” follows three adult “nerds,” Gus, Richie and Clark, who create a baseball team of overlooked children who want nothing more than to play baseball but have never had the chance to. The team is created with the sole purpose of taking on their little league bullies. What’s the twist? They didn’t just coach – they played too… Grown adults were playing baseball against 12-year-olds. Who would let that happen is beyond me, but that’s what makes this story so funny. Gus, Richie and Clark gave these nerds the childhood that they had always wanted but never had because of the bullying. The movie says it perfectly: “if you build it, the nerds will come.” “The Benchwarmers” shows important themes like overcoming bullying and finding personal fulfillment, while also still being absolutely hilarious. So, if you are looking for a baseball movie that is heavy on the comedy while also having an inspirational spin, then look no further than “The Benchwarmers.”Â
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movie, and Fandango at Home
Honorable Mention: “Everyone’s Hero” (2006)
OK, so if I said that “The Perfect Game” was niche, then this movie is as niche and unknown as they come. “Everyone’s Hero” is an animated movie that follows a little boy named Yankee Irving, who is tasked with one of the most important things a little kid who loves baseball could be tasked with. Yankee’s father worked at Yankee Stadium and was wrongly accused of stealing Babe Ruth’s lucky bat “Darlin.” So, to prove his dad’s innocence, Yankee begins a cross-country trip to return the lucky bat to its rightful owner. This movie, while heavily aimed towards children, is still a must-watch in my opinion. I mean, who doesn’t want to see a talking baseball fall down the stairs while chanting “my head my butt, my head my butt.” “Everyone’s Hero” shows the importance of family and honesty – themes that always make for a good movie. So, if you want to watch a little kid save the day by traveling the country with a talking baseball and talking bat, then consider adding “Everyone’s Hero” to your next movie night.Â
Where to Watch: Apple TV
There are hundreds of baseball movies out there – and some really good ones at that. But I think the four movies that I wrote about are some of the best baseball movies out there. So, now that baseball season is back and in full swing, I suggest adding these movies to your next movie night watch list.