Oct 02 2008
Mets, Yankees Who? Turn to the Gals
Penny Marshall’s 1992 film A League of Their Own depicted the start of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which included the Rockford Peaches (the fictionalized version of that team is seen above). (image courtesy of Columbia Pictures)
Fellow New Yorkers probably can sympathize with my disinterest in Major League Baseball’s postseason phase.
With both hometown teams belly flopping in their bid to advance to the postseason, why care? The Mets’ failure to advance hurt most, since the Queens boys once again took the race to the regular season’s very last day, only to choke for the second consecutive year.
On that bum note, if fellow New Yorkers (well, anyone for that matter) want some baseball-related entertainment, there are some good movies to turn to. Whether it’s Kevin Costner’s Bull Durham and Field of Dreams, Robert Redford in The Natural, Gary Cooper in Pride of the Yankees, the Roger Maris-Mickey Mantle home run battle in 61*, the 1919 Black Sox scandal in Eight Men Out- great baseball flicks abound.
My personal favorite depicts the advent of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Penny Marshall (of Laverne & Shirley fame) directed 1992’s fictionalized A League of Their Own, which focuses on the relationship between two sisters on their way to tryouts for the first girl’s league. Anticipating a possible shortage of manpower because of World War II, officials feared that the 1943 MLB season would be suspended and, in turn, implemented the first professional all-girls league.
While all the action centers on baseball, it’s sibling rivalry and the importance of friendship and lifelong bonds that give the film its heart. Also of significance is the considerable step forward the AAGPBL represented for the women’s movement, pushing females out of the kitchen and into the workforce.
Geena Davis and Lori Petty star as sisters Dottie Hinson and Kit Keller, who become teammates on the Rockford Peaches, as catcher and pitcher, respectively. Kit’s jealousy of attention-grabbing Dottie (arguably the best hitter and overall player of the lot) drives the storyline, as Kit’s feelings of inadequacy push her toward the breaking point as the film progresses.
Some key moments in Kit’s emotional meltdown include her frustration at being taken out of a game (at Dottie’s suggestion), resulting in a scuffle with third-baser Doris Murphy (Rosie O’Donnell); tearfully asking Dottie, “Why do you have to be so good?”; and flying off the handle after learning she’s been traded to the Racine Belles (Dottie had tried to get herself traded; like that was gonna happen).
Dottie ends up leaving the league, only to return for the final game of the World Series clash between the Peaches and Belles. Peaches are up 2-1, and it comes down to the last out, with Kit at bat and one gal on base. Kit wails one to the outfield, rounds the bases and ends up running smack into Dottie, who’s blocking home plate. The result? The umpire calls Kit safe, as Dottie dropped the ball following the collision. But, was it really an error on Dottie’s part?
I’ve read interpretations on the scene through the years, and it’s either one of two explanations: Dottie actually did drop the ball (I know, that’s a conclusion of Einstein proportions), or, she intentionally left the ball leave her hand. Why would she do that, you wonder, especially after advising the pitcher to throw high balls to Kit, knowing she usually swings and misses? Because- despite Peaches manager Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) telling one of the players that there’s no crying in baseball- Dottie observed Kit sobbing in the dugout.
Seeing her kid sister break down in tears made Dottie realize just how important the game- and the need to feel appreciated and valued- was to Kit. Knowing what was at stake with the final out- in terms of the game itself and her relationship with her sister- Dottie opted to choose family. Kit suddenly became a hero, the “Queen of Diamonds” that Dottie had been all along. As Kit’s teammates hoisted her up in celebration and glory, we saw Dottie’s pleased expression, while the other Peaches wallowed in disappointment.
Almost 50 years later, nearly all the original Peaches attend a Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony, which reaches an emotional high upon Dottie and Kit’s reunion. The movie concludes with all the Peaches posing for a snapshot, in similar positions to the original team photo taken decades prior.
A League of Their Own gets a tad overly sentimental at times (it’s a mainstream Hollywood movie, after all), but you can’t help but invest in the sisters and their conflicts, not to mention the impressive ensemble cast. Davis, Petty, Hanks, O’Donnell and Madonna (as All-the-Way center fielder Mae Mordabito) turn in rich, memorable performances.
So, if you’re unhappy that neither New York team (or your favorite team, regardless of geographic location) is in the hunt for this year’s World Series this year, pop in a winning, feel-good baseball movie among the bunch at your disposal. But if you haven’t seen A League of Their Own- especially if you’re a baseball fan- put it on your to-see list, preferably before the start of the 2009 season.
