A League of Their Own, a Tribute to Women in Baseball

Perhaps one of the greatest sports movies is "A League of Their Own,"(1992) that starred Geena Davis, Madonna, Rosie O'Donnell, Lori Petty and Tom Hanks. A feel-good movie, that touched on the changing roles of women in American society, "A League of their Own," is an entertaining story for a rainy day or a night when life seems a bit trying.

During World War Two, with so many men away serving in the war and a nation hungry for America's favorite pastime, baseball, a decision was made by a candy manufacturer Walter Harvey (Gary Marshall) to recruit women to play in a female baseball league. He gave a washed up Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) the opportunity to return to some of his former glory if he coached this team. In the meantime, Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) has been spotted as an excellent candidate by Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz). One catch exists, Dottie isn't interested in playing as much as her younger sister Kit Keller (Lori Petty) who is yearning to leave the farm. Dottie is married and waiting for her husband to return from fighting in Italy.

This story centers on Dottie, although memorable appearances by Madonna and Rosie make this movie wonderfully funny and poignant. A league is formed and the women play their hearts out, often to very small crowds, but as the women became smarter in their theatrical performance the crowds increased. These women went through changes as they became more exposed to a world far larger than the small ones they resided within. Deep friendships were formed and many lasted a lifetime.

From the actual time they spent, the movie moves forward to the event of women in baseball has a new area in the Baseball Hall of Fame and each of them shares a memory or news of their lives. Life has gone on and now these women, once young are wrinkled and grey-haired and still filled with pride and spirit. Bridges were mended and each member looking at the memorabilia was taken back in their minds to a simpler time of being in "A League of Their Own."

I enjoyed this movie because this movie was based upon a real league The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that was professionally recognized for two seasons. The candy manufacturer in the movie was patterned after Philip Wrigley of the chewing gum empire. The rest of the history of the league contains name changes and ownership changes, but ultimately this league gave women the opportunity to play baseball and play the game well.

I cannot imagine the challenges these women must have endured traveling on these old-fashioned buses from city to city, arriving tired and expected to play good baseball. Yet, the adventure and the opportunity must have been tremendous for women who would have perhaps had the traditional choices of the 1940s, of family and perhaps careers in fields that were traditional for women such as teachers and librarians. A marriage and family was the goal of most women during this era.

Two points also stand out in this movie, one of where Dottie is tossed back a baseball from a black woman who looks at her proudly. Imagine the conflict some people had with women playing baseball, and a reminder if times had been different, this black woman could have been part of that team. The other point was the compassion they showed Shirley Baker who could not read. The girls helped her become part of the team, and she was taught to read, although what she was taught to read was humorous.

I admit I have seen this movie at least a dozen times, and never get tired of watching the story. Each time there is something more to be seen, learned and admired about this group of women. I also admire how Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) comes not only to admire Dottie, but to also not molly coddle the women, but treat them as baseball players. "There is no crying in baseball," he would shout. The women were not taken seriously as players in the beginning but their determination is an inspiration to everyone to meet a challenge head-on and succeed.

I must admit I was impressed by the acting ability of Madonna. As she is well-known as a singer, a singing ability doesn't always translate in the ability to act, but she was fabulous as the wise cracking Mae Mordabito. If you are looking for a great sports movie and have not seen "A League of Their Own," I would recommend you watch this movie. Baseball continues to be a favorite American pastime, and this movie is a great reminder of how and why women became baseball players.