You Gotta Believe revisits the Fort Worth, Texas Little League team that made the Little League World Series during its 2002 Cinderella run.

I love a good baseball movie. Unlike the large majority of baseball films, this one will tug at people’s emotions. It’s a far cry from the likes of The Sandlot, Rookie of the Year, Little Big League, Angels in the Outfield, Moneyball, etc. Like many baseball films, it shares the idea of teamwork but what makes this one stand apart is the film’s emotional throughline. Because of rights purposes, it does take some creative liberties: USA Today becomes America Today while ESPN turns into LESN. In another world, maybe they could use the archival ESPN footage.

The Westside Little League team was never supposed to make the Little League World Series. In fact, nobody even gave any thought to them make a lengthy run at all, let alone any run. Coach Jon Kelly (Greg Kinnear) was asked to have his team basically play a scrimmage for an opponent featuring star pitcher Hunter Dixon. I don’t know if Dixon is an actual name or fictional but who knows whatever became of him. What we do know is that Dixon was not on the roster when the two teams faced each other. Coach Kelly’s reaction is just priceless! Because of this, Westside was able to make a Cinderella run on its march towards the 2002 Little League World Series. The rest, as they say, is history.

If you aren’t familiar with the Fort Worth, Texas club, the team rallied behind Robert Ratliff’s (Michael Cash) father and coach, Bobby Ratliff (Luke Wilson). Dying of a terminal cancer, Bobby didn’t have long to live. How does Robert respond to playing through the adversity? At one point, weather delays the Ratliffs from arriving in Williamsport and you can’t help but feel for Robert. For all anyone knew, their first game could have been it. And yet, they would shock the world! They would take on the Valley Sports American Little League team from Louisville–okay, PRP–resulting in what became an 11-inning instant classic. Westside’s Walker Kelly struck out 21 players in 9 innings (one shy of the record). Meanwhile, Aaron Alvey had a nine-inning no-hitter upon departing from the mound. Michael Valdez pitched five innings of relief but Louisville won 2-1.

Because of budgetary reasons, the filmmakers opt to film in Canada rather than the United States. Even though the Little League World Series logo is on the poster, the film does not use the actual Howard J. Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. If you’re going for authenticity, please use the real stadium!

While You Gotta Believe has all the ingredients of a good baseball movie, it is a very different baseball movie.

DIRECTOR: Ty Roberts
SCREENWRITERS: Lane Garrison and Ty Roberts
CAST: Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Sarah Gadon, Lew Temple, Michael Cash, Etienne Kellici, Patrick Renna, and Molly Parker

Well Go USA Entertainment released You Gotta Believe in theaters on August 30, 2024. Grade: 3.5/5

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