Jim Morris is a father, husband and science teacher in the small community of Big Lake, Texas. He is also the high school's baseball coach. Jim has lived with a lifelong dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player, though he could not play the game in high school (the town of Big Lake is not a baseball supporting town). Committed to baseball, despite his father's approval, he is drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, but an injury and Tommy John surgery seemingly ends his career before it begins.
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Now coaching the Owls' baseball team, Jim struggles to keep his players inspired when fans attending the games are few and losses only serve to make the community less likely to support the team. When the high school team's catcher wants to get some extra practice in and recruits Coach Morris to pitch, the sheer power of his fastball has everyone on the team wondering if Coach's arm is back. The team makes a deal with their coach: If the Owls win the district title and make it to the Texas State Championship, Coach Morris will go to a Major League tryout. Morris agrees to the deal, never dreaming his team could pull off the effort. The team proves him wrong and upon learning of a Tampa Bay Devil Rays camp nearby, Coach Morris keeps his promise.
At first, the scouts shy away from his advancing age, but he asks them for a chance because of the promise he made to his team. After waiting in the heat with his children, the scouts give Jim a chance to prove himself. Not only does he prove himself but with a fastball that is better than it ever was in his first attempt at making the Majors.
At home, he is met with cynicism. His wife worries about re-injuring his shoulder; his father still feels baseball is a pipe dream that he needs to let go. However, Jim's young son, Hunter, idolizes his father and the dream he is pursuing. Jim quickly rises through the ranks of AA and AAA baseball in the minors, but the time away from his family and looks from younger players, feeling Jim is some publicity stunt, becomes hard. He is about to quit baseball for good when the 35 year old's Big League call beckons.
Best part of story, including ending:
This movie was very inspirational and proved that dreams know no age limits and how hard work and dedication pays off in the end.
Best scene in story:
I enjoyed the scene at The Ballpark in Arlington (home of the Texas Rangers) when the entire community of Big Lake, including Jim's father, attended the game in a show of support for their native son. It was nice to see Jim make amends with his father.
Opinion about the main character:
Jim's commitment to his baseball dream was inspiring and encouraging. All he needed with a dose of encouragement from his players. It was sad that he had somewhat lost his faith in his dream before the tryout, but in the end, he proved himself to everyone. That's admirable of anyone.
Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid) is a high school baseball coach who made a promise to his team. Win the District Championship and he would chase his dream once again and try out for a Major League Baseball Team. We'll they won. He was the best pitcher in the game about 25 years prior, until he blew out his shoulder. He could still play as it turns out and eventually gets his chance in the pros.
The review of this Movie prepared by Steve Polizzi
