The movie “A League of Their Own” is based on All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. This movie was directed by Penny Marshall who you may know from the sitcom “Laverne and Shirley.” The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was formed during World War II by Philip K. Wrigley so that baseball would continue while the men were away. Mr. Wrigley you will know better from Wrigley Gum.
It starts off in 1992 as Dottie Hinson (Lynn Cartwright) packing because she will be attending the AAGPBL reunion. That the AAGPBL will be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Dottie now lives with her daughter and her family. Her daughter puts Dottie’s old glove in her suitcase and tells her she will have fun at the reunion. Her daughter tells her she will have a good time and will see her sister. Dottie says Kit probably won’t be there because she will be traveling the world with her family. As they leave Dottie gives her grandchildren some advice.
Dottie walks into Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY. She looks around and sees that the other women are playing baseball. She begins to remember how a Women’s Baseball league started. Then how she and her sister Kit were picked for the league.
Flashback to 1943 when Dottie (Geena Davis) and her sister Kit (Lori Petty) are playing for the local dairy’s softball team. Kit is up to bat. In a famous quotes Dottie tells her to, “Lay off the high ones.” Kit says, “She likes the high ones.” Dottie calls Kit, “Mule!” Kit calls Dottie, “Nag!" Then Kit strikes out but Dottie hits it way out and brings in the runner.
While walking back their family’s farm Kit tell Dottie how she hates being compared to Dottie. She says even their Dad treats Kit different. Kit says, “You ever hear Dad introduce us to people? This is our daughter Dottie. This is our other daughter, Dottie's sister. Should've just had you and bought a dog.” Dottie wonders why Kit is walking faster than she is. Kit asks Dottie why she is. This leads to a walking race back to the house and winds up with them running. Their mom reminds them they have chores to do and that running will only scare the chickens.
While Dottie and Kit are milking the cows, Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz) who is a scout for the major league baseball comes into the bar. He tells them they are forming a Professional Girls Baseball league while the men are off fighting in the war. Dottie doesn’t want anything to do with it but Kit does. He doesn’t want Kit because he saw how bad she played earlier. Dottie tells him that Kit is really good and just didn’t pitch that day because pitched the day before. He still isn’t interested because he only wants Dottie. Dottie turns him down so he walks out of the barn. Kit runs after him and begs for him to watch her. He still says no and goes to tap her on her arm when he feels her muscles and has a change of mind. He tells Kit if she can get Dottie to come that she will be able to go try out too. He then turns to see the chickens have surrounded him and yells at them to move.
As the girls are setting the table for dinner, Kit tries to convince Dottie to go. Dottie says no she is married and happy. Kit says, “But can't you just have this first? Just so you can say you once did something? Something special?” Just then their mom yells at Kit for her to keep her voice down because their father is listening to the radio. Kit tells Dottie she needs to get out of there because if she stays she has nothing there.
On the train, Mr. Capadino is sitting next to a traveling salesman who is bragging about his business. When the guy is done. Mr. Capadino tells him that if he had his job he would shoot himself. He then gets up and walks to the back of the train and see Dottie and Kit running for the train that is now moving. He says at least he knows they can run. They catch up and get on.
They have to make one stop before they get to Chicago. It is in Fort Collins because Mr. Capadino has to look at another girl. Her name is Marla Hooch (Megan Cavanagh). Her father (Eddie Jones) is her coach. Marla is a great player. Her only fault according to Mr. Capadino is she is not that pretty. The league is looking for pretty girls who can play great baseball. Mr. Capadino tells her no. Then Dottie and Kit figure out that the only reason he won’t take Marla is because of her looks. They put their suitcases down and won’t leave. Mr. Capadino changes his mind. Later at the train station Marla is having a tough time leaving her father behind. He tells her he will be fine and she should go. Then Mr. Capadino gets impatient and asks her if she is coming. He then tells her, “See, how it works is, the train moves, not the station.” She hugs her father goodbye and gets on the train.
They finally arrive in Chicago at the stadium. They all walk out onto the field and are amazed at how big the stadium is. This is where Mr. Capadino leaves them. It does shock them he is going. Already on the field is, Mae (Madonna) and Doris (Rosie O’Donnell). Doris is showing Mae her new trick of balancing a bat with one finger. Mae ask how long she has been practicing the trick. Doris tells her, A year not counting the two months I was in the hospital. Bat hit me in the head.” Mae says, “Really?” Doris, “Yup.” Mae teasing says, “Your head and not your behind? That looks really swollen.” Doris is now hurt by what her friend just said. This is when Doris, Kit and Marla walk up. Doris snaps at them and what they are looking at. Dottie says, “Nothing.” They exchange words. Kit then asks, “All these girls gonna be in the league?” Mae tells her that they are going to have four teams. Sixteen girls to a team.” Dottie tells Kit, “Sixty-four girls.” Doris says, “Yeah. What are you, a genius?” Mae snippy tells them that they have over 100 girls there and that some of you girls are going to have to leave. As Mae and Doris walk away, Kit is confused asks what she means by some of us. Then Doris turns around and throws a fast ball to hit Kit but she ducks and Dottie catches it bare handed. This impresses Doris and Mae and they start to walk back the Dottie, Kit and Marla. Mae says, “Okay some of them are going home.” Doris wants to know how Dottie did that. The other girls ignore them and walk away.
This is where we leave you to go watch the movie. Tells us how you like it.
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