The Sandlot

Plot synopsis:
The film is told through the perspective of Scotty Smalls, who is reminiscing on his first summer in Los Angeles. In 1962, Smalls moves with his mother and stepfather, Bill, to a new neighborhood, and struggles to make new friends. One afternoon, he decides to follow a group of neighborhood boys, and watches them play an improvised game of baseball at a small field, which they call the sandlot. Smalls is reluctant to join their game, as he fears he will be ridiculed on account of his inexperience. Nevertheless, he chooses to play with them, but fails to catch a simple fly ball and properly throw the ball back to his infielders. All the other players, except for Benny Rodriguez, begin to jeer Smalls for committing defensive miscues, prompting him to leave the sandlot in embarrassment. Benny, who is the best player in the neighborhood, shields Smalls from the insults of his peers, and invites him to rejoin their game. He proceeds to give Smalls advice and helps him earn the respect of the other players. In time, Smalls is accepted and becomes an integral part of the team.As Smalls continues to play with the team, he begins to learn many of the customs of the sandlot, while experiencing many misadventures with his new friends:- Getting banned for life from the local pool after Squints kissed the lifegaurd, Wendy Peffercorn, while pretending he was a drowning victim.- Challenging and winning a game against their arch-rival, the Tigers at their manicured field, after the Tigers came on their bikes and insulted them on the sandlot.He learns that players avoid hitting home runs over the sandlots fences, as the property is guarded by a ferocious dog, called the beast. One day, Benny hits a ball so hard, that he ruptures its leather, causing the balls entrails to come out. The group cannot afford to buy another baseball, and is forced to retire for the afternoon. However, Smalls runs to Bill's trophy room, and steals an autographed baseball, in hopes of preserving the game. The team is impressed with Smalls gesture, and allows him to have the first at bat with the ball. He proceeds to hit the ball out of the sandlot, but is shortly enveloped by fear once he realizes that he has lost his stepfather's ball. The situation is further worsened when Smalls realizes that the ball was autographed by Babe Ruth, and is almost irreplaceable.Smalls and his friends begin engineering elaborate plans to recover the ball from the beast. After five failed rescue attempts, Smalls prepares to accept his fate. Around the same time, Benny has an enlightening dream, where he is visited by Babe Ruth, who encourages him run into the sandlot, and use his speed to recover the ball and escape. Ruth leaves him with the words, Heroes are remembered, but legends never die. Benny rallies his friends the following morning at the sandlot, and prepares to recover Smalls baseball. He tries to convince Benny not to, but the decision was already made. Using his PF Flyers, he steals the ball from the Beast, and successfully manages to elude the dog as it chases him through town. At the end of the race, the Beast is injured after a fence collapses on it. Smalls and Benny both feel responsible for the ordeal, and helps the Beast (whose real name is revealed to be "Hercules") escape the rubble. Hercules is grateful to Smalls helping him out that he licks his face and allows the boys access to the balls hit in the back yard. Benny and Smalls then decide to tell the dogs owner, Mr. Mertle (James Earl Jones), about the ordeal. Mertle revealed if they gone to him about the baseball that had Babe Ruth's singature, he would've retrieved it for them. The other boys began hitting Squints with their hats for making up the story about Hercules as the Beast. Squints told them they should be grateful they got the ball back. They eventually learn that Mertle was a professional baseball player at the time of the 1927 New York Yankees, and played with Babe Ruth. Mertle, whose career was shortened after he was blinded by a stray pitch, agrees to give Smalls a ball signed by Murderers' Row several of the best Yankee hitters in the late 1920s. In exchange, the boys are to visit Mertle once a week to talk about baseball. Smalls proceeds to give his stepfather the ball that Mertle gave him.While his stepfather is still mad at him, they eventually get over the issue. He then goes on to explain what became of all his friends, and the future careers they pursued(Squints marrying Wendy and running a store in their hometown, Bertram disappearing after he fell in love with the 60s, Hercules joined in their games and lived to be 100 in doggy years). The film then jumps twenty years into the future, where Smalls is a radio commentator for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Benny The Jet Rodriguez is one of the team's star players. While he is in the twilight of his career, Benny manages to steal home in the movies final comments, before flashing a thumbs-up to Smalls in the press box.

Tags: cult

Review:
So imagine his surprise when he winds up meeting a kid who invites him to play baseball with him and his best friends.
But eventually, the kids grow to like him and teach him the ways of the game, and before long they're having a lot of fun during the summer.
The Sandlot is a great childhood film because it examines changes and friendship among a group of pre-teens.
It is really just good old fashioned fun (especially James Earl Jones' cameo) in the adventures of their baseball days.
I thought The Sandlot captured the innocence and joy of being young and playing baseball in a small town neighborhood.
I grew up watching The Sandlot and what i realized about this movie is that this film doesn't have the players winning or losing, but this is about friendship and how a big dog can make your worst dreams come true.
The team accepts Smalls and what makes the film interesting like i written above is that this film isn't about winning or losing, but about living your days in the summer when you are ten to twelve and realize that there is more to life than winning.
Recommended for those of us who had great friends growing up, and never wanted the good times to end..
That's rare, as often "family films" have too much smutty language or sexual situations for kids OR are so saccharine sweet that sane adults would prefer suicide over watching the films (think Disney in the 1960s).The film isn't quite a comedy, though there are really funny moments in it (such as the evil dog that eats baseballs).
The Sandlot was my favorite kid movie when I was a kid myself.I was about 8 when I saw it the first time on German TV, so a couple o' years after the movie's release and man, I loved this one.
The best thing is, years after that I saw the movie again during another summer and it reminded me so hard on the good times one can have as a youngster outside...
I went for adventures again.As many other reviewers have noticed, this movie reminds us of what it was like to be a kid, and when dogs were dangerous monsters, and playing outside was just a huge adventure.
The movie captures all our youth so well and packs it in one huge summer so watch and love this one.An absolute 10/10 for being THE kid movie of my life and guess what?
But at the same time this reminds me of my childhood because my brother played baseball with all the neighborhood kids in our side yard and we always spent our summers outside or at the neighborhood pool just as the kids in the movie did.Besides, the nostalgia I'd say this movie is right up there with "A Christmas Story" or "Ferris Buller's Day Off" as far as extremely recognizable quotes go.
When Smalls becomes curious with a group of kids (Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Chauncey Leopardi, Marty York, Brandon Quintin Adams, Grant Gelt, Shane Obedzinski and Victor DiMattia), who plays Baseball all day long in a old baseball field.
The Sandlot is a fantastic movie because it is appealing to many different age groups and fans: kids, teenagers, adults, seniors, sports fans, and fans of comedy will all love this movie.
Of long summers of "sandlot" games with him and his cousins (they were known as "the cousins") they could play baseball and football and kicked the butt of most of the teams in town, during the movie his memories spewed forth as if they had been bottled up and just needed to be set free.
Having gone through the little league stage with my son and his friends, I thought this was really a touching and wonderful movie about what boys love to do in the summer, organized or not.
What a joyful laugh he has!If you love kids, love baseball, love summer, and love a nice warm film, see it.
A time when all a kid needed for fun was a group of friends, a ball and a space to play in.Many of the changes of the past few decades have been wonderful, but I must admit I do miss certain aspects of the past; The Sandlot epitomizes all of them.Do yourself a favor and watch this movie.
I saw this movie for the first time when I was about 8 and really did love it although I'm from England and didn't really understand the rules of Baseball.
Thats what it was like and most people were like at that age and it really is an enjoyable feel-good film and I'm not surprised it has many fans although maybe not as many over here.I still watch it every now and then and its still very enjoyable and I can still see it being well-known in the future.A classic 10/10.
Growing up as a nerd can be hard, especially when you're trying to make friends with the local kids at the sandlot (where day in and day out it's nothing but baseball).
Things are going smoothly until the one day, when you find yourself in the world's biggest pickle -- sending your father's baseball (signed by Babe Ruth) into the neighbor's yard, which is guarded by a creature known simply as "The Beast".I watched this film on my birthday with my best friend Chelsea, not really knowing what to expect.
In fact, we watch it every time we happen to catch it on TV.It's not a groundbreaking film, but it is a movie that (especially if you, like us, grew up in the 60's) you'll just "get." Not only is it well written and entertaining, it brings back memories of a time when all we needed to be entertained was a group of pals, and the long days of Summer vacation.Good choice to watch with your family or if you are longing a tad for your own childhood..
Ersatz (Jean) Shepherd-esquire presentation of sandlot baseball life in early 60's Southern Cal. A "we didn't realize then what a great summer that was" sort of movie, I guess better than most of the genre.
Hearing the collective sighs of parents in the stands and seeing the encroaching outfielders strolling closer as I came to the plate was excruciating.Now that I am older, The Sandlot is more of a silly, good-natured summer movie than a vessel for childhood frustration.
The fact that Sandlot didn't see fit to add "the girl" is unfortunate but then Renna's "you throw like a girl," line wouldn't have been as funny and Leopardi's graft at the pool would have actually had consequence.What strikes me the most about The Sandlot the third time around (I think) is it's not really about baseball.
I totally love this movie, it is one great film for the whole family to enjoy, at least for those baseball lovers.
I have watched this movie dozens of times and i don't get tired of it.The one part i like in "The Sandlot" is when they're roasting marshmallow's in the tree house.(i shouldn't spoil it for you people that haven't seen this movie yet, but it's so great and funny)There are some funny parts and gross parts like the boys chew tobacco and puke on a carnival ride, trying to get a baseball that wen't over a fence and try many different things, and also Wendy Capricorn.
You will find out about her in the movie.This movie is based around 1962 and shows a lot of baseball and learning how to play.This is one of my most favorite movies of all time, plus "James Earl Jones" makes a perfect Mr. Mertle.
The Sandot Kids as it was known to me,would have to be one of the all time great movies.For it's simple and happy way of telling the story of our youth(although i am Australian and don't really follow baseball)it has a special quality about it.I recently viewed the Sandlot 2 and was not really drawn to it like the original as i kept finding myself trying to compare the story to the first movie.Once my kids were old enough to watch it with me,all i hear is the memorable lines from the movie constantly shouted at me in the backyard.My two kids always repeat the scene in the tree house where the guys have a sleepover and tell the story about the beast and how to roast a marshmallow and place it on a biscuit with the chocolate.It totally cracks me up and will always cherish this film as i think in this day and age we all need to step back and rediscover the little things that were important to us all as we grew up and this film is all of that.
In a nutshell,even an Aussie like me at age 36 still gets a kick out of this most wonderful movie.It should be put away for future generations to share and enjoy just as i have with my two kids.The Best.Regards, Darren Martens,Victoria,Australia..
Basically its a movie about a bunch of kids playing baseball over there school summer break.
It really hit home how much i missed being that age and that care free watching this movie, but it also gave me a great sense of happiness just to see these boys being the way i was with my friends back in the day.
It is a charming movie about a bunch of kids who have a lot of fun in their "sandlot", about Babe Ruth, about "the beast" and about friendship.
Great baseball and kids movie.
Parents will also like it.Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) moves to a new town where the kids play baseball all summer.
Smalls has never learned to throw a ball so he asks his step dad (Denis Leary) who is a baseball nut to teach him so he can play with the other kids.
The sandlot home run fence in left field is a no man's land and any ball that's hit over it disappears forever because "The Beast" lives there.The kids have a clubhouse in a tree.
Tom Guiry is great as the part of Scott Smalls, and the movie smoothly moves from one great subplot to the next in this great adventure about a nerdy child who experiences the summer of his life through the summer baseball group he joins in the summer.It's absolutely portrayed in the style that it will never get old.
Baseball is however about having fun in the dog days of summer...and oh look...isn't that what The Sandlot is about?
This movie takes me back to when I was a kid playing baseball with a bunch of my friends!
I like James Earl Jones' character in this movie playing the "mean, old neighbor man.".
It's funny how time flies and how a great movie like this still gets a lot of positive reviews.
I still can't believe this movie is over ten years old...feels like yesterday that I learned about "the beast" and seen Denis Leary in a role other than a foul mouthed burglar...10/10.
It is through these nine boys that we all find identification.There are some great supporting roles by the likes of Dennis Leary (surprisingly restrained, actually acting even), Karen Allen, and James Earl Jones (who becomes the oracle of baseball, taking in the two kids who will eventually spend the rest of their lives around baseball).This film is one of the many movies that was mismarketed.
Now those are all good concepts for great movies, but how about a movie you can actually relate to?The Sandlot is just that.It's one summer spent in the lives of 9 friends who play baseball in, well, a sandlot.
"The Sandlot" gives us a real story about real kids, and while kids will enjoy the movie, so too will anyone who's ever experienced a true love for the game of baseball.
The Sandlot is the one and only movie about kids and baseball.
A Fun Kid's Baseball Movie..
The Sandlot was a fun kid's baseball movie that is entertaining and fun to watch.
Great family movie about how baseball brings a group of kids together.
Every time I see it, I'm reminded anew why I love this movie so much.It's a great movie, for boys, or baseball players, or both.
In all, this is a great movie for anyone who loves the game of baseball for the game itself or those who remember this time..
Even if we'll never picture ourselves as Smalls, we can at least say we've met a naive kid like him.Scotty moves to the Valley with his mother and stepdad (Karen Allen and Denis Leary, who are little seen in the film but who are the primary adults here) and plans to spend his summer alone in his room reading and toying with his erector set.
Even if you never grew up playing or even liking baseball, you'll love this movie.
It's fun to watch these kids and their love for baseball.
The sandlot is a classic movie which depicts the childhood of growing teens, they love baseball, and have a lot of fun.
If you were a kid when this film came out, or you are just a sucker for cheesy coming-of-age movies, or you just really want a movie like this and you have not watched Stand By Me, I can understand it.
At times, it feels like it was designed to anger me and me alone.Some people have called this film a kid's version of Stand By Me, which is wrong for two reasons.
In this film the storyline is based in the 1960s and isn't like most baseball movies where there's a bad team that get some kind of magic and wins the championship or something like that, no it's about a group of friends who just like playing baseball, while they make the most of their summer.
But as most movies it has plot twist because scottie smalls grabs his step dads babe ruth signed baseball after Hamilton 'Ham' porter the funny big kid who plays catcher on their team hits their last ball over the fence into the beast yard the place of hundreds of lost baseballs.
The sandlot is one of my favorite childhood movies and never gets old I've probaly seen it about 5 times.
If you like baseball it's hard not to like the movie, it's about a group of teenage boys that are all neighborhood friends and play baseball together and have a ton of fun.
The movie is centered around Smalls who is a kid who has never played baseball before, Benny who is the best player of them all, and Hercules (aka the beast) who is the huge dog that everyone fears that lives behind the sandlot.
There are so many good parts to the movie the main one being where Smalls hits a baseball that was signed by babe Ruth over the fence into the yard where Hercules lives.
What I liked most about the Sandlot is that it is really funny and has lots of great scenes and I really enjoyed the movie because I grew up playing baseball..
The first time I saw The Sandlot was when I was 11 and I was playing little league baseball.
This movie is the pure example of friendship, young love and bravery which was a huge impact on my life and back then it was a simpler time where the only thing that mattered was baseball and playing on a team with your friends living your life to the fullest..
The pace of the film feels like those languid long days where you go from playing baseball to the swimming pool to making s'mores in a tree house, where time seems to stand still and school is so far off it's barely in your mind.This movie nails it and does so sweetly and with great nostalgia.
The other kids don't like him at first since he is a little geeky, but he eventually is accepted by the group once he learns to play baseball.
Scottie now has new friends and begins to have an action packed summer with them,like having camp outs, fearing the beast behind the fence, going to the pool, talking about Babe Ruth, and of course playing baseball.
The Sandlot is a story that follows a group of boys playing baseball all summer, and together they use teamwork to solve a problem.
Kids and fans of baseball all over the country watched this movie for years.
From the very beginning of the movie to the end, people have always had a good laugh each and every time they watch it.
I would recommend this movie to anybody who hasn't seen it yet.Baseball fans and kids have always loved to watch this movie ever since it came out.
No film better encapsulates the fear and wonder of the unknown, summer fun, and most of all; the everlasting bond of friendship and the love for the great game of baseball.
I won't spoil anything but it's really good.Growing up, a lot of us have had friends like the characters in this movie.
The Sandlot is a classic movie that's great for the whole family!.
All-in-all, a fun film about nine childhood friends in 1962, spending their summer days and nights at the sandlot playing baseball and having a variety of adventures related and unrelated to the sport.
The group goes through many adventures together, including dealing with their secluded neighbor's menacing, huge dog.Many kids grow up playing sports like baseball, and go through fun times, thick and thin, with each other.
It all culminates to a story of a lost baseball signed by Babe Ruth and a feared dog named the Beast.This is more than just a kids movie.
In the sport of baseball, they have accentuated the childhood love of the game.This is a kids movie for the whole family.