Line Drive correspondent Grace White lists her top 8 sports movies, talks about why each is significant to her, and encourages you to share yours!

Sports have the potential to provide some of the most dramatic and inspiring moments in life.

In fact, they already have—from Hank Aaron hitting his 715^th homerun to break Babe Ruth’s record in 1974 to this year’s exciting ALCS Game 3 in which the Guardians hit a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the 9^th and a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 10^th, both with two outs, to beat the Yankees.

It’s no wonder, then, that sports have been the basis for some of the most impactful and entertaining movies ever made, and I’d like to give you a list of my favorites… counting backwards!

*****

8. Field of Dreams

A baseball field in a cornfield, players from the past, and a family reconciliation—what more could you want in a movie?

I have to admit that I’ve only seen this 1989 film all the way through once, but the influence that it has had spreads beyond just watching it for movie night.

MLB has played two games, one in 2021 and one in 2022, at Field of Dreams, built at the site used in the movie, and I’m sure almost everyone has heard the phrase,

“If you build it, he will come.”

Also, the cast is packed with great actors, including Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster, and Timothy Busfield. This classic has no problem making my top eight.

7. The Sandlot

Like Field of Dreams, this 1993 film is an American classic.

It’s nostalgic and comedic tied together through a group of nine boys and their love for baseball. From the pool scene to Ham’s taunting of the opposing team, there are so many memorable moments.

It even has the legendary James Earl Jones, who is making his second appearance on this list.

This movie has something for both kids and adults, making it a great choice for family movie night and bringing it to number seven on my list.

6. A League of Their Own

“There’s no crying in baseball!”

If 10 people were asked to pick one line from this 1992 film, I dare say all 10 would give you that one spoken by the great Tom Hanks.

This is a meaningful movie for me as it portrays women playing a sport I have loved for the majority of my life.

When I became a diehard Braves fan, starting with my first game in Oct. 2009, I dreamed of playing on that stage.

My sister, Esther, and I would put on our jerseys and pitch to our dad in the driveway. We would also go into the yard to practice our diving catches, which we called “top plays” since that’s what the replay for such grabs would say on our Major League Baseball 2K10 Wii game.

Obviously, I never actually got to realize that dream, but it’s still fun to look back over those memories. For the nostalgia and the stellar cast, including Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna, I’m putting this movie at number six.

5. Facing the Giants

Facing the Giants, a 2006 film from the Kendrick brothers, intertwines football with faith in such a way that it leaves the viewer feeling empowered and inspired.

It also deals with intense topics from infertility to financial issues to the testing of faith.

My favorite scene is when head coach Grant Taylor gets star player Brock Kelley to death crawl with another player on his back all the way into the end zone even though Kelley had no idea he had it within himself to do it.

This movie may not be considered a classic, but I would definitely recommend it. Because of that, it slides in at No. 5.

4. Little Big League

This 1994 movie was one of my favorites around the time I was 13 years old. I recorded it on DirecTV when MLB Network showed it, and I watched it multiple times.

One thing about baseball that has always fascinated me is the behind the scenes work that it takes to make a team, such as negotiating contracts and making trades.

I also love clubhouse scenes and seeing what players do when they aren’t actually competing.

Even though this movie is unrealistic in that a 12-year-old owns and manages the Minnesota Twins, it still provides that inside look that I find so intriguing, making it number four on the list.

3. The Blind Side

The Blind Side, released in 2009, has to be one of the greatest feel-good movies of all time.

Plus, it has Sandra Bullock in it, which is a winning combination.

It also makes you think.

I mean, how many of us would have done what the Tuohys did and take in a complete stranger and love them like our own family?

The Tuohys changed Michael Ohers life and helped him to discover qualities about himself he probably didn’t even know he had.

I especially love the scene where Michael and S.J. are in a wreck, and after Leigh Anne sees the cuts and bruises on Michael’s arm, he tells her that he stopped the air bag from hitting S.J.

This movie is top-notch and finds its well-deserved place at No. 3 on my list.

2. Warrior

I had never heard of this movie until I took screenwriting at Union.

We went over parts of the script and watched the entire thing. After that, this 2011 film became a favorite of mine, and not just because it stars Tom Hardy as a ripped MMA fighter.

This is a movie about family.

It starts with two alienated brothers and their father but ends with reconciliation as they find their way back to each other in an MMA ring.

Be sure to have a box of Kleenex handy and prepare for lots of chill bumps. It’s a tearjerker for sure, bringing it to No. 2 on the list.

1. Moneyball

If you’re a baseball fan, this movie is a must-see, and even if you aren’t, I would still highly recommend it.

Released in 2011, Moneyball is the story of former Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane and his quest to turn his small-market team into a strong competitor in the 2002 season.

It’s got drama, trades, signings, and blockbuster actors, including Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, and Chris Pratt.

In my mind, Moneyball is the ultimate baseball movie, and for that reason, it is ranked No. 1!

I hope you enjoyed my list of favorite sports movies! We’d love to hear about yours. If you’re willing to share, email them to brentt.eads@linedrivemedia.com

— Grace White/Line Drive Softball