Little Big League
Little Big League theatrical poster
Directed by	Andrew Scheinman Bill Pohlad
Produced by	Steven Nicolaides Andrew Bergman Mike Lobell
Written by	Gregory K. Pincus
Starring	Luke Edwards Timothy Busfield John Ashton Ashley Crow Kevin Dunn
Distributed by	Sony Pictures Releasing Showtime Networks
Release date(s)	July 1, 1994
Running time	119 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
IMDb profile

Little Big League  is a 1994 film about an 11-year-old (later turns 12) who suddenly becomes the owner and then manager of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Image File history File links MPW-7352. ... Andrew Bergman is an American screenwriter, director, and novelist born in 1945. ... Luke Edwards (b. ... Timothy Busfield as Danny Concannon in an episode of The West Wing Timothy Busfield (born June 12, 1957, in East Lansing, Michigan), is an American actor and director best known for his Emmy-winning role as Eliot Weston on the television series thirtysomething and his recurring role as Danny Concannon... John Ashton born 22 February 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA graduated from the University of Southern California School of Theatre and became an actor. ... Ashley Crow is an American actress. ... Kevin Dunn (born February 26, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American character actor who has appeared in supporting roles in a number of films since the 1980s. ... Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is the television and film production unit of Japan-based corporate giant Sony. ... Showtime is a US cable TV network that primarily shows motion pictures as well as some original programming and occasional boxing matches. ... July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... New York Yankees manager Joe Torre returning to the dugout (September 2005). ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 6, 14, 29, 34, 42 Name Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Washington Nationals/Senators (1901-1960) Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1982-present Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981) Griffith Stadium (1903-1960) a. ...

Plot

The start of the film explains about the life of Billy Heywood, a preteen son to a single mom, Jenny. He and his two friends, Chuck and Joey, play on the same Little League Baseball team. Billy's grandfather is Thomas Heywood, owner of the Minnesota Twins. They are a last-place team (the real-life Twins finished second in the American League West in 1992 and were World Series champs the year before) the year principal photography was shot, but finished poorly and began an eight-year slump in the spring of 1993), but Billy and his grandfather absolutely love each other, the Twins, and the game of baseball. When Thomas dies, it is revealed that he wanted Billy to inherit the franchise and specified that if Billy was still a minor, Thomas' aides would help him along until Billy was old enough to run the team himself. Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 6, 14, 29, 34, 42 Name Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Washington Nationals/Senators (1901-1960) Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1982-present Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981) Griffith Stadium (1903-1960) a. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1992 throughout the world. ... Principal Photography refers to the phase of film production during which the movie is actually shot, as distinct from pre-production and post-production. ...

Eventually, after firing the current manager (because Billy thought the manager was too hard on the players) he decides to name himself the new manager after one of his friends points out, "It's the American League! They have the DH! How hard can it be?" The players are very skeptical of Billy as manager, but Billy promises that if he does not improve the team's standings within a few weeks, he'll resign as manager. But the team improves considerably and move up to division race contention. Unfortunately, not all is going smoothly for Billy, as he is ejected from a game (and later given a one game "suspension" by his mother) for swearing at an umpire. Furthermore, Billy's friends do not like how Billy's managerial responsiblites are keeping him away from being with his friends. Billy later tells his mom that he's tired of being a "grown-up" and decides to quit as manager after the end of the season. American League The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. ... DH is an initialism that can stand for various things including: Daniel Henny, a Korean-American actor who featured in the Korean Drama My name is Kim Sam Soon Delaware and Hudson Railroad (AAR reporting mark DH) Dermatitis herpetiformis, the skin disease Designated hitter, in Baseball Dhahran from DH the...

At the climax, they are set to play the final game of the season, against Ken Griffey, Jr. and the Seattle Mariners, with the American League Wild-Card playoff spot on the line. Eventually, with two outs in the bottom of the twelfth inning, losing by a run with a man on base, the first baseman Lou Collins tells Billy he asked his mom to marry her. He says she replied to ask Billy. Billy says if he hits a homer, he will. But then he changes his mind, and lets him marry Jenny anyway. The film strays from the traditional sports movie formula by having the Twins lose the big game thanks to Griffey taking away Lou's homerun by way of one of his spectacular catches (he is known in real life for his catching of would-be home runs). In the end, Billy lets the Pitching coach become the manager and goes back to school, while reassuring the players that he will still be the owner, and says that he might come back as manager if junior high doesn't work out. But not before he gets a standing ovation from everyone in Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. George Kenneth Griffey, Jr. ... Major league affiliations American League (1977–present) West Division (1977–present) Current uniform Name Seattle Mariners (1977–present) Ballpark Safeco Field (1999–present) The Kingdome (1977-1999) Major league titles World Series titles (0) None AL Pennants (0) None West Division titles (3) [1] 2001 â€¢ 1997 â€¢ 1995 Wild card berths... American League The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ...

Cast

• Luke Edwards as Billy Heywood
• Timothy Busfield as Lou Collins
• John Ashton as Mac Macnally
• Ashley Crow as Jenny Heywood
• Kevin Dunn as Arthur Goslin
• Billy L. Sullivan as Chuck
• Miles Feulner as Joey
• Jonathan Silverman as Jim Bowers
• Dennis Farina as George O'Farrell
• Jason Robards as Thomas Heywood
• Wolfgang Bodison as Spencer Hamilton
• Duane Davis as Jerry Johnson
• Leon Durham as Leon Alexander
• Kevin Elster as Pat Corning
• Joseph Latimore as Lonnie Ritter
• Bradley Jay Lesley as John 'Blackout' Gatling
• John Minch as Mark Hodges
• Michael Papajohn as Tucker Kain
• Scott Patterson as Mike McGrevey
• Troy Startoni as Larry Hilbert
• Antonio Lewis Todd as Mickey Scales
• Real-life Twins announcer John Gordon as announcer Wally Holland
• Paul O'Neill as Himself
• Ken Griffey, Jr as Himself
• Randy Johnson as Himself
• Lou Piniella as Himself
• Rafael Palmeiro as Himself
• Wally Joyner as Himself

Luke Edwards (b. ... Timothy Busfield as Danny Concannon in an episode of The West Wing Timothy Busfield (born June 12, 1957, in East Lansing, Michigan), is an American actor and director best known for his Emmy-winning role as Eliot Weston on the television series thirtysomething and his recurring role as Danny Concannon... John Ashton (born February 22, 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts) is a U.S. actor, and graduate of the University of Southern California School of Theatre. ... Ashley Crow is an American actress. ... Kevin Dunn (born February 26, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American character actor who has appeared in supporting roles in a number of films since the 1980s. ... Billy L. Sullivan (born May 24, 1980) in New York, USA) is an American actor. ... Jonathan E. Silverman (born 5 August 1966, in Los Angeles, California) is an American actor, perhaps best known for his roles in the TV series Gimme A Break!, as well as in the films Brighton Beach Memoirs (a film version of the first play of Neil Simons Eugene Trilogy... Dennis Farina as Detective Joe Fontana in Law & Order Donaldo Guglielmo Dennis Farina (born February 29, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) is an Italian-American film and television actor, starring since 2004 as Detective Joe Fontana on NBCs Law & Order. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Leon Durham (born July 31, 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 10 seasons. ... Kevin Daniel Elster (born August 3, 1964) in San Pedro, California, is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop. ... Bradley Jay Lesley (born September 11, 1958 in Turlock, California) was a Major League Baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers from 1982 to 1985. ... Scott Patterson (born September 11, 1958) is an American actor. ... John Gordon is a Major League Baseball radio broadcaster who is best known as the play by play anouncer for the Minnesota Twins on Minnesotas WCCO 830 AM. He is well known amongst Twins fans for his intense emotional style of play calling and for his trademark home run... Paul H. ONeill Paul Henry ONeill (born December 4, 1935) served as the 72nd United States Secretary of the Treasury for part of President George W. Bushs first Administration. ... George Kenneth Griffey, Jr. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Lou Piniella, as manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, August 28, 2005. ... Rafael Palmeiro Corrales (born September 24, 1964 in Havana, Cuba) is a Major League Baseball player, with a career spanning almost 20 years. ... Wally Joyner (born June 16, 1962 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. ...

Trivia

• Arthur Goslin's surname is a reference to legendary Washington Senators player Goose Goslin (the Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961 to become the Twins).

• Real-life Major League ballplayers Leon "Bull" Durham and Kevin Elster played for the Twins in the movie, and other real-life Major Leaguers like Randy Johnson, Ivan Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro, Carlos Baerga, Sandy Alomar Jr., Paul O'Neill, Tim Raines, Dave Magadan, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella, and Wally Joyner make cameo appearances as opponents.

• The trick play Bowers (Jonathan Silverman) executes towards Griffey in the final game may not be feasible. Though his feet aren't visible, it shows him 'coming set' to deliver a pitch, and faking a throw to first base (where Griffey is standing as the base runner). In reality, the rules state a throw must be made to first base during a pickoff move or it is ruled a balk. One can argue that Bowers' foot was not on the pitching rubber, thus making the play legal. However, in baseball, base-runners tend not take their lead off of first base until the pitcher places his foot on the pitching rubber. A right-handed pitcher, though, must break with the rubber (remove his back [right] leg) before throwing to first. It is entirely possible (and feasible) that Bowers 'came set,' then, in one motion, took his back leg off the rubber, and making the throw. A base-runner will be off the base once the pitcher is in the 'set position,' and dive back at the hint of motion of the back leg. When base-runners dive back to first, they normally face the outfield (as to avoid getting hit with the baseball in the face). Thus, it can be argued that, although legal, Ken Griffey Jr. Would have been able to see the ball sailing down the Right-Field line.

• In the final game against Seattle, you see Micky Scales homerun go over the left field fence that also includes a glass fence. But, when Lou Collins hits the ball Griffey robs, the wall has disappeared.

• Historical baseball players referenced include Walter Johnson, Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford, Jackie Robinson and Roger Clemens.

Leon Allen Goslin (October 16, 1900 – May 15, 1971), better known as Goose Goslin, was a left fielder in Major League Baseball known for his powerful left-handed swing and dependable clutch hitting. ... Leon Durham (born July 31, 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 10 seasons. ... Kevin Daniel Elster (born August 3, 1964) in San Pedro, California, is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 30, 1971 in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico), nicknamed Pudge or I-Rod, is a professional baseball player. ... Rafael Palmeiro Corrales (born September 24, 1964 in Havana, Cuba) is a Major League Baseball player, with a career spanning almost 20 years. ... Carlos Obed Baerga Ortiz (born November 4, 1968 in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico), better known plainly as Carlos Baerga, is a Major League Baseball player. ... Santos Sandy Alomar Velazquez, Jr. ... Paul ONeil watches one go Paul Andrew ONeill (born February 25, 1963 in Columbus, Ohio) is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds (1987-1992) and New York Yankees (1993-2001). ... Timothy Raines (born September 16, 1959 in Sanford, Florida), nicknamed Rock, is a former American left fielder in Major League Baseball known for his speed and ability to get on base. ... David Joseph Magadan (born September 30, 1962 in Tampa, Florida) was a Major League Baseball player, and is currently a Major League Baseball coach. ... Ken Griffey, Jr. ... Lou Piniella, as manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, August 28, 2005. ... Wally Joyner (born June 16, 1962 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. ... In baseball, a pitcher may commit a number of illegal motions or actions which constitute a balk. ... Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887-December 10, 1946), American professional baseball pitcher. ... Tyrus Raymond Ty Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed The Georgia Peach,[2] was a Major League Baseball (MLB) player. ... Sam Crawfords 1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card. ... Jack Roosevelt Jackie Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) became the first African-American Major League Baseball player of the modern era in 1947. ... William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio), nicknamed The Rocket, is one of the preeminent Major League baseball pitchers of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, and is widely considered to be one of the best pitchers of all time[1]. He has won seven Cy Young Awards...

External links

• Little Big League at the Internet Movie Database