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Baseball: The Movie
Featuring Field of Dreams, The Bad News Bears, A League of Their Own, and more: a probing and entertaining work at the intersection of pop culture and sports
Baseball has always been a symbol as much as a sport. With a blend of individual confrontation and team play, a luxurious pace, and an immaculate urban parkland setting, it offers a sunny rendering of the American Dream, both the hard work that underpins it and the rewards it promises.
Film, America's other national pastime, which magnifies and mythologizes all it touches, has long been the ideal medium to canonize this aspirational idea.
Baseball: The Movie is the first definitive history of this film genre that was born in 1915 and remains artistically and culturally vital more than a century later. Writer and critic Noah Gittell sheds light on well-known classics and overlooked gems, exploring how baseball cinema creates a stage upon which the American ideal is born, performed, and repeatedly redefined.
Traversing history and mythmaking, cynicism and nostalgia, this thoroughly researched book takes readers on a multifaceted tour of baseball on film.
Baseball has always been a symbol as much as a sport. With a blend of individual confrontation and team play, a luxurious pace, and an immaculate urban parkland setting, it offers a sunny rendering of the American Dream, both the hard work that underpins it and the rewards it promises.
Film, America's other national pastime, which magnifies and mythologizes all it touches, has long been the ideal medium to canonize this aspirational idea.
Baseball: The Movie is the first definitive history of this film genre that was born in 1915 and remains artistically and culturally vital more than a century later. Writer and critic Noah Gittell sheds light on well-known classics and overlooked gems, exploring how baseball cinema creates a stage upon which the American ideal is born, performed, and repeatedly redefined.
Traversing history and mythmaking, cynicism and nostalgia, this thoroughly researched book takes readers on a multifaceted tour of baseball on film.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2024
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2661 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 28, 2025
3.5 stars
"[Baseball is] the most cinematic of all sports, and watching it triggers our primal need for drama, suspense, and even a Hollywood ending. The other sports - basketball, football, hockey, soccer - only move left to right on your television, or right to left. They make great video games, but baseball exists in three dimensions, with the ball zipping in one direction and then another in the same play . . . It's a game of dramatic confrontation, telling its story through faces rather than bodies. The pitcher peers in at the catcher, and the batter stares down the pitcher, like an armed standoff in a classic western or a Tarantino flick. It's rich with perspective and thick with drama." -- from the author's introduction
Although I didn't exactly plan it this way, my review for Baseball: The Movie coincides with the MLB's opening day of 2025, and I'm also looking forward to when my Dodgers (the 2024 World Series champions 😉) arrive to play in Philadelphia late next week. That's the good news, but back to the game . . . I was a little disappointed here with author Gittell's initial offering. When he sticks to the chronological journey of a select group of American baseball movies - the 1940's and 50's were rich with The Pride of the Yankees, The Stratton Story, Angels in the Outfield, and Fear Strikes Out, followed by a severe slump throughout the entirety of 1960's, and a brief resurgence in the 1970's with Bang the Drum Slowly and The Bad News Bears (and its two inferior sequels), but then a nice 10-year winning streak kicks in starting in 1984 with The Natural which soon led to the beloved Field of Dreams, A League of Their Own, and The Sandlot (to name only a few) - it was a good overview and discussion of those flicks during their specific eras. However, I grew increasingly distracted by of some of the preachy '-isms' inserted into the narrative, and I'm pretty sure other readers don't want a guilt trip when they'd more enjoy a trip to the ballpark and/or movie theater. That said, this is also Gittell's book debut, and sometimes he seems like a rookie a bat - he uses the word 'assaulters,' when 'attackers' or 'assailants' would've been much better grammatical choices; and he also referred to Janet Reno as the first female Secretary of State (uh, she was the U.S. Attorney General), so I guess he and proofreaders imbibed too much at Cleveland's '10-cent beer night' - but when he settles in (and down) to examine the uniquely lovely marriage of baseball and movies - two of our national pastimes, wouldn't you say? - it makes for a quick and entertaining read. Play ball!
"[Baseball is] the most cinematic of all sports, and watching it triggers our primal need for drama, suspense, and even a Hollywood ending. The other sports - basketball, football, hockey, soccer - only move left to right on your television, or right to left. They make great video games, but baseball exists in three dimensions, with the ball zipping in one direction and then another in the same play . . . It's a game of dramatic confrontation, telling its story through faces rather than bodies. The pitcher peers in at the catcher, and the batter stares down the pitcher, like an armed standoff in a classic western or a Tarantino flick. It's rich with perspective and thick with drama." -- from the author's introduction
Although I didn't exactly plan it this way, my review for Baseball: The Movie coincides with the MLB's opening day of 2025, and I'm also looking forward to when my Dodgers (the 2024 World Series champions 😉) arrive to play in Philadelphia late next week. That's the good news, but back to the game . . . I was a little disappointed here with author Gittell's initial offering. When he sticks to the chronological journey of a select group of American baseball movies - the 1940's and 50's were rich with The Pride of the Yankees, The Stratton Story, Angels in the Outfield, and Fear Strikes Out, followed by a severe slump throughout the entirety of 1960's, and a brief resurgence in the 1970's with Bang the Drum Slowly and The Bad News Bears (and its two inferior sequels), but then a nice 10-year winning streak kicks in starting in 1984 with The Natural which soon led to the beloved Field of Dreams, A League of Their Own, and The Sandlot (to name only a few) - it was a good overview and discussion of those flicks during their specific eras. However, I grew increasingly distracted by of some of the preachy '-isms' inserted into the narrative, and I'm pretty sure other readers don't want a guilt trip when they'd more enjoy a trip to the ballpark and/or movie theater. That said, this is also Gittell's book debut, and sometimes he seems like a rookie a bat - he uses the word 'assaulters,' when 'attackers' or 'assailants' would've been much better grammatical choices; and he also referred to Janet Reno as the first female Secretary of State (uh, she was the U.S. Attorney General), so I guess he and proofreaders imbibed too much at Cleveland's '10-cent beer night' - but when he settles in (and down) to examine the uniquely lovely marriage of baseball and movies - two of our national pastimes, wouldn't you say? - it makes for a quick and entertaining read. Play ball!
November 7, 2024
I’m glad movies like “The Sandlot”, “Major League” and “Rookie of the Year” get a complete analysis for being the true pieces of art they are, but this author just continued to find the most negative aspects of so many films. Not sure what they were going through at the time but do we really need to know child abduction statistics in a chapter about “The Sandlot”? Or how “Major League” was sexist? We enjoy these films because they provide a certain comfort over time. Plus “The Sandlot” is probably the best movie of how sports bring friendships together and “Major League” is one of the better underdog stories. It’s great to have a deep look at why we enjoy these movies, but can we just enjoy them without thinking how they’re problematic in some way?
December 9, 2024
As one who will watch any movie with a baseball theme, when I saw that not only there was a book about baseball movies, but it was also a finalist for the Casey Award for the best baseball book of 2024, I had to check it out. After reading this book by Noah Gittell, I have mixed feelings about it at best.
I’ll start with my disappointment to get that out of the way. Some of the critiques felt very preachy to remind the reader about baseball’s racism and sexism in its history and also to pick apart some of the movies to find anything that might not stand up to 2024 moral and social scrutiny. I’ll use two of my favorite movies for this section. While Mr. Gittell mostly praises “A League of Their Own” he did have to mention that the baseball scenes had to be realistic since the mostly male establishment would criticize it if those portions didn’t seem realistic. Couldn’t we just enjoy the movie for the excellence it had without that comment? He also was very harsh on his chapter on “The Sandlot.” While yes, the scene where Squints fakes drowning in order to kiss lifeguard Wendy Peffercorn can be labeled as sexual assault, I guess it’s not okay to just enjoy a movie with scenes that many people MIGHT fantasize about. And of course, even though the best player is a Latino, the lack of a Black player seemed to bother the author enough that he had bring that into the discussion.
This kind of commentary is a shame to me because when he is writing just about the movie or the baseball, he has excellent commentary. I felt the best of those are about two other movies I really enjoyed, “Pride of the Yankees” and ”Little Big League.” While my enjoyment of the latter might be biased since I am a Twins fan, I really liked how Mr. Gittell mostly praises this movie for its use of today’s analytical thinking in the game before it was common. His description of the scene where young Billy, while managing the Twins, is talking to one of his coaches on situational baseball. More text like this and less about the social shortcomings in the movies would have made this book much more enjoyable for me. At best I give this 3 1/2 stars.
I’ll start with my disappointment to get that out of the way. Some of the critiques felt very preachy to remind the reader about baseball’s racism and sexism in its history and also to pick apart some of the movies to find anything that might not stand up to 2024 moral and social scrutiny. I’ll use two of my favorite movies for this section. While Mr. Gittell mostly praises “A League of Their Own” he did have to mention that the baseball scenes had to be realistic since the mostly male establishment would criticize it if those portions didn’t seem realistic. Couldn’t we just enjoy the movie for the excellence it had without that comment? He also was very harsh on his chapter on “The Sandlot.” While yes, the scene where Squints fakes drowning in order to kiss lifeguard Wendy Peffercorn can be labeled as sexual assault, I guess it’s not okay to just enjoy a movie with scenes that many people MIGHT fantasize about. And of course, even though the best player is a Latino, the lack of a Black player seemed to bother the author enough that he had bring that into the discussion.
This kind of commentary is a shame to me because when he is writing just about the movie or the baseball, he has excellent commentary. I felt the best of those are about two other movies I really enjoyed, “Pride of the Yankees” and ”Little Big League.” While my enjoyment of the latter might be biased since I am a Twins fan, I really liked how Mr. Gittell mostly praises this movie for its use of today’s analytical thinking in the game before it was common. His description of the scene where young Billy, while managing the Twins, is talking to one of his coaches on situational baseball. More text like this and less about the social shortcomings in the movies would have made this book much more enjoyable for me. At best I give this 3 1/2 stars.
June 7, 2024
The baseball movie is one of my favorite genres despite its relatively lean number of titles. Every winter, I spin up these movies to feel better about no baseball. In the spring, I spin them up to keep my hype at maximum through preseason. I love all kinds—the historical look back, the comeback comedy, the mythical kids in the big leagues and sandlots, and the movies that are about so much more than the game. Noah Gittel and I see the best pretty much the same, but that’s not what this book is about. It’s a journey through time without feeling like an “and, then” story.
Gittell manages to advocate for baseball’s importance to our country, the need to tell more true and diverse stories, for movies, and baseball’s place in Hollywood, all while being a true fan and without writing a book that just gushes about his favorite movies. This is a thin line and the result makes for a great companion to watching these movies and a call for more and better baseball movies.
Gittell manages to advocate for baseball’s importance to our country, the need to tell more true and diverse stories, for movies, and baseball’s place in Hollywood, all while being a true fan and without writing a book that just gushes about his favorite movies. This is a thin line and the result makes for a great companion to watching these movies and a call for more and better baseball movies.
June 9, 2024
Right in my wheelhouse — movies & baseball being two of my own competing passions. But Mr. Gittell’s efforts here bear almost no evidence of a distinct, personal perspective, nor the articulation of why the sport and its depiction is (or, was) essential, instead positioning itself like a referendum on each movie as judged by present social politics.
It reads like the transcript of a podcast hosted by a guy who’s desperate for his listeners to understand that he agrees with them… which makes it all the more ironic that his interview with Richard Linklater is so targeted and nuanced.
That transcription is the best of these pages. Otherwise, there is almost nothing here that isn’t said by twitter scolds.
It reads like the transcript of a podcast hosted by a guy who’s desperate for his listeners to understand that he agrees with them… which makes it all the more ironic that his interview with Richard Linklater is so targeted and nuanced.
That transcription is the best of these pages. Otherwise, there is almost nothing here that isn’t said by twitter scolds.
May 31, 2024
This is for the crazed geniuses who work as booksellers at the local Barnes and Noble. They know why...
This is the definitive book about movies on baseball, and not just because it offers the sanest case for why Bull Durham is the greatest baseball movie of all time.
It also understands that even films with major problems, such as The Natural (with its complete bastardization of its source material) and Major League (in the way it treats women) still contain soaring moments that compel repeat viewings.
All the usual suspects are here, stretching back to The Pride of the Yankees, and there is time and space for a few that don't get the attention they deserve, particularly Sugar. I wish there had been more on Everybody Wants Some!, but the book compensates with an interview with director Richard Linklater.
It also must be mentioned that this book restores The Bad News Bears to its rightful place as a subversive work of art, rather than simply a movie with kids who swear.
The author presents a clear-eyed view of why these films work. At the same time, he shows that even those films that don't work can still stir viewers.
This is easily the best book I've read all year.
This is the definitive book about movies on baseball, and not just because it offers the sanest case for why Bull Durham is the greatest baseball movie of all time.
It also understands that even films with major problems, such as The Natural (with its complete bastardization of its source material) and Major League (in the way it treats women) still contain soaring moments that compel repeat viewings.
All the usual suspects are here, stretching back to The Pride of the Yankees, and there is time and space for a few that don't get the attention they deserve, particularly Sugar. I wish there had been more on Everybody Wants Some!, but the book compensates with an interview with director Richard Linklater.
It also must be mentioned that this book restores The Bad News Bears to its rightful place as a subversive work of art, rather than simply a movie with kids who swear.
The author presents a clear-eyed view of why these films work. At the same time, he shows that even those films that don't work can still stir viewers.
This is easily the best book I've read all year.
June 21, 2024
In many ways, Baseball: The Movie is a Venn diagram of two of my life's passions: baseball and film! For the most part--albeit a few slip-ups along the way--author Noah Gittell combines the two seamlessly in examining the history of the "baseball movie" in all its various forms.
The hallmark of Baseball: The Movie is Gittell's intelligent analysis of why/how the baseball flick has fit into so many different generations. It could be an old-Hollywood studio film (Pride of the Yankees, The Stratton Story). It could be a counter-culture treatise (The Bad News Bears). It could be Boomer nostalgia (The Natural, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham). It could be for kids (The Sandlot, Rookie of the Year, Little Big League). It could be socially/racial meaningful (A League of Their Own, 42). It could represent divides in thinking about the game itself (Moneyball, Trouble with the Curve). Gittell provides interesting material on all those films (and others) in chronicling the history of baseball on the big screen.
For the most part, Gittell is fair in his criticism or praise of various films. But on a few occasions his socio-political commentary overruns the baseball narrative and becomes noticeable. This is especially apparent in his section on The Sandlot, which is savaged beyond reason. Also, towards the end of the book when racial/cultural issues are much-discussed, there exists some pretty scathing commentary that doesn't exist in earlier portions. I'd give Baseball: The Movie 4.5 stars if able, but for these reasons I have to round down rather than up.
Overall, though, Baseball: The Movie is a fun and thoughtful jaunt through the history of baseball cinema. Even when overreaching a time or two, I appreciated Gittell's commentary approach as opposed to just a listing of facts or well-worn anecdotes about these flicks.
The hallmark of Baseball: The Movie is Gittell's intelligent analysis of why/how the baseball flick has fit into so many different generations. It could be an old-Hollywood studio film (Pride of the Yankees, The Stratton Story). It could be a counter-culture treatise (The Bad News Bears). It could be Boomer nostalgia (The Natural, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham). It could be for kids (The Sandlot, Rookie of the Year, Little Big League). It could be socially/racial meaningful (A League of Their Own, 42). It could represent divides in thinking about the game itself (Moneyball, Trouble with the Curve). Gittell provides interesting material on all those films (and others) in chronicling the history of baseball on the big screen.
For the most part, Gittell is fair in his criticism or praise of various films. But on a few occasions his socio-political commentary overruns the baseball narrative and becomes noticeable. This is especially apparent in his section on The Sandlot, which is savaged beyond reason. Also, towards the end of the book when racial/cultural issues are much-discussed, there exists some pretty scathing commentary that doesn't exist in earlier portions. I'd give Baseball: The Movie 4.5 stars if able, but for these reasons I have to round down rather than up.
Overall, though, Baseball: The Movie is a fun and thoughtful jaunt through the history of baseball cinema. Even when overreaching a time or two, I appreciated Gittell's commentary approach as opposed to just a listing of facts or well-worn anecdotes about these flicks.
June 21, 2024
Baseball friends, and anyone that loves the game, I just finished Baseball: The Movie. I highly recommend it. It highlights baseball movies throughout history.
There are chapters on Fear Strikes Out, The Bad News Bears, Sandlot, Field of Dreams, Eight Men Out (the actors wanted to keep the uniforms, but we're denied because they were going to be used in Field of Dreams), A League of Their Own (did Dotty drop the ball on purpose?), and so many more!
Of course after reading it, you may get lost in re-watching some of your favorite movies!
One movie that was missed: Twelve. It's a great look at today's 12u Little League.
There are chapters on Fear Strikes Out, The Bad News Bears, Sandlot, Field of Dreams, Eight Men Out (the actors wanted to keep the uniforms, but we're denied because they were going to be used in Field of Dreams), A League of Their Own (did Dotty drop the ball on purpose?), and so many more!
Of course after reading it, you may get lost in re-watching some of your favorite movies!
One movie that was missed: Twelve. It's a great look at today's 12u Little League.
July 12, 2024
Glad the reviews weren’t just a recap of the good stuff. Took some of the movies to task for what wasn’t good then and hasn’t aged well now.
June 21, 2024
I loved Baseball: The Movie! I’m not a baseball guy (or a sports guy in general), but as a lifelong movie fan, this book gave me a much deeper appreciation and understanding of so many films. This is an exciting read, with an inspirational framing of baseball movies as a portrait of America.
This is a fun, inspiring read that’ll make you want to watch a dozen baseball movies right away.
This is a fun, inspiring read that’ll make you want to watch a dozen baseball movies right away.
February 20, 2025
Baseball: The Movie is not only a fun trip down memory lane to relive some of the greatest baseball films ever made, but it is also deeper analysis on how those films reflect the American lifestyle at the time of their settings. A really interesting basis for a book rather than just a mundane listing of historical baseball movies. It has even inspired me to go back and watch some older films from the 1940s and 50s that I never would have given a second thought to without Gittell’s connections between them and life in post-WWII America.
My only gripe is that certain portions of the book became more of a critique on racism and misogyny in films rather than focusing on how that reflected life at the time of their release. However, it’s almost tough not to with the luxury of hindsight decades later and some of the blatant misrepresentations pushed in the films. Regardless, this was one of the more fun reads I’ve had in quite some time.
My only gripe is that certain portions of the book became more of a critique on racism and misogyny in films rather than focusing on how that reflected life at the time of their release. However, it’s almost tough not to with the luxury of hindsight decades later and some of the blatant misrepresentations pushed in the films. Regardless, this was one of the more fun reads I’ve had in quite some time.
August 3, 2024
Really well thought look through the history of baseball films, that takes a pretty nuanced approach throughout. Gave me new things to think about movies I’ve watched a billion times and has me wanted to reconsider some I forgot about like Little Big League! Worth a read for my fellow baseball and baseball movie fan friends!
December 30, 2024
Baseball is undeniably the most cinematic of all sports, with its unique ability to weave big-picture narratives and intimate moments into a single pitch or swing of the bat. This artistry has inspired an incredible range of baseball films, and Noah Gittel’s witty and insightful “Baseball: The Movie” takes readers on a tour through the great (and not-so-great) examples. Divided into eras, Gittel explores the strengths and flaws of each film, from pacing and plot to how convincingly actors play the game, even diving into their major flaws (Hello? “Field of Dreams,” my favorite baseball movie despite its glaring omission of Negro League players). This is a must-read for fans of both baseball and cinema.
April 4, 2025
Briefly: A trip down memory lane
In Baseball: The Movie, Gittell offers a comprehensive, thought-provoking tour through the history of baseball cinema, with a central thesis that the state of baseball cinema at any given time reflects the mood of the nation. Moving chapter to chapter, the book presents an entertaining review of classic baseball films, with Gittell always willing to bring a critical lens and examine the subtext of each film. I came away impressed by the way the author balances critique of the cringier aspects of films when analyzed from a modern perspective with an ability to celebrate what those films do well and highlight their underlying appeal. Ultimately, this book whets my appetite to see some baseball films I haven’t and to revisit ones I have—which means it must be considered a success. (Even if I can’t help but feel Gittell must have been a little too old when he first saw The Sandlot to appreciate its charms.)
In Baseball: The Movie, Gittell offers a comprehensive, thought-provoking tour through the history of baseball cinema, with a central thesis that the state of baseball cinema at any given time reflects the mood of the nation. Moving chapter to chapter, the book presents an entertaining review of classic baseball films, with Gittell always willing to bring a critical lens and examine the subtext of each film. I came away impressed by the way the author balances critique of the cringier aspects of films when analyzed from a modern perspective with an ability to celebrate what those films do well and highlight their underlying appeal. Ultimately, this book whets my appetite to see some baseball films I haven’t and to revisit ones I have—which means it must be considered a success. (Even if I can’t help but feel Gittell must have been a little too old when he first saw The Sandlot to appreciate its charms.)
August 13, 2024
I finished reading this right before going to an astros vs. dodgers game and ate a giant box of nachos. it was a great time.
love baseball, love movies, love the way this looks displayed with my book collection.
love baseball, love movies, love the way this looks displayed with my book collection.
Read
April 11, 2024My interview with Gittell discussing the book is here:
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...
August 21, 2024
Needed a comfort book and for me movies, baseball and books is my comfort spot. Read this book while my dog was living his last few weeks. I picked it back up after he passed. This book will live in my memory forever. RIP Joey!
March 30, 2025
The author seemed to search for any hint of racism or sexism in each movie he selected. It was a disappointing read. I felt that i was being lectured, rather than entertained.
February 12, 2025
Baseball fans tend to have a love/hate relationship with movies about baseball. Maybe not hate - maybe more of an icky feeling about the big screen's depicti0n of the game and its place in the world. Both types will enjoy Noah Gittell's "Baseball: The Movie." He takes both sides. You won't always agree with him. But that's part of fun.
Gittell does a good job of recounting how the baseball picture grew from a simple love story backdrop to movies (films?) that went deep to the heart of the national pastime. Like the best hitters who fail 70 percent of the time, there are both swings and misses in their efforts.
That said, "Baseball: The Movie" could have been a bit more satisfying read. In dividing the book into separate chapters about one or two movies at a time, the overall narrative gets a tad lost. And there isn't a lot of original historical insight here. It would have been great to hear more from the drectors and actors who made these films. Instead, Gittell invites the reader to mentally "watch" the movies with him as he describes the story along with some behind-the-scenes production info.
To his credit, Gittell doesn't hesitate to offer his opinion. IMHO, he sometimes overlooks that some of the best baseball movies are largely just fables. For example, he lauds "Bull Durham" and "Eight Men Out" for their realistic depictions (and I wholly agree), but he can't swallow the fantasy world of "Field of Dreams" (check the title, Noah). A movie featuring dead ballplayers emerging from an Iowa cornfield can't really be blamed for being more than a little detached from reality. He has issues with the overwrought nostalgia of James Earl Jones' epochal speech about "building it and they will come." And he prefers the downbeat ending of Bernard Malamud's 1950 novel to "The Natural"'s mega-happy one. He makes some excellent points here, but the beauty of even "real" baseball often lies its inherently mythical nature.
See what I did there? It doesn't matter in the least what I thought of Gittell's conclusions, but I couldn't help myself. Neither will you. In the end, "Baseball: The Movie" is lot of fun. Fans will love it. I certainly did.
Gittell does a good job of recounting how the baseball picture grew from a simple love story backdrop to movies (films?) that went deep to the heart of the national pastime. Like the best hitters who fail 70 percent of the time, there are both swings and misses in their efforts.
That said, "Baseball: The Movie" could have been a bit more satisfying read. In dividing the book into separate chapters about one or two movies at a time, the overall narrative gets a tad lost. And there isn't a lot of original historical insight here. It would have been great to hear more from the drectors and actors who made these films. Instead, Gittell invites the reader to mentally "watch" the movies with him as he describes the story along with some behind-the-scenes production info.
To his credit, Gittell doesn't hesitate to offer his opinion. IMHO, he sometimes overlooks that some of the best baseball movies are largely just fables. For example, he lauds "Bull Durham" and "Eight Men Out" for their realistic depictions (and I wholly agree), but he can't swallow the fantasy world of "Field of Dreams" (check the title, Noah). A movie featuring dead ballplayers emerging from an Iowa cornfield can't really be blamed for being more than a little detached from reality. He has issues with the overwrought nostalgia of James Earl Jones' epochal speech about "building it and they will come." And he prefers the downbeat ending of Bernard Malamud's 1950 novel to "The Natural"'s mega-happy one. He makes some excellent points here, but the beauty of even "real" baseball often lies its inherently mythical nature.
See what I did there? It doesn't matter in the least what I thought of Gittell's conclusions, but I couldn't help myself. Neither will you. In the end, "Baseball: The Movie" is lot of fun. Fans will love it. I certainly did.
April 30, 2025
I was looking for something to read that would be a little more upbeat and fun than what I had been reading, and this book fit the bill.
The author, Noah Gittell, is a movie critic and baseball fan, and this book reviews a couple dozen of the most important baseball movies, though quite a few other baseball (and sometimes non-baseball) movies are briefly mentioned. Each chapter provides an in-depth review and discussion of one or two movies.
The book is organized chronologically, starting with the 1942 film, "Pride of the Yankees," and continuing through films like Damn Yankees and the Bad News Bears, before reaching the "golden age" of baseball movies in the 1980s and 90s with films like Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, A League of Their Own, and The Sandlot, then concluding with 21st century films like Moneyball and 42. The chronological arrangement fits with Gittell's interests in talking about how baseball films have reflected changes in baseball and film making, as well as changes in all of American society.
It helped that I had watched (or re-watched) almost all of these movies sometime during the last five years because I've been listening to Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde's excellent podcast about baseball cinema, "Take me in to the ballgame", and watching movies in preparation for each podcast episode.
Gittell's book is thoughtful and well written and left me with a greater appreciation of each movie he discussed, even if I didn't always agree with his judgments. Reading this book was a great complement to the start of the baseball season.
The author, Noah Gittell, is a movie critic and baseball fan, and this book reviews a couple dozen of the most important baseball movies, though quite a few other baseball (and sometimes non-baseball) movies are briefly mentioned. Each chapter provides an in-depth review and discussion of one or two movies.
The book is organized chronologically, starting with the 1942 film, "Pride of the Yankees," and continuing through films like Damn Yankees and the Bad News Bears, before reaching the "golden age" of baseball movies in the 1980s and 90s with films like Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, A League of Their Own, and The Sandlot, then concluding with 21st century films like Moneyball and 42. The chronological arrangement fits with Gittell's interests in talking about how baseball films have reflected changes in baseball and film making, as well as changes in all of American society.
It helped that I had watched (or re-watched) almost all of these movies sometime during the last five years because I've been listening to Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde's excellent podcast about baseball cinema, "Take me in to the ballgame", and watching movies in preparation for each podcast episode.
Gittell's book is thoughtful and well written and left me with a greater appreciation of each movie he discussed, even if I didn't always agree with his judgments. Reading this book was a great complement to the start of the baseball season.
August 14, 2025
I have read a lot of books about baseball and I watch a lot of movies about baseball, so clearly I saw this on the book shelf and thought it was a no brainer purchase. Bought the hardcover instantly expecting a great summer read about my favorite baseball movies as well as insight on great baseball movies I have not yet seen. I also expected this to be my baseball book of the year.
I was wrong on all accounts. Not only is this book written with a very dry and boring tone, the author stretches some of the narratives of select movies in order to push for controversy while missing the point completely. Then ignoring similar issues in other movies that could have been equally critiqued by the same standards.
The authors interpretation of the sandlot was also way off and distorted from the actual story being told from the perspective of a child growing up in an era of America that is quite different than today. If you want to read a book that criticizes baseball movies just for the goal of being controversal, this book is for you. If you want to read a good book that celebrates baseball in cinema than hopefully someone else will emerge to write this book how it should have been written.
The best part of this book was the cover illustration. High marks for the artist.
I was wrong on all accounts. Not only is this book written with a very dry and boring tone, the author stretches some of the narratives of select movies in order to push for controversy while missing the point completely. Then ignoring similar issues in other movies that could have been equally critiqued by the same standards.
The authors interpretation of the sandlot was also way off and distorted from the actual story being told from the perspective of a child growing up in an era of America that is quite different than today. If you want to read a book that criticizes baseball movies just for the goal of being controversal, this book is for you. If you want to read a good book that celebrates baseball in cinema than hopefully someone else will emerge to write this book how it should have been written.
The best part of this book was the cover illustration. High marks for the artist.
August 5, 2024
I'd give this one 3.5 stars. There are a lot of fun and interesting anecdotes in this book, things that may help you win Trivial Pursuit someday. I can tell the author truly loves baseball, movies and baseball movies.
The big issue with this book for me was the question I'm left with at the end... who exactly is the target audience for this book? Baseball lovers have already seen most or all of the movies covered, and people who don't love baseball quite simply don't watch baseball movies (something he insinuates over and over again throughout the book). For people who have seen The Natural, Bull Durham and Field of Dreams, this one feels like mostly just a collection of reviews of these movies written by a movie critic who just so happens to be a super knowledgeable baseball fan. Of course I learned things, but I found the summaries of movies I'd mostly already seen to be tedious.
Also, in the chapter on The Sandlot, potentially the most beloved baseball movie of all when it comes to millennials, there's a strange rant about the author's feelings on the sexual politics and what he sees as misogyny in the movie.
The big issue with this book for me was the question I'm left with at the end... who exactly is the target audience for this book? Baseball lovers have already seen most or all of the movies covered, and people who don't love baseball quite simply don't watch baseball movies (something he insinuates over and over again throughout the book). For people who have seen The Natural, Bull Durham and Field of Dreams, this one feels like mostly just a collection of reviews of these movies written by a movie critic who just so happens to be a super knowledgeable baseball fan. Of course I learned things, but I found the summaries of movies I'd mostly already seen to be tedious.
Also, in the chapter on The Sandlot, potentially the most beloved baseball movie of all when it comes to millennials, there's a strange rant about the author's feelings on the sexual politics and what he sees as misogyny in the movie.
August 19, 2025
Barely made it through this and almost gave it a one-star rating if not for the well-written chapters on Pride of the Yankees, Little Big League and a few others. But this book felt like it was a written as a penalty for a guy that doesn't like baseball. This book looks at baseball films and over analyzes them waaaaaaaaaaay too much. Look, they're movies. Movies. Making fun of movies like Rookie of the Year because it's too unbelievable? Well, duh. It's a fucking movie. There's nine outs in two innings, how can that happen, I counted. The "I counted" sounds so hipster. As a reader I'm like, "sooo, you did your job?" Films like Sandlot being called out for a the Wendy Peffercorn scene because it's sexual harassment. Come on. It's a fucking movie. The writer seemed to have a problem with every single movie and then randomly he sticks an interview in it with Richard Linklater where he comes off as this total fanboy. Just disappointing because it's a good idea for a book written horribly.
September 10, 2024
I'm a fan of baseball movies, so I was delighted to pick this book up. The author gives a pretty good survey of baseball movies of the past 80 years or so, many of which I love, many of which I've never seen. He put the bug in my brain to see a few new ones, and to avoid others. He pointed out some things in some of my favourite movies that point to a skewed viewpoint (the roles of/for women, of/for people of colour, etc.) and lead a viewer to conclude that these are flawed films. Well, I suppose nothing is perfect. I could take a few potshots at the points and phrases the author re-uses numerous times, which may show a lack of imagination, or maybe just sloppy editing. But, I won't do that. Overall, this is a really readable book that positions baseball movies quite nicely within their times, illustrating how they reflect not just the baseball of the time, but the culture as a whole. Baseball is, after all, America's game.
September 6, 2024
Quick, enjoyable read about how notable baseball movies, from The Pride of the Yankees to 42, reflected American culture. Props to Noah Gittell for calling out pervasive racism and sexism in the selected films. But he ignores homophobia; the queer but sadly short-lived A League of Their Own TV series gets a brief mention in the final chapter, while the original 1992 movie's lesbian erasure is completely glossed over. Gittell notes that many of baseball movies' best scenes take place in between the action, and recent MLB attempts to speed up the game to win back younger fans reduce the chances of inspiring memorable scenes like the pitcher's mound conversation in Bull Durham. We may have seen the last of great baseball movies, but at least we’ll always have “You’re killing me, Smalls!”
October 4, 2024
GREAT BOOK.
This is an insightful and interesting look at the history of baseball in the movies. It doesn't try to recount and recap every one of them, but instead focuses on major ones, offering what they says about Hollywood, baseball, and most of all America. You get commentary on how The Stratton Story was a film WWII vets could find relatable. You read how The Bad News Bears helped subvert traditional norms about how we portrayed children around the time Watergate made people feel differently about the nation. There's an argument of Moneyball and The Trouble with the Curve reflected the increased segmented and divided American society.
You can find small glitches here and there, such as when Gittell calls Pete Alexander a WWII vet (wrong world war, Noah). But overall, it's a highly rewarding read.
This is an insightful and interesting look at the history of baseball in the movies. It doesn't try to recount and recap every one of them, but instead focuses on major ones, offering what they says about Hollywood, baseball, and most of all America. You get commentary on how The Stratton Story was a film WWII vets could find relatable. You read how The Bad News Bears helped subvert traditional norms about how we portrayed children around the time Watergate made people feel differently about the nation. There's an argument of Moneyball and The Trouble with the Curve reflected the increased segmented and divided American society.
You can find small glitches here and there, such as when Gittell calls Pete Alexander a WWII vet (wrong world war, Noah). But overall, it's a highly rewarding read.
May 14, 2025
For the last two summers I've led a "Baseball Movie Club"at a local college, and so was pleased to learn about this book. My basic response is that it's fine. There's a line of thought that knits Gittell's readings of individual films together: He argues that baseball movies began with a kind of hero worship (Pride of the Yankees, The Jackie Robinson Story), then shifted to a concern with less-storied players (Bull Durham, Bang the Drum Slowly), and then wandered off the field to focus on scouts and management (Moneyball, Trouble with the Curve). And Gittell has a clear and lively (maybe even perky) writing style, so the book is a quick read. But does he change my view of the films he discusses? Not so much. He's better at remembering scenes and highlights than critical analysis.
July 8, 2025
Ever since I was a kid, my two biggest passions in life have been sports and movies. So, when I walking around my local bookshop and saw Baseball: The Movie on the shelf, I knew I needed to grab it.
I thought this was a fun and quick read. I enjoyed Gittell’s writing style and thought he did a good job picking which movies he wanted to highlight and thematically tying it all together. Sure, there’s always more movies and more history to dig into. I’ll admit that I don’t know that 280 pages is quite enough to offer the definitive version of baseball’s effect on cinema and vice versa. But, I think this takes an earnest stab at it and is a joy to read.
I am also happy to leave with a couple of solid movie recommendations. Somehow, despite being obsessed with baseball movies as a kid, I missed Little Big League, ao I am excited to go and check it out now!
I thought this was a fun and quick read. I enjoyed Gittell’s writing style and thought he did a good job picking which movies he wanted to highlight and thematically tying it all together. Sure, there’s always more movies and more history to dig into. I’ll admit that I don’t know that 280 pages is quite enough to offer the definitive version of baseball’s effect on cinema and vice versa. But, I think this takes an earnest stab at it and is a joy to read.
I am also happy to leave with a couple of solid movie recommendations. Somehow, despite being obsessed with baseball movies as a kid, I missed Little Big League, ao I am excited to go and check it out now!
January 19, 2025
A strong survey
I love baseball. I love the movies. Therefore, this book was written for me. Noah Gittell doesn't try to analyze every baseball movie ever made, but most at least get name checked. Each chapter looks at two films, tracing the development of baseball cinema. Even when he loves the movie, he is critical where it counts, looking at flaws and oversight.
I have seen most of the films he discusses in clear prose, and I learned a few new nuggets of information, but more often, I was smiling and nodding my head in agreement.
He weaves in some chapters on related issues, but somehow overlooks television series that heavily used baseball, which is a shame.
Still, if you like the subject matter, this is a fine and worthy read.
I love baseball. I love the movies. Therefore, this book was written for me. Noah Gittell doesn't try to analyze every baseball movie ever made, but most at least get name checked. Each chapter looks at two films, tracing the development of baseball cinema. Even when he loves the movie, he is critical where it counts, looking at flaws and oversight.
I have seen most of the films he discusses in clear prose, and I learned a few new nuggets of information, but more often, I was smiling and nodding my head in agreement.
He weaves in some chapters on related issues, but somehow overlooks television series that heavily used baseball, which is a shame.
Still, if you like the subject matter, this is a fine and worthy read.
June 7, 2024
Although I enjoy watching a good baseball game and a good movie, I'm not a baseball aficionado at all, nor am I a movie buff. So I didn't expect to love this book -- but I did. The wit, rhythm, and elegant punch of Gittell's writing is such that the sheer pleasure of it carried me along.
Gittell's knowledge is deep, as is his astuteness about the connections between the game, the art form, and American culture over the years. But he wears his erudition lightly and tells many a great story. A fascinating and wonderful book!
Gittell's knowledge is deep, as is his astuteness about the connections between the game, the art form, and American culture over the years. But he wears his erudition lightly and tells many a great story. A fascinating and wonderful book!
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