Ever since his father has died, young Jordy (Carson Minniear) has put all his energy into playing baseball as some sort of coping mechanism - and then at try-outs he's hit on the nose by a baseball bat, needs surgery and remains traumatized. At this point his mother (Amy Smart) and grandpa (Judd Hirsch) decide to send him to baseball camp with his 10 years older estranged brother Rob (Ben Morang), even if nothing could be further from his mind than playing baseball again. And at first, it seems neither Rob, who's to teach his baseball team, nor Jerry, the camp leader, can convince him otherwise, and it's not made any better by the fact that he's become the target of ridicule by camp bully Frankie (Joseph P. Mazzilli). But then he meets Lucas (Colten Pride), who has gone deaf after an accident but wouldn't let that deter him from playing, and Lucas's sister Niki (Noelle Pride), whom he soon develops a crush on, and they would all play at his team, but need him as a pitcher to even have a team - and before long Jordy gives in and gives baseball another try ... and he not only fails major league, he also pees his pants. But those around him who care for him, including his teammates and his brother, work hard to bring back Jordy's resolve. But will he be back to form in time to defeat Frankie's team?

I will admit, at some points during this film it would sure help to have a basic understanding of baseball, a sport I as a Central European haven't got the first idea about, but that said, the film's about more than just sports, it's about overcoming one's odds, and here the film succeeds admirably as it remains close to its (mostly) kid charactes, portrays their world rather convincingly from their point of view, and refrains from just driving a message home, sledgehammer-style. And add to that a very able cast of kids and a suitably subtle directorial effort, and you have yourself a very nice family movie.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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