Rookie of the Year (1993)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Daniel Stern

Writer (WGA):

Sam Harper (written by)

Release Date:

7 July 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sport

Tagline:

The Chicago Cubs needed a miracle... They got Henry Rowengartner.

Plot:

When an accident miraculously gives a boy an incredibly powerful pitching arm, he becomes a major league pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.

Plot Keywords:

Baseball | Chicago Cubs | Child Player In Adult Sport Team | Sports Team | Child

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 11	11:00 PM	AMC
Sun. July 12	2:30 PM	AMC

Cast

Thomas Ian Nicholas	...	Henry Rowengartner
Gary Busey	...	Chet 'Rocket' Steadman
Albert Hall	...	Sal Martinella
Amy Morton	...	Mary Rowengartner
Dan Hedaya	...	Larry Fisher / Fish
Bruce Altman	...	Jack Bradfield
Eddie Bracken	...	Bob Carson
Robert Hy Gorman	...	Clark (as Robert Gorman)
Patrick LaBrecque	...	George
Daniel Stern	...	Phil Brickma
Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine	...	Becky
Kristie Davis	...	Tiffany
Tyler Ann Carroll	...	Edith
Tom Milanovich	...	Heddo
Ross Lehman	...	Dr. Kersten

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild language.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Philippines:G | Australia:G | Germany:6 (w) | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Oak Park, Illinois, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

When Henry first goes to Wrigley Field as a pitcher, he goes to the players entrance. When he knocks on the door to be let in, an old man pokes his head through a hole in the door. At first he doesn't let Henry in, then Henry reveals who he is, and the old man says, "Well that's a horse of a different color," which is the same thing that was said in The Wizard of Oz (1939) when Dorothy and the gang get to Oz.

Goofs:

Continuity: The movie begins with the first game of the season. When a ball is hit into the outfield, a player runs to the wall in center field, which shows the signature ivy. The ivy is not in full bloom until much later in the season.

Quotes:

Chet Steadman: Do me a favor, Henry. Don't take this game too seriously.
Henry Rowengartner: Why not?
Chet Steadman: Because one day it'll all be over. Your gift will be gone.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs The Wizard of Oz (1939)

A fun, warm film for the whole family.

I really enjoy the film Rookie of the Year. I even bought the tape, and I pop it in once a month or so when I need a pick-me-up. It's funny and warm and rewarding as well. I really like the character of Mary, the mother of the boy with the 'rocket fire' arm. A single mother, she worries that her son has no one to look up to, but we learn things about her that gives the finale an extra shot of warmth. Daniel Stern did a very nice job of directing, and he got good performances all around. Gary Busey is great, and the way he and the other ball players come around to liking the kid is fun. I also like the pacing of the movie, there's always a 'moment' just around the corner. The film is full of fun moments, and when I start the tape I have to watch through to the end. Have kids? Have they seen this film? Give it a try, good clean fun family entertainment.