Little Big League Movie Review

Little Big League (1994)

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Written by: Gregory K. Pincus (story), Gregory K. Pincus and Adam Scheinman (screenplay)
Directed by: Andrew Scheinman
Starring:  Luke Edwards, Timothy Busfield, John Ashton, Kevin Dunn, Jonathan Silverman, Dennis Farina, Jason Robards
Rated: PG
Watch the trailer

Plot
A young boy is bequeathed the ownership of a professional baseball team.

Verdict
It's decent movie for kids or anyone that followed baseball in the 90s but past that it's full of cliches. The movie knows baseball, but it doesn't know story. You can predict most of this just a few minutes in. This is great for the intended audience and to pacify kids. It just doesn't have enough depth for adults.
Skip it.

Review
I group this with Rookie of the Year, where instead of a boy playing Major League Baseball, he's owning and managing a team. Billy's (Luke Edwards) grandfather passes away and leaves Billy the Minnesota Twins. Billy may not be the best player on his Little League team, but he knows a lot about baseball, more than many adults. It seems like a lot of 90s movies liked to give a kid adult responsibilities.

Luke Edwards, John Ashton play Billy Heywood, Mac Macnally

As owner of the team, Billy installs himself as the manager. The players are reluctant and skeptical, but Billy promises them that if their record doesn't improve, he'll quit. Billy's plan is remind them how much fun the sport is, with that translating to better performance. You have to suspend your suspension of disbelief, and for children that would be easier. Billy pits the Commissioner and his mom against each other with a, 'if it's okay with you, it's okay with them.' The team welcomes the publicity a kid manager would bring.

To no surprise of the audience, the team starts winning. Even the player that was sabotaging the team realizes he's only sabotaging his career. Billy enjoys winning and soon his mission becomes winning instead of having fun. That coincides with the team starting to lose. Managing the team means Billy is too busy to hang out with his friends who begin to resent him.

It's predictable, and Billy's immaturity is an issue. He gets along well with one of the more immature players, Bowers (Jonathan Silverman), as they bond over practical jokes and trick plays. Billy also benches the teams best player Lou Collins (Timothy Busfield) for dating his mom.

Timothy Busfield, Luke Edwards play Lou Collins, Billy Heywood

The team's improbable winning streak and following losses means they're still vying for the playoffs but tied with the Seattle Mariners. Billy has to right his wrongs, overcome his immaturity, and pull the team together so they can win.

This is great for a kid, getting to see someone your age succeed. There are also plenty of cameos from 90s players. If you're not a kid or interested in 90s baseball, there's not much here. This story follows all of the beats you'd expect based on the premise.