Weekend Classics: Batter Up!

In anticipation of Major League Baseball’s opening day (Mar 27) — as well as the new baseball/hangout film EEPHUS (opening Mar 21) — we offer a brief but far from comprehensive overview of baseball in popular cinema.

Wed, Mar 12 at 12:10pm, 5:30pm

THE NATURAL

This inspiring fable begins when 14-year-old Hobbs (Redford) fashions a powerful bat from a fallen oak tree. Decades later — following a major league career and a shattered dream — Hobbs returns with his boyhood bat and has his chance to lead his beloved New York Knights to the pennant. A stellar all-star cast leads this ‘80s baseball classic. Part of Weekend Classics: Batter Up!

Wed, Mar 12 at 3:00pm, 8:20pm

EIGHT MEN OUT (35mm)

This dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series is intriguingly mounted by maverick filmmaker John Sayles. Starring John Cusack, Clifton James, Michael Lerner, Christopher Lloyd, Charlie Sheen, David Strathairn and more. Part of Weekend Classics: Batter Up!

Tue, Mar 18 at 5:40pm

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

Hired to coach in the All-American Girls Baseball League of 1943 while the male pros are at war, a washed-up player (Tom Hanks) finds himself drawn back into the game by the heart and heroics of his all-girl team. Co-starring Geena Davis, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell, among others. Directed by Penny Marshall. Part of Weekend Classics: Batter Up!

Tue, Mar 18 at 8:20pm

THE BINGO LONG TRAVELING ALL-STARS & MOTOR KINGS

Fed up with his team owner, top pitcher Bingo Long (Billy Dee Williams) forms his own lineup, recruiting a big-hitter (James Earl Jones) and a rookie (Richard Pryor) to the cause. Boycotted by Black teams and earning more attention as entertainers than as players, their success wins them a chance to play again in the Negro League — this time as equals. Part of Weekend Classics: Batter Up!

Wed, Mar 26 at 2:20pm, 7:00pm

FIELD OF DREAMS

“If you build it, they will come.” Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is inspired by a voice he can't ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. Supported by his wife, Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a baseball field. Part of Weekend Classics: Batter Up!

Wed, Mar 26 at 4:40pm, 9:20pm

BULL DURHAM

Veteran catcher Crash Davis (Kevin Costner) is brought to the minor league Durham Bulls to help their up and coming pitching prospect, "Nuke" Laloosh (Tim Robbins). Their relationship gets off to a rocky start and is further complicated when baseball groupie Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon) sets her sights on the two men. Part of Weekend Classics: Batter Up!