A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
An uneven baseball story best saved for discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN has a worthwhile foundation. It tells the true story of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, formed in 1943 while men were fighting the war. The women’s tenacity and willingness to put the team’s good above their own desires give the movie some positive moral substance.
But the film is slow-paced and uneven, with little to recommend it beyond its historical interest and occasional moments. Offensive language and expressions will put it off limits to many viewers. The family-content rating also places it outside the range of a family movie night.
If you are an older teenager or adult and remain interested, wait to watch it at home, where you can control the experience.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn 1943, scout Harvey and former baseball great Jimmy Dugan organize women’s baseball teams while the men are away fighting the war. Jimmy reluctantly takes on coaching duties, even though he loathes being saddled with a group of women players.
The Rockford Peaches travel throughout the Midwest, playing other teams and discovering what they can accomplish together.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means this is a modest, uneven film rather than an outstanding one. Its basis in a true story gives it historical interest, and the women’s tenacity provides some worthwhile substance.
Still, the movie is slow-paced, and the review finds there is generally not much to recommend. The cast includes Tom Hanks, Madonna, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Jon Lovitz, David Strathairn, Garry Marshall, Tracy Reiner, Rosie O’Donnell, and Megan Cavanagh. Madonna playing ball may be the main attraction for some viewers.
The Worldview
The film emphasizes teamwork and self-sacrifice. Each woman proves her tenacity by putting the team’s good above her own desires, presenting cooperation and commitment to others as virtues.
That emphasis aligns with Scripture’s call to humility and concern for others. The film’s positive ideas are limited by its offensive language, fighting, and drunkenness, but its central team-mindedness offers a theme worth discussing. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Teamwork and self-sacrifice are emphasized in this movie marred by: roughly 15-20 obscenities and a few profanities; fist-fighting violence when women fight each other; and, drunkenness.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The women put the team’s good above their own desires. When have you had to choose another person’s good over your own preference?
Philippians 2:3–4 · Romans 12:10What makes teamwork different from simply getting your own way while working with other people?
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 · 1 Corinthians 12:12–14How should Christians respond when entertainment includes language or behavior that can harm our consciences?
Romans 14:13 · Philippians 4:8The Final Word
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN has historical interest and a worthwhile emphasis on teamwork and self-sacrifice. But its slow pace, uneven quality, offensive language, fighting, and drunkenness make it a poor family choice. WAIT FOR HOME — ADULTS ONLY.
