The Sandlot
Review by: Amanda
In the summer of 1962 Scotty Smalls (Tim Guiry) moves with his mom and new step father to a small town. Smalls has one thing on his mind: fitting in. He goes to the neighborhood sandlot in hopes of befriending the boys who meet for baseball everyday, but only humiliates himself when he has no idea how to throw the ball. Benny “the jet” Rodriguez (Mike Vitar) takes pity on him, and invites him to be their ninth team member, providing him with a mitt and teaching him how to play. As the summer moves forward, Smalls learns a lot about playing baseball and having friends, but his knowledge on both is tested when the boys lose his step father’s signed Babe Ruth baseball over the fence to a monstrous dog known as “The Beast.”
The first time I saw this movie I was a little girl watching it with my dad, a huge baseball fan, so I could learn more about the games he watched on TV every week. It’s been years since I’ve seen the film, but I decided to rewatch it when I recently learned that there is not one, but two sequels to this film out on DVD. This movie is just as fun and just as entertaining 15 years later. It has all the hallmarks of a classic kid’s comedy. There is the making of friends, a summer of fun, a first kiss, and even a little adventure. While the film is aimed at young boys, it is honestly enjoyable for everyone, whether you are a baseball fan or not. It has that charm that makes you want to watch it over and over again.
