Movie Synopsis
It's a home run with this hilarious and beloved comedy, starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis and Madonna. With baseball lineups and locker rooms left empty during World War II, the newly-founded All-American Girls Baseball League brought talented women to the big leagues—and brought fans to the stands. The indomitable Dottie Hinson (Davis) finds herself leading a rag tag group of players who end up winning over the heart of their has-been coach, Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks). Lori Petty, Rosie O’Donnell and Jon Lovitz round out the all-star roster. Based on the true story of the pioneering women who blazed the trail for generations of athletes.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think it was so hard for society to accept that women were playing baseball? What made the league so successful?
- What examples can you find of Rockford Peaches’ players exemplifying a Triple-Impact Competitor®? Name 3 and discuss.
- Do the Rockford Peaches focus more on a Scoreboard definition of winning or a Mastery approach?
- What qualities does Dottie have that make her a team leader?
- Consider Jimmy’s journey as a manager throughout the movie. What differences do you see in his style from the beginning of the season to the World Series?
- Why do you think Dottie is reluctant to attend the opening of the exhibit at the end of the movie?
What Parents Need To Know
Parents need to know that A League of Their Own is a warmhearted tale of camaraderie based on the real-life 1940s All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Starring Geena Davis and Tom Hanks, it has strong messages of teamwork, compassion, and "girl power" and offers relatable female characters who throw fastballs right through the gender stereotypes of their day. Expect some innuendo and sex talk (Madonna's character is referred to as "All the Way Mae") and some swearing ("s--t," "penis with a hat on"), drinking (Hanks' character is often drunk), and smoking. Men admire the women in their skimpy uniforms. Sexual references include the phrase "pickle tickle," a comment about women being better suited for sex than baseball, and a reference to "the clap." There are shots of women in their (substantial) underwear, a drunk coach urinates in front of the women (no nudity), and there's some sensual dancing. There's also some wartime sadness/stress, but ultimately this is a great story for tweens and up.
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Our partner, Positive Coaching Alliance, provides a collection of movie discussion guides, which aim to help you make the most out of movie viewing with your team or child. Movies provide many of "teachable moments" parents can share with their young athletes helping them be successful, contributing members of society.
