Baseball movie hits one out of the park

An unexpected movie has opened locally at an unexpected time.

The film is based on true story about a 1957 Little League team from Monterey, Mexico, that overcame the odds to become Little League champions.

“The Perfect Game” features notable veteran actors such as Clifton Collins Jr., Louis Gossett Jr., Cheech Marin and Mexican television star Patricia Manterola, as well as young Disney Channel stars Jake T. Austin and Moises Arias.

The movie mainly follows team manager Cesar Faz and Angel Macias, the team’s pitching ace, played by Austin.

Faz has just been denied a chance to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals and returns to his parents’ industrial hometown of Monterey.

Hoping to get as far away from baseball as possible, Faz encounters Macias, a kid fascinated with baseball who dreams of one day being like his idol, Brooklyn Dodger’s pitcher Sandy Koufax.

Macias gathers his friends at the local church sandlot where they play stickball and listen to radio broadcasts of their favorite team, the Brooklyn Dodgers.

One day, it occurs to Macias that they should start a real Little League team and go play in the southern regional Texas tournament. Faz agrees to coach the team in exchange for information on his love interest, Maria, played by Manterola.

To everyone’s surprise, the kids from Monterey upset the bigger, stronger Texas teams, winning region after region until they ultimately make it to the Little League World Series final game.

For the most part, the storyline flows along and you instantly begin to cheer on the kids and their crazy antics.

Mario, Arias’ character, steals some of the scenes with his smart aleck remarks and witty, childish humor.

The team rallies behind their faith in God and in themselves, delivering a positive message to the film’s audience.

Although the movie features only a handful of Hispanic actors, they did a good job convincing me that they were from Monterey.

The story also doesn’t shy away from segregation in 1950s Texas. Some strong racist comments are used, giving the movie it’s PG rating.

Those who enjoy stories of the underdog fighting unbeatable odds through faith and persistence will like “The Perfect Game.”

 “The Perfect Game” might become the next baseball cult classic, combining the innocence of “The Sandlot” with the heroics of “The Natural,” proving that with a little heart, the unexpected play can carry you a long way.

“The Perfect Game” is in limited release and is currently playing at the AMC Covina 30 and Edwards Ontario Palace 22.