Heartwarming Baseball Story 
Where the Pint-Sized Players are the Stars

Just in time for baseball season, “The Perfect Game” is the inspirational true story of  underprivileged boys from Monterrey, Mexico who try to play the game of baseball and discover that they are indeed a very talented group of athletes. With the help of a ‘down on his luck’ coach, the boys remarkably end up becoming the first non-US team to win the Little League World series in 1957.

Defying all odds, as there was no baseball field nor equipment in the poverty stricken town; the boys improvised and cleaned up a dusty area in order to play the game.

The film is written by W. William Winokur who also penned the book of the same name. William Dear is the director who also brought us Freestyle (2008) Sandlot 3 (2007) and Angels in the Outfield (1994). Lou Gossett Jr. co-stars as a baseball field groundskeeper and former Negro League baseball player that helps the team once they get to the States.

Clifton Collins Jr. (Extract 2009) hits a home run as coach Cesar Faz a former clubhouse attendant for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. His motivation and guidance are key to the pint-sized boys winning the whole shebang. Cesar’s inspiration comes from Padre Estaban, played by Cheech Marvin of ‘Cheech and Chong’ fame. Padre Estaban also mentors the team and offers the team a blessing, a ritual that becomes part of the boy’s game routine.

Angel Macias the team’s pitcher, is played with lots heart by Jake T. Austin. He has a personal obstacle to overcome as his older brother was killed in a freak accident and his Dad is nearly drowning in grief. Angel gets no encouragement from dad rather repeated signals that he’ll never be as good as his brother.

Monterrey in 1957 has not one TV, the kids and villagers listen to baseball games by gathering around a radio. This added fact is incredible as the kids had never seen the game played professionally. With consistent coaching and the rallying of villagers, the baseball team gets the chance to play in Texas for a sectional game.

When the boys come to the border, they have to walk 10 miles to the town as they don’t have enough money for transportation. Once in Texas, the lines are clearly drawn as discrimination against color was the norm in the 50s, particularly in the South. The boys are innocent and have never experienced this loathsome behavior before. Its still shocking to me that these attitudes existed in our country. Nonetheless, the film handles the subject with sensitivity allowing the main theme to stay the focus.

The films look is easy on the eyes as its shot in sepia tones at times and fades in and out to brilliant color. Providing a nostalgia feeling, the director also mixes actual black&white newsreel footage from 1957.

Life lessons are learned along the way and seen through the eyes of the kids at times. When they ask their coach (who is finally given a chance to coach in the US) if this is what he’s wanted his entire life, he answers, “No, not a job, I want respect!”

The ending at the Williamsport World Series is heartwarming and amazing as this team is so much smaller. Clearly, they are at least 30 pounds lighter and a good foot shorter than their competition. The kids compensate as their hearts are so big and each is full of hope, faith and determination. The ending is feel-good when the entire crowd begins to cheer for this team as the incredible no-hitter ‘perfect game’ just might happen after all.

The film had an extra special meaning for myself as my son played on a team at age 12 and ended up winning the state of Illinois Little League Championship. During the sectionals in Indiana, we were 1 game away from going to Williamsport. The road to Williamsport was an awesome one as my son Christopher’s team had some very slight-in-build players as well, his team too, had lots of heart!

Sarah Adamson © April 2010

*A poignant scene in the film: The boys lost their priest along the way during their journey to the World Series (his visa expired); so they refused to play unless someone would give them their blessing. Their favorite verse was Psalms 108 as a baseball has 108 stitches.