30 Years of The Sandlot

Hard to believe that a cinema classic has turned 30 years. Lovers of feel-good films, especially when it involves baseball may remember The Sandlot being released. It is still enjoyed by many movie lovers whether fans of baseball or not.

The coming-of-age film tells the story of Scottie Smalls who moves with his mom and stepdad to San Fernando Valley during the summer of 1962. Scottie, a shy twelve-year-old kid, plays with his erector set until his mom encourages him to go out and make some friends.

During that summer he slowly blends in with a group of kids playing baseball. Scottie had no clue what baseball was, yet he was mentored by Benny Rodriguez, the leader of “The Sandlot”.

Benny and his father Bill would teach him about the game and even how to play. Soon enough, Scottie was on the team taking part in playing baseball at their usual spot.

Aside from baseball, the kids had many adventures like an outing to the pool which includes the iconic scene of Squints faking his drowning to kiss his crush, Wendy, the lifeguard.

The biggest adventure came when his stepdad’s baseball, signed by the legendary Babe Ruth, gets hit over the fence by Scottie behind the baseball field they play on. They had a series of attempts to recover the baseball while he has in Chicago for business. All the attempts of getting the baseball back failed by a dog who would later be known as Hercules.  

Benny, the leader of the team, had a dream that included Babe Ruth. The Babe would encourage him to go over the fence and gets the baseball. Despite successfully getting the baseball, the dog broke free and would chase Benny around town.

After being chased by the dog around town and freeing him from the collapsed fence, he and Scottie meet a blind man named Mr. Mertle. They make a deal to meet weekly discussing baseball in exchange for a baseball signed by the 1927 Yankees’ team known as Murderer’s Row.

Years later, Benny and Scottie maintained their friendship that began that summer. As we see with the ending, Scottie, a broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers, cheers on Benny who steals home to win the game. They each exchange a thumbs-up like it was that first summer.

This film tells the story of a good friendship. Through Scottie, he learns what happens when he casts himself into the deep. The encounter with eight other boys at his age would grow into a forever friendship. The character of Scottie was well-developed in the film. He goes from a shy new kid on the block to a member of a team and a broadcaster of a professional baseball team.

The Sandlot is a much watch film for everyone. It has the theme of friendship and teamwork. The movie has stood the test of time.