2008 Film Festival

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will recognize the twin traditions of baseball and film when, for the 3rd consecutive year, it hosts the Baseball Film Festival in Cooperstown, Sept. 19-21.

Films can be of any length and genre, but must have been released within the last five years and feature baseball as a primary or secondary theme.

Tickets for each screening are free but must be reserved. Films will be shown during several blocks throughout the weekend in the Museum’s Bullpen Theater. A complete list of the films to be screened during the weekend can be found below.

The weekend kicks off Friday, Sept. 19, with the "Bull Durham" 20th Anniversary Salute, honoring the 1988 Ron Shelton comedy that is widely regarded as one of the best baseball movies of all time.

"Bull Durham" stars Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon and Robert Wuhl will be on hand, along with writer-director Shelton, to participate in a moderated discussion in the Museum's Grandstand Theater hosted by movie critic Jeffrey Lyons.

Saturday, September 20th - 9:30 AM, Bullpen Theater

Fuera De Liga: Dreaming in Blue (1 hour, 10 minutes)

Baseball is Cuba’s national pastime. Havana based Industriales, or “The Blues”, have been the most loved and hated team throughout their 45 seasons of play. They are like the New York Yankees in the United States or Real Madrid in Spain. This documentary captures the passion of fans and players alike for the first time for those living abroad. Please note, this film features English subtitles and adult language.

Saturday, September 20th - 11:00 AM, Bullpen Theater

Pitching Man: Satchel Paige – Defying Time (54 minutes)

This documentary shares the life of one of baseball’s most enduring legends. He was an extraordinary athlete and a genuine original that played the game for 40 years from makeshift rural sandlots to major league ballparks. Satchel Paige was unique and idiosyncratic but his accomplishments in baseball reflected his perseverance, hard work and discipline.

Saturday, September 20th - 1:00 PM, Bullpen Theater

Eye on the Dream: Part 1 (44 minutes)

Eye on the Dream is a 10-part documentary celebrating the game at its purest - a story representing one memorable season in the life of any athlete or fan that has chosen to pursue a childhood dream. The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) is recognized by MLB as one of the premier showcase leagues in the country. This unique glimpse into the pursuit of a professional baseball contract follows the Keene (NH) Swamp Bats' through their two-month summer schedule in the NECBL, culminating in the League All Star Game and Championship Series.

Eye on the Dream: Part 2 (44 minutes)

Eye on the Dream is a 10-part documentary celebrating the game at its purest - a story representing one memorable season in the life of any athlete or fan that has chosen to pursue a childhood dream. The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) is recognized by MLB as one of the premier showcase leagues in the country. This unique glimpse into the pursuit of a professional baseball contract follows the Keene (NH) Swamp Bats' through their two-month summer schedule in the NECBL, culminating in the League All Star Game and Championship Series.

Saturday, September 19th - 3:00 PM, Bullpen Theater

Mathematically Alive: A Story of Fandom (1 hour, 34 minutes)

This engaging documentary is for all New York Mets fans and for anyone who is a devoted fan of a sports team. Directors Coburn and Foronjy reveal the stories of a spectrum of Mets devotees and take us on their roller coaster ride of emotion through the 2006 playoffs. Mathematically alive explores why sports are such an integral part of American culture. What the affects are of following a team and, more importantly, why fans continue to invest so much emotion, time, and money into their team. They are the stories of any fan in America. Please note, this film features adult language. Run time: 94 minutes.

Saturday, September 19th - 7:00 PM, Bullpen Theater

Gandhi at the Bat: A Baseball Fable (14 minutes)

For decades, historians have searched for evidence of Mohandas K. Gandhi’s top-secret trip to the United States in 1933. At President Roosevelt’s request, all contemporary accounts were suppressed and no records have ever been found – until film historians unearthed this never-before-seen newsreel footage of Gandhi’s legendary visit to Yankee Stadium. Gandhi at the Bat is a newsreel-style account of the little-known (and totally fictional) incident when Mohandas K. Gandhi pinch-hit for the New York Yankees in 1933. Run time: 14 minutes

Base Ball Discovered (59 minutes)
Join MLB.com on an exploration into the many generational theories about the beginnings of baseball both stateside and across the ocean, to learn firsthand about our national pastime’s ancestors: England’s bat-and-ball games. The film will bring fans of all ages closer to ‘home’ through a detailed look at the game’s roots… and even provide an unexpected and historical discovery along the way.

Sunday, September 21st - 9:30 AM, Bullpen Theater

Dummy Hoy: A Deaf Hero (50 minutes)

This film follows the story of William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy. The first deaf player to play in the major leagues, Hoy’s career spanned eighteen seasons. Small in stature at 5’4” and weighing around 150 pounds, Hoy overcame many obstacles to become one of the greatest outfielders of his time. The documentary follows Hoy’s struggle to overcome all difficulties, and argues that Hoy should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Sunday, September 21st - 10:45 AM, Bullpen Theater

Cobb Field: A Day at the Ballpark (56 minutes)

Cobb Field: a Minor League Day at the Ballpark examines twenty-four hours in the life of Cobb Field, the home of the Pioneer League Billings (Montana) Mustangs. We see the preparation of the field by those who take pride in the appearance of the diamond, the front office staff who labor behind the scenes to make sure fans enjoy the night’s game, loyal fans who have occupied the same seats for years, players who dream of making the major leagues, and the coaches who want to help those dreams come true. After the game, we stay to witness what occurs after the fans have gone home; those who clean up, those who prepare the park for the next day, and those who revel in the night’s success.

Sunday, September 21st - 2:00 PM, Bullpen Theater

Yankee Stadium: The Golden Age (56 minutes)

Since its opening in 1923, Yankee Stadium has been the scene of 26 championship titles and some of the greatest achievements in baseball history, including Babe Ruth’s 60th home run during the 1927 season, the race for the home run title between teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, and Jim Abbott’s 1993 no-hitter. This film, narrated by Reggie Jackson, highlights the greatest moments from the Golden Age of Yankee Stadium, and was produced exclusively as a companion to the book Yankee Stadium: A Tribute.

Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony will feature the presentation of awards and a question and answer session with our festival judges, film critic Jeffrey Lyons, film professor Rob Edelman, sports-writer Mark McGuire, and Hall of Fame Researcher Bill Francis.