I was born in 1959, two years after what many consider one of baseball's greatest stories, a rag-tag group of players from Mexico and their winning of the Little League World Series. I just finished viewing the movie based on the event, The Perfect Game, starring Clifton Collins Jr. as the team's coach Cesar, and Cheech Marin as Padre Estaban. I love the history of this sport like no other and this rich bit of detail should appeal to not just fans of the game, but all of those who need a dose of hope.

This amazingly true story follows the journey of a small Little League team, both literally and figuratively, from Monterrey Mexico. This rag-tag group of young men would listen to baseball games after church and eventually decided to clear out a part of the blue-collar factory properties to make a baseball field. The group of mainly poor children, along with Padre Estaban, would recruit a locker room attendant to become their coach. The coaching of Cesar Faz is still considered by many as among the best coaching in the history of the organization. In real life, while not depicted in the movie, the Industrial Little League team from Monterrey went on to become the first team in the history to repeat as champions.

The Perfect Game follows the team from the outset of their team's development to a trip across the international United States-Mexican border on a three-day visa where they expected to lose in a tournament for their first series of games. What transpired after the ten-mile walk across the border to the small town in Texas was a two-month journey that had them with the entirety of their possessions, the uniforms on their back, and a single pair of underwear. Their entry here into the series continued through until the championship game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and beyond. What they accomplished was something for the record books which still stands today, a perfect pitched game in the finals of the Little League World Series. As director William Dear mentions in the special features of the DVD, "While it is a story where you know the ending, it is one where you will learn about the characters that made the story happen." The Perfect Game is a moving, inspirational, tear-jerking picture.

Working with children, getting the best out of them, is in many a ways a director's nightmare. While the children, especially those in lead roles, are very good, it is one of the only weaknesses of this film. Given a relatively small budget it is unfortunate that The Perfect Game did not do as well as one would have hoped at the box office. There is hope the DVD market will give the movie a boost. The movie is put together nicely and stays true to the actual events. One of the brilliant things about it is the editing where original footage of the 1957 team is blended into the transitions of the movie. The constant reminder as to the truth of the story and the achievements of these young children, coaches, and community is ever-present. The Perfect Game follows the timeline of events concluding with a nice montage that shares some of the original photographs, history, and more.

One of the surprises for many will be the casting of Clifton Collins Jr. as the team's Coach Cesar, and Cheech Marin as Padre Estaban. Both of these quality actors are typically cast in adult roles for adult movies, not family oriented films. That said, both do a good job in their respective roles. We see the development of their characters, especially that of Coach Cesar. One of the sub-plots of the movie steals the show, though, and that is the relationship of young Angel Macias and his father. His father rejects his son after the death of another son. The relationship and healing that comes about takes place as the father realizes his other son's gifts and heart. This and other factors in the story make this more than just a baseball movie. Don't take that wrong: it is certainly a baseball movie, but the game of baseball addresses and touches on life more than many may admit. One does not have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this movie, there are enough feel good moments that most everyone will enjoy it.

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