The Sandlot
Movie, 1993, The Early 90s, Set in 1962
The Sandlot is #11 of 27 in release order and #1 of 27 in chronological order in the VHS Kids Classics.
The story
During a summer of friendship and adventure, one boy becomes a part of the gang, nine boys become a team and their leader becomes a legend by confronting the terrifying mystery beyond the right field wall.
The Sandlot recap
In the summer of 1962, Scotty Smalls moves to a new neighbourhood in Los Angeles with his mother and stepfather Bill. He does not know how to play baseball, but Benny Rodriguez, the best player on the local sandlot, invites him onto the team with Ham, Squints, Yeah-Yeah and the others. The kids spend the summer playing, going to the pool, where Squints fakes drowning to kiss the lifeguard Wendy Peffercorn, and getting sick on chewing tobacco at the fair. Beyond the outfield fence lives the Beast, a huge dog of legend that eats any ball that goes over. When the team loses its ball, Smalls takes one from Bill's den without realising it is signed by Babe Ruth, and hits it over the fence. The boys spend days trying to get it back from the Beast with ever more elaborate contraptions, and all fail.
The Sandlot ending explained
Babe Ruth appears to Benny in a dream and tells him to go get the ball. Benny jumps the fence, the Beast chases him through town, and the fence falls on the dog when the boys climb back. They meet the owner, Mr. Mertle, a blind former ballplayer who knew Ruth, and he trades the chewed ball for one signed by the 1927 Yankees. The adult Smalls narrates what became of everyone, and Benny grows up to play for the Dodgers.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Sandlot
The Sandlot is streaming on Disney+ and Paramount+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 66%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Mighty Ducks, before Rookie of the Year.
- Chronological order: first, before E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Cast
- Tom Guiry as Scotty Smalls
- Mike Vitar as Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez
- Patrick Renna as Hamilton 'Ham' Porter
- Chauncey Leopardi as Michael 'Squints' Palledorous
- Marty York as Alan 'Yeah-Yeah' McClennan
- Brandon Quintin Adams as Kenny DeNunez
- Grant Gelt as Bertram Grover Weeks
- James Earl Jones as Mr. Mertle
- Denis Leary as Bill
- Karen Allen as Mom
- Shane Obedzinski as Tommy 'Repeat' Timmons
- Victor DiMattia as Timmy Timmons
Directed by David Mickey Evans.