After two film fails, this was just what we needed - a sports redemption story and bonus Keanu Reeves. It’s a good film, the kids are adorable, and it’s an enjoyable watch with plenty of emotions along the way. But if you take a step back, it’s not exactly original - really just a combination of Mighty Ducks and Dangerous Minds - and it’s pretty derivative from start to finish. But definitely worth a watch, either way.

I must have bought this audiobook around the same time as watching the film, and just like the film, I enjoyed it without really understanding all the intricate details. There were a lot of names and teams and people moving this way and that, and whilst it was tricky for someone not fully into baseball to follow it all, I still quite enjoyed the flow of the piece. It’s read by Scott Brick, too, who always does a good job.

It took me a long time to get round to watching this film, despite the fact Mr C has been saying how good it is for many years. I think it might be because Madonna is in it, and, for whatever reason, that was putting me off. Never mind though, because I’ve watched it now and oh my god, I loved it. I really think it has shot up to be one of my favourite films. The women are all brilliant, the relationships interesting, the situation stressful and competitive and sporting and sad and overwhelming all in equal measure.

Had never heard of this film but I like a sports film and I like a good Kevin Costner movie, so this ticked all the boxes. I wasn’t sure at first about the concept of a baseball groupie, but once you go with it, you have a fun film with some interesting concepts. Youth versus experience, the hot-head that won’t listen, learning things outside the sport that help inside, and trying to make the best of things when they don’t go your way.

When I got back from the US, I was very enthusiastic to be a new baseball convert. Watching that game up close and personal was quite the revolutionary experience. Except, I’ll be honest, I haven’t watched more than about an hour or two since I’ve been back. I’m never sure when it’s on TV and I don’t really have the same time to focus on it as you do when you’re sitting in the stands.

When the chance to watch a baseball game in Houston came up, I jumped at it. Experiencing something so traditionally American, as well as enjoying an afternoon of entertainment made for an enticing invitation. It wasn’t until I was sitting in my seat, snapping pictures of the highly manicured green field that I realised it counted towards my Life List goals as well - watching sports live. The thing about baseball is, it’s long and there’s no way of predicting when it will finish. When you go to see a football match, you know exactly how long you’re going to be there. Two forty-five minute halves, an interval midway through, and a couple of minutes here or there for injury time. Job done. With baseball, you have no clue how long it’s going to take so you have to come at it with a different approach.

Loved this, although not quite as much as Moneyball. I thought it was quite predictable in places, and although the emotional journey was interesting and incredibly well-acted, you could sort of see where it was going from very early on. However, we have recently been talking about how John Goodman steals every film he is in, no matter how small the part. Turns out that is not the case when Clint Eastwood is involved.

I had heard very good things about this film, and although my knowledge of baseball and other such American sports always makes me a little bit wary of this type of movie, the addition of Brad Pitt was definitely a selling point. The casting even managed to gloss over the fact that it was over two hours long!

Aside from the extended baseball sequences, where I had little clue what was going on, this was a nice little tale. It did fall right into that injured and past it coach does awe-inspiring things category, but this comes from a true story which makes it just that bit more interesting. The casting is great, with some fabulous performances, so I was happy I watched it.