65 A League of Their Own

Image:  State Archive of Florida.  “A 30th Anniversary Retrospective of ‘A League of Their Own.'”  Metsmerized Online, 17 June 2022, https://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/rockford-peaches.jpg, Public Domain.

 

In This Chapter

 

Background on A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own is a sports comedy-drama film released in 1992. Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Lori Petty, and Rosie O’Donnell. It is based on the true story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), which was created during World War II when many male baseball players were serving in the military.

The film is set in the 1940s and follows the story of two sisters, Dottie (Geena Davis) and Kit (Lori Petty), who join the Rockford Peaches, a team in the newly formed AAGPBL. The sisters face challenges and obstacles as they navigate the competitive world of professional baseball and develop relationships with their teammates, including their charismatic coach Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks).

baseball field
Image: Ewart, Sarah. “League Stadium 3.” Wikimedia Commons, 10 July 2012, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:League_Stadium_3.JPG, CCA-SA 3.0

The film received positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success, grossing over $132 million worldwide. It is known for its memorable quotes, iconic scenes, and its celebration of women’s achievements in sports. A League of Their Own has become a beloved classic and has left a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring generations of women and highlighting the importance of equal opportunities in athletics.

The success of the film also helped shed light on the real-life AAGPBL and its place in history, bringing attention to the stories and accomplishments of the female athletes who participated in the league. The AAGPBL was active from 1943 to 1954 and played a significant role in advancing women’s sports and challenging gender stereotypes during a time of social change.

Feminism & A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own has been celebrated for its portrayal of feminism and its exploration of gender equality in sports. The film challenges traditional gender roles by showcasing women playing professional baseball during a time when sports were predominantly seen as a male domain. It highlights the skills, talent, and competitive spirit of the female athletes, demonstrating that women can excel in sports traditionally associated with men.

women playing baseball
Image: State Library and Archives of Florida. “All American Girls Professional Baseball League player Marg Callaghan sliding into home plate as umpire Norris Ward watches- Opa-locka, Florida.” Wikimedia Commons, 27 Nov. 2019, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:All_American_Girls_Professional_Baseball_League_player_Marg_Callaghan_sliding_into_home_plate_as_umpire_Norris_Ward_watches-_Opa-locka,_Florida_(3250951077)_(cropped).jpg, Public Domain.

 A League of Their Own emphasizes the strength and resilience of the women in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). The film celebrates the bonds formed among the players, showing their support for one another and their collective determination to prove themselves in the face of adversity.  The relationships among the women in the film go beyond mere teamwork. The camaraderie and support they provide each other create a sense of sisterhood.  The film celebrates the strength that comes from women supporting one another and working together towards a common goal.  The film also raises important questions about equal opportunities in athletics. It portrays the struggles faced by the female players as they confront gender discrimination, unequal pay, and societal skepticism about their abilities. It highlights the need for recognition and respect for women in sports.

Like I Feel Pretty, A League of Their Own touches on the pressure on women to conform to traditional beauty standards. The film addresses the tension between the players’ desire to be seen as athletes rather than objects of desire, emphasizing that their skills and athleticism should be valued above physical appearance.

Overall, A League of Their Own is recognized for its feminist themes and its portrayal of women breaking barriers in sports. By showcasing the challenges and triumphs of female athletes, the film sheds light on the importance of gender equality and the fight for recognition and equal opportunities for women in historically male-dominated fields.

It is worth noting that while the film is a positive representation of women’s empowerment, it has also faced some criticism for glossing over the racial segregation that existed in the real-life AAGPBL. The film primarily focuses on white players, leaving out the experiences of women of color who played in the league.

View the 1992 film A League of Their Own (at the time of publication, it is available to stream on Netflix or to rent via YouTube and Redbox) and then read a selection of the film reviews (below under “Sources”) written upon the release as you prepare to discuss the film.

In 2022, Amazon Prime rebooted A League of Their Own as a TV series.  Watch the official trailer below.

 

Video:  “A League of Their Own – Official Trailer.”  YouTube, uploaded by Prime Video AU & NZ, 26 July 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48j-TlZVXWE, CC BY

 

Stop and Reflect

  •  What does the TV series add to the A League of Their Own storyline?
  • How does Amazon Prime Video update the story for a new generation thirty years later?
  • Does the series appeal to you?  Would you watch it?

 

The following discussion questions can serve as a starting point for exploring the various themes, characters, and social issues presented in A League of Their Own. They encourage deeper analysis and critical thinking about the film’s feminist messages, its portrayal of gender dynamics, and its historical significance.

 

For Discussion

  1. How does A League of Their Own challenge traditional gender roles and expectations, particularly in the context of sports?
  2. What messages does the film convey about female empowerment and the importance of women’s representation in traditionally male-dominated fields?
  3. How does the film explore the themes of sisterhood, camaraderie, and support among the female characters? What impact does this have on the overall narrative?
  4. Discuss the film’s portrayal of the struggles and obstacles faced by the female baseball players in the AAGPBL. How does it shed light on the challenges of gender discrimination and unequal opportunities?
  5. In what ways does A League of Their Own address the societal pressures on women to conform to beauty standards? How does it challenge these expectations?
  6. The film primarily focuses on the experiences of white female players. What are the implications of this limited representation in terms of racial diversity within the AAGPBL and the broader feminist narrative of the film?
  7. Discuss the character development of Dottie and Kit, the two sisters at the center of the story. How do their journeys and personal growth contribute to the film’s exploration of feminism and female empowerment?
  8. How does A League of Their Own balance the themes of competition and teamwork within the context of the baseball games and the relationships among the characters?
  9. Analyze the role of Jimmy Dugan, the team’s coach played by Tom Hanks. How does his character evolve throughout the film, and how does he contribute to the feminist narrative?
  10. Reflect on the film’s historical context and its connection to the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. How does A League of Their Own honor and celebrate the achievements of the women who played in the league?

 

Sources

“A League of Their Own – Official Trailer.”  YouTube, uploaded by Prime Video AU & NZ, 26 July 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48j-TlZVXWE, CC BY

Bonzel, Katharina.  “A League of Their Own: The Impossibility of the Female Sports Hero.”  Screening the Past, http://www.screeningthepast.com/issue-37-first-release/a-league-of-their-own-the-impossibility-of-the-female-sports-hero/

Darby, Seyward.  “A League of Their Own Taught Me How to Be a Woman.”  The Cut, 19 Dec. 2018, https://www.thecut.com/2018/12/a-league-of-their-own.html

Francis, Bill. “A Quarter Century of ‘A League Of Their Own’.”  National Baseball Hall of Fame, https://baseballhall.org/discover/25-years-after-a-league-of-their-own

Karkoulas, Mersini.  “Amazon Prime’s ‘A League of Their Own’: Femininity and Queerness in Women’s Sports.”  Screen Hub, 5 Oct. 2022, https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/opinions-analysis/a-league-of-their-own-2022-analysis-2562715/

Marshall, Penny, Dir.  A League of Their Own.  Columbia Pictures, 1992.

Michael, Brendan.  “‘A League of Their Own’: The True Story Behind the Classic Film.” Collider, 15 June 2019, https://collider.com/galleries/a-league-of-their-own-behind-the-scenes/

Olsen, Mark.  “Q&A: On ‘A League of Their Own’s’ 25th Anniversary, Geena Davis Still Isn’t Afraid to Say ‘Feminist.'”  Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2017, https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-geena-davis-a-league-of-their-own-25th-anniversary-interview-20170701-htmlstory.html

Weiner, Natalie.  “How ‘A League of Their Own’ Impacted the Way People See Women in Sports.”  SB Nation, 18 Dec. 2018, https://www.sbnation.com/2018/12/18/18147135/penny-marshall-a-league-of-their-own-impacted-women-in-sports

Wijaszka, Zofia.  “#DBW Penny Marshall’s ‘A League of Their Own’ and Its Importance to Women Filmmakers Everywhere.”  Screen Queens, 6 Sept. 2019, https://screen-queens.com/2019/09/06/penny-marshalls-a-league-of-their-own-and-its-importance-to-women-filmmakers-everywhere/

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