The Rookie (2002 film)

The Rookie is a 2002 sports drama film directed by John Lee Hancock and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It is based on the true story of Jim Morris, who had a brief, but famous Major League Baseball career in 19992000. The film stars Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Jay Hernandez, and Brian Cox.

Years later in 1999, Morris, married with three children, is a high school science teacher, as well as head baseball coach. His team, the Reagan County Owls, is very unsuccessful with many of his players skilled, but unmotivated, especially with very little community support. One day after practice, the team catcher offers to play catch with Morris. There it is revealed that Jimmy may still have his fastball, and it is soon displayed to the rest of the team. The Owls believe that Jimmy could possibly pitch in the major leagues and offer him a deal If the Owls can win district and make the state playoffs, Jim will try out again, which Jim accepts. Furthermore, the team urges him to throw his fastball in batting practice, which immensely improves their hitting.The Owls end up winning district and after their final win, the team tells Jim that, since they kept up their end of the deal, it is now his turn to do his part. After the Owls season ends with a loss in the state tournament, Jim is told of a tryout nearby for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Jim goes, without telling his wife, afraid that her fear of him reinjuring his shoulder would keep him from going. After his tryout, Jim is told that his fastball is a staggering 98mph, which is abnormally higher than it was in his younger years which Jim had estimated was 8586mph. The lead scout tells Jim that, despite his advanced age 35, he could be signed to a minorleague deal. Jims wife finds out after getting two phone messages from the Tampa Bay scouts and she is at first reluctant to let Jim go, citing his home responsibilities, but after seeing how Jim is inspiring their son, Hunter Angus T. Jones, she allows him to go. Jim tells his father, with whom he still has a cold relationship, of his situation, and his father once again tries to dissuade Jim from trying to achieve his dream again, telling Jim, Its OK to think about what you want to do until its time to start doing what you were meant to do. ........

Source: Wikipedia