Hardball (2001)
Hardball (2001) is an American sports drama/comedy film directed by Brian Robbins. Conor O’Neill, a gambler, finds himself in debt with two bookies after secretly betting $6,000 on his late father’s account. A corporate friend suggests that he coach a team of troubled African-American fifth graders from Chicago’s ABLA housing projects for ten weeks in exchange for a weekly payment of $500. Focused on getting his paycheck, Conor arrives at the baseball field to meet an eclectic group of players, including Andre Ray Peetes, a witty captain who forms a strong bond with Conor; Kofi Evans, a hot-tempered but talented player with a rivalry against Andre; Jefferson Albert Tibbs, an asthma-prone team member; Jamal, Andre’s close friend and oldest player on the team; Miles Penfield II, the skilled pitcher who listens to The Notorious B.I.G.’s Big Poppa for inspiration; and Jarius ‘G-Baby’ Evans, Kofi’s younger brother and Conor’s assistant due to his age.
From the beginning, Conor faces obstacles as he lacks the necessary nine children to form a team. The older kids inform him that their teacher, Elizabeth “Sister” Wilkes, has required them to complete a book report. Despite visiting her in attempt to resolve this issue, Conor’s persistent gambling debts result in constant threats from his bookies. However, he receives assistance from a fellow mother who offers for her two sons and nephew to join the team if Conor tutors them. Conor puts in effort to promote camaraderie and discourage negative talk within the team; however, their first game ends in a defeat of 16-1, causing tensions among the players. To mend things, Conor treats them to pizza (in exchange for sports tickets) and guides them to victory in their second game with a score of 9-3. Gradually, the team begins to unify as Conor also attempts to pursue a relationship with Wilkes.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Keanu ReevesConor O'Neill  Diane LaneElizabeth Wilkes  John HawkesTicky Tobin  Bryan HearneAndre Ray Peetes  Michael B. JordanJamal  D.B. SweeneyMatt Hyland  Graham BeckelDuffy  Mike McGloneJimmy Fleming |
Hardball (2001) is an American sports drama/comedy film directed by Brian Robbins. Conor O’Neill, a gambler, finds himself in debt with two bookies after secretly betting $6,000 on his late father’s account. A corporate friend suggests that he coach a team of troubled African-American fifth graders from Chicago’s ABLA housing projects for ten weeks in exchange for a weekly payment of $500. Focused on getting his paycheck, Conor arrives at the baseball field to meet an eclectic group of players, including Andre Ray Peetes, a witty captain who forms a strong bond with Conor; Kofi Evans, a hot-tempered but talented player with a rivalry against Andre; Jefferson Albert Tibbs, an asthma-prone team member; Jamal, Andre’s close friend and oldest player on the team; Miles Penfield II, the skilled pitcher who listens to The Notorious B.I.G.’s Big Poppa for inspiration; and Jarius ‘G-Baby’ Evans, Kofi’s younger brother and Conor’s assistant due to his age.
From the beginning, Conor faces obstacles as he lacks the necessary nine children to form a team. The older kids inform him that their teacher, Elizabeth “Sister” Wilkes, has required them to complete a book report. Despite visiting her in attempt to resolve this issue, Conor’s persistent gambling debts result in constant threats from his bookies. However, he receives assistance from a fellow mother who offers for her two sons and nephew to join the team if Conor tutors them. Conor puts in effort to promote camaraderie and discourage negative talk within the team; however, their first game ends in a defeat of 16-1, causing tensions among the players. To mend things, Conor treats them to pizza (in exchange for sports tickets) and guides them to victory in their second game with a score of 9-3. Gradually, the team begins to unify as Conor also attempts to pursue a relationship with Wilkes.
