Pastime (1991)

44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(64 ratings)

This highly rated independent production was written years before Bull Durham, and though it covers much of the same territory, it is considered worth seeing in its own right. In the story, Roy Dean Bream (William Russ) is too old to be part of his minor-league baseball team's cultural mainstream.… More This highly rated independent production was written years before Bull Durham, and though it covers much of the same territory, it is considered worth seeing in its own right. In the story, Roy Dean Bream (William Russ) is too old to be part of his minor-league baseball team's cultural mainstream. In short, he's often ignored, derided, or treated to the worst or last of everything, like any other outcast. Tyrone (Glenn Plummer) is so young that it gives the same teammates who shun Roy the willies and reminds them that they too are getting older -- so he's an outcaste, too. What could be more natural than for these two men to seek one another out. It doesn't matter that the older man is white, the younger is black. They both love the game, and Roy has been around the block a few times and has plenty to teach Tyrone. When the time comes for Roy to be sent to retirement, everyone holds their breaths to see how he will react. It's a pity they didn't get to know him better, or they would know that this kind, generous man wishes them all well. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Robin B. Armstrong
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Aug 23, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Apr 8, 2003
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Plays an honorable game, tackling the touchy subject of ageism on the baseball field. But it's ultimately a hollow attempt, one that thinks that just by touching on a subject that it makes up a plot.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Pastime is a thoughtfully made and intimate drama about a veteran relief pitcher for a class D professional team who turns to mentoring a younger player as his way of saluting the sport he loves.
Kevin Fiddler, Henderson Home News (Henderson, NV)
Great film on minor league baseball in a different time.

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Cast

            William Russ as Roy Dean Bream

            Glenn Plummer as Tyrone Debray

            Noble Willingham as Clyde Bigby

            Jeffrey Tambor as Peter LaPorte

            Scott Plank as Randy Keever

            Deirdre O'Connell as Inez Brice

            John Achorn as Cal

            Aaron Albert as Baseball Player

            Darryl Allen as Baseball Player

            Ernie Banks as 1st Steamer Fan

            Joe Banks as Sliding Base Runner

            Mark Benedetto as Bomber Manager

            Darin Burton as Baseball Player

            Sue Cash as Mrs. Laporte

            Richard Cavazos as Baseball Player

            Michael Chieffo as Pool Player

            Greg Chizek as Baseball Player

            Tommy Davidson as Beaned Bomber

            Troy Evans as Art

            Bob Feller as 1st VFW Man

            Chuck Fick as 1st First Base Umpire

            Meghan Geary as 1st Catty Woman at Party

            Glen Gillespie as Baseball Player

            Mary Pat Gleason as Woman at Bar

            Ricky Paull Goldin as Hahn

            John Homa as Frank

            Tony Jaramillo as Baseball Player

            Lonnie Kalapp as Baseball Player

            Kathryn Kates as Ethel

            Harman Killebrew as 2nd VFW Man

            David Lyons as Baseball Player

            Mike Main as Baseball Player

            John Martin as Baseball Player

            Bill Mazeroski as 3rd VFW Man

            Vince McAllister as Baseball Player

            Sy Mogel as 2nd First Base Umpire

            Peter Murnik as Simmons

            Neil A. Machlis and Mike Nichols as Baseball Player

            Don Newcombe as Flag Raiser

            Patrick O'Bryan as Walsh

            Tom Pletts as Funeral Director

            Brogan Roche as Bomber Pitcher

            Reed Rudy as Spicer

            Rick Slagls as Baseball Player

            Duke Snider as 2nd Steamer Fan

            Tony Solis as Baseball Player

            Larry Stalhaufer as Baseball Player

            Charles Stranski as Elton

            Joe Szczepanski as Baseball Player

            Charles Tyner as Arnold

            Paul Visone as Baseball Player

            Sarah Zinsser as 2nd Catty Woman at Party

            Don Perry as Drunk Old-Timer

            John Jones as Colbeck

            Michael Wood as Baseball Player

            Chris Allen as Baseball Player

            Craig Stark as Bomber Catcher
See full cast