Rookie of the Year (1993)

39% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(49,976 ratings)

Rookie of the Year is a light-hearted comedy about a 12-year-old baseball fan who, despite his love for the sport, can't play the game at all. During one Little League contest, he breaks his arm. After it heals, it miraculously becomes a super-human arm that can out-pitch any player in the major… More Rookie of the Year is a light-hearted comedy about a 12-year-old baseball fan who, despite his love for the sport, can't play the game at all. During one Little League contest, he breaks his arm. After it heals, it miraculously becomes a super-human arm that can out-pitch any player in the major leagues. The boy joins the Chicago Cubs and helps lead them to the World Series. Though the plot is silly and contrived, it's a pleasant film that is ideal for young sports fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Daniel Stern
Written By: Sam Harper
Genres: Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

On DVD: Jan 29, 2002
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Randy White, Common Sense Media
Far-fetched fantasy is good-natured fun for all.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Good Family Fun with a side-splitting performance by Stern
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Above average baseball yarn with director Stern and friends paying homage to their beloved Cubbies.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
Merely mediocre.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Rookie of the Year is one of those childhood classics that really don't stand the test of time. The gags here are stale, and grow tiresome quickly. The cast isn't that great either. Rookie of the Year may have been a great film when I was younger, but years after its… More
Rookie of the Year is one of those childhood classics that really don't stand the test of time. The gags here are stale, and grow tiresome quickly. The cast isn't that great either. Rookie of the Year may have been a great film when I was younger, but years after its release, I don't see what I loved about the film. For me the ultimate Baseball film that still relevant after all these years and is fun for the whole family is The Sandlot. That film is worth checking out, however this one isn't. Daniel Stern's directing is sloppy, unfocused and ultimately boring. A young audience may find appeal in this film, but it's not really a film to watch as a family, I find it far too silly for that. However, if you want a great sports film to watch as a family, and that it's fun for all ages, give The Sandlot a view. Rookie of the Year starts off with good potential, unfortunately the film suffers from a terrible second half. The films use of comedy is overall stale, and doesn't stand the test of time. This is a film that is not worth your time, and there are far better family oriented comedies than this. Rookie of the Year is forgettable, and it's one of those films from your childhood that you look upon years later, and ask "why did I even watch this?" This is an awful film that is very forgettable, I can name other films that are better than this. Don't waste your time on such a poor film.
Eric A

Grew up with this movie, so i'm always going to love it.
Lenny M

Lead child actor is terrible but still a 90's classic.
Curtis L

eh.
Taylor B

My favorite movie as a child. Tell me it wouldn't be cool to get in an accident and have an amazing ability because of it. I'd dominate in the MLB. Some lame scenes, but cool movie.
Jason S

A fun film.
danny d

a movie about a guy with a big butt
Tom E

GO CUBS!!!!!
Jackson W

Very enjoyable and original, but the Cubs will never win a World Series ever again. I'm sorry.
Joseph E

Lame? Yes. Crazy? Yes. Sheer Pure Poppy Cook? Hell yes! Fantasy ? Of Course! So you get watch you get when watching it, cuase you surely read the synopsis or the back of the DVD/VHS! Haven't you?
ashley h

I loved this movie when I was a kid and I remember thinking how cool it would be to be an instant celebrity at 12.
Haley A

Daniel Stern is hilarious, and Thomas Ian Nicholas is impressive in his debut.

Read all 12 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Gary Busey as Chet Steadman

            Thomas Ian Nicholas as Henry Rowengartner

            Albert Hall as Martinella

            Amy Morton as Mary Rowengartner

            Dan Hedaya as Larry "Fish" Fisher

            Bruce Altman as Jack Bradfield

            Eddie Bracken as Bob Carson

            Daniel Stern as Phil Brickman

            James Andelin as Wizard of Wrigley

            Mike Bacarella as Bleacher Bum

            Andrew Mark Berman as Ernie

            Tom Brennan as Umpire

            John Candy as Announcer (uncredited)

            Dan Conway as Press Conference Reporter

            Ken Earl as Pepsi Executive

            James "Ike" Eichling as Little League Coach

            John Gegenhuber as Derkin

            Robert Hy Gorman as Clark

            Christopher Howe as Airport Reporter

            Rom Milanovich as Heddo

            Tyler Ann Carroll as Edith

            Sam Sanders as Fern Cubs Short Stop

            Patrick LaBrecque as George

            W. Earl Brown as Frick Bullpen Cathcher

            Neil Flynn as Okie Cubs' 1st Base

            Robert Harper as Confused Teacher

            Kristie Davis
            
            Ross Lehman
            
            Tom Milanovich
            
            Robert Harper (V)
            
See full cast