Sport Psychology in Film Collection

Screwball  largely shares the story of  Anthony Bosch and his primary role in the Biogenesis scandal that rocked Major League Baseball in 2013. After obtaining his medical license in Belize, Anthony got into the anti-aging field, which inevitable led him to steroids, human growth hormone, and other drugs. Through happenstance, he started prescribing to weightlifters, and eventually started working with  professional athletes, including baseball players Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, and many others. Eventually, the lab's clientele were leaked to the press and the lab was investigated by the Florida Department of Health and Major League Baseball. Many of the stories are re-enacted with child actors. Released 2018; Runtime 105 minutes Concepts Baseball : The beginning focuses on the  Steroid Era  of baseball and the changes that were implemented in its wake. Once the Biogenesis scandal broke, MLB bribed and threatened witnesses as part of their i...

42 tells the story of Jackie Robinson, who was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946, breaking Major League Baseball's infamous color barrier. Even though Robinson faced a great deal of racism, he remained professional, displayed remarkable character, and eventually won over his team and the fans, changing baseball forever. Released 2013; Runtime 128 minutes Concepts Race & Ethnicity Issues : The movie is about how Jackie Robinson was the first black MLB player, starting his first game in 1947. Motivation (Intrinsic) : Robinson loved to play baseball and was determined to prove himself worthy enough to play in the MLB. Leadership : In every bad situation Robinson was put in, he remained positive, supported his team, and always strove to do the right thing on and off the field; He set an example for everyone to follow. Team Cohesion : Initially his teammates were not accepting of him, but eventually realized they all had more things in common than they did differe...

Little Big Men  is part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. This documentary focuses on the 1982 Little League baseball champions out of Kirkland, Washington, their amazing run to the championship, and the aftermath of their fame. Released 2010; Runtime 55 minutes Concepts Youth Sport : Several youth sport issues come up throughout the movie, including practice time, developmental differences (Cody Webster could throw a 75mph fastball at age 12), burnout, and the amount of pressure placed on youth athletes following success (just because a kid is good at 12 does not mean that kid will be good at 18). Parents & Family : There are examples of supportive parenting (encouraging, never forcing, their kids to play) and nasty parenting (insulting players of opposing teams following success). Media : Twelve-year-old kids were thrust into the national spotlight, and an inordinate amount of pressure and focus was placed on Cody Webster (he was dubbed "America's Youngest Folk ...

The Rookie  is about Jim Morris, who pitched in the minors, but after injuring his arm and having multiple surgeries, he became a science teacher and baseball coach in a Texas high school. After a bet with his team he found himself at an MLB tryout and at 35 years old attempts a childhood dream. Released 2002; Runtime 127 minutes Concepts Coaching : Jim Morris is a high school coach, so there are several examples of him coaching throughout the movie. Confidence : Jim pitches batting practice to the team, and once they start hitting off him, they have the confidence to hit any pitcher they face. Pursuing Your Dream : His childhood dream was to pitch in the MLB, which is the dream he is now chasing again. Injury : He was drafted young, but after injuring his arm, he had to give up his pitching career and his chance at making it in the big leagues. Motivation (Extrinsic) : The bet between Jim and his team give the team extra motivation to win the championship, whil...

Rookie of the Year  is about a 12 year old boy who suffers an accident that leaves him able to pitch amazingly well, attracting the interest of the last place Chicago Cubs. Released 1993; Runtime 103 minutes

The Natural  is about a man's invigorating return to a baseball team after a mysterious absence. Great scene with a sport psychologist in it. Released 1984; Runtime 134 minutes

Major League  is a goofy comedy about a team of misfits who win despite the odds being stacked against them. Released 1989; Runtime 107 minutes

A League of Their Own  is the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League  in the 1940s. The movie follows two sisters as they travel from Oregon to Chicago and learn about themselves and build life-long relationships with their teammates. Released 1992; Runtime 128 minutes Concepts Team Cohesion : The team creates and sings an anthem in honor of their experience as professional baseball players, showing the unison and harmony the players developed through their teamwork. Confidence : Kit experiences a blow to her confidence when the scout remarks that he wants Dottie, but not her, because Dottie was having a lot more success. Leadership : Dottie takes on a leadership role on the team and tries to be a good role model, for example, by offering their manager a soda instead of his flask to help him control his reliance on alcohol.

For Love of the Game  is about professional baseball pitcher Billy Chapel's final game of his career. During the game, he has flashbacks about the decisions he made during his life and pulls off a rare accomplishment. Released 1999; Runtime 137 minutes Concepts Injury & Illness : One of the stories that Chapel reflects on is the time he could not play because he injured his hand by cutting it badly; He also reflects on the rehabilitation he went through to learn how to grip the ball again. Self-Talk : Chapel talks to himself about an old friend he is pitching against, which helps him to make it through the at-bat. Career Issues : This is Chapel's last career game and he reflects on that career throughout the movie. Peak Performance : Chapel accomplishes an extremely difficult feat for a pitcher, especially one playing in the final game of his career.

Field of Dreams  is the story of an Iowa farmer who hears voices and builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield. Released 1989; Runtime 107 minutes

The Fan  is about an obsessed baseball fan who causes problems for an all-star player. Released 1996; Runtime 116 minutes

Eight Men Out  chronicles the famous "Black Sox" scandal of 1919 where players were accused of throwing the World Series. Released 1988; Runtime 119 minutes

Bull Durham  is about a minor league catcher who grooms a rookie pitcher for the major league. Released 1988; Runtime 108 minutes

Bang the Drum Slowly  is the story of a professional baseball player with a terminal illness who strikes up a friendship with a rookie teammate. Released 1973; Runtime 96 minutes

The Bad News Bears  is about a little league team of misfits and their cranky coach. Released 1976; Runtime 102 minutes Remade 2005; Runtime 113 minutes

Angels in the Outfield  is about a baseball team that receives a little heavenly help in their pursuit of the pennant. Released 1951; Runtime 99 minutes Remade 1994; Runtime 102 minutes

The Sandlot  takes place in the summer of 1962 and follows Scotty Smalls after he moved to a new town with his mother and stepdad. Smalls must now find new friends and learn to play baseball so that he can keep up with the new lingo of this strange sport and fit in with his peers. Released 1993; Runtime 101 minutes Concepts Team Cohesion : This is one of the main themes of the movie, as you can see the cohesiveness of the group be disrupted by a new kid who doesn't know how to play baseball, and then built back up as Smalls is accepted into the group. Leadership : The best player on the team, Benny, takes on a leadership and mentorship role by helping Smalls and the others learn how to play baseballbetter; He also steps up to take on "The Beast."