If you have ever played, coached, or been a parent of a fastpitch softball player you might be portrayed in the movie “All Stars”.
Check out the movie and you’ll see all the stereotypical portrayals of all the craziness we’ve come to know around the ball park.
“All Stars” follows a fictitious group of players and coaches from Santa Monica. Actor Lance Kinsey, who plays the head coach of the Hairy Ketchup Bottles, has written and produced a movie that takes a very hard look at the “characters” that make up every aspect of the softball world. It’s set in a recreational league setting but. let’s be honest, these characters are just as prevalent in the travel ball world.
While you are watching this movie, keep a scorecard. Write down a list of all the people you know in your real world of softball who are characterized in the movie. It can look something like this:
Dad who has to take his daughter home after practice to un-learn what was covered at practice that day? _____________________________________________
Umpire who is way too committed? ____________________________________
Dad who keeps stats of everything his daughter does in practice, lessons and games? ___________________
Single Mom who wants softball to fill a void in her daughter’s life?__________________________
Assistant Dad Coach who builds the self esteem of every player except his own daughter? ______________
Over competitive coach who wants to win more than teach the game? __________________________________
League administrator who is consumed by details and misses all the real issues? ________________________
Head coach who wanders off the path and makes winning too important? _________________________
And on and on it goes!
There are a bunch of well know actors who play a variety of characters in All Stars so you can rest assured. It is a real movie! The only question I have is why it wasn’t nominated for an Oscar.
About the Author: Tory Acheson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fastpitch Prep staff. He has coached at all levels of the game, including the last 25 years at the college level at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State. He began his coaching career at the high school level spending 9 years Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wis. and is now working as a professional softball instructor.
