Rookie, The MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +3 Content: +3

Jimmy Morris (Dennis Quaid) tucked away his dream of playing professional baseball 12 years ago after a shoulder injury ended his short time in the minor leagues. Now, hes a high school baseball coach in a small, dusty West Texas town with his wife Lorrie (Rachel Griffith) and three young children. When he challenges his losing team to go for a winning season, they agree to try - if the coach promises to try out for the major leagues. When they win the district championship, Jimmy has to make good on his promise. And his 98 mile-per-hour pitches at tryouts win him an offer as a minor league relief pitcher for the Tampa Blue Devils, in spite of being 12 to 15 years older than his teammates. Based on a true story, THE ROOKIE delivers a home run that will have your whole family rooting for Jimmy as his family, high school kids and hometown cheer him on. You dont have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this wholesome Spring treat from Disney.

Its heartwarming to see an entertaining, feature film about a loving family. Jimmy and his strict, career Navy father never understood each other, so Jimmy tries to be the dad he wanted to have. His young son goes everywhere with him, and his two daughters are clearly the apple of Jimmys eye. When Jimmy signs on with the minor league, Lorrie is supportive in spite of the hardships, including a big pay cut, created by an absentee dad and husband. Traveling on a bus for three months and staying in cramped quarters with young players who constantly ridicule him about his age, begins to wear Jimmy down, but hes no quitter. A strong role model for the kids he coaches, Jimmy even wins the respect of his teammates as he perseveres. THE ROOKIEs glaring absence of sex, violence and foul language is an extra bonus that adds to its charm.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: : Buena Vista (The Walt Disney Co.), 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521