The Sandlot

The Sandlot (1993)

About The Sandlot

"The Sandlot" is a 1993 American coming-of-age sports comedy film directed by David Mickey Evans. The film depicts a group of young boys playing baseball in a small sandlot during the summer of 1962. The story primarily revolves around a new kid in town, Scotty Smalls, who makes friends with a mixed group of young baseball players. Together they go on a series of funny and touching adventures, including a battle against "The Beast," a legendary ball-eating dog living next door.

Making / Production

The film was directed by David Mickey Evans and co-written with Robert Gunter. It was produced by Dale De La Torre and William S. Gilmore. Filmed in Salt Lake City, the movie is set in the San Fernando Valley in 1962 despite a few anachronisms.

Actors

• Tom Guiry played Scotty Smalls, the new kid in town who is introduced to the game of baseball. Guiry nailed Smalls' innocence and curiosity throughout the film.
• Mike Vitar portrayed Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez, the best player on the sandlot team. Vitar's performance embodied the leadership and spirit of the game.
• Patrick Renna played Hamilton "Ham" Porter, who served as the team’s catcher and self-appointed leader. Renna captured Ham’s comic relief role perfectly.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The chewing tobacco used in the carnival scene was made of licorice and bacon bits.
• The exteriors of the movie were shot in Salt Lake City, Utah, over a period of 42 days.
• Patrick Renna and Chauncey Leopardi, who played Ham and Squints respectively, still frequently refer to each other by their character names.

Awards

The movie "The Sandlot" didn't win any major awards, but it has been acknowledged by many as a classic piece of American cinema, especially among baseball fans.

Quotes

• "You're killing me, Smalls!" - Ham Porter
• "Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong." - Babe Ruth
• "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." - The Sandlot Kids

Music, Soundtrack

• The film featured classic tunes from the early '60s, reflecting the film's timeline. This includes "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris and "Green Onions" by Booker T. & the MG's.
• The original score for the movie was composed by David Newman, adding a sense of adventure and emotion to the film.
• "America the Beautiful" performed by Ray Charles is played during the Fourth of July scene, capturing the nostalgic feel of the time period.