Family Movie Night Activity: The Sandlot

PLAY BALL! It’s baseball season and this summer flick is an excellent choice. And since this is the most watched movie in my house right now I can say it is a fan favorite from ages 2 on up!

Nothing says summer like the neighborhood kids burning some pent up energy with a friendly game of baseball. Well, for the boys in The Sandlot, baseball was a never-ending sport; they played from sun up to sun down. When Scotty Smalls moved into town he was desperate to make friends, but apprehensive about his skills in the game. Benny, the neighborhood jock, takes him under his wing and shows him the ropes. The movie shows a summer filled with campouts, chasing girls (only a little), the “Beast” and tons of baseball.

Movie Snacks:

* I don’t know about you but I can’t go to a baseball game and not enjoy a hot dog, so that would be a great dinner choice to set the mood for the movie.
* Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks (haven’t had that in years) or some popcorn, any of these would be a great snack to embrace the feeling of being at the ball game.
* Mmmm Nachos! Do I need to say more? I rarely have nachos, but I love the loaded nachos at our stadium and since it is only once a year that I go to a game, I indulge. So you should too!
* During the campout scene I love how Smalls doesn’t know what s’mores are, leading the guys to once again have to fill him in. “First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham, then you roast the ‘mallow. When the ‘mallow is flaming…you stick it on the chocolate then cover with the other graham. Then scarf!”

Must Pause Moments:

* After the boys enjoy some s’mores they tell spooky stories. Take turns sharing your best spooky stories and if you can it would be perfect around a campfire in the backyard which would make it a great time for s’mores too!
* When the boys are trying to teach ‘Smalls’ about who Babe Ruth is and the importance he played in Baseball they go through a list of all of his nicknames. Pause to give each other a baseball nickname that fits.
* If you find yourself in need of a 7th inning stretch, after the 4th of July fireworks would be a good time and have the whole family sing “Take me out to the Ball Game”.

Other Activities:

* I’m just going to say it even if it seems obvious, play a family baseball game and if you don’t have enough room then just play catch!
* If you are competitive (friendly of course) set up a bat off to see who can hit the furthest or see who has the best batting average out of 10 hits.
* Don’t forget to wear your favorite teams t-shirt or jersey and if you are really an over achiever create a family team name and have shirts made.

Hannah – ClearPlay’s Great Hanbino

Rated PG for some language and kids chewing tobacco; 101 min; Directed by David M. Evans

The Sandlot

A Movie to Keep in the Family...For-EVER!

Scotty Smalls moves to a new neighborhood with his mom and stepdad, and wants to learn to play baseball. The neighborhood baseball guru Rodriquez takes Smalls under his wing, and soon he's part of the local baseball buddies. They fall into adventures involving baseball, treehouse sleep-ins, the desirous lifeguard at the local pool, the snooty rival ball team, and the travelling fair. Beyond the fence at the back of the sandlot menaces a legendary ball-eating dog called The Beast, and the kids inevitably must deal with him.

Baseball season has started and school is almost out for the summer. To celebrate, our family gathered for movie night with The Sandlot. I hadn't seen it since it came out in '93 and my kids had never seen it. It is now an official classic in our house. From Ham's instruction on how to make a s'more, "First, you take the graham," and the scene where they all get sick on the Trabant ride to the classic expressions on the boys' faces every time Smalls says something baseball-ignorant, this movie is the epitome of boyhood and summer. Watch these nine boys battle the heat, baseball and The Beast, Hercules this weekend for some great family memories and a brush up on good one liners.

Motherly Advice: Language is the main thing ClearPlay works to clean up with this movie. Boys tend to have potty mouths I guess. I'd give this one a thumbs up for kids maybe 8 and older.

Danielle'- "You're killing me Smalls!"

Rated PG for some language and kids chewing tobacco; 101 min; Directed by David M. Evans