This is a remarkable documentary, featuring nine main themes, just as there are nine innings in a baseball game. The themes range from sacred times and sacred places to faith and doubt as well as others, ultimately finishing with the ninth theme (or inning), titled “Nostalgia.”
John Sexton, author of Baseball As a Road to God,” and a Catholic, speaks several times on the topic of the similarities between faith in God and baseball. For example, the topic of miracles is featured, such as the miracles God performs, in addition to the amazing, miraculous moments of baseball, such as Willie Mays’ famous catch in the world series, and Kirk Gibson’s dramatic homerun in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Dodgers during the world series of 1988. God’s parting of the Red Sea is highlighted, as is the sun stopping when God mightily used Joshua.
The term “The Church of Baseball” is examined, as are prayers, baptisms and the parallels of baseball with faith. Sexton’s best-selling book is a common reference guide throughout. To some fans, baseball is practically a religion. As one fan puts it, the church of baseball is important to her!
Several other religions are examined, for example Buddhism, and the Jewish faith. As many people devour sacred texts such as the Bible, many devour watching or playing baseball.
Several clips of great moments in baseball are featured, as are interviews with players and managers such as Joe Torre and Curtis Granderson. Many fans wind up in the documentary, talking about the heartaches and great joys the game of baseball has brought them. The generational aspect is also highlighted, as fathers and sons are interviewed. One touching scene shows an 80-year-old father playing catch with his now adult son, just as they did when the son was a boy. Sexton is featured teaching a New York University class and he uses the word “ineffable,” explaining that often something that is very real to us, like religion or a moment in baseball, is difficult to describe or to put into words. Various ball parks are highlighted, including Wrigley Field in Chicago, and Fenway Park. A funny line is featured about Dodger Stadium maybe being sacred depending on how much you have to pay for parking!
The agony of defeat and the joy of winning are contrasted with walking through difficult times in one’s faith and the moments of joy and feeling rewarded. Reaching the world series is likened to the promised land. Faith and Doubt are one of the highlights of the film, as Tug McGraw’s “Ya gotta believe!” inspirational saying delves into the Mets having an unlikely winning streak to make the play-offs. In another scene, “Dougie” held a crucifix and prayed for the Dodgers to finally win the world series after disappointing failures in the past to the New York Yankees. October 4, 1955 finally climaxes with a Dodgers’ world series championship. Other memorable moments are featured in the documentary such as Derek Jeter telling Aaron Boone, “The ghosts are coming”, referring to the great Yankees of the past such as Ruth, Gehrig and Dimaggio. Then, with the Yankees losing in game seven of the 2003 American League Play-offs, Boone hits a dramatic homerun and the Yankees win.
Other relevant factors such as “rituals” are examined, such as the ritual of prayer and baseball rituals such as the singing of the national anthem, the seventh inning stretch, the first pitch ceremony and rituals of players such as tapping the plate with their bats when they get in the batter’s box. Moments such as the Cubs finally winning the world series in 2016 and the events of 9-11 after the World Trade Center was struck by planes, will tug at the viewer’s hearts.
This is a documentary well worth taking the time to watch.
Content Analysis: Although featuring a Christian worldview, both Catholic and Protestant, the documentary also examines other faiths such as Buddhism and the Jewish faith. Mohammed is mentioned. Prayer is shown and mentioned as an important factor in one’s life, and people are seen crossing themselves and friar monks are interviewed. Due to the various examinations of other beliefs, ages 12+ is probably the best age range for parents to consider their family viewing.
Think About It: A good discussion topic would be why seeking God and the Bible are so important and how one should react to people of other faiths and beliefs. And how that baseball, with its twists and turns in a game, can be a parallel tool to compare to the Bible and to one’s life. And how unexpected turns in a baseball game, dramatic “miraculous” moments, can occur in our own lives as well.
The Dove Take: Sexton’s views are nicely explained, and his love for baseball shines through in this captivating documentary. Families, ages 12 and above, will enjoy the many video clips, including big moments of baseball, in addition to enlightening interviews. Baseball: Beyond Belief hits a homerun!
