Hardball

In this 2001 film directed by Brian Robbins, Keanu Reeves stars as Conor O’Neill, a down-on-his-luck gambler who finds himself coaching a youth baseball team from a rough Chicago neighborhood as a way to pay off his debts. The story explores themes of redemption and personal growth as Conor forms unexpected bonds with the kids, who face their own challenges both on and off the field. The film also features performances by Diane Lane and John Hawkes. While it didn’t receive any major awards, it offers a heartfelt narrative about overcoming adversity. For those interested, the movie can be viewed for free on Soap2day.