Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)
Directed by John D. Hancock
Starring Robert De Niro, Michael Moriarty and Vincent Gardenia
This is "Brian's Song," for baseball fans!  Moriarty plays star NY Yankee's pitcher, Henry Wiggin, who is determined to help his ailing friend and catcher, Bruce Pearson, hide his illness from the rest of the team, the coaches and the owners.  While the story is fictional, the characterizations aren't; Gardenia received a well-deserved Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor. (98 min; Rated PG)

Bend It Like Beckham (2003)
Directed by Gurinder Chadha
Starring Parminder Nagra, Kiera Knightley and Jonathan Rhys-Myers
This excellent football movie (or "soccer" to us Americans) gives the viewer an idea of how popular this sport is to most of the world.  A talented soccer player in her own right, Jess idolizes football superstar, David Beckham.  Her interest in playing football brings much conflict with her very traditional Indian family, who expect her to marry and settle down. (113 min; Rated PG-13)

Breaking Away (1979)
Directed by Peter Yates
Starring Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Hayley
Here's a wonderful coming-of-age story, portrayed by a group of young actors, soon to be famous.  Dave (Christopher) is a top-notch cyclist, who reveres the Italian cycling team so much that he tries everyway he can to become Italian himself!  This movie won an Oscar for best screenplay – the writing's the very best and the characters are all memorable. (100 min; Rated RG)

Caddyshack (1980)
Directed by Harold Ramis
Starring Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray
After watching this golfing comedy, you'll never think of candy bars and swimming pools in quite the same way!  This movie, with all its lowbrow humor is a cult classic, and has been named one of 100 funniest films by the American Film Institute.  It also is the only movie, so far, in which Murray and Chase appear on the screen together. (98 min; Rated R)

Eight Men Out (1988)
Directed by John Sayles
Starring John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, D.B. Sweeney and David Stratharin
This great movie dramatizes the "Black Sox" scandal of 1919, in which some of the underpaid Chicago White Sox players accepted bribes to throw the World Series.  Director Sayles excels at ensemble dramas, and he gives us a chance to meet bickering owners, unsavory gangsters, and the players themselves, including those who chose to take the money and those that didn't. (119 min; Rated PG)

The Endless Summer (1966)
Directed by Bruce Brown
Starring Michael Hynson, Robert August and Lord 'Tally Ho' Blears
This great documentary follows the travels of two young surfers around the world, in search of "the perfect wave."  As one viewer commented, it also captures a more innocent time, when surfers were clean-cut, normal, if politically incorrect, guys who happened to love the sport. (92 min; Unrated) 

Fear Strikes Out (1957)
Directed by Robert Mulligan
Starring Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden
More than just a baseball biopic, this movie tells the story of Boston Red Sox outfielder, Jimmy Piersall, and his struggles with both an overbearing father and mental illness.  It's directed with style by Robert Mulligan, who also brought us "To Kill a Mockingbird."  (100 min; Unrated)

Fever Pitch (2005)
Directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly
Starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon
While the Farrelly brothers are better know for their over-the-top, gross-out movies, they do a good job directing one that's more restrained, with a sweet love story, ably acted by Barrymore and Fallon (her love interest, the ultimate Red Sox fan!).  There are some great scenes at Fenway Park, and an exciting conclusion with the World Series victory. (103 min; Rated PG-13

Friday Night Lights (2004)
Directed by Peter Berg
Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke and Tim McGraw
Nowhere in the country is football treated with as much importance as in Texas, as this fine movie about the 1988 Permian High School team proves.  The town, Odessa, has seen better days, and its inhabitants cling to the team, hoping that their victories will restore their community pride.  Very good performances from the actors make this a film worth enjoying.  (118 min; Rated PG-13)

The Heart of the Game (2005)
Directed by Ward Serrell
Starring Bill Resler, Darnellia Russell and Devon Crosby Helms
This excellent documentary covers much of the same ground as another, "Hoop Dreams," but focuses on the world of girls' high school basketball, with players as tough and talented as their male counterparts.  The relationship between the coaches and the players is inspiring, and you'll find yourself cheering for these young people, as they face some daunting obstacles.(97 min; Rated PG-13)

Hoosiers (1986)
Directed by David Anspaugh
Starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper
"Hoosiers" doesn't stray too far from the usual sports underdog theme, but with a cast this talented, it's definitely worth viewing.  Like other movies on this list, the relationships portrayed here are the main attraction of the film, along with the exciting basketball scenes.  It's based on the true story of the 1954 Indiana State champs, the Milan Indians. (114 min; Rated PG)

Pat and Mike (1952)
Directed by George Cukor
Starring Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracey and Jim Backus
Our two stars are in top form in this tale of an unlikely professional and romantic relationship between a street smart sports promoter and a talented woman.  Hepburn, an accomplished athlete in her own right, did all her own golfing in the picture.  It's casual, familiar and fun watching the stars, and even includes a hint of feminism, too. (95 min: Unrated) 

The Rookie (2002)
Directed by John Lee Hancock
Starring Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths and Brian Cox
Dennis Quaid is very believable in his portrayal of a high school baseball coach, trying to motivate his struggling team, and agreeing to try out for a pro ball team. It's based on the true story of Jim Morris, who had a promising career in the minor leagues, until injury forced him out.  Rachel Griffiths, refreshing as a strong woman who copes with the daily grind while her husband pursues his dream, and Brian Cox, as Morris' gruff, distant father are particularly fine. (128 min; Rated G)

Seabiscuit (2003)
Directed by Gary Ross
Starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper
Who says all great athletes must be human?  This wonderful true story focuses on an average racehorse who accomplished the unthinkable.  All the performances are well done, especially Chris Cooper's, as the horse's trainer, for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.  It's also a great slice-of-life picture, with a realistic portrayal of America in the midst of the Great Depression, and how the improbable story of Seabiscuit gave many people hope. (141 min; Rated PG-13)

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
Directed by Roger Donaldson
Starring Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Paul Rodriguez and Christopher Lawford
Burt Munro is an elderly New Zealand man with a dream – to race his motorcycle during Speed Week on Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats.  Such minor obstacles as age, health problems, a lack of funds and a long way to travel won't keep him down!  Anthony Hopkins is wonderful, as usual, as our hero, and is supported by a great cast of characters.  (127 min; Rated PG-13)