Reel Critics

Peggy Rogers

Chicago bookie reluctantly coaches little leaguers to get much needed

cash and discovers a different way to live in the process.

Keanu Reeves steps up to the plate to star in “Hardball” departing

from his previous blockbuster lead roles such as “Speed” and “Matrix.”

Keanu plays from this heart portraying Conor O’Neil, a guy caught in the

grip of mounting gambling debts. Unable to borrow money, Conor works off

one debt by coaching a group of inner-city kids from the projects.

The little leaguers are a rough and tumble mix of street-tough kids

denied the carefree suburban lifestyle associated with today’s tweeners.

Their friendship with each other and playing baseball bring out the best

in them. Out on the field they are normal kids, likable kids.

Conor starts warming up and helping the team just as he gets closer to

winning a large bet that will either solve his gambling debts or placing

him deeper in the hole.

“Hardball” strives to show the human side to people educated in the

streets. Conor isn’t too different from the kids he coaches, just older.

Their salvation resides in the friendships they form and the triumph that

playing baseball brings out in anyone who has ever played with heart.

While the film definitely sugarcoats the realities of its characters,

sometimes that’s just what viewers want to watch at the end of the day.

* PEGGY J. ROGERS, 39, produces commercial videos and documentaries.