Ballplayer: Pelotero

Name: Ballplayer: Pelotero
Genre: Drama, Sport, Documentary
Released: July 13, 2012
Duration: 77 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Jean Carlos Batista, John Leguizamo, Miguel Angel Sano

2012

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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Ballplayer: Pelotero

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Movie Details & Credits

Strand Releasing | Release Date: July 13, 2012 | Not Rated

Starring: Jean Carlos Batista, John Leguizamo, Miguel Angel Sano

Summary: This compelling documentary narrated by John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!, Ice Age, Carlito's Way) is a gritty and rare look inside the recruitment of top talent baseball players from the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel Sanó and Jean Carlos Batista are among 100,000 teenagers vying for a handful of coveted contracts with baseball teams. AsThis compelling documentary narrated by John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!, Ice Age, Carlito's Way) is a gritty and rare look inside the recruitment of top talent baseball players from the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel Sanó and Jean Carlos Batista are among 100,000 teenagers vying for a handful of coveted contracts with baseball teams. As they turn 16 years old and become eligible to sign, each must navigate the fiercely competitive and frequently corrupt system if they are to lift their families out of poverty and achieve their dream: to one day play in the Big Leagues. Filmmakers Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin, and Jon Paley take you inside this never before seen world for an up close and personal look at the cost of the American dream. (Strand Releasing)… Expand

Director: Jonathan Paley and Ross Finkel and Trevor Martin

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 77 min

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Critic Reviews

Neil Genzlinger

Jul 12, 2012

Commendably, the film, narrated by John Leguizamo, sugarcoats nothing, and the people involved - the players, their trainers, their parents, the scouts - are remarkably forthright. Read full review

Janice Page

Jul 12, 2012

A well-crafted, bravely revealing little film that could be considered essential education for baseball fans. It's just a bonus that the documentary is so entertaining. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Jul 13, 2012

Although there are numerous interviews with various people both directly involved with or peripheral to the action, the most compelling figure on display is a particularly articulate coach who proves all too determined to have his protégé succeed. The fact that he works strictly on commission is certainly no small element of his zeal. Read full review

Chuck Bowen

Jul 11, 2012

The doc is a sly, interesting achievement: It opens as an entertaining sports story and closes as a metaphor for government corruption. Read full review

Peter Hartlaub

Jul 12, 2012

The filmmakers investigate, but can't answer every tough question. There are so many people who could be potentially taking advantage of these players, it's hard to sort out the wrongdoers. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Jul 12, 2012

Major League Baseball has passed new rules for the Dominican system, according to the film's closing credits, rules that will limit signing bonuses. Yet the harvest will continue, and it's not a pretty sight. Read full review

Eric Hynes

Jul 11, 2012

Essential, if artless, baseball exposé. Read full review

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ibnarabi

Mar 28, 2013

A very well made documentary, baseball fans will find it fascinating. Poverty, dreams, corruption, bureaucrats, cash and baseball. I hope they make a sequel and follow Sano to the Show

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