The Benchwarmers (2006)

A trio of guys try and make up for missed opportunities in childhood by forming a three-player baseball team to compete against standard children baseball squads.

Director:

Dennis Dugan

Writers:

Allen Covert, Nick Swardson

Stars:

Rob Schneider, David Spade, Jon Heder

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Schneider	...	Gus
David Spade	...	Richie
Jon Heder	...	Clark
Jon Lovitz	...	Mel
Craig Kilborn	...	Jerry
Molly Sims	...	Liz
Tim Meadows	...	Wayne
Nick Swardson	...	Howie
Erinn Bartlett	...	Salad Girl / Sarah
Amaury Nolasco	...	Carlos
Bill Romanowski	...	Karl
Sean Salisbury	...	Brad
Matt Weinberg	...	Kyle
John Farley	...	Swimmer Boy
Reggie Jackson	...	Himself

Storyline

Three guys, all their lives, have been living in the shadow of bullies and are determined not to take it anymore. Now they must train with the help of Mel to take on the most offensive and meanest youth baseball teams.

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Plot Keywords:

team | baseball | bully | baseball team | friend | 

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Taglines:

3 older dudes should be able to beat 9 young jocks... Right?

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Genres:

Comedy | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude and suggestive humor, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Bankdrücker

Filming Locations:

Chino Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$56,316 (South Africa) (28 July 2006)

Gross:

$119,286 (South Africa) (28 July 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revolution Studios, Happy Madison Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min 75 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After their first game, David Spade walks out of the field with the other two wearing his sunglasses. This is the only scene where "Richie" wears sunglasses, because the director didn't allow the character to wear them. However, in this scene, he had forgotten to take his glasses off after being backstage and the director thought that the take was so good, he didn't bother re-doing the take.

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Goofs

During their very first game against Jerry's team, when Ritchie is catching he is clearly seen sitting on a bucket. But after Gus' first pitch, the bucket is gone.

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Quotes

Wayne: Is that beer?
Carlos: [stumbling] No it's Gatorade homie, get out of my way.

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Connections

References Black Beauty (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Room 19 (Sha La La La Lee)"
Written by Bob Geldof (as Robert Geldof)
Performed by Bob Geldof
Courtesy of Universal Records and Mercury Records Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Terrible

I am not a huge fan of this sort of comedy, admittedly, but I watch quite a few as the parent of 4 teenage boys. I usually rate them in the category of "kept me occupied, didn't hate it, wouldn't watch it again" rather than as memorable, or works of comedic genius. For example, I found Wayne's World, Dodgeball, and most Adam Sandler movies to be very reasonable to watch, but thought Kicking and Screaming was not entertaining. This film was much worse than that. The characters are not appealing and not funny. I couldn't sympathize with any of them, nor could I laugh at them or with them. The gags are old and not well executed. The movie failed on every level for me. Junior high boys would find it entertaining, everyone else should rent something else.