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

Charles Dugan:  Marty, Richie's boss at the video store, is director Dennis Dugan's father.

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Goofs

In the first tournament game, when Gus is saying he needs to get the other guys involved more, the black kid who almost gets the grand slam at the end of the game is up. When Gus turns around to pitch, the boy has changed to a different boy.

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Quotes

[after purosely stomping on Gus's hand]
Carlos: Sorry. It was accident.
[lifts foot off Gus's hand]

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Connections

References Kojak (1973)

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Soundtracks

"Za"
Written by Daniel Goffey, Gareth Coombes, Michael Quinn
Performed by Supergrass
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises and Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

You either love these kinds of movies, or you hate them.

I really think that's the only issue with this film. If you've been a fan of Adam Sandler's work (this is a Happy Madison production), you'll like this movie. Not only was it produced by Sandler, but it was co-written by one of his longtime buddies Allen Covert. If you go into this movie not knowing what to expect, that's your own fault. I know this movie won't be received well by critics, but when has ANYTHING that Sandler's done ever been? Ontop of that it features Jon Heder aka Napoleon Dynamite. To me, this was a huge added bonus. I love Sandler movies, and I loved Napoleon Dynamite. Many people feel Heder's a terrible actor, but I think his delivery is hysterical. I found myself laughing throughout this film, and thought it supplied Heder with more great one-liners that will be quoted for the next year. After saying that, some of you might turn your nose up at me and tell me that I wouldn't know what a good movie is, but I enjoy and cherish Casablanca, The Godfather: Part II, and Good Will Hunting as much as anybody, but forgive me if I like to enjoy a little mindless laughter at times. If you didn't like Billy Madison, The Hot Chick, or Napoleon Dynamite, you'll hate this movie, no doubt. But then why would you even go see it in the first place?