The Final Season (2007)

Kent Stock disrupts his life to become coach of the Norway High School baseball team and try to lead them to victory.

Director:

David M. Evans

Writers:

Art D'Alessandro (story), James Grayford (screenplay),

Stars:

Sean Astin, Jesse Henecke, Powers Boothe

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Astin	...	Kent Stock
Jesse Henecke	...	Principal Halbestrom
Powers Boothe	...	Jim Van Scoyoc
Owen Patchen Evans	...	Owen - The Batboy
Brett Claywell	...	Patrick Iverson
Nick Livingston	...	Kevin Stewart
Roscoe Myrick	...	Sammy Wilson
Alexander Roos	...	Steve Myers (as Alexander 'Sandy' Roos)
Jonathon Stoner	...	Jason Steffen
Christopher Cyronek	...	Brett Griffin
Rob Schemmel	...	Gerry Spitz
Chris Olsen	...	Eddie Fitz
Ric Swann	...	KZIA Radio Announcer
Preston Boothe	...	Brent Fitz
Marshall Bell	...	Harvey Makepeace

Storyline

True story of Kent Stock, who in the early 90's, gives up a job to take over as head coach as the Norway High School baseball team. Kent must win over his players and convince them and himself that he can fill their former coach's shoes and that they can go out winners. In the summer of 1991 Norway High's baseball tradition ended on a triumphant but sombre note.

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Plot Keywords:

coach | team | baseball | high school baseball | state championship | 

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Taglines:

How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, thematic elements and some teen smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 October 2007 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$664,351 (USA) (12 October 2007)

Gross:

$1,158,779 (USA) (22 November 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Final Season, The, Fobia Films, Final Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mike Boddicker who played for Norway High School and in the major leagues with Boston and Baltimore had his son James Boddicker play Richie Iverson. His daughter also sang the national anthem at the final game.

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Goofs

In the championship game at the beginning of the movie the scoreboard shows Norway on bottom, meaning they are the home team and they would bat last. The scoreboard shows that Norway had scored 1 run in the 6th inning. But, they had not even been to bat in that inning.

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Quotes

Polly Hudson: Baseball is not just for boys.

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Connections

References First Blood (1982)

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Soundtracks

"Big League"
Performed by Tom Cochrane & Red Rider
Written by Tom Cochrane
Published by BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP) obo itself and Sky Is Falling Entertainment
Courtesy of EMI Music Canada and RCA Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Entertainment

User Reviews

It's Not Over Until The Last Bat Swings

There are a lot of harsh reviews on this film, and it is puzzling. Sure the film has a formula feel to it, but considering how it is based on a true story, how could it not follow the standard underdog formula? The film caught the flavor of the David and Goliath aspect from many points. Small town school wins consistently against larger schools at the state champ level, second choice coach filling shoes of veteran favorite coach, town versus state politics, and the list goes on. The movie is entertaining and inspiring--look for those moments. Iowa and baseball go together and the movie captures the importance of baseball to a small town like Norway, Iowa. Sean Astin gives a likable performance as coach Kent Scott. Form your opinion and don't be swayed by the negative reviews. The baseball scenes are worth the watch all in their own.