Holy Land Hardball
Year | 2009 |
Director(s) | Brett Rapkin, Erik Kesten |
Runtime | 84 minutes |
Producer(s) | Brett Rapkin, Erik Kesten, Matthew Hiltzik |
Writer(s) | Erik Kesten |
When Boston bagel-maker Larry Baras wanted to create a professional baseball league in Israel, his idea was met with incredulity, dismissal and even hostility. He attempted it anyway. Among the ballplayers swept up in his unlikely quest: a 41-year-old father of three, a 27-year-old Brooklyn artist/DJ, a 34-year-old father-to-be and a 22-year-old African-Amer- ican who was told he would one day “play in front of God’s people.” Also along for the ride are former Jewish major leaguers Art Shamsky, Ken Holtzman and Ron Blomberg, who acted as team managers in the Israel Baseball League. Holy Land Hardball is an engaging account of their dream to bring America’s favorite pastime to the Middle East.