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Hard Ball 2001

In the tough neighborhoods of Chicago, a former gambler named Conor takes a surprising turn, becoming the coach of a Little League team. As he guides the kids through their games and challenges, he begins to question his past decisions and forms a connection with their teacher. Through the experience, Conor rediscovers purpose and finds unexpected camaraderie in the heart of the city.

In the tough neighborhoods of Chicago, a former gambler named Conor takes a surprising turn, becoming the coach of a Little League team. As he guides the kids through their games and challenges, he begins to question his past decisions and forms a connection with their teacher. Through the experience, Conor rediscovers purpose and finds unexpected camaraderie in the heart of the city.

Does Hard Ball have end credit scenes?

No!

Hard Ball does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Hard Ball

Explore the complete cast of Hard Ball, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Hard Ball

See how Hard Ball is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Hard Ball stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

48

Metascore

5.6

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

41%

TOMATOMETER

review

70%

User Score

IMDb

6.4 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

65

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Hard Ball Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Hard Ball with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Hardball Movie Quiz: Test your knowledge on the film 'Hard Ball' from 2001 and its themes of redemption and community.

What is Connor O'Neill's main financial issue at the beginning of the movie?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Hard Ball

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Read the complete plot summary of Hard Ball, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Connor O’Neill, a down-on-his-luck gambler, finds himself in a precarious situation after betting on his deceased father’s account, leading him to accumulate significant debt. To alleviate his financial burdens, he takes on the challenging role of coaching a baseball team comprised of troubled youths at the ABLA Housing Complex in Chicago. Initially, Connor plans to leave the team behind as soon as his debts are settled, but as he grows closer to the boys, he realizes that walking away is far more difficult than he anticipated.

In this journey, he encounters Elizabeth Wilkes, a dedicated school teacher who diverts Connor’s attention from his pressing issues and illuminates the deeper challenges faced by the nine boys on the team. Through their struggles, the film poignantly contrasts the real wealth of human connection against the backdrop of real poverty in Chicago. It showcases the potential that can emerge from wasted talent, as a mentor gradually helps to unlock the promising futures of these young men amid their fractured lives at ABLA.

Despite the language barriers and the obstacles they confront, this story resonates deeply with a universal message, making it a must-watch for all young men. It’s reminiscent of a contemporary “Boys Town,” where hope and resilience shine through in the face of adversity.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Hard Ball

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Hard Ball. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Hardball - Trailer

Cars Featured in Hard Ball

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Explore all cars featured in Hard Ball, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


BMW

1999

740i E38

Buick

1991

Roadmaster Estate Wagon

Cadillac

1990

Brougham Stretched Limousine

Cadillac

1997

DeVille Funeral Coach

Cadillac

1993

Fleetwood Flower Car

Cadillac

1983

unknown

Chevrolet

1991

Caprice

Chevrolet

1971

Chevelle Malibu

Chevrolet

1980

Impala

Chevrolet

1978

Malibu

Hard Ball Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


chicago illinoisschoolteacherintergenerational friendshipaimlessnessasthmatic childbaseball practicebarbaseball pitcherdedicationbartenderselfishnesstragic eventredemptionafrican american boyeulogyfinancial crisislittle leaguelittle league baseballhousing projectboybaseballticket scalpingbookmakerfuneral servicedeath of a boyslow motion scenereference to sammy sosabaseball uniformclassroombaseball teambaseball coachbaseball gamebaseball batgambling debtsports teamirish americanshootoutmurder of a childbettingbased on bookhugleather jacketcoffintaxiboy wears eyeglasseshospitalreference to a wrinkle in timet shirtreference to the notorious b.i.g.church

Hard Ball Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Hard Ball across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Hard Ball Sonuna Kadar Хардбол 棒球教练 少棒小虎队 临时教练 Hardball - O Jogo da Vida Tvrdá hra Aranytartalék משחק חזק Твърда игра El Reto 陽だまりのグラウンド 追梦高手 Σκληρό Καρύδι 하드볼 Krótka piłka 追夢高手

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Other Names for Hard Ball

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for Hard Ball. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


Hard Ball Sonuna Kadar Хардбол 棒球教练 少棒小虎队 临时教练 Hardball - O Jogo da Vida Tvrdá hra Aranytartalék משחק חזק Твърда игра El Reto 陽だまりのグラウンド 追梦高手 Σκληρό Καρύδι 하드볼 Krótka piłka 追夢高手

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