Product Details

• Actors: John Leguizamo, Miguel Angel Sano, Jean Carlos Batista
• Directors: Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin, Jonathan Paley
• Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English, Spanish
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Strand Releasing
• DVD Release Date: September 4, 2012
• Run Time: 77 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B008BKQZN2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,577 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Even the non-fan can appreciate! The good, bad, and ugly of big league baseball in the Dominican Republic. --Mike Silva, NY Baseball Digest

An engrossing expose! --Ronnie Scheib, Variety

Product Description

This compelling documentary narrated by John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!, Ice Age, Carlito's Way) is a gritty and rare look inside Major League Baseball's (MLB) recruitment of top talent in the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel Sano and Jean Carlos Batista are among 100,000 teenagers vying for a handful of coveted contracts with MLB teams. As they turn 16 years old and become eligible to sign, each must navigate the fiercely competitive and frequently corrupt system if they are to lift their families out of poverty and achieve their dream: to one day play in the Major Leagues. Filmmakers Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin and Jon Paley take you inside this never before seen world for an up close and personal look at the cost of the American dream.

In English and Spanish with English Subtitles

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting real life "Jerry Maguire" documentary about Major League Baseball greed. August 29, 2012

By Steven I. Ramm TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

I admit that I'm not a huge baseball fan but this 79-minute 2011 documentary kept me glued to my TV screen with anticipation as to how the story (actually two stories) would end. If you are a fan of professional baseball, this is a "must-see" film.

There are two facts that you will learn quickly as the film begins: 1) 205 of all major league baseball, players come from the Dominican Republic and 2) July 2nd is the first day that MLB teams can draft a player (who must be at least 16 years old). The film follows two young men as they (and their trainers and agents - who get as much as 35% of the contract fee if the player is signed but NOTHING if no contract is completed) try to negotiate multi-million dollar contracts to get them out of the poverty they live in in the DR. Players from the DR began playing in US MLB in the 1960s but by the 1980s, they were getting $million contracts. Now it's, not about the game, but about "show me the money".

My fellow Amazon reviewer, K. Harris, has provided many details, so I won't re-hash those, but add some additional info I think you might find helpful.

The film is narrated in English by actor John Leguizamo and there are English subtitles for when the participants speak in Spanish, as well as many times they are speaking in English. The subtitles, while in white text, are easy to read. The soundtrack. Composed of both original music and DR pop songs, is great (I wonder if there is a soundtrack CD) and moves the film along quickly.

The DVD has no bonus features other than the Original Trailer and a photo gallery.

You'll look at the corporate world of Major League Baseball in a whole new light (and not a pleasant one, I might add) after watching this film. And you'll know why it costs so much to go to a MLB game (or watch one on a cable sports channel) too. It's "All about the money".

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Personal Stories Provide Controversy, Intrigue, And Intense Human Drama To This Baseball Documentary August 22, 2012

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

Having seen numerous baseball documentaries (a couple even about this very specific narrative scope), I thought it was improbable that "Ballplayer: Pelotero" would offer anything new to the discussion. The Dominican Republic supplies so many terrific players to the Major League American baseball scene, it's almost impossible not to be fascinated by a culture that lives for the game as one of its primary economic opportunities. As a statistical phenomenon and anomaly (this film suggests that the tiny country supplies 20% of contemporary players), it is a topic that has been studied, discussed, and analyzed in countless other variations. Having seen a few, I didn't expect "Ballplayer: Pelotero" to be essential viewing. But as they say, the subject makes the movie. And the two players who are profiled in this sparse new film (it runs only 77 minutes) provide plenty of unexpected intrigue and scandal.

Narrated by John Leguizamo, the film begins in the months preceding the annual July 2nd draft day for sixteen year old prospects. This is a big day for the country when most of the top players will receive offers, hopefully accompanied by the largest signing bonuses. The story follows two players, in particular, (and their coaches and families) as they are scouted before the big day. One is a solid short stop battling nerves, one is a wunderkind likely to be the star recruit of the season. The course does not run smoothly for either boy, and what unravels is a compelling drama that veers to some very unexpected places. I won't reveal too much, but one of the stories ends up being quite an indictment of MLB and its recruiting practices. A typical sports documentary morphs into a true-life thriller that is both entertaining and disturbing.

The tumultuous recruitment period is difficult for both of the potential players, and the film stays with the families in the immediate aftermath. It is this part of the film that really stands out as major revelations are uncovered and battles fought. We also catch up with the situation a year later to see where everything settled. Before, during, and after--this is a fully realized story for both of the players. Their personal stories make "Ballplayer: Pelotero" essential to all fans of the sport. The film definitely exceeded my expectations (even if I found Leguizamo's narration rather bland) and gets my highest recommendation. KGHarris, 8/12.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "A COMPELLING DOCUMENTARY OF WHAT IT WILL COST TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM!" July 15, 2012

By Geraldine Ahearn TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

This film is a gritty look of behind the scenes and a look on the inside of Major League Baseball and its top quality talent in the Dominican Republic. It describes what the contracts are about, the competition, and corruption. Who will qualify, standards, and what players will actually become a part of Major League and the American Dream. Interesting and thought-provoking throughout. Highly Recommended!