The Sandlot and Rookie of the Year, two amazing films from our childhood, have been re-released by Fox and MGM and released as a double feature! These classic tales are now available for you to own on DVD in this special release under the Dove Foundation Family Film Series banner.

"You're killing me Smalls."

The Sandlot chronicled the young life of the baseball challenged Scotty Smalls. Scotty and his family had just moved to a new town, and it happened to be right before the beginning of summer vacation. He learns that it's not always easy to make new friends during the summer and follows some kids to the Sandlot, a hidden baseball field. There he tries to fit in but realizes he lacks the baseball skills necessisary. He enlists the aid of his step father (played by a young Dennis Leary) to learn the art of catch. Scotty returns to the sandlot and befriends Benny Rodriguez, who then hits a ball so hard that it bursts. Scotty offers to get a new ball for the group and gets his step father's prized ball (signed by Babe Ruth)…only to hit it over the fence as soon as they begin playing again.

"Oh yeah, the Great Bambino. Of course! I thought you said the Great Bambi."

He then learns the hard way why the group tries not to hit homeruns…THE BEAST, (no not Hank McCoy…I am talking about a GIANT DOG). The kids hatch several attempts to rescue the ball only to fail each time. Benny has a dream where he is visited by Babe Ruth himself, who reminds him “Heroes are remembered, but legends never die.” Benny decides to take on the Beast directly (with the help of his special PF Flyer shoes), and succeeds at recovering the ball…only to be chased by the Beast! Smalls goes to the owner of the Beast, Mr. Mertle (who turns out to be James Earl Jones) to bring him his dog back and tells him the tale of the missing ball. Murtle had been a professional baseball player in his youth and offers Scotty a trade, the ruined Babe Ruth ball for HIS ball signed by several key members of the Yankees during the 1920's. The fence containing the Beast (now referred to as "Hercules") is removed and he is made the mascot of the Sandlot. The film ends with Scotty, now an adult, acting as an announcer for the Yankees. He gets to witness Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez steal home plate in the final moment of the film.

"I'm looking for Henry Rulenfurter."

Rookie of the Year is the tale of 12 year old Henry Rowengartner (Thomas Ian Nicholas) who gets to live out his dream of becoming a professional baseball player, but it happens sooner than anyone could have expected. After he accidently breaks his arm while trying to impress the hot girl in class, he learns that his arm has not healed quite right and that his tendons have healed rather tight. Thanks to his mother, Henry and his two best friends get tickets to see the Cubs play. When a fowl ball comes their way, Henry gets the chance to throw it back…and it makes it from the outfield stands to homeplate (which is 435 feet away according to the announcer played by the late John Candy). His new found ability is quickly acknowledged and he is offered a starting spot on the Cubs lineup. Henry is then tutored by Chet "The Rocket" Steadman in the art of pitching. The two become close friends and Chet eventually becomes interested in Henry's mother. After a rocky start Henry takes the baseball world by storm and helps the Cubs have an unprecedented season!

"Carrie Harold told me that Becky Fraker doesn't think you're very ugly. "

Becoming an overnight sensation is a little difficult for Henry and his friends become distraught by the lack of attention they have been getting. During the final game of the season Chet throws out his arm and Henry is put in to finish the game…but look out Henry! There is a ball on the field! NOOOOOO!!!!! Henry falls on his arm and looses his ability to pitch. Through some creative tactics Henry and the team are able to tag out two of three players leaving Henry alone to strike out his biggest opponent "Butch". Can he do it? Will the Cubs win the season? You will have to go back and watch this great film to find out.

ComicsOnline gives the re-release of these two classic films 5 out of 5 pleasant childhood memories.