Do you remember the movie, The Sandlot? It's about a group of kids who gather for a summer-long game of sandlot baseball.
This month, filmmakers are celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special screening at AutoZone Park. The film's screenwriter and director, David Mickey Evans, will be on-hand after the screening for a Q and A session.
When I got wind of this, I quickly texted my teenaged son to share the news. When he was around 10 or so, my kid was thoroughly caught up in the magic of this tale. We would watch it together from time to time and never fail to laugh at the boys and their antics, particularly the scene where they get chased through the neighborhood by the crazy dog.
It seemed to touch on the many challenges of childhood: fitting in, making friends, finding your passion, discovering girls, managing parents and dogs and mysterious neighbors, as well as that sweet moment you discover you belong to something much bigger than yourself.
My son is busy finishing his senior year of high school, so other activities occupy his time now. But I'll remind him of this, just in case he wants to drop by the old neighborhood once more.
The Sandlot • Friday, October 19th, @ 7 p.m., AutoZone Park. Tickets: $7/person, or $20/4-pack. Gates open at 6 p.m., and concessions will be available. Bring a blanket and picnic in the outfield.