‘A League of Their Own’ Stars Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell Reunite to Play Ball

image

What better place to stage a League of Their Own reunion than a baseball diamond? Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell, stars of the 1992 Penny Marshall film, got together for a celebrity softball game on Thursday in Springdale, Arkansas. Followed by a screening of A League of Their Own (which was sadly cut short by a storm), the game was held as part of the first annual Bentonville Film Festival, co-founded by Davis. Also making an appearance were two members of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the World War II-era women’s sports league that inspired the classic comedy-drama.

image

O’Donnell and Davis coached opposing teams at the game, which also included country singer Sara Evans, actress Melissa Joan Hart, and Olympic gold medalist Jennie Finch. Actor Judge Reinhold served as an announcer. In the end, Davis’ team won 7-3. In her concession speech, O’Donnell accused Davis of having all the good players, prompting Davis to recite the movie’s most famous line: “There’s no crying in baseball!”

image

Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival is intended to shine a spotlight on women and minorities in film. A League of Their Own fits the spirit of the competition, since the movie boasted a female director and an ensemble of talented actresses. “So many girls play sports because of that movie,” Davis told the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, while wearing the Rockford Peaches baseball cap she saved from the movie. The film festival continues through May 9.

Coincidentally, another A League of Their Own cast reunion is taking place this Saturday at the Hollywood Palms Theater in Naperville, Illinois. The actresses expected to attend include Lori Petty, Megan Cavanagh, Tracy Reiner, Ann Cusack, Anne Ramsay, Kelli Simpkins, Patti Pelton, and Ellie Weingardt. Director Penny Marshall was scheduled to appear but has opted out due to an injury.

Watch the ‘League of Their Own’ trailer: