A League of Their Own Turns 20

It's hard to believe "A League of Their Own" came out 20 whole years ago - probably because it seems like I've watched it at least once a week since then. (I used to own it on VHS. I am old.) The film tells the story of one team in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, and one pair of sisters -- Dottie and Kit Hinson -- competing within the game they both excel at; it stars Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, and Lori Petty, and was directed by Penny Marshall (whose daughter and brother also appear in the film). The movie's coming out on Blu-Ray to mark the anniversary.

The league had "girls" in the name, but these were grown women with serious skills (the cast trained for weeks to make their baseball playing look natural). But the AAGPBL was a product of its time: the players were required to attend a charm school, shown in the film, that instructed them in ladylike deportment. And some of the team names seem almost funny now, they're so condescending: the Milwaukee Millerettes, the Grand Rapids Chicks, and the Chicago Colleens.

Former players plan to gather at the baseball Hall of Fame for their annual reunion this weekend, and some will even get into a game against a local team. Wish the movie a happy birthday with this gallery, and pick up a few trivia tidbits about the film and the league. - Sarah D. Bunting