Watch Ballplayer: Pelotero

Ballplayer: Pelotero is a 2011 documentary film directed by Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin and Jon Paley that takes an in-depth look at the world of baseball scouting in the Dominican Republic. The movie follows two young baseball players, Jean Carlos Batista and Miguel Angel Sano, as they try to make it to the major leagues. The film does an excellent job of showcasing not only the talent and athleticism of these two young men but also the challenges they face as young players trying to navigate the often murky waters of the baseball scouting system. The Dominican Republic is a hotbed for baseball talent, and many young players dream of making it to the major leagues and escaping the poverty that plagues their communities.

Jean Carlos Batista and Miguel Angel Sano are both incredibly talented ballplayers, but their paths to success are vastly different. Batista is a speedy outfielder who has been scouted since he was eight years old. He has already signed with a major league team and is waiting to turn 16 so that he can play in the amateur leagues before eventually turning pro. Sano, on the other hand, is a powerful third baseman who has already signed with a team but is facing allegations about his age and identity that could derail his dreams of making it to the majors.

The film follows both players as they go through the grueling process of trying to get scouted and signed by a major league team. This involves attending showcases and tryouts, meeting with scouts and agents, and dealing with the often-corrupt system of baseball scouting in the Dominican Republic. Throughout the movie, we see the pressure and expectation that is placed on these young players, as well as the sacrifices they and their families must make in order to pursue their dreams.

One of the most surprising things about Ballplayer: Pelotero is just how little control these players have over their own futures. Unlike American baseball players, who are drafted out of high school or college, Dominican players must wait until they are 16 to be eligible to sign with a team. This means that they spend years training and honing their skills with the hope that they will be good enough to garner attention from scouts.

In addition to the age restriction, there are also rumors of widespread corruption within the baseball scouting system in the Dominican Republic. There are stories of scouts and agents pressuring players to lie about their age or identity in order to make them more marketable to major league teams. There are also concerns that some players are being taken advantage of by these same agents and scouts, who promise them riches but often leave them with nothing.

Despite these challenges, both Batista and Sano remain focused on their dreams of making it to the big leagues. Batista, who comes from a poor background, sees baseball as a way to provide for his family and escape the cycle of poverty. Sano, who has already signed with the Minnesota Twins, is determined to prove himself as a player and earn his place in the major leagues.

The film also features interviews with several prominent figures from the world of baseball, including John Smoltz, an MLB Hall of Famer, and Juan Marichal, the first Dominican player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. These interviews provide valuable context and insight into the challenges facing young Dominican players as they try to make it to the major leagues.

Overall, Ballplayer: Pelotero is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the often-overlooked world of baseball scouting in the Dominican Republic. It is a moving portrait of two young men who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Ballplayer: Pelotero is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 75.