The Rookie (2002)

Overview

Jim Morris, once a promising pitcher, saw his career cut short by a shoulder injury twelve years ago. Now a high school chemistry teacher and baseball coach in Texas, his fortunes change when his team challenges him: win the district championship, and he'll try out for a major league team. Inspired by the wager, the underdog team rises from last place to reach the state finals. When Jim fulfills his promise, he surprises everyone—himself included—by throwing 98 mph fastballs at the tryout, earning a minor-league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and reigniting his baseball dreams.