‘You Gotta Believe’ actors and 2002 Westside Little League team reunite for baseball game
Hollywood came to Westside Little League on Friday evening for an event all about “You Gotta Believe”.
The film, out now, is based on the true story of the 2002 Westside team that dedicated its season to a teammate’s dying father and subsequently reached the Little League World Series. First baseman Robert Ratliff’s father, Bobby, underwent cancer treatment during the run and died in 2003.
Robert Ratliff and nine of his teammates reunited on the baseball diamond on Friday at Westside’s complex at 417 Rockwood Park Drive. They were joined by hundreds of guests and the full squad of child actors who played the ballplayers in the film.
“Just cool to celebrate my dad, this is a special place,” Ratliff said. “Really thankful for CAC Group, which is my awesome employer, to sponsor this.”
Before the night of on-field festivities kicked off, “You Gotta Believe” screened at the Cinemark Rave Ridgmar 13 and XD. Nine of theater’s 13 screens were rented out for a 5:05 p.m. showing of the film.
After the 104 minute film, truckloads of people made their way to Westside and the night’s first order of business was a wiffle ball game for the kids in attendance.
Next up, was an autograph and photo session with over a dozen child actors from “You Gotta Believe.” Ratliff and his teammates also signed plenty of posters and photos.
As the clock struck 8 p.m., Westside’s main field was cleared and 2002 team coach Jon Kelly picked up a microphone and announced that baseball was about to be played.
“It’s a lot of fun to get together with the boys from my team again,” Kelly told the Star-Telegram. “It’s also a whole lot of fun to get to talk to the boys from Canada, that played my guys in the movie.”
“You Gotta Believe” is based in Fort Worth, but was filmed mostly in Canada for budgetary reasons.
Most of the Canadian child actors arrived in Fort Worth for the first time this week. The film’s world premiere was held in downtown Fort Worth on Thursday evening.
With microphone in hand, Kelly announced his 2002 team as they took the field with their onscreen counterparts up to bat first. After a couple groundouts and a line-drive out, the actors were retired and the team from Fort Worth was up next.
All the while during the game, “You Gotta Believe” star Luke Wilson made a surprise appearance and signed autographs for fans. The film’s director Ty Roberts and screenwriter Lane Garrison were also in attendance Friday night.
The 2002 team looked like they hadn’t lost a step and smacked several hits over the actor’s heads. After he racked up two strikes, Ratliff hit a towering fly ball to left field that was uncaught.
No score was kept and the game only lasted two innings, with each team trading hits and laughs. Spectators lined the field, many decked out in Westside blue and white.
At the end of the night, the 2002 team and actors met at the pitcher’s mound for one last photo before everyone went home.
On the same field where he spent so much time with his father, Ratliff held one of his own sons and reflected on what he’ll remember most from the night.
“To get to see kids walking in and walking out with their dads and their moms,” Ratliff said. “I just pray that they all get to have their mom and their dad around for a long time, and get to make a lot of memories.”
“You Gotta Believe” is in theaters now.
