Already available in full on the « Prime Video » platform, the series « A League of Their Own » or « An Extraordinary Team » has just been released. Eight episodes that retrace the history of the beginnings of women’s baseball leagues in the United States starting in 1943.
The men are at the front in Japan, preparing for the 1944 landing in Normandy. A group of daring and courageous women seize this sporting void. They will attempt, despite American excesses such as sexism, female homosexuality, and of course racism, to become professionals and offer entertainment to Americans craving sporting events.
This story has already been told in Penny Marshall’s 1992 film, with Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna.
Over more than seven hours, the same story is narrated with great depth and understanding of the particularly hostile context for any innovation. American conservatism and prejudices are deeply ingrained. Everything is a problem: religion, skin color, type of clothing, alcohol, going out outside of baseball, homosexuality, machismo, deep-seated racism… That said, baseball is at the heart of this story, and you can’t miss this series if you love this sport.
The baseball action is beautifully shot, most of it very credible (the home runs maybe less so, and the ball speeds), but it’s all there. The mischief, courage, and tenacity of these young women are very inspiring and show us the way to fight for change and for desired opportunities to become possible.
Additionally, we invite you to read Gaétan Alibert’s book « A Popular History of Baseball, » which delves into this female episode during World War II and provides even more explanations about the women who participated in this beautiful adventure.
