A League Of Their Own Movie Analysis

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A League of Their Own – Sports Psychology Movie Analysis Paper Bryanna Lewis Central Washington University A league of Their Own is the story about the creation of the first female professional baseball league during WWII. With the fear that professional baseball would be shut down due to the war, women such as the two sisters Dottie Hinson and Kit Keller from a farm on Oregon, were recruited to keep the sport alive. At local game, Dottie was recruited by a scout to travel to Chicago to try out; however she did not want to go. So although he did not originally want Kit, he told her that if she was able to convince Dottie to do come, then they would both be allowed to try out. In Chicago they both make the league onto the same…show more content…
In the initial stage of “forming”, the team is created and the ladies meet as a group for the first time. They identify role clarity, whether some roles are informal and others are formal. In the next step of “storming” where conflicts and disagreements occur, the role of the leader/coach are unclear since Jimmy Dugan(Tom Hanks) has yet to show up to a practice or game. Problems occur with deciding the line-up and starting “defenders” if you will. When he finally appears, he displays himself as a washed-up pro baseball player, whom has now become a drunk and does not care about this team or his job. Role ambiguity is apparent here since Dugan cannot seem to find his responsibility as the team motivator which is irritating and frustrating to “his” team. Slowly however, as “norming” begins to take place, everyone seems to settle into their roles. Each lady is aware of her position and those of others; the main goal is clarified through role the components of mental toughness, control, commitment, challenge, and confidence with the knowledge and support of their individual and team abilities. At this stage, of role acceptance, Dugan has even become aware that women can play baseball and perform at an optimal level just like men. At step four, where…show more content…
They were all trying to find their balance through the response of mental toughness. However, as athletes their ability to focus, rebound from failure, cope with pressure, and persist in the face of adversity positioned each of them on different individual levels during their journey. Dottie Hinson displayed the characteristics of the “fear of success” athlete. She wanted to quit the team and sport numerous times because of external factors. She became extremely uncomfortable with the tensions between her sister, the thought of her husband in combat at war, and the expectations of the team. She often complained that the “game” was becoming too hard and Dugan reminded her that it is suppose to be that way or else everyone would do it. “The hard is that makes it great.” (Marshall) Dottie refused to see how special and important her opportunity was. The entire league viewed her as the most talented player and this made her uncomfortable appearing as being #1 and the pressures that came with that. On the other hand, Dottie’s sister Kit represented the “fear of failure” athlete. Kit’s character would break down under severe pressure, her ability to cope with emotions and moods rationally were uncontrollable. She always looked at the negative aspects instead of the positive ones by evaluating her
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