RUNNING THE BASES
A heartfelt, family-friendly baseball drama about standing up for Jesus.
Should You Watch It?
If you want a family movie about relying on Jesus when the chips are down, RUNNING THE BASES is an easy recommendation. The source praises its strong Christian, biblical, and morally uplifting worldview, with meaningful references to prayer, faith, Christian marriage, repentance, forgiveness, salvation, baptism, religious liberty, evangelism, God, the Bible, and Jesus.
The film also works as a sports drama. The acting is particularly good throughout the cast, especially Brett Varvel as adult Coach Brooks. The story’s emphasis on calling, perseverance, and standing up for Christian faith gives the baseball victories a deeper purpose.
There are still content concerns, including a light profanity, fights, deaths, threats, drunkenness, and persecution of the Christian protagonist. For a positive and inspiring movie night, take your family to RUNNING THE BASES.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESLuke Brooks once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball catcher. After a devastating discovery changes that future, Luke finds a new calling in coaching.
Twenty years later, Luke has led his hometown high school team to nine state championships. When he moves his family to Texas for a new coaching opportunity, the team begins winning—but Luke’s public Christian faith brings him into conflict with the school superintendent.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly enjoyable film, and the source calls RUNNING THE BASES one of the most captivating faith-based movies in the last few years. It is described as a wonderful, inspiring family drama with particularly good acting throughout the cast.
Brett Varvel receives special praise for his performance as adult Coach Brooks. The movie’s triumphant ending is also described as extremely heartfelt. Overall, the film combines effective sports-drama storytelling with an uplifting Christian message.
The Worldview
RUNNING THE BASES presents a strong Christian, biblical, and morally uplifting worldview. It promotes prayer, faith, Christian marriage, repentance, forgiveness, salvation, baptism, God, the Bible, religious liberty, evangelism, and Jesus.
The film especially exalts relying on God, standing up for Jesus, finding a new calling after loss, and maintaining faith when authority figures oppose Christian expression. It also presents Christian faith as something to share with others, even when that witness creates conflict.
The movie’s central hope is found in Jesus Christ. Its message aligns with Jesus’ words: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview promotes prayer, faith, Christian marriage, repentance, forgiveness, salvation, baptism, God, the Bible, religious liberty, evangelism, and, of course, Jesus
Foul Language
One light profanity
Violence
Boys punch one another (one punch is accidental), implied beating up and threats in a county jail, teenager collapses on baseball field and dies, man collapses on baseball field but survives, and drunken, distraught man hits fence and barrel with baseball bat
Sex
No sex
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
Alcohol use and antagonist gets drunk
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
City government officials engage in persecution of the Christian protagonist and some joking insults go too far in one scene, resulting in the fight mentioned above.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Luke’s dreams change after a painful loss. How can God give someone a new purpose without making the loss meaningless?
Romans 8:28 · James 1:2–4The film centers on relying on God when the chips are down. What does trusting God look like when you cannot control the outcome?
Proverbs 3:5–6 · Psalm 56:3Luke’s Christian faith becomes visible in a difficult public conflict. When is it hard to stand up for Jesus, and how can Christians speak with courage and gentleness?
Matthew 5:14–16 · 1 Peter 3:15The story includes repentance, forgiveness, salvation, and baptism. How are these connected, and what do they show about a changed life?
Acts 2:38 · Ephesians 2:8–10The Final Word
RUNNING THE BASES is an inspiring, heartfelt sports drama with strong Christian convictions, good acting, and an uplifting message for families. Its brief content concerns are worth knowing, but the source’s judgment is clear: WORTH THE TRIP.
