Faded Glory

Faded Glory tells an all-American story of a group of men who formed the National Network amateur baseball team in 1990, played a single season and failed to win a championship, then went their separate ways. Sixteen years later a player named Rick Cohen (who directed the film) pursues his dream of taking another run at the title, reuniting some of the original team members while also bringing some new players into the fold. In many cases, the lives of these now middle-aged guys have been marked by divorce, dead ends, disappointment, and various adversities. The documentary follows the team over two seasons as they cope with failed relationships and injuries on the one hand, and the joys of friendship and male bonding on the other. Playing under the banner of the National Amateur Baseball Association, the team falls short in the 2007 season but wins a cliffhanger game to take the 2008 title. Unfortunately, Faded Glory never makes clear what elements ultimately came together to make winners out of these contenders. Still, this inspiring sports comeback story should be considered a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (S. Rees)