scott foundas of "variety", said that "so rife with underdog victors and hairpin twists of fortune that, if it weren't all true, no one would believe it." duane byrge, writing in "the hollywood reporter", praised the movie. he said that "the battered bastards of baseball is not just about baseball. it transcends the game and is a charming anti-establishment yarn that should delight audiences who don't even know an r.b.i. from a balk."