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A great baseball movie is a romance between the viewer and the game of baseball, and encompasses realism. While some on our list drift from that desire, our list of best baseball movies respects the game.

The stories told do not merely use baseball as a backdrop, but offer us engaging baseball scenes with chemistry between the character of baseball and the actors in the film. What pushes a movie to the top of our list? Featuring the game of baseball. A great baseball movie's appeal comes from its use of baseball as a central character.

Perhaps just as important, our best baseball movies are also just great movies. Some you may never have heard of before - so get ready to make a Netflix, Amazon or Blockbuster video rental order.

Released: 1951 Genre: Comedy Rated:

Starring: Paul Douglass, Donna Cocoran, Janet Leigh, Aloysius McGovern, Jennifer Paige, Keenan Wynn, Lewis Stone.

Plot: The Pittsburgh Pirates manager improves both his character and his team when he begins hearing voices. Turns out an Angel (Archangel Gabriel) promises to help the team play better if he can become a better person.

Why: The message of how to play the game makes this a winner. Douglass single handedly carries the film. Perhaps it was the time in which this original version was filmed, but it has an undeniable charisma as a guilty pleasure. Unburdened by special effects, we never see the Angels in the outfield. The story leaves you to your imagination. You are left to decide yourself throughout the movie, what was a miracle and what was just great ball playing...

Cameos by Joe DiMaggio, Bing Crosby and even Ty Cobb!

You could say this baseball movie also belongs in the top ten because it set the stage for so man films like it to follow. In fact it's even been subject of a remake.

Released: 1988 Genre: Drama Rated:

Starring: John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, D.B. Sweeney.

Plot: It's the story about baseball's almost forgotten historic black-eye. A long time ago in 1919 the Chicago White Sox were the best team in baseball, but they were also terribly underpaid. Desperate players cohorted with gamblers and threw the World Series. What happens next is how they say... History. Whether you know the outcome or not, it's a relatively historically accurate story.

Why: If for no other reason than to learn about an important event in baseball history. One that had widespread ramifications on the game itself. It's a top shelf story from pacing, cinematography, and acting which all effectively take you back in time to 1919.

Taking time an care to educate the moviegoer about the details and intricacies of how it all came together, it only fails to really deliver on the impact of how grown men with so much to lose were motivated to commit such an act.

Released: 1973 Genre: Drama Rated:

Starring: Robert De Niro, Michael Moriarty, Vincent Gardenia, Ann Wedgeworth, Selma Diamond, Barbara Babcock, Phil Foster, Danny Aiello.

Plot: A youthful Robert De Niro (Bruce Pearson) is a baseball player being struck down in his glory by Hodgkin's disease. He's a mediocre player that tries the patience of team mates, but when he learns of his fate he becomes a inspiration to fellow players as they attempt to hide his illness from team owners and keep him from being sent to the minors. In turn Pearson becomes a better player in what short time he has left to live.

Why: Want to see your guy get teary eyed? This is authentic and pure buddy film of a man running out of time. Baseball is a not-so-subtle backdrop allowing us a view of what life is like for big leaguers behind the scenes.

The film is based on Mark Harris's 1956 novel by the same name and is performed in the same vernacular style.

Released: 1989 Genre: Drama Rated:

Starring: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones.

Plot: It's more of a story about redemption than baseball which is why Field of Dreams is not higher on the list. What it does have is romance. The romance between men and baseball that is.

Why: It's more of a story about redemption than baseball which is why Field of Dreams is not higher on the list. What it does have is romance. The romance between men and baseball that is.

The addition of Keven Costner as Ray Kinsella adds to the credibility due in part to his convincing representation as a minor league player in Bull Durham. When Costner is in a film about baseball, you believe he understands the sport.

Some will protest this movie should be higher on the list. While we agree Field of Dreams is a touching story, visually stunning and endearing to young and old; the reality is baseball is a footnote to the story compared to what other films we place above it offer.

Released: 1976 Genre: Comedy Rated:

Starring: Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones, Richard Pryor, Rico Dawson, Otis Day, Jophery Brown, Leon Wagner, Tony Burton, John McCurry and Stan Shaw.

Plot: Set in the 1930's this screen play brings to life the novel by the same name by William Brasher. He wrote of a time when black players could not play in 'white' professional baseball. This player owned team survived white racism by entertaining but the truly talented ball players aimed to play in the Negro League with winning ways. They take on obstacles of all sorts and eventually gain the respect they deserve.

Why: Bingo Long teaches us of the past without too much shame in how black players once had to play outside Major League Baseball.

Hidden in the story are great historic references to players lives such as Josh Gibson or accounts like Satchel Paige's (Bingo Long) legendary calling in his outfield with bases loaded only to pitch out of that tight spot.

The Travelling All-Stars appear to be based on the Harlem Globetrotters, but in reality there was a team named the Indianapolis Clowns who like the Travelling All-Stars drove around the Midwest making ends meet by playing baseball and entertaining locals. The Indianapolis Clowns did in fact gain their way into the Negro League. What is more Hank Aaron once played for the Indianapolis Clowns. Other players eventually made it to the Major Leagues. It's great to see Darth Vadar's James Earl Jones in his younger days when he was stout and agile.

Of course, like many great sports stories it ends with a must win 'big game'. Filled with humor and drama it's a great family film.

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