06.29.2023

Today’s Forecast

106º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:22 a.m. | Sunset 8:41 p.m.

⚾️ “The hard is what makes it great.”

Fort Worth Little League makes it to the big screen

“You Gotta Believe” was the Westside All-Stars motto. | Image courtesy of Santa Rita Film Co. + Well Go USA Entertainment via IMDB

Cue “The Natural” soundtrack. An early 2000s underdog story is taking Fort Worth Little League to the big screen. Film producer Houston Hill’s new movie called “You Gotta Believe” is based on the story of the Westside All-Stars’ journey to the Little League World Series in 2002.

The origin story

The Westside Little League was formed in 1955 for kids ages 4-12 from River Oaks to Como. Over 45,000 children have played in the league in the past 68 years at Kelly Park.

In 2002, the 15-player team made it to the semifinals of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but lost an 11-inning game to the Valley Sports American team from Louisville in a game that became an ESPN “instant classic.”

Hear the now-grown players reminisce about their season in this 2022 documentary.

Film still of kids in baseball uniforms cheering after a win. — Michael Cash stars as Young Robert in “You Gotta Believe.”
|
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA

The major motion picture

Don’t tell Tom Hanks, but there might be crying in this baseball movie. The film follows the story of assistant coach Bobby Ratliff, the father of first baseman Robert who came to every game despite his terminal cancer. The Westside All-Stars served as the pallbearers at his funeral a few months after their famous game.

The movie stars Dallas-born actor Luke Wilson as Bobby Ratliff, and it won’t be the first Cowtown sports film Wilson headlines this decade. He also starred in the 2021 adaptation of “12 Mighty Orphans” about a depression-era football coach at the Fort Worth Masonic Home. Greg Kinnear, Molly Parker, and Sarah Gadon will also be on screen as coach Jon Kelly, Kathy Kelly, and Patti Ratliff.

Patrick Renna — the actor behind “You’re killin me, Smalls” in “The Sandlot” — also makes appearances in the film as the Westside Little League president.

Written and directed by Texas filmmaker Ty Roberts, the movie was filmed in Toronto — but look out for a few scenes featuring Fort Worth.

Where to watch

“You Gotta Believe” is set to hit theaters the evening of Thursday, Aug. 29.

The current Westside Little League team + community will watch a private screening of the film on Friday, followed by a two-inning game between the team and some of the film’s actors. Sign up to watch a live stream of the game.

Catch the film in theaters at one of these local spots:

AMC CLASSIC Lake Worth 14 | Opens Thursday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.
AMC Clearfork 8 | Opens Thursday, Aug. 29 at 4 :30 p.m.
Cinemark Alliance Town Center and XD | Opens Thursday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.
Movie Tavern Hulen | Opens Thursday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.
Ridgmar 13 + Xtreme | Opens Thursday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.
Studio Movie Grill Chisholm Trail Ranch | Opens Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6:45 p.m.
AMC Palace 9 | Opens Friday, Aug. 30 at 1:45 p.m.

Events

Thursday, June 29

PBR Stockyards Showcase | Thursday, June 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Cowtown Coliseum, 121 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | $15-$73 | Celebrate Cowtown’s Western heritage and sports with adrenaline-filled events.

Friday, June 30

Hadestown | Friday, June 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth | $105-$150 | Don’t miss the haunting and hopeful Greek mythical musical that has won eight Tony Awards and a Grammy.

Saturday, July 1

Architecture Tour | Saturday, July 1 | 2 p.m. | The Modern, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth | Free | Take a tour of Tadao Ando’s iconic design in the Cultural District — included with museum admission.

Sunday, July 2

Red’s Trivia Night | Sunday, July 2 | 6-8 p.m. | Fat Daddy’s Sports & Spirits Café, 781 W. Debbie Ln., Mansfield | Free | Head to Fat Daddy’s for this weekly, four-round trivia for the opportunity to win a “Trophy of Unspeakable Value."*
Mike and the Moonpies | Sunday, July 2 | 9 p.m. | Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth | $18-$28 | The Austin band is bringing their American neotraditional country and Americana music a few hours north.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

The Central Library will close tomorrow. Library cardholders who have checked out materials from the Central Branch should call or email to update their pick-up location or the accounts will default to the Northside Branch Library at 601 Park St.

Civic

Earlier this week, City Council unanimously approved a property tax exemption increase for residents over 65 years old and those with disabilities in light of rising property values. Increasing from $40,000 to $60,000, this is the first time the exemptions have increased since 1981.

Coming Soon

Three new restaurants are headed to Burleson thanks to developer Retail Connection. Fatburger, Coolgreens, and Hawaiian Bros Island Grill will soon replace two vacant buildings on the corner of Wilshire and Summercrest Boulevards. We’ll keep you updated on the opening timeline.

Biz

Steve Montgomery has been appointed the new CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. Steve will lead the chamber’s efforts to drive business growth, economic development, and advocate for local enterprises. Steve will assume responsibilities Monday, July 31, taking over from interim CEO Mike Berry of Hillwood.

Environment

The city purchased nearly 40 acres in southwest Fort Worth this week for the Open Space Conservation Program. The $1.36 million area — located along Trinity’s Clear Fork branch that feeds into Benbrook Lake — will be known as the Jack W. Melcher Natural Area. It will be protected from development and includes an old-growth riparian tree canopy.

Eat

A popular west Fort Worth eatery is turning over a new leaf. As of this Saturday, the Haddad family will be the new owners of the Ginger Brown’s Old Tyme Restaurant & Bakery. The 38-year-old restaurant in Lake Worth is known for its giant cinnamon rolls and chicken fried steak + the new owners plan to keep it that way.

Sports

Fort Worth’s professional bull riding team, the Texas Rattlers, announced their 2023 schedule. The season will kick off Monday, July 24 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and end Sunday, Oct. 8 at home at Dickies Arena. See the full 11-event schedule.

Kids

Have an aspiring baker on your hands? Grapevine’s Gaylord Texan Resort is hosting a Junior Chefs Camp on Saturday, July 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Kids will learn how to make confetti- and candy-filled cupcakes + sugar cookie flowers. Sign up now.

Featured Home

Why wait to live your best life? 224 new homes are now available in Brook Hollow, the newest neighborhood in the Walsh community in west Fort Worth (pricing starts at $365,000). See what Walsh has to offer.*

Wellness

Meet the only probiotic Halle Berry will take. It’s created by scientists and optimizes metabolism to support a healthy weight. Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month.*

Drink

On a water bottle hunt? Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling insulated bottle is the Owala FreeSip — it’s thoughtfully designed, leak proof, and keeps drinks cold.*

Game

Would you rather...

Play “Would You Rather” with us

Would you rather watch the sunrise over the Trinity River or the sunset over the skyline? | Photo by @lantzscape_photos

When was the last time you played a game of “Would You Rather,” Fort Worth? In case you’ve never played, here’s a quick rundown:

Step 1 — A question is posed that pitches two options.
Step 2 — You decide what you’d rather do.

Let’s play.

Would you rather...

Spend two hours playing tourist in your own city with Mayor Mattie Parker OR spend a day with the Fort Worth Herd asking the drovers anything you want to know?
Take in skyline views at Rooftop Cinema on a Friday night OR catch a live performance at Stage West Theater?
Eat unlimited pickle chips from Best Maid OR corny dogs from Fletchers?
Live in a West Seventh loft OR a restored home in Fairmount?
Experience Fort Worth 100 years ago OR 100 years in the future?

Click the button below to record your answers + don’t forget to send us your suggestions for the next round of “Would You Rather.”

Go on — we double dog dare you

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

Last week, Rebecca and I shared what books we can’t put down + asked you what you’ve been reading. Thanks to a reader recommendation, I’m grabbing a copy of Stacy Willingham’s “A Flicker in the Dark.”

Need more recs for your TBR list? Check out these books by local authors.

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