Watching a timeless movie is always a joyous experience, and Sandlot is no exception. This film is a classic coming-of-age story that blends childhood nostalgia with the love of baseball.
Since its release in 1993, Sandlot has gained a devoted following and become a cult classic. Its youthful cast and comedic touch have left a lasting impression on viewers’ hearts. If you’ve seen the movie, you may have wondered if it’s based on a true story. Fortunately, this article focuses on “The Sandlot” and provides answers to your questions.
By the end of this post, you will discover whether Sandlot is based on a true story, along with interesting facts about the movie, such as the current whereabouts of the cast. So, let’s delve into the world of Sandlot!
Is Sandlot Based On A True Story?
Sandlot is based on a true story, with some scenes inspired by real events and others being fictional. The movie was inspired by director David Mickey Evans’ childhood, where he played baseball during the summer just like the kids in the film.
One scene was based on a memory from his childhood, where his brother tried to retrieve their ball that went over a wall and encountered a dangerous dog named Hercules. However, the dog bit his brother, unlike the movie’s version where Hercules befriended the kids.
The character of Hercules (The Beast) was inspired by Evan’s childhood dog, but the role was altered to befriend the kids instead of biting them. Wendy Pettercorn’s character was also based on a real story, with Evans and his friends admiring pretty lifeguards, most of whom were blondes in red swimsuits. He even remembered a lifeguard named Bunny.
However, the scene where Squint pretends to drown so he could kiss Wendy was fictional, although it was based on Evan’s childhood desire.
Facts About The Sandlot
Production:
The Sandlot was filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah and the production took only 42 days to complete. The shooting period was during a hot weather spell, with temperatures often reaching up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the pool scene, the temperature dropped significantly to about 55 degrees Fahrenheit and it was quite cold.
Movie Title:
The movie was originally titled “The Boys of Summer,” but the producer decided to change it due to the existence of a popular book with the same name.
The oak tree:
To create the iconic treehouse from the Sandlot, director David Mickey Evans and his crew searched for a big oak tree that would be suitable for the set. However, they were unable to find one before filming began.
One day, while scouting locations, they came across a man who was chopping down a large oak tree. They asked if they could have the tree, and the man agreed. The crew then transported the tree to their filming location and cemented it to the ground to create the treehouse seen in the movie.
Hercules:
For certain scenes in the movie, a large puppet dog was used to portray the giant dog, Hercules. However, for other scenes, a real dog was used. To get the dog to lick Smalls’ face, the crew smeared baby food on him.
Casting:
Initially, the directors wanted to cast actors who were between the ages of 9 to 10 years old for the movie. However, they later realized that it was not the best decision and opted to increase the age range to 12 or 13 years old.
During auditions, they discovered that casting slightly older actors was a better choice.
A Lawsuit:
In 1998, The Sandlot became embroiled in a lawsuit when Michael Plydoros sued the film’s producers and 20th Century Fox. Plydoros claimed that the character of “Squints” was based on him, as he had been a former classmate of director David Mickey Evans.
Plydoros sued the production companies for defamation, claiming that the portrayal of the character had caused him humiliation and shame. However, the case ultimately ended in favor of the movie producers, setting a precedent that allowed filmmakers to draw inspiration from real people when creating characters.
Uncredited characters:
Two individuals who contributed to The Sandlot were not credited for their roles. Arliss Howard played the adult version of Scott Smalls but was not credited for the role. Similarly, director David Mickey Evans provided the voiceover for the character of Scott, the narrator, but was also not credited.
Where Are The Sandlot Cast Now?
The Sandlot is a classic coming-of-age sports movie that was released in 1993. It tells the story of a group of young boys who bond over their love of baseball during the summer of 1962. Here’s a look at where the Sandlot cast members are now:
Mike Vitar:
Vitar left acting after The Sandlot and became a firefighter in Los Angeles. In 2015, he was sued along with two other firefighters for allegedly assaulting a man in 2015. Vitar later pled no contest to misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to probation.
Tom Guiry:
Guiry has continued acting in both film and television since The Sandlot. He has appeared in movies such as Mystic River and Black Hawk Down, as well as TV shows like The Black Donnellys and The Leftovers.
Chauncey Leopardi:
Leopardi has continued acting, with roles in movies such as Casper and Gilmore Girls, as well as TV shows like Freaks and Geeks and Cold Case.
Patrick Renna:
Renna has continued acting since The Sandlot, appearing in movies such as Son in Law and The Big Green, as well as TV shows like Boston Legal and GLOW.
Marty York:
York has continued acting but has mostly appeared in smaller roles. He has also worked as a personal trainer and fitness instructor.
Brandon Adams:
Adams has continued acting, with roles in movies such as The Mighty Ducks and TV shows like Moesha and Sister, Sister.
Grant Gelt:
Gelt left acting after The Sandlot and became a successful financial advisor.
Victor Dimattia:
In Sandlot, Victor Dimattia portrayed the character of Timmy Timmons. Prior to that, he had acted in the films “Dennis the Menace” (1987) and “Cool as Ice” (1991), and lent his voice to the character of Dylan Taylor in “Adventures in Odyssey”.
In 2018, Dimattia starred in the film “Get Married or Die”, and more recently, he played the role of Kid Vlad in “Death Rider in the House of Vampires”. He has also directed a few short films, including “Buck McMaan: American Sumo”.
Shane Obedzinski:
Obedzinski left acting after The Sandlot and now works as a film editor.
Marley Shelton:
In Sandlot, Marley Shelton played the role of Wendy Peffercorn, the attractive lifeguard. She has also acted in movies such as “Sin City”, “Valentine”, “Never Been Kissed”, and “Grindhouse”. Her more recent film roles include “Solace” in 2015 and “Rampage” in 2018.
In addition to her work in film, Shelton has also appeared in television series such as “Eleventh Hour” and “The Lottery”. Her more recent TV appearances include “Dirty John” in 2019 and “Manhunt” in 2020.
Denis Leary:
In Sandlot, Denis Leary played the character of Bill, who was Scott Smalls’ stepfather. Prior to his role in the film, Leary worked as a stand-up comedian and had also acted in notable films such as “Demolition Man”, “The Ref”, and “Judgment Night”.
Apart from his work in front of the camera, Leary has also lent his voice to various animated characters and has produced several TV shows and movies. Additionally, he has worked as a writer and published several books.
Karen Allen:
In Sandlot, Karen Allen portrayed the character of Scott’s mother. She had previously acted in notable films such as “Animal House” in 1978 and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in 1981. In addition to her work in film, Allen had also performed on stage.
More recently, Allen has appeared in the films “Colewell” (2019) and “Things Heard & Seen” (2021).
Note: Since the original prompt did not provide a last name for Allen’s character in Sandlot, I assumed it was not provided intentionally and chose not to include a last name in the rewrite.
James Earl Jones:
With a career spanning over seven decades, the actor who portrayed Mr. Mertle in Sandlot also lent his incredible voice to numerous voice acting projects, live-action acting, and commercial voice-overs.
Famous for his portrayal of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy from 1977 to 1983, James Earl Jones also acted in various Shakespeare plays. He recently revisited some of his past roles, such as in “Rogue One” in 2016, “The Lion King” in 2019, and “Coming 2 America” in 2021.
Conclusion
Sandlot was inspired by a true story from the childhood of director David Mickey Evans, who also directed the movie. While some elements of the film are based on real events, others are fictional.
The film was shot in just 42 days, and its original title was “The Boys of Summer.” However, the production faced a defamation lawsuit. Despite these challenges, the movie remained popular, and many of the actors who appeared in Sandlot are still recognizable today.