“A League of Their Own” is a beloved classic, but the behind-the-scenes tales are just as captivating as the story itself. Directed by Penny Marshall, the film dives into the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) with humor and heart.
But what you might not know are the surprising, quirky, and downright hilarious moments that unfolded during its making.
Behind the Fictional Characters Are Real People
The heart of “A League of Their Own” lies in its characters, many of whom were inspired by real-life players from the AAGPBL. Geena Davis’s Dottie Hinson was based on Dorothy “Dottie” Kamenshek, a left-handed first baseman for the Rockford Peaches. Unlike her on-screen counterpart, Kamenshek was a career player, amassing seven All-Star titles and setting records for career hits.
In the movie, Dottie retires after one season. But the real Dottie was a legend on the diamond.
Tom Hanks’s Jimmy Dugan was a fictional creation with roots in reality. His character drew from baseball Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx and Hack Wilson, both of whom struggled with heavy drinking, leading to premature ends to their playing days. Foxx even managed an AAGPBL team, the Fort Wayne Daisies, making him an uncanny inspiration for Hanks’s boozy yet lovable manager.
A Cow Gave Birth During Filming?
One of the film’s funniest moments came with an unscripted twist. When Jon Lovitz’s character, Ernie Capadino, visits Dottie’s family farm, he shouts at a loud cow to “shut up.” That line wasn’t in the script. Lovitz improvised it.
But what he didn’t know? The cow was giving birth during the scene! The unexpected event became movie lore, and the calf was aptly named Penny, after director Penny Marshall.
Demi Moore Was to Play Dottie!
Casting “A League of Their Own” was almost as dramatic as the movie itself. Penny Marshall initially envisioned Demi Moore as Dottie, but Moore stepped aside due to her pregnancy. The studio pushed for Debra Winger to take the role, paired with Madonna as Kit.
However, Winger famously quit the project, allegedly because she didn’t want to work with the pop icon.
The casting of Kit was equally tumultuous. Moira Kelly was set to play the fiery younger sister but had to bow out after injuring herself while filming “The Cutting Edge.” Enter Lori Petty, who stepped up to deliver a knockout performance that made Kit unforgettable.
Tom Hank’s “Longest Bathroom Break” Was Not Real
One of Tom Hanks’s most memorable scenes as Jimmy Dugan involves a hilariously prolonged bathroom break. On-screen, the moment lasts 53 seconds, leaving the team both disgusted and impressed. But Hanks wasn’t actually relieving himself.
Instead, Marshall used a hose and bucket off-camera to create the sound effects, proving that comedy sometimes lies in the simplest tricks.
It Almost Became a Very Different Movie
Before Penny Marshall took the helm, “A League of Their Own” was a 20th Century Fox project. David Anspaugh, known for “Hoosiers,” was originally attached as director, but creative tensions with studio head Joe Roth led to the project being shelved.
Marshall later revived it at Columbia Pictures, and her vision brought the film to life.
Real League, Real Drama
The AAGPBL was a living piece of history. The league existed from 1943 to 1954, offering women a chance to play professional baseball while men were at war. Marshall took great care to honor this legacy, even enlisting actual AAGPBL players as consultants.
Their insights helped shape the film’s authenticity, from the grueling tryouts to the camaraderie in the locker room.