You have to believe is based on the inspiring true story of a 2002 Little League baseball team from Fort Worth, Texas. With a wide theatrical release on August 30, 2024, You have to believe takes place just days after the 2024 Little League World Series, which was held at the legendary Williamsport, Pennsylvania grounds just in time for the end of summer. The film stars Luke Wilson and Greg Kinnear as Bobby Ratliff and Jon Kelly.two key figures in the unlikely underdog story that turned a group of baseball-loving kids into one of the most memorable teams in Little League World Series history.
Jon Kelly of Kinnear is the head coach of the 2002 Fort Worth, Texas, baseball team that dedicated its postseason to the memory of Luke Wilson’s Bobby Ratliff, a father dying of cancer. The team from Forth Worth dedicated the entire season to honoring Bobby and in doing so, they defied all odds and overcame all obstacles to reach the elimination round of the Little League World Series in 2002. The team also helped bring about a permanent change to the Little League World Series rulebook and strongly promoted the Little League pitch count rule, which promotes the health and longevity of young and developing athletes.
“You Gotta Believe” is based on the true story of a Little League team from Texas
A group of “outsiders” from Fort Worth, Texas, became LLWS legends
You have to believe tells the story of the real-life 2002 Westside Little League All-Stars from Fort Worth, Texas, and their journey to represent the Southwest region of the United States in the Little League World Series. It’s an underdog story in the truest sense of the word, as the Fort Worth team was the unexpected champion even in its own Texas district. They represented not only their city and their state, but the entire Southwestern region of the USA. consisting of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. They represented the Western District of Texas, while a team from Sugar Land represented the Eastern District of Texas.
The Southwest Region, created in 2002 after the South Region ended in 2000, originally included Colorado. Since it was the first year that both eastern and western districts of Texas were recognized, the Fort Worth team may never have had the opportunity to compete in the Little League World Series had the Southwest Region not been reorganized in 2002. To this day, the 2002 Fort Worth team the only team from Fort Worth to ever participate in the LLWSThe film describes the team as a group of “underdogs” who face the impossible task of making it to the semifinals of the LLWS.
What happened to the 2002 Fort Worth Westside All-Stars?
They competed against the eventual LLWS champions from Louisville.
The unlikely heroes from Fort Worth, Texas, made it to the opening round of the Little League World Series, meaning they had a long road ahead of them in July and August to even get their ticket to Williamsport. They were placed in a group with several other teams from around the country, including Worcester, Massachusetts, representing New England, Webb City, Missouri, representing the Midwest Region, and Waipio, Hawaii, representing the Northwest Region. In group play The Fort Worth team finished 2-1 and defeated the Midwest and Northwest teams 1-0 and 8-0before suffering their first LLWS loss to New England 6-0.
After their successful run in pool play, the Fort Worth team earned the right to participate in the elimination round of the Little League World Series, at the end of which a new champion would emerge. Fort Worth faced a team from Louisville, Kentucky, representing the Great Lakes region in its first elimination game, meaning the loser’s hopes of winning the championship ended. The team from Louisville had achieved a result of 3-0 in the group stage and was considered one of the favorites. to take home the Little League World Series title, and that’s exactly what happened after defeating Japan 1-0 on August 25, 2002.
Why the Fort Worth Westside Little League Team Became So Popular in 2002
Fort Worth vs. Louisville became an instant classic and the longest game in LLWS history.
On August 21, 2002, Fort Worth played Louisville in the longest game in Little League World Series history. Since Little League games usually only last 6 innings unless the “mercy” rule is enforced, the U.S. semifinal between Louisville and Fort Worth lasted a total of 11 innings, almost twice as long as a typical Little League baseball game. In an epic pitcher’s duel, Louisville ultimately defeated Fort Worth by a final score of 2-1 to become the 2002 LLWS champions.
The 2002 Fort Worth team really didn’t stand a chance because the opponents were very talented and they were generally considered “underdogs.” The first baseman’s (Wilson) father had cancer and the whole team had that to lean on. That made it an inspirational story that anyone could cheer for, not just people from Texas or baseball fans. Plus, the game was a truly remarkable display of talent and determination. With a total of 49 strikeouts, a recordWalker Kelly of Fort Worth struck out 21 batters, while Aaron Alvey of Louisville struck out 19 batters in nine innings.
What happened to the Fort Worth Westside Little League team after 2002?
They reunited at the LLWS 2022 and some still live in Fort Worth
The memorable Fort Worth team reunited in 2022 and once again took to their home field in Fort Worth, which kickstarted their journey and eventually made them a national inspiration. The members of the 2002 Westside All-Stars Little League team stayed in touch over the years but did not have an official reunion until 2022. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram“Michael Valdez, who played baseball at Texas Wesleyan University, leads youth sports teams that focus on select sports of baseball. Chris Rivera works for Google. Robby Lebus lives in Fort Worth and works in real estate. Chester Hamilton lives in St. Louis and works as an engineer for IBM.”
Some players in You have to believe even played baseball in college and even in the MLB.”Rand Ravnaas lives in Fort Worth and works in the oil and gas industry. He played baseball at Georgetown University in DC and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2011 MLB Draft. Walker Kelly played baseball at TCU and lives in Fort Worth. He works in commercial real estate. Mark Grace lives in Fort Worth and works in the insurance industry. Patton Eagle lives in Oklahoma City and works in the oil and gas industry.”
Not surprisingly, many have given back to the sport of baseball as well.”Robert Ratliff played football at Ole Miss. Lives in Fort Worth and works in the insurance industry. Aspiring little league coach. Mitchell Belew lives in Fort Worth and works in aerospace sales. Also coaches his nephew’s little league baseball team.” Bobby Ratliff passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2003. You have to believe will bring the Fort Worth team’s incredible true story of faith and teamwork to life again.
Source: Little League, Fort Worth Report, This Day in Baseball, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
