Nitpicks

I'm watching this right now and what's funny is when heddo does come up at the end of the game no one knows that he's coming up to bat, like they don't know the most threatening hitter in the Met's line up is up in the innning.

Also when Henry bats the only time in the game he is playing the Dodgers in an away game, where the crowd is going nuts that he's batting.

Not to mention the entire movie is based off the fact that he can throw a fastball which any MLB player would catch up to his speed after they knew it was his only pitch. I mean common, no off speed stuff!?! what the hell.

I don't think he was wearing that ring while pitching. I think it was when he was playing outfield for the LL team. But yeah, he shouldn't have been wearing that ring while playing anyway.

As for a 3 inning save, if a pitcher is that dominate some teams would do that. Plus 3-inning saves were common way back when (even before the 90s). Would I have gone with Henry going a 3-inning save. Maybe, but I definately would've had another pitcher in the bullpen warming up. But when you have a relief pitcher who'd been lights out and I'm assuming hasn't given up a run since his first appearance with the team, I would trust him. I mean he struck out the side easily for the 7th and 8th.

Okay, let's put some of this to rest:

First off, on the hidden ball trick, this was definitely a balk. Henry is standing on the rubber when he fakes the Mets' baserunner with the rosin bag. The rules of baseball (section 8.05d) specifically prohibit this with the wording that pitcher must not: "stand on or astride the rubber without the ball, or mimic a pitch without the ball." The runner would not be out, and all runners would be awarded the next base.

Second, section 8.04 of the rules of baseball specifically note that a pitcher must deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds when the bases are unoccupied. This rule has existed in baseball for decades, but is not relevant to the argument as there was a Mets' runner on-base. That being said, section 8.04 is RARELY enforced in the game anyway. It should also be pointed out that section 8.05(h) specifically states that a pitcher has balked when "The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game." If Henry engaged in such an act as shown in the film, it would be up to an Umpire to decide if it was an unnecessary delay. Having played in, and watched, many baseball games, I can't imagine any umpire NOT calling it a delay. So Henry probably would have been penalized with balk, but that's up for debate.

Third, there is no specific rule in baseball that says a pitcher must throw overhand. However, one commenter made a note that the Eephus pitch is an underhand pitch and is considered legal. Yes, the Eephus pitch IS considered legal, but it is NOT an underhanded pitch. Wikipedia's article on the subject is quite good. I also find it highly unlikely Heddo would have missed the "floater" that Henry threw to him. Just awful.

More importantly, while this is just a kids' movie, I don't think it excuses the awful ending of the film. As noted by some other contributors on this site, and other forums, kids' movies can be good. This one is not. The silly dialogue, and over-the-top plot holes are one thing, but there is so much wrong with Rookie Of The Year that the poor ending is small potatoes.