Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspiring series about women's baseball has sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A League of Their Own
What's the Story?
Women show up to play ball in 1940s America in A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN. They pour in from across the country by train, by car, or by bus to try out for the first women's professional baseball league. Carson Shaw (Abbi Jacobson) is one of them, chasing after her train frantically, ruining her dress on the way. She hasn't told her husband or her family where she's run off to, but she feels so compelled to join a team of professional athletes that she doesn't look back. Another woman named Max Chapman (Chanté Adams) yearns to play on the team as well, but she's turned away because she's Black. Will Max's determination propel her to find her way into a team? Will the first women's professional baseball league last longer than a few games?
Is It Any Good?
A breathtaking scene stands out in A League of Their Own. When small-town girl Carson Shaw pokes her way through the city streets of Chicago to arrive at the storied "Baker's Field," she emerges from the breezeway to discover a field of women throwing, catching, batting, diving, and fielding fly balls -- and her life has been utterly altered. The moment is reminiscent of the scene in The Wizard of Oz when the black-and-white scene suddenly dazzles with color. She has found what she's been looking for -- it's the end of the rainbow. Women of a certain age watching this might choke up a bit, because women's sports meant freedom of movement and expression, an acknowledgement that women were human.
Though there's more language than feels historically accurate, the series' exploration of the Black experience during this time period feels genuine. Queer relationships also get an earnest nod. Fine acting and a passion from the creators for the subject make this a worthwhile show for older teens and adults to enjoy together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about courage. The women in this series show courage when they follow their dreams of pursuing professional sports in the 1940s. What other shows feature characters who are courageous?
Families can talk about drinking and smoking in A League of Their Own. Here are some things to talk about when watching shows where people drink to excess.
The ballplayers in this show are forced to take charm lessons and learn to wear makeup properly -- or else lose their spot on the team. How does beauty play into professional sports now?
How does discrimination play a role in this series? How do the characters deal with it?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 12, 2022
- Cast : Abbi Jacobson , Chanté Adams , D'Arcy Carden
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Activism
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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