Kaplan's Korner on Jews and Sports » Jewish sports DVD

MLB Network to screen IBL documentary

Ron Kaplan — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:26:20 +0000

The MLB Network will present Holy Land Hardball, the documentary about the lone season of the Israel Baseball League, on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 10 p.m.

Farewell, Polo Grounds

Ron Kaplan — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:40:09 +0000

It may be last minute, but if you’re a fan of the New York (baseball) Giants and happen to be in Manhattan this evening at 6 p.m., why not stop by Foley’s NY (18 West 33rd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues) for the kick-off celebration of End of an Era, a DVD created “by accident” from home movies taken by landsman Moe Resner on Sept. 29, 1957, the final game of the storied stadium.

Resner, is, among other things, a syndicated sportswriter who lives in Edison, NJ, but works in Pelham, NY. I’m not sure how old the gentleman is — I’m guessing more than 58 — but he’s also still a member of the Pelham Mets of the Westchester Baseball Association.

Moe Resner, flanked by Richard Belzer and Larry David.

The “Red” Menace?

Ron Kaplan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:35:40 +0000

Newsday’s Neil Best offers this quick assessment of the sports documentary, The First Basket.

However, for less than $10…

Ron Kaplan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:32:47 +0000

If Neil Leifer’s new football book is out of your league, consider Gandhi at the Bat. The short “mockumentary” by Stephanie Argy and Alec Boehm, based on an original short story by Chet Williamson, won the Award for Excellence in Filmmaking at the Baseball Hall of Fame Film Festival in September for excellence “in direction, production, script writing, stylistic techniques, use of music, special effects, cinematography and/or editing.”

The film is available through the Gandhi website for $9.95. Such a deal.

The Jewish Basketball Hall of Fame

Ron Kaplan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:17:14 +0000

As the NBA season gets under way, a new DVD reminds us of the impact and influence of Jews in “the city game.”

Created under the auspices of Jewish Pride Sports Heroes (JPSH), the DVD includes profiles of more than 30 basketball stars, including Dolph Schayes, Rudy La Russo, and Lennie Rosenbluth. It’s offered under the umbrella of Jewishhoopstars.com.

The website, while clunky in presentation (there are no links in the “directory of players” page, for example, and a Quick-Time plug-in is needed to view the trailer), invites the visitor’s participation in paying respects to other Jewish athletes, not just basketball players.

The DVD is available through the website for $36.