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Bragging Rights: Stickball Stories
The story of stickball is told through interviews, archival footage, and through the game itself. Stickball acts as a character within the piece, much like a feisty old man: a living, vibrant remnant of New York City history that refuses to be forgotten. The history of the game is told through the voice of senior players of the sport, who have played the game since they were children in the 1930s. The film inter-cuts personal stories of why these men came to stickball with a brief history of the game itself and its evolution through a changing New York. The stickball players of all ages and ethnicities share very frank and personal stories of their relationship to the game. It is precisely this variety of voices (black, white, Puerto Rican, Italian) that lends this documentary it's distinct and singularly New York voice.
The over-arching story of the film is, however, an immigrant' story of how Latinos - among other communities - created history and an identity by way of the game. There is also an association with 9/11 as the former President of the Bronx League, Steve Mercado, died on duty as a NY firefighter that tragic day. We witness how the league comes together to play-on after his passing. His tireless efforts as ambassador of the game, promoting its roots and future, lives on in this film.
Air Date
Sunday, 6/29/08 from 5-6 a.m. ET
Website
braggingrightsmovie.com/
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