“Champions of Faith” Returns to Inspire a New Generation, by Kevin Wells

I recently learned that Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition will make its world premiere on EWTN just in time for the upcoming baseball season. Even though the film debuted seventeen years ago, I can still remember nearly every frame. It was the “go-to” movie for my son, Sean, and me—our repeated viewing of it became a ritual. We watched as some of the best players in Major League Baseball spoke honestly about their devotion to Jesus Christ and their Catholic faith. There was nothing overly sentimental or preachy about it; in fact, there’s a fistfight, high drama, and even a death in the hour-long film. But to a man, the players come across as well-formed catechists, sharing their faith with clarity and conviction.

The film resonated deeply with me at the time. Not since The Passion of the Christ had a Catholic movie managed to pierce my heart, humble me, and make me confront my own hesitations about fully proclaiming my faith. Back in 2007, I was still mostly a quiet Catholic, keeping my love for Mary, adoration, and the saints hidden under the bushel basket of private devotion. But as these players—Mike Piazza, Jeff Suppan, and Mike Sweeney in particular—shared their stories, I was left wordless, much like I had been during the scourging scene in The Passion. Their openness challenged me in a way I hadn’t anticipated. ….

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