Edina’s Big Role in Little Big League

Edina serves as a picturesque backdrop to a major motion picture.
Countryside Park in Edina serves as the backdrop for the 1994 film, Little Big League, produced by Castle Rock Entertainment.

Hollywood came to Minnesota in 1994, and Edina played a starring role. Castle Rock Entertainment filmed much of the feature film Little Big League at the Metrodome—not surprisingly, since the movie is about a 12-year-old boy who inherits his grandfather’s baseball team, the Minnesota Twins. But much of the off-field action was filmed right here in Edina.

When character Billy Heywood (played by Luke Edwards) isn’t trying to coax his team to victory, he’s at home in a Country Club District house on Arden Avenue and plays baseball with friends at Countryside Park. And sharp-eyed locals have noted a movie umpire wears an Edina T-shirt.

With all the choices for filming in the metro area, why choose Edina? The city’s quarterly newsletter About Town reported in 1994 that, according to Hollywood scouts, “With its well-groomed field and picturesque tree-lined background, Countryside was a ‘perfect choice.’ ” Also, second unit director Bill Pohlad grew up in Edina – he went on to become a film producer for several successful movies, including 12 Years a Slave, which won a Best Picture Oscar earlier this year. In addition to having strong ties with the Twins (his father Carl was the owner), he knew first-hand the settings his hometown had to offer. The Edina Baseball Association provided about 200 extras as players and fans. In exchange, EBA received a generous donation from Castle Rock Entertainment and the thrill of a lifetime.

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For more entertaining stories from Edina’s past, check out the Edina Historical Society blog at edinahistorical society.org/blog.