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“The Girl in Centerfield” hit the big screen on June 10, as the first viewing of the film took place at the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti, Mich. The true-story film chronicles the historic struggle of Carolyn King, a 12-year-old girl from Ypsilanti who paved the way for girls to play Little League back in 1973.

The tomboy in pigtails simply wanted to play baseball when she tried out for a spot in the Ypsilanti American Little League that year, but she quickly found herself at the center of a national firestorm. Carolyn’s story was front-page news in the summer of 1973 - Walter Cronkite reported about her on the CBS Evening News; every newspaper in the country was flooded with letters to the editor; angry town meetings were held.

“The Girl in Centerfield” follows Carolyn’s battle from start to finish, as the national furor over her case resulted in Little League International dropping its boys-only policy in 1974.

The audience at the Riverside Arts Center gave the film rave reviews at a Q&A session that followed the screening, saying it’s an inspirational and fascinating film that will appeal to a wide range of people.

Many Catholics are familiar with the miracles of Father Solanus Casey, the Capuchin priest from Detroit who is in line to become the first American-born male saint. Father Solanus’ incredible story will come to life as never before in “American Saint: The Case for Father Solanus Casey,” a new film from Stunt3 Multimedia and Blue Hammer Films.

The film will be an inspirational, moving, emotional, incredibly uplifting experience for everyone as they learn more about the miracle worker from Michigan.

Born Bernard Francis Casey in Wisconsin in 1870, he took the name “Solanus” after St. Francis Solanus, a 17th century Spanish nobleman, intellectual, missionary and priest. Father Solanus went on to become a Capuchin priest known for his great faith, humility, and role as a spiritual counselor and intercessor.

After working in New York during his younger years, Father Solanus was transferred to St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit in 1924, where he worked for the next two decades. He served a humble role as a porter at St. Bonaventure, but quickly became known for his great compassion and the amazing miracles that would occur after his consultations with visitors. Father Solanus passed away in Detroit in 1957, uttering his final words: “I give my soul to Jesus Christ.”

Many miraculous cures have been attributed to Father Solanus, both during his life and after his death. Pilgrims from all corners of the globe continue to make pilgrimages to his tomb in Detroit, and more than a half-century after his death, Father Solanus continues to perform miracles.

The case for sainthood was opened in 1982. In 1995, Pope John Paul II formally declared Father Solanus to be “venerable,” the first step in the path to sainthood. He continues on the track toward beatification.

“American Saint” is scheduled for release in August 2011. Investment opportunities are available for the film.

Since Little League Baseball was founded in 1939, about 40 million kids have played the sport. The list includes future Hall of Famers like Carl Yastrzemski, Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan, and hundreds of other future Major Leaguers.

But of all the kids who ever played Little League, the best of the best was a boy you’ve probably never heard of: Art “Pinky” Deras. In the summer of 1959, he led the team from Hamtramck, Mich., to the Little League World Series title, and in the process, he put together a Little League season the likes of which we might never see again.

As a pitcher, he racked up an 18-0 record with 16 shutouts and 10 no-hitters. In 108 innings, he struck out 298 batters - only 26 outs came in the field. At the plate, he batted .641 with 33 home runs and 112 runs batted in. His pitches were timed at 71 mph (the equivalent of a 100 mph Major League fastball), and his bat speed was timed at 105 mph. That was almost as fast as Mickey Mantle was swinging the bat that season - just 115 mph.

Indeed, there’s never been anyone like Pinky Deras.

His amazing story comes to life in “The Legend of Pinky Deras: The Greatest Little-Leaguer There Ever Was,” a new film from Blue Hammer Films. Pinky received a ton of national publicity back in 1959, but then he fell off the map. In the half-century since he lit the Little League world on fire, there have been no films about him, no magazine stories, not even a single newspaper article.

Until now.

Whatever happened to the greatest Little League player who ever lived? Audiences will find out this year during the Little League World Series in late August, when “The Legend of Pinky Deras” hits the air.