THE HEARTFELT HIT "THE ROOKIE," STARRING DENNIS QUAID, AIRS AS THE "ABC SATURDAY MOVIE OF THE WEEK," MAY 31

The critically acclaimed homerun hit, "The Rookie," will air in HDTV with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio as the "ABC Saturday Movie of the Week," MAY 311 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 11/20/04)

Starring Dennis Quaid and Rachel Griffiths, "The Rookie" tells the story of 35-year-old Jim Morris, a formerly promising baseball pitcher whose career was cut short by a shoulder injury, sending him to the next best thing -- coaching. But Jim's ever-faithful high school players make him a deal: If they win the district championship, Jim will try out for a major league organization. Going from worst to first, the team makes it to State, and Jim is forced to live up to his end of the deal� with surprising results.

"The Rookie" stars Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris, Rachel Griffiths as Lorri Morris, Jay Hernandez as Joaquin "Wack" Campos, Beth Grant as Olline, Angus T. Jones as Hunter Morris, Brian Cox as Jim Morris, Sr., Rick Gonzalez as Rudy Bonila, Chad Lindberg as Joe David West, Angelo Spizzirri as Joel De La Garza, Royce D. Applegate as Henry, Russell Richardson as Brooks, Raynor Scheine as Frank, David Blackwell as Cal, Blue Deckert as Dave Patterson and Daniel Kamin as Durham manager Mac.

"The Rookie" was directed by John Lee Hancock and written by Mike Rich. Executive producer was Philip Steuer and producers were Mark Ciardi, Gordon Gray and Mark Johnson. "The Rookie" is from 98 MPH Production and Gran Via and from Walt Disney Pictures.

"THE ROOKIE" IN HDTV:
The ABC Television Network's HDTV broadcast of "The Rookie" will air in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

This film carries a TV-PG parental guideline.