 Robinson and the producers did not originally consider Kevin Costner for the part of Ray because they did not think that he would want to follow "Bull Durham" with another baseball film.He, however, did end up reading the script and became interested in the project, stating that he felt it would be "this generation's "It's a Wonderful Life"".Since Robinson's directing debut "In the Mood" had been a commercial failure, Costner also said that he would help him with the production.