Plot

Manipur, a volatile border state in northeast India, defies gun violence, trafficking and HIV/AIDS through love of America's National Pastime - or as Babe Ruth called it "the only real game in the world."

THE ONLY REAL GAME explores the power of baseball for people in a remote and troubled place. The once princely state of Manipur, in volatile northeast India, defies gun violence, trafficking, and HIV/AIDS through a surprising passion for America's National Pastime. Manipur entered the Indian Union under protest in 1949, triggering a corrosive Separatist conflict. For decades baseball has delivered release from daily struggles and a dream for healing a wounded society. This dream moves toward reality when First Pitch - a band of baseball-loving New Yorkers - and two Major League Baseball Envoy coaches join Manipuri men, women and children to "Play Ball." This Manipuri story brings us to the heart of the Great American Game - or as Babe Ruth called it, "the only real game in the world."—Mirra Bank

THE ONLY REAL GAME is a fighters and dreamers story about the magic of baseball for people in a remote and troubled place. Once princely Manipur, a strife-torn border state in northeast India, defies civil war, drugs, gun traffic, and HIV/AIDS through love of our national pastime. Dreams chase reality in this ancient region when a small group of baseball-loving New Yorkers, and two Major League Baseball Envoy coaches, team up with Manipuri men, women and children to Play Ball. Surprisingly, women and girls are both the power players of Manipur and leaders of its peace and justice initiatives. This far away story brings us to the heart of the great American Game, or as Babe Ruth put it, 'the only real game in the world.'