It Still Stings: A League of Their Own’s Cancellation and the Queer Home Run We’ll Never See

Editor’s Note: TV moves on, but we haven’t. In our feature series It Still Stings, we relive emotional TV moments that we just can’t get over. You know the ones, where months, years, or even decades later, it still provokes a reaction? We’re here for you. We rant because we love. Or, once loved. And obviously, when discussing finales in particular, there will be spoilers:

Too often, television adaptations of existing intellectual properties strive to recapture the magic of their predecessors, resulting in reboots that feel redundant, lacking the charm of the original, and ultimately unnecessary. In recent history, shows like AMC’s Interview with the Vampire and Peacock’s Saved by the Bell reimagine their source material to explore and amplify marginalized identities often neglected in the television landscape. One adaptation in particular, Prime Video’s A League of Their Own, not only pays homage to the 1992 film of the same name but also expands its narrative scope to explore stories and identities that were overlooked in the original, particularly the lives of Black and Queer people during the era.

The 2022 series follows the lives of the Rockford Peaches, a team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1943. The story tackles the varied experiences of its team members, exploring the intersectionality of identity—showing how Queer people of different races and identities are treated during the time period. The series follows Carson Shaw (played by co-creator Abbi Jacobsen), a catcher who is married to a military officer and slowly understands her identity throughout the season. Alongside Carson’s story, the series follows the compelling tale of Max Chapman (played confidently by Chanté Adams), a Black pitcher who attempts to try out for the team but is turned away due to the racism within the league. Alongside her comic-loving best friend Clance (played by Gbemisola Ikumelo, who grounds the show’s humor with heartfelt sincerity), Max embarks on a journey to pursue her passion for baseball. After fighting tooth and nail, Max finally gets to play ball, but not without ongoing challenges and a deeper discovery of her identity.

A League of Their Own transforms the Queer subtext of the 1992 film into a vibrant and explicit exploration of LGBTQ+ identities in the 1940s. With the majority of its characters identifying as Queer, the series offers a rich narrative that highlights the uniqueness of various identities and experiences. The show balances humor and emotional depth, often showcasing impressive technical achievements with sweeping visuals that beautifully capture the essence of 1940s culture. Its direction exhibits a stylistic flair reminiscent of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s take on the ‘50s, while also providing a distinct perspective that blends dry, awkward humor with the emotional highs and lows of both baseball and romantic relationships.

Too often, when Black characters exist in period pieces led by white characters, they become secondary narratives or serve as character development for their white counterparts. Recent examples include the poorly developed and stereotypical Jolene in The Queen’s Gambit, and Harriet Sloane in Lessons in Chemistry, who lacks screen time. Black characters are frequently relegated to the sidelines in period pieces, with their stories often limited to brief arcs about historical racial violence, which inevitably enables a white savior narrative for the white lead whose journey is considered more significant or compelling.

However, in A League of Their Own, Max’s narrative unfolds independently from the team, offering a refreshing focus on her experiences. The series avoids equating her storyline with those of the other players, recognizing her unique challenges as a Black Queer woman in the 1940s. Though Max deserves more screen time—I would love to see this show center her as the sole lead—her arc is intricately crafted, exploring her relationships with family and community, and establishing her as one of the show’s most layered and compelling characters.