Baseball gloves as passports? This nonprofit proves sports speak every language.
"A Million Smiles" is a documentary film showcasing the Baseball Without Borders Foundation based in San Francisco, CA for nearly 30 years. Baseball Without Borders Foundation brings joy to children throughout the world through a love of America’s favorite pastime, baseball. They provide new and used baseball and softball equipment to children of all ages and they donate all equipment free of charge. Donations have been made to children in 52 countries since 1995. Baseball Without Borders has no paid staff. 100% of donated funds help to promote friendship, recipients' native cultures and connection with the less fortunate of our world. This is the first film in Baseball Without Borders history. This film focuses on bringing awareness to the culture and children of Yucatán while giving viewers a sense of the impact that Baseball Without Borders has been creating for more than 27 years as it carries out its mission to weave joy through the world by offering the gift of baseball.
Direction
Blanchfield lets kids' genuine reactions drive every scene.
Production
27 years of footage gives rare longitudinal authenticity.
Writing
Avoids poverty tourism; focuses on dignity and play.
Director
Cullen Blanchfield
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Zero paid staff for 27 years means every dollar shown on screen went directly to gloves and balls.
Yucatán was chosen specifically for its Maya baseball traditions, predating American influence by decades—a detail most viewers miss.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
