When you're the star of what has been called "the best baseball movie ever" there's got to be a feeling of pride surrounding the everlasting impact of the film.

Better yet, Penny Marshall's A League Of Their Own was called "the best sports movie ever" just recently.

Tom Hanks starred in the classic flick which centered around the Rockford Peaches baseball team.

Penny Marshall
FilmMagic
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After Marshall died late last year, Hollywood mourned her passing. Marshall was credited as putting a spotlight on a woman's baseball league that time largely forgot.

Since A League Of Their Own arrived in theaters, Peaches baseball has become synonymous with Rockford.

Don't think the International Women's Baseball Center doesn't know it either. They're organizing a Penny Marshall Celebration in Rockford Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14.

The weekend will include a “Play Ball for Penny” on Friday, Sept. 13, at Indoor City Market, 116 N. Madison St., and then a Saturday unveiling of a replica of the first of nine pylons – large commemorative signs that will honor individuals or groups important in women’s baseball history. The unveiling will take place Saturday, Sept. 14, at the future museum site of the International Women’s Baseball Center across the street from historic Beyer Stadium, 245 15th Ave.

The celebration is going to be even bigger now considering Tom Hanks is now involved, but why now and why the Rockford celebration?

Organizers say Hanks’ name is mostly symbolic, but that he never lends his name to any other Peaches celebrations. He’s chosen to this time because of his respect for Marshall and what she meant to his career.

While it probably means you won't spot Hanks wandering the Indoor City Market during that weekend, it's still a really big deal an A-list actor like him is donating his time, money or both to see Marshall's work and career is honored.

Sweet Lenny is the brand manager of 97ZOK, Q98.5, and Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Rockford. Catch him afternoons 3 to 7 on 97ZOK. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and like his page on Facebook.

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