Tradition in Norway, Iowa, can be summed up in one word, baseball. In the small Midwestern town, population 586, baseball is a legacy passed father to son, generation to generation. The Norway high school team is no stranger to overcoming the odds, to playing "David" to the State's much larger schools' "Goliath." When the 1990 team, lead by Coach Jim Van Scoyoc, wins its 19th State Championship in 23 years, it is almost expected. The unexpected comes when bureaucracy intervenes to merge Norway into a larger school, and petty jealousies conspire to rob Norway of its heritage and a 20th State Championship. The legendary coach is fired and replaced with his 24-year-old, one-season assistant coach, Kent Stock -- a move designed to insure the team's failure. "THE FINAL SEASON" tells the true story of an underdog coach and team who despite tradition have been written off not only by their rivals but also by those closest to them, the town. Can they find the faith in themselves, and the faith in each other, to make it to one final championship game -- and the chance for redemption?

A helicopter used to film a parade scene crashed during production on 30 June 2006. Witnesses said the helicopter was carrying the pilot, a producer and a photographer when it hit power lines and crashed into a field about 10 miles southwest of Cedar Rapids. The cinematographer, Roland Schlotzhauer, was killed in the crash.

Kent Stock:
Okay, its one and done, forever. South Clay is 31-8. The eight games they lost were when Reed Ellis wasn't in the rotation, he's pitching today. We all know he's being scouted by pro teams, but one player doesn't make a team.

[Sammy raises his hand]


Kent Stock:
Sammy?


Sammy:
He can if he throws 92 miles per hour coach.


Kent Stock:
We win by playing Norway Baseball. 80% of this game is defense. We don't let anything out of the infield and we wait. Sooner or later, they'll make a mistake. Every person who's ever worn a Norway uniform is out there with you today. Now think about this, no Iowa baseball dynasty has ever won a state championship in their final season. We're playing for everyone who knows that Norway is a great place to come home to. And no matter what happens today, this time next year, the jerseys you're wearing will be polishing chrome in Madison High School. So ask yourself one question. How do you want to be remembered?

Revealing mistakes: Cardboard figures used to fill out the crowd at ball games are occasionally noticeable.

Performed by Tom Cochrane & Red Rider
Written by Tom Cochrane
Published by BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP) obo itself and Sky Is Falling Entertainment
Courtesy of EMI Music Canada and RCA Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Entertainment