Timing is key in sports and in life, and Rickey Hill believes this is the right time for a film to be made about his life. “The Hill” is currently being shot in Augusta.
“Someone offered to buy my story back in 1980,” said Hill, who played professional baseball in the 1970s despite a degenerative spinal condition and wearing braces on his legs as a child.
Hill signed with the Montreal Expos at 19 and played in the outfield with Hall of Famer Andre Dawson in the Expos’ farm system on the Lethbridge Expos in the mid-70s. Hill played professionally several years.
Filming on “The Hill” began last month and continues until a few days before Christmas. It stars actor Dennis Quaid as Hill’s father, a devout Baptist preacher.
But bringing his life to the big screen didn’t pan out until now, and Hill believes it’s for the best because there’s a dream team at work on this adaptation.
“We’ve got the writer of ‘Rudy’ and ‘Hoosiers,’ and Dennis Quaid,” said Hill, who has been on set watching as the story of his life unfolds before him.
Hill said he’s enjoyed getting to know Quaid because they have similar roots; both of them were born in the 1950s in Texas. Although they never met in Texas, they had similar threads.
Quaid is no stranger to underdog baseball movies. In 2002, Quaid starred in “The Rookie” about a Texas baseball coach who becomes a major league pitcher at the age of 35.
While Hill believes Quaid is doing a great job, it’s sometimes hard for Hill to watch Quaid’s scenes because it brings back his memories of his father.
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“Going back in time is hard,” he said.
Hill said his father loved him wholeheartedly.
“He wanted me to do whatever I wanted. Yes, he wanted me in the ministry, but he said, ‘there are many ways you can minister,’” he said.
Elements of “The Hill” lend for the perfect script by Angelo Pizzo, who has brought the stories of unlikely sports heroes with heart who overcome adversity to films such as “Rudy” and “Hoosiers,” but there’s an added element that Hill sees as setting his story apart.
“’Biblical’ is definitely the word for it,” he said. “It’s a faith-based movie, and it’s for everyone.”
His story is one of “never giving up” and “not quitting,” but those phrases have become cliché.
When he says “biblical,” Hill points to the scriptures about fighting the good fight and finishing the race.
“I’ve fought the fight. I’ve kept the faith, and I’m finishing the course with this,” he said.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
