<P> A League of Their Own is a 1992 American sports comedy - drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real - life All - American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Lori Petty . The screenplay was written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel from a story by Kelly Candaele and Kim Wilson . </P> <P> In 2012, A League of Their Own was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". </P> <P> In 1988, Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) attends the opening of the new All - American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame . She sees many of her former teammates and friends, prompting a flashback to 1943 . </P> <P> When World War II threatens to shut down Major League Baseball, candy magnate and Cubs owner Walter Harvey (Garry Marshall) persuades his fellow owners to bankroll a women's league . Ira Lowenstein (David Strathairn) is put in charge, and Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz) is sent out to recruit players . Capadino attends an industrial - league softball game in rural Oregon and likes what he sees in Dottie, the catcher for a local dairy's team . Dottie turns down Capadino's offer, happy with her simple farm life while waiting for her husband Bob (Bill Pullman) to come back from the war . Her sister and teammate, Kit (Lori Petty), however, is desperate to get away and make something of herself . Capadino is not impressed by Kit's hitting performance, but agrees to take her along if she can change Dottie's mind . Dottie agrees, but only for her sister's sake . </P>

When does a league of their own take place