<P> The Peaches are managed by Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks), a former marquee Cubs slugger who initially treats the whole thing as a joke . The league attracts little interest at first . With a Life magazine photographer in the stands, Lowenstein begs the players to do something spectacular . Dottie obliges when a ball is popped up behind home plate, catching it while doing a split . The resulting photograph makes the magazine cover . A publicity campaign draws more people to the ballgames, but the owners remain unconvinced . Due to Kit's and Dottie's sibling rivalry, Kit is traded to the Peaches' rival, the Racine Belles . </P> <P> The Peaches end the season qualifying for the league's World Series . In the locker room, Jimmy gives Betty a telegram that informs her her husband was killed in action in the Pacific Theater . The grief - stricken Betty leaves the team . Later that evening, Dottie receives a surprise when Bob, who was serving in Italy, shows up, having been discharged from the Army . The following morning, Jimmy discovers that Dottie is going home with Bob . Unable to persuade her to at least play in the World Series, he tells her she will regret her decision . </P> <P> The Peaches and Belles meet in the World Series, which reaches a seventh and deciding game . Dottie, having reconsidered during the drive back to Oregon, is the catcher for the Peaches, while Kit is the starting pitcher for the Belles . With the Belles leading by a run in the top of the ninth, Dottie drives in the go - ahead run . Kit is the final batter . Under immense pressure, she gets a hit and, ignoring the third base coach's sign to stop, scores the winning run by knocking her sister over at the plate and dislodging the ball from Dottie's hand . The sellout crowd convinces Harvey to give Lowenstein the owners' support . After the game, the sisters reconcile before Dottie leaves . </P> <P> Back in the present, Dottie is reunited with several other players, including Kit, whom she has not seen in several years . The fates of several of the characters are revealed: Jimmy, Bob, and Evelyn have died, while Marla has been married to Nelson, a man she met in a bar, for over 40 years . The original Peaches sing a team song composed by Evelyn and pose for a group photo . </P>

Who wins in a league of their own