The movie "The Final Season," which opened Sunday in Cedar Rapids and in theaters nationwide Friday, is based on the story of the 1991 Norway Iowa baseball team. The film also depicts the real life drama of small towns fighting to survive. In 1990, Norway High School merged with Benton Community. Like most school mergers, the decision generated a lot of hard feelings among the town’s residents.
Kent Stock, who was the coach of the ’91 Norway team, admits the movie could open some old wounds. "That’s always one of those things you have to be concerned about," Stock said, "but it’s a true story." Stock spoke to Radio Iowa in Cedar Rapids Sunday, prior to attending the Iowa premiere of "The Final Season." Stock has worked in small school districts in Iowa, and is currently a middle school principal in the Linn-Mar School District.
"I understand the consolidations and the things that go through like that across the county," Stock said, "and it’s not always pretty, but it’s sometimes inevitable." Stock says he read every script, and says while much of the movie is fictional, he’s comfortable with the final edit. Stock is portrayed on the big screen by Sean Astin.