Ah, baseball. The Great American Pastime. The sport that brought us Babe Ruth, a nationally shared hatred for New York and the disastrous tragedy that was 1979s Disco Demolition Night. But baseball’s most significant contribution to American history has come in the form of some of the greatest family films ever made.

From “Little Big League” to “A Kid in King Arthur’s Court,” the Awesome Baseball Family Film genre has been snubbed by high-profile awards ceremonies for years. “Forrest Gump” beats out ensemble-powered classic “Major League II” for Best Picture? Get your head in the game, Oscars. No wonder nobody respects you anymore. And Matt LeBlanc definitely deserved at least a nomination for his performance in “Ed.”

But two films stand far above the rest. Two films that define greatness. Two films that stand the test of time better than any other film — better than “Casablanca,” better than “Citizen Kane,” even better than “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Two films that will make you wonder if Shakespeare, Faulkner and Goethe had come back to life to create two of the finest masterworks the world has ever known. If you haven’t guessed the films by now, then you are a sorry sod. Those classics are “Rookie of the Year” and “The Sandlot.” The only question that remains regarding their merits: which is better?

Both have a lot going for them. Hilarious, touching and ever-poignant, they remain testament to the triumph of human spirit in the face of adversity—or, in the case of the films, a crazy-bearded Yankee slugger and a giant dog. They improve with each viewing, as each subtle acting nuance, each witty line of dialogue and each carefully calculated direction becomes more impressive each time they are seen. Now, we have a job to do: analyze to see which film is superior and thus quite possibly the greatest film ever made.

We’ll start with the plots of the two. “Rookie of the Year” tells the tale of a young man who, upon slipping on a baseball (a warning of the recklessness of youth from writer Sam Harper), is forced to wear a cast, tightening his tendons. Suddenly, he possesses a super-strong arm capable of throwing a fastball 105 miles per hour and is drafted by the Chicago Cubs. “The Sandlot” features a more personal, heartwarming, even humanistic story of a young man who discovers baseball one summer when he accidentally hits his (possibly abusive) stepfather’s autographed baseball into the perilous backyard of a psychotic blind man played by James Earl Jones. “Rookie” definitely wins as far as reliving childhood fantasies goes, but I’ll be darned if I ever hear Darth Vader’s voice again without thinking of the dread invoked by Jones’ turn in “Sandlot.”

Next is the issue of lead protagonist. “Rookie’s” Henry Rowengartner (“American Pie’s” Thomas Ian Nicholas) is the kid you wanted and probably still want to be. He’s just so cool. Look at how he gels his hair. He’s like a younger, sexier, more athletic Zack Morris. “The Sandlot’s” Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry, who was in an episode of “Law and Order: SVU”), on the other hand, is the hyper-annoying kid in fifth grade that you not only hated but weren’t ashamed of hating. He’s a total square. An L-7 weenie. Henry would totally beat this kid up if they ever met. And I hope they do. “Rookie” clearly wins here.

Both excel at integrating social commentary into their stories. Henry’s mom’s boyfriend represents corporate greed at its slimiest. His coach’s inability to pronounce his name (“GARDENHOSAH!”) represents our nation’s all-too-real adult illiteracy problem. But nothing compares to the brutal honesty of “The Sandlot’s” attack on America’s history of misogyny represented by Hamilton “Ham” Porter’s insult, “You play ball like a girl.” Thirteen years later, it still stings.

Then comes the category of supporting cast, ultimately the deciding factor. Sure, “Rookie” has a pre-psychosis Gary Busey and Daniel Stern at his zaniest. But nothing compares to “Sandlot’s” roster: the insightful sexual deviant Squints, the sympathetic mentally challenged Yeah-Yeah, the unforgettable Benny Rodriguez. Even Denis Leary appears, which would be a fault were it not for the fact that he beans the annoying main kid in the eye with a baseball. Only “The Mighty Ducks” can compete with “Sandlot” as far as film ensembles go.

In the end, “The Sandlot” wins- the cast is just too good, too charming, too sweet. “Rookie of the Year” makes a great case, but it lacks the depth and humanity that “Sandlot” is all too happy to provide. It’s hardly fair, because “Sandlot” would win for its legendary “s’more” and “FOR-EV-ER” tree house scene alone. For a complete experience, watch both. But if you have to choose one, it’s gotta be a night with Squints, Benny, Ham, The Beast and “The Sandlot.”