Crash Davis (Kevin Costner) is a seasoned minor league baseball player who is hired by the Durham Bulls to mentor a young and talented pitcher named Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh (Tim Robbins). Nuke has a strong arm but lacks control and discipline on the mound.
Crash and Nuke have very different personalities and approaches to the game. Crash is a wise and experienced veteran who values hard work and discipline, while Nuke is a talented but wild and immature player who relies on his natural abilities rather than studying the game.
As they work together, Crash teaches Nuke the mental and physical aspects of pitching, as well as the importance of teamwork and professionalism. Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon), an avid fan of the Bulls and self-proclaimed "baseball groupie," becomes attracted to both men and sets her sights on seducing them both.
Annie becomes a mentor to Nuke as well, teaching him about the spiritual side of the game and encouraging him to embrace his wild side. However, as she becomes more involved with both men, Annie finds herself torn between them and her own desires.
Meanwhile, the Bulls struggle on the field and the pressure mounts as they fight for a spot in the playoffs. As the season comes to a dramatic end, Crash, Nuke, and Annie must face their fears and make tough decisions about their future in baseball and in life.