Baseball has been good to Kevin Costner. Starring in his third baseball-related movie (“Bull Durham” and “Field Of Dreams” being first and second), he shines as usual and makes non-baseball fans interested in the sport for an hour or two.

In “For Love of The Game,” Costner plays Billy Chapel, whose brilliant 19-year career in baseball pitching for the Detroit Tigers is about to take an unexpected turn.

On the day of a game he is supposed to pitch, the owner of the team tells Billy that he has sold the team and the new owners want to trade him to San Francisco.

Billy comes to the conclusion that he should either retire or move across the country.

He has to make his decision that day.

On the same day, his girlfriend Jane, played by Kelly Preston, tells him that she is moving to London. After being on the rocks with Jane for a while, Billy doesn’t know what to say as she walks away and out of his life.

The movie takes place during the course of one game against the Yankees in New York City, which is where Jane lives.

Between innings, Billy flashes back to his and Jane’s five-year relationship, including when they met, the bumps they endured and the good times they spent together.

The flashbacks last all the way up to a few months before the present day when the two of them have a falling out.

He also has flashbacks to other times in his baseball career, including times when he helped younger guys with their game.

One of the neatest effects in “For Love Of The Game” is when Billy is on the mound and is able block out all of the noise and distraction that surrounds him and just concentrate on the batter at the plate.

Costner is already tabbed as one of the best actors of his time (minus duds like “The Postman”), and this movie doesn’t smudge his reputation.

His portrayal of a very humble and charming individual with small hints of a smart-ass is believable and fun to watch, similar to his role in “Tin Cup.” Costner’s acting is at its best when he is talking to himself on the mound and making comments about other players.

Preston is also rather underrated at this point in her career but is someone to look for in the future. She was great at the playing the witch in “Jerry McGuire,” but in this movie, she is a sweetheart and you find yourself falling in love with her faster than Billy does.

Though the movie moves a little slowly and is not particularly funny, the storyline and the great acting keep you interested.

“For Love Of The Game” is one of the better love stories of the year and would make a great date flick. Expect to cry a little at the end.

After making out with Tom Cruise in “Jerry McGuire” and now Costner, acting has been good to Kelly Preston.

Your mom will be jealous of her.

3 1/2 STARS

Ratings based on a 5 STAR scale.

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Kyle Moss is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale.