If you think a group of juvenile misfits yelling potty-mouth comments whenever they speak is funny, then Bad News Bears should be on your must-see list. This remake of the Walter Matthau hit from 1976 resembles a toilet overflowing with scatological humor. And, Billy Bob Thornton, who already showed viewers he could be the raunchiest guy ever in Bad Santa, takes over Matthau’s role as a lush hired to shape up the kids into a respectable Little League baseball team.

Directed by Richard Linklater, Bad News Bears lacks the contagious appeal of his very amusing and energetic School of Rock, which also dealt with an eccentric individual (Jack Black) trying to impart knowledge to youngsters. In contrast to Black’s passionate character, Thornton’s “Morris Buttermaker” exudes indifference, if not downright malice, toward his subjects -- and that’s Strike One for Bad News Bears.     

Strike Two involves poor casting choices. Why select a baseball player instead of an actress for the key role of Amanda (portrayed so brilliantly by Tatum O’Neal in 1976)? Sami Kraft excels on the pitching mound but falters in many scenes that require dramatic talent. Although Thornton’s character keeps reminding us that Amanda is only 12 years old, she looks much older than the other team members. And, why cast such mumbly youngsters -- no matter how diverse and promising -- as the teammates? Most of the time, the only words I understood were the ones not expected to be spoken by youngsters their age. Also, why put Oscar-winner Marcia Kay Harden (for Pollack) in a film like this and encourage her to ham it up so dreadfully as a single mom attracted to Buttermaker’s “bad boy” image? Fortunately, Greg Kinnear (Auto Focus) manages to deliver a believable performance as a rival coach whose obsession with winning finally gets the best of him.

The final blow -- Strike Three -- comes for doing a remake of The Bad News Bears in the first place. Thirty years ago, the concept of a coach learning to be better person through his efforts to help a motley bunch of kids become better players seemed like a fresh theme. But now, it’s old-hat. Already this year, we’ve had Kicking & Screaming, Coach Carter and Rebound -- the first two being much better films.

However, here’s some good news about Bad News Bears: baseball fans might enjoy the unusual training program Buttermaker designs for his players as well as the sexy sponsors he recruits to cheer for the team. Sadly, I don’t think that’s enough points to win the game.  

(Released by Paramount Pictures and rated “PG-13” for rude behavior, language throughout, sexuality and thematic elements.)