Well said, Bull Durham isn't a sports movie. For a movie to qualify as a sports movie something about the sport must be relevant. Either the climax is tied to the big game or a milestone achievement, or the sport plays a role in the growth/decisions of the protagaonists. None of that happens here.

I think the point Miles makes to Hurley about this being their present and this being Ben's past is important in understanding Desmond's specialness. Desmond's unique ability is that no matter what happens to him, past, present or future, he is able to see it in his present.