The Wonder Years - Transcript

Episode 42: "The Unnatural"

Written by Ian Gurvitz
Transcribed by Kyle Gittins
Edited by Peter Reynders



OPENING SEQUENCE



(Black-and-white shot of inside a baseball stadium as the camera pans across.)

NARRATOR:There's a dream that's as old as natural grass, and nickel hot dogs...

(Close-up B/W clip of baseball player Bobby Thomson holding a bat).

NARRATOR:And being young.

(Clip of the pitcher in his wind-up.)

(Clip of the pitcher and batter as the pitcher pitches.)

ANNOUNCER RUSS HODGES (V/O): Branca throws...

(The batter hits the ball.)

(B/W clip of spectators rising from their seats.)

ANNOUNCER (V/O): There's a long drive...

(Clip of the pitcher turning and watching the ball.)

ANNOUNCER (V/O): It's gonna be, I believe...

(Clip of the stands as the ball goes over the fence.

ANNOUNCER (V/O): The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!

(Clip of Thomson running toward second base.)

ANNOUNCER (V/O): The Giants win the pennant!

(Close shot of spectators cheering and clapping.)

(Close shot of one young man raising his arms in jubilation.)

(Clip of Thomson rounding third base and the catcher walking away.)

ANNOUNCER (V/O): The Giants win the pennant! Bobby Thomson hits it into the lower deck of the left-field stands....

(Teammates crowd around home plate as Thomson crosses it.)

NARRATOR:It's a dream every kid shares.

(The players celebrate.)

NARRATOR:The one big moment. Hero time.

Fade to

Home Movies

(Shot of young Kevie picking up a baseball. Apparently it is a NORCOM company picnic - they all wear NORCOM T-shirts.)

NARRATOR:Of course, when you're five...

(Jack smiles and hops around Kevin, trying not to get tagged out.)

NARRATOR:That dream doesn't seem out of reach.

(Shot of young Kevie looking at the camera, then turning away.)

(Shot of young Wayne (?) swinging at a pitch and missing.)

NARRATOR:Everyone plays the game about the same.

(Shot of the catcher tossing the ball toward Kevie. The ball rolls through his legs as he bends down.)

NARRATOR:Bad.

(Shot of a young girl bending down as the ball rolls toward her.)

NARRATOR:Still, for all your short-comings...

(The ball bounces off her glove, and a group of kids scramble for it.)

(Shot of Wayne (?) hitting the ball.)

NARRATOR:You've got the one thing that matters most.

(He hesitates, then runs off toward first base.)

NARRATOR:Potential.

(Shot of Jack taking the bat from little Kevie, who takes off his batting helmet.)

NARRATOR:Then...

(Jack, Kevie and others run off.)

NARRATOR:As springtime rolls into fall, and Little League gives way to summer jobs...somehow...

(Close shot of homeplate, and a hat and helmet next to it.)

NARRATOR:The dream gets left behind.

Fade to

Int. Day - School Hallway

(Close shot of the bulletin board which has a sign reading "Baseball Tryouts - Sign Up", and a clipboard below it.)

NARRATOR:For most of us, anyway.

(Close shot of Paul turning from the bulletin board and smiling at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: Hey, I might try out for the team this year! (Smiles.)

(Wider shot of both standing face-to-face, as Paul flips through his notebook.)

NARRATOR:Of course, there was the occasional glaring exception.

(Close shot of Paul looking down and frowning.)

(Close shot of Kevin shaking his head.)

KEVIN: Paul, you're nuts. (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen and frowning slightly.)

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: You're gonna be up against ninth-graders. Only the best guys make the team!

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: Come on - you love baseball. Wouldn't you like to play on the team? (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

PAUL: (V/O): I mean...

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: You hit almost as good as I do.

NARRATOR:My mother hit better than Paul did.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: This isn't Little League. Some of these guys can throw, like...(frowns)...a thousand mile an hour!

(Close shot of Paul frowning at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: No duh!

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Still, the great thing about my best friend was...

(Wider shot of both standing face-to-face as Paul smiles.)

NARRATOR:He never gave in to reality.

PAUL: Come on, Kev - think about it! The smell of the grass...(Smiles.) The crack of the bat...(gestures)...in your hands...

(Closer shot of Paul looking off as "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" starts.)

PAUL: The breeze blowing in from the outfield...The feeling you get when the ball hits...(gestures)...smack in the webbing! (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

PAUL (V/O): The roar of the crowds! The smell of the hotdogs!

(Shot past Kevin as Paul dramatically sweeps his hand toward the sign-up sheet and looks at Kevin.)

PAUL: Kevin - this is baseball!

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: Anything is possible!

(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)

NARRATOR:Aw, heck.

(Shot past Kevin of Paul as he looks down, then pats his pockets. The music fades out.)

NARRATOR:It wasn't up to me...

(Kevin reaches for the pencil tucked behind Paul's ear.)

NARRATOR:To smash Paul's dream.

(Shot past Paul of Kevin holding up the pencil and frowning.)

(Shot past Kevin of Paul smiling and nodding. Paul reaches for the pencil as another hand simultaneously reaches for it.)

BOY (V/O): Excuse me.

(A large boy takes the pencil and steps between Kevin and Paul.)

NARRATOR:There were plenty of other guys...

(Shot past Paul and the boy of Kevin leaning over slightly and frowning at Paul.)

NARRATOR:To do that.

(Shot past Kevin of the boy and Paul. Paul frowns as the boy steps back and hands the pencil to him.)

BOY (V/O): Thanks.

(Wider shot of all three as the boy exits. Kevin and Paul look after him as Paul frowns, then Paul looks at Kevin.)

PAUL: Anything can happen.

(Paul hurriedly bends down and starts to write on the sign-up sheet.)

NARRATOR:Well, I was his best friend...

(Shot past Paul of Kevin raising an eye-brow and looking at the sign-up list.)

(Close shot of Paul writing on the sign-up sheet.)

NARRATOR:And if he was determined to go through with this...

(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking at the sign-up sheet.)

NARRATOR:There was only one thing I could do.

Cut to

Ext. Day - Baseball Field

(Close shot of a baseball catcher holding his glove out as he catches the ball.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Stee-rike two!

(The camera pans up to Paul, holding the bat, looking toward the ball. He is wearing a baseball shirt and batting helmet.)

NARRATOR:Watch him go down in flames.

(Paul frowns.)

(Shot through a chain-link fence of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Lomax...

(Close shot of Coach Baker looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: You holdin' back?

NARRATOR:Coach Baker. The guy who made the decisions.

(Shot of the pitcher frowning and shaking his head.)

NARRATOR:The guy who stood between you...and the dream.

(Shot through the chain-link fence of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

NARRATOR:The guy...

(Close shot of the coach looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: You're throwin' like a girl!

NARRATOR:Who called you a girl.

(Close shot of the coach looking toward the pitcher off-screen as he squats down slightly.)

COACH BAKER: Start followin' through! Keep the ball down!

(Shot from Kevin's perspective through the fence of the coach, Paul, and the pitcher.)

NARRATOR:It wasn't fair, really - those other guys had skills Paul didn't.

(Close shot of Paul looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Like hand-eye coordination. Somebody...

(Shot through the chain-link fence of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Had to give him a little support.

KEVIN: Hey, Paul!

(Shot through the chain-link fence of Paul looking over his shoulder and frowning.)

(Shot through the chain-link fence of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: Don't let him fool you with his curve ball. (Frowns.)

(Close shot of the coach as he turns over his shoulder and frowns at Kevin off-screen.)

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen, slightly surprised.)

PAUL: That was his NARRATOR:curve ball?

(Shot through the chain-link fence of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

(Close shot of the coach frowning at Kevin off-screen, then turning toward the pitcher off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Keep workin' on your stretch!

(Shot of the pitcher frowning slightly.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): And don't forget to follow through!

(The pitcher takes his stance.)

(Shot through the chain-link fence of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: Open your stance up a little bit!

(Shot from Kevin's perspective through the fence of the coach, Paul, and the pitcher.)

KEVIN (V/O): And don't crowd the plate! And keep the bat up!

(The coach glances over his shoulder at Kevin off-screen, then looks at the pitcher.)

COACH BAKER: Keep your *kit* down!

KEVIN: Just...

(Close shot past the coach of Kevin behind the fence.)

KEVIN: Try to get a piece of it! (Gestures.)

(The coach looks over his shoulder at Kevin.)

NARRATOR:OK.

(Shot past Kevin of the coach looking toward Kevin and frowning, then toward the field as he resumes his position.)

NARRATOR:So maybe we separate agendas, here.

(Shot through the chain-link fence of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen.)

NARRATOR:But at least now, Paul had a chance of...

(Close shot of Paul looking toward the pitcher as the ball blows by him.)

(Close shot of the catcher as he catches the ball.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Strike three!

(Close shot of Paul frowning toward the ball off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Looking good while he struck out.

(Shot of Paul, the catcher, the coach and Kevin. Paul still holds the bat up, looking at the catcher.)

COACH BAKER: It's OK, Pfeiffer...

(The coach steps toward Paul.)

COACH BAKER: That's the way to stand in there.

(Paul walks toward the bleachers, dropping the bat on homeplate.)

NARRATOR:Well, at least...

(Paul flips the batting helmet off.)

NARRATOR:He couldn't say I hadn't warned him.

(Kevin walks along the fence to join Paul.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Anybody else? Come on - let's get another batter up here...

(Kevin and Paul pause and face each other.)

KEVIN: Don't worry about it. (Gestures.)

(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking down and frowning.)

PAUL: I struck out.

(Shot past Paul of Kevin as they start to walk off.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Hey, kid!

(Kevin pauses and looks toward the coach off-screen.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: What's NARRATOR:your name?

(Shot of Kevin and Paul glancing at each other, then Kevin looks at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Kevin. (Nods.) Arnold.

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Want to take an at bat, Arnold?

(The coach flips the bat up and catches it.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul glancing at each other, then Kevin looks at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: No...

(He smiles and shakes his head.)

KEVIN: No. No, thanks.

COACH BAKER (V/O): Why not?

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: If you can hit...half as good as you coach...

(He flips the bat up again.)

COACH BAKER: We might be able to use you.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: No, no, I really didn't come to try out, so...(Shrugs.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: That's up to you. (Shrugs.)

(He looks toward the field and raises his voice.)

COACH BAKER: I guess it's a lot NARRATOR:easier...

(He looks toward Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Staring at a fastball...behind the fence, huh? (Smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul glancing at each other.)

NARRATOR:Well, I had a choice.

(Kevin looks over his shoulder.)

NARRATOR:I could either stand here, and let this guy embarrass me...

(Shot of a player looking at Kevin off-screen.)

(Shot of the pitcher frowning and shaking his head slightly.)

NARRATOR:In front of everybody...

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Or...

(Kevin looks at the coach off-screen.)

(Close shot of the coach smiling at Kevin off-screen.)

(Close shot of a batting helmet in the coach's hands as Kevin takes it.)

NARRATOR:I could do it myself. After all...

(The camera pans up to Kevin.)

NARRATOR:This wasn't my NARRATOR:tryout.

(Kevin pats the helmet onto his head, looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

(Shot of the pitcher looking at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:I was just gonna stand up there...

(Shot of Kevin, the catcher, and the coach as umpire - wearing no protective gear.)

NARRATOR:And take three swings.

(Shot of the pitcher throwing the ball.)

(Shot of Kevin hitting the ball.)

NARRATOR:Or...maybe just one.

(Close shot of Paul looking toward the field.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the field.)

BOY (V/O): Pick 'em up! Pick 'em up! Pick 'em up! (Shot from the infield of the ball landing in shallow center field, and rolling past a boy who runs after it.)

KID (V/O): Get the ball - hurry!

(Shot of Kevin, the catcher, and the coach looking toward the ball off-screen. Kevin and the coach smile.)

Cut to

Int. Day - Kitchen

(Close shot a baseball being thrown into a glove. The camera pans up to Paul, sitting in a chair, looking down.)

PAUL: I can't believe this happened.

(Wider shot of Paul sitting on a chair facing the kitchen, as Kevin sets his jacket on the table.)

KEVIN: Me either.

PAUL: Man, the first pitch, and you nailed it.

(Paul tosses the ball into his glove, and looks at Kevin.)

PAUL: A lucky hit.

(Kevin frowns and gestures as he approaches the camera.)

KEVIN: Sure.

PAUL: He almost got it by you...

(Shot of the refrigerator as Kevin passes the camera, then turns and frowns at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: I know.

(Kevin opens the refrigerator.)

PAUL (V/O): You swung so late...

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: You put it in the opposite field. (Shrugs.)

(Close shot of Kevin reaching in the refrigerator.)

NARRATOR:Well, it was NARRATOR:understandable.

(Kevin looks over his shoulder at Paul off-screen and frowns.)

NARRATOR:What did I expect from Paul?

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Congratulations? A candy-gram?

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: Look, Paul - it was just a lucky hit, OK? (Frowns.) I mean, there's no way I'm goin' back!

(Close shot of Paul looking down as he tosses the ball in his glove.)

NARRATOR:And I wasn't.

(Paul looks at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Our long-standing friendship...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Meant more to me than -

JACK (V/O): Going back where?

(Kevin looks off and frowns, slightly surprised.)

(Shot of the front of the refrigerator door as Kevin rises behind it.)

(Shot from behind Kevin at the open door of Jack in the living room doorway.)

(Shot of the refrigerator door and Kevin.)

KEVIN: Baseball tryouts.

(Shot from behind Kevin at the open door of Jack in the living room doorway.)

JACK: Oh...

(Jack frowns and nods slightly in thought.)

NARRATOR:But wait a minute.

(Jack passes Kevin and approaches the camera slowly. Kevin turns after him.)

NARRATOR:Was that an actual glimmer of interest in the old man's eye?

(Close shot of Jack turning toward Kevin off-screen.)

JACK: You tried out for baseball?

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Jack off-screen.)

(Close shot of Jack looking off.)

JACK: Hmmm. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin smiling at Jack off-screen.)

NARRATOR:There's nothin' quite like the feeling you get when your father...

(Close shot of Jack smiling slightly at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:"Hmmm's" at you with pride in his eyes.

(Close shot of Kevin smiling at Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: Well...

(He looks off.)

PAUL (V/O): No...

(Shot past Kevin of Jack and Paul. Jack tosses the ball up.)

PAUL: He just made this one lucky hit.

(Jack looks at Paul.)

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: It wasn't luck, Paul! (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Paul frowning in disbelief at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:So much for long-standing friendships.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen, then smiling at Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: I nailed it on the first pitch. (Gestures.)

(Shot past Kevin of Jack and Paul.)

JACK: So...

(Jack tosses the baseball up and catches it.)

JACK: You went out for the team? (Smiles.)

PAUL: Not really. He just -

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: Yeah, I did! (Nods.)

(Kevin looks at Jack off-screen, and smiles slightly as he shrugs.)

KEVIN: I thought I'd give it a shot.

(Close shot of Jack looking at Kevin off-screen.)

JACK: So? Did ya make the team?

(Close shot of Kevin glancing off.)

KEVIN: Well...

(Kevin looks at Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: There are still some more tryouts, but the coach told me to come back tomorrow.

(Shot past Kevin of Jack and Paul.)

JACK: No kiddin'?

(Jack smiles a little, then tosses the ball to Paul.)

(Close shot of Paul as he catches the ball.)

(Shot of Kevin smiling slightly as Jack passes the camera and approaches him.)

NARRATOR:Yep, when your dad looked at you like that...

(Jack quickly pokes Kevin in the stomach.)

(Close shot of Kevin smiling as he doubles up.)

NARRATOR:You felt like you could do anything.

(Kevin looks at Paul as Jack opens the refrigerator.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - Baseball Field

(Close shot of the baseball catcher holding his glove out as he catches the ball.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Strike one!

NARRATOR:Well...

(The camera pans up to Kevin, who frowns at the ball, then looks off.)

(Shot of the pitcher looking at Kevin and nodding slightly.)

NARRATOR:Almost anything.

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Come on, Arnold. Nice, easy swing - just like you did yesterday.

(Wider shot of Kevin and the catcher as Kevin looks toward the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Right. Got it.

(Close shot of Kevin talking to himself as he looks toward the pitcher off-screen and gets set for the next pitch.)

KEVIN: Alright. Nice easy swing. Just relax.

(Shot of the pitcher stepping onto the mound.)

NARRATOR:Sure, "relax".

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Nothin' on the line here, right? Except...

JACK (V/O): Come on, Kev!

(Kevin looks past the camera and frowns.)

(Shot of Jack approaching behind the bleachers with his jacket over his shoulder, looking at Kevin off-screen.)

JACK: Give it a rip!

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Jack off-screen, and dropping the bat slightly.)

NARRATOR:My entire adolescent manhood.

(Shot of Jack clapping a few times.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

NARRATOR:OK - the pressure was on.

(Shot of the pitcher throwing the ball.)

NARRATOR:But...I was up to it.

(Shot of the catcher and Kevin as Kevin swings.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Strike two!

(Shot of Jack looking toward Kevin off-screen.)

JACK: Give it a little ride, Kev!

(Close shot of Kevin smiling slightly at Jack off-screen.)

NARRATOR:All I needed here was a little concentration.

(Kevin looks toward the pitcher off-screen and gets set.)

NARRATOR:All I had to do was make contact.

(Shot of the pitcher throwing the ball.)

NARRATOR:All I had to do was...

(Shot of the catcher and Kevin as Kevin swings.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Strike three!

NARRATOR:Whiff.

(Close shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder toward the ball and frowning.)

(Shot of Jack looking toward Kevin off-screen and making a fist.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Alright, Martin - you're up. Come on.

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Arnold? Take over at second.

(Shot of the catcher and Kevin as Martin approaches him Kevin takes off his batting helmet.)

NARRATOR:OK, then. I'd have to hit the field...

(Kevin hands the helmet and bat to Martin and takes Martin's glove.)

NARRATOR:And try to save a little face.

(Some energetic Snuffy guitar plays.)

(Close shot of Kevin playing short-stop. Crack of the bat, and Kevin tires to cut off the ball, falling down.)

(Another shot of Kevin stepping toward a ball whihc bounces past him.)

(Another shot of Kevin reaching down for a ground ball, which hits him on the foot, and he stumbles.)

(Another shot of Kevin trying to field a ground ball, and falling down.)

(Another shot of Kevin looking up, then covering his head as a fly ball lands near him.)

(Wider shot of Kevin running toward a ground ball and missing it, then falling down and rolling over to a sitting position on the dirt. Sound of a whistle which ends the music.)

NARRATOR:Or fall on it.

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the coach and Jack standing near a bench on the sideline.)

COACH BAKER: Alright - let's hit the showers!

(Close shot of Kevin frowning toward them off-screen as he rises.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Let's go! Let's go!

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the coach and Jack standing near a bench on the sideline.)

COACH BAKER: I'll have the list up when you get out.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning toward them off-screen.)

NARRATOR:And there ya had it.

(Kevin trots past the camera.)

NARRATOR:Time to face up to reality.

(Close shot of the coach and Jack talking to each other and smiling as Kevin passes the camera and approaches them.)

NARRATOR:Take my medicine like a loser.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Coach, uh...

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: You made a couple of good plays out there.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen, slightly startled.)

NARRATOR:What?

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Let's try to make a few more, tomorrow. OK? (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen, slightly startled.)

NORMA (V/O): You made the...

Cut to

Int. Evening - Kitchen

(Close shot of Norma stirring a pot and smiling at Kevin off-screen.)

NORMA: Cut?! (Smiles.)

NARRATOR:Uh-huh...

(Close shot of Kevin at the table, looking at Norma off-screen.)

KEVIN: Uh-huh.

NARRATOR:I'd made the first cut.

(Shot of Wayne entering from the living room.)

NARRATOR:Never mind I had no idea why.

(He looks at Kevin off-screen.)

WAYNE: I didn't know they had tryouts for NARRATOR:batboys. (Gestures.)

JACK (V/O): Hey...

(Wayne smiles and swings an imaginary bat.)

JACK (V/O): Knock it off.

(Wider shot of Kevin and Jack at the table looking at Wayne off-screen.)

JACK: Your brother did good out there today. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Norma smiling at Kevin off-screen.)

NORMA: Really?

(Close shot of Jack looking at Norma off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Really?

JACK: Coach says he has potential. (Smiles.)

NARRATOR:Yeah, that must be it.

(Jack looks at Kevin off-screen and smiles.)

NARRATOR:"Potential".

(Close shot of Kevin glancing off and smiling.)

NARRATOR:The magic word.

(Shot past Kevin of Wayne at the open refrigerator as Norma approaches with a plate and glass. The camera pans slightly as she approaches Jack.)

NORMA: Well, congratulations, honey. (Smiles.)

(Jack takes the glass from her.)

(Shot of Kevin looking off and smiling.)

KEVIN: So, Dad. (Nods.)

(Kevin looks toward Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: You and Coach Baker talked for a long time.

(Close shot of Jack nodding as he chews.)

NARRATOR:Anything besides potential come up?

(Jack takes a sip of his drink.)

(Close shot of Kevin smiling toward Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: So what'd he say about me, Dad? (Smiles.)

NARRATOR:Don't leave anything out, now.

(Close shot of Jack nodding and frowning as he takes a drink.)

NARRATOR:Adjectives...superlatives...

(Jack looks at Kevin off-screen and gestures with a carrot.)

JACK: Oh, yeah...

(Jack looks at Norma off-screen.)

JACK: Kevin's coach...

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Norma standing next to Jack as they look at each other.)

JACK: Is Ted Baker.

NORMA: NARRATOR:No! (Smiles.)

JACK: Uh-hmmm.

(Jack nods emphatically.)

(Close shot of Kevin pausing, then looking toward Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: You know the coach? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Jack looking at Kevin off-screen.)

JACK: Yeah, we were in the Corps together. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

NARRATOR:How interesting...

(Kevin looks toward Jack off-screen.)

NARRATOR:But back to the old superlatives.

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Norma standing next to Jack as they look at each other.)

NORMA: How's his wife?

(Norma puts her hand on Jack's shoulder.)

NORMA: What was her name?

JACK: Arlene. You know...(gestures)...both of his kids are in college already?

(Norma tilts her head back in mock disbelief.)

NORMA: No!

(Close shot of Kevin frowning toward Jack off-screen.)

JACK (V/O): Uh-hmm.

NARRATOR:Fascinating. But what did that have to do with meNARRATOR:?

(Close shot of Jack frowning as he takes a sip from his drink.)

JACK: Ted invited me...

(Jack looks at Norma off-screen.)

JACK: Back for tomorrow. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Jack off-screen.)

(Close shot of Jack turning to Kevin off-screen. He raises an eye-brow and nods as he smiles.)

NARRATOR:Woops.

Cut to

Ext. Day - Baseball Field

(Shot of Kevin approaching the camera as he tires to field a ground ball, and dropping it.)

NARRATOR:Here's what it had to do with me.

(Close shot of Kevin looking off and frowning.)

NARRATOR:Errors...bobbles...

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the coach and Jack standing near a bench on the sideline.)

NARRATOR:Humiliation...

(Close shot of Kevin looking off and frowning.)

(Shot of a batter and the catcher as the batter tosses the ball up and hits it.)

(Wide shot of Kevin running forward, catching the ball, and sliding on top of the grass, accompanied by the sound of a cheering crowd.)

NARRATOR:Not that I didn't have my moments.

(Close shot of Kevin smiling and looking toward Jack and the coach off-screen, and holding up to ball.)

NARRATOR:It's just that my NARRATOR:moments seemed to interfere...

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the coach and Jack at the bleachers talking to each other and laughing. the crowd noise fades quickly.)

(Close shot of Kevin frowning toward Jack and the coach off-screen.)

NARRATOR:With their NARRATOR:moments.

Cut to

Locker Room

(Shot of Kevin sitting on the bench with his back to another boy, as he buttons his shirt and looks off.)

KEVIN: Five errors.

(The boy looks at him.)

BOY1: Six...

(Another boy approaches and squeezes the other boy's shoulder.)

BOY2: Hey, there's always tomorrow, guys.

(The boy pats Kevin's shoulder and exits past the camera.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the coach at the door, looking in his direction.)

NARRATOR:But I doubted it.

(The coach takes a fews teps forward and pauses.)

COACH BAKER: Sorry, kid.

(Shot of Kevin and the boy looking toward the coach as he passes the camera and approaches.)

(Close shot of the coach frowning.)

COACH BAKER: I had to cut ya.

(Shot of Kevin and the boy. Kevin glances toward him as the boy looks down and the coach squeezes his shoulder.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Better luck next time.

(Close shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder at the boy off-screen.)

(Close shot of the boy rolling his eyes and shrugging.)

(Close shot of the coach looking down as he pulls a pencil from behind his ear.)

(Shot of Kevin, the boy, and the coach's clipboard, as the coach draws a line through the boy's name while Kevin watches.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Arnold?

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: I'll see you tomorrow. (Smiles.)

(Coach Baker exits.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking after the coach off-screen.)

NARRATOR:What was goin' on here?

(Kevin looks off and frowns.)

NARRATOR:It didn't add up. Potential was one thing, but...

BOY1 (V/O): Too bad...

(Shot past Kevin of the boy looking at him.)

BOY1: NARRATOR:My dad's not so buddy-buddy with the coach. (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder at the boy off-screen, then looking off.)

Cut to

Baseball Field

(Wide shot of the infield as Jack swings a bat. Kevin passes the camera and walks across the pitcher's mound.)

NARRATOR:"Buddy-buddy with the coach"?

(Close shot of Kevin pausing and looking at Jack off-screen.)

(Shot from behind Kevin of Jack holding the bat and ball.)

JACK: Congratulations. Teddy said you made the cut. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Jack off-screen, then glancing off.)

NARRATOR:"Teddy"?

(Shot from behind Kevin as Jack gestures with the bat and ball.)

JACK: I found these out here. You can take 'em back tomorrow.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: OK.

(Shot from behind Kevin of Jack looking at him.)

JACK: Come on. (Shrugs.)

(Jack tosses the ball to Kevin.)

JACK: Toss me a couple.

(Close shot of Kevin as he catches the ball then looks at Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: Dad...(Frowns.)

(Close shot of Jack looking over his shoulder at Kevin off-screen as he walks to the batter's box.)

JACK: Come NARRATOR:on. (Frowns.) See if you can get one past your old man. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Jack off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Part of me wanted to know the truth. And part of me didn't.

(Kevin frowns and turns.)

(Wide shot of Kevin dropping his books and starting to take off his jackeet. Jack is at the batter's box in the background.)

JACK: OK, now - gimme your best shot.

(Close shot of Kevin removing his jacket.)

JACK (V/O): Teddy says your arm needs work.

(Kevin looks at Jack off-screen as he puts his glove on.)

(Shot past Kevin of Jack swinging the bat slowly in front of him.)

(Shot of Kevin as he pitches the ball.)

(Wide shot from behind Kevin as Jack catches the ball.)

(Closer shot of Jack.)

JACK: Come on...no creampuffs!

(Jack throws the ball back.)

(Close shot of Kevin catching the ball.)

NARRATOR:I didn't know what to think.

(Kevin looks at Jack off-screen.)

NARRATOR:About Dad and Coach Baker.

(Kevin leans forward with the ball behind his back.)

NARRATOR:About making the cut. About a childhood dream that just days before...

(Close shot of the ball in Kevin's hand.)

NARRATOR:Had seemed to be...in the palm of my hand.

(Shot of Jack swinging the bat.)

JACK: Fire it in, now!

(Close shot of Kevin taking his position and looking at Jack off-screen.)

NARRATOR:All I knew was, I was about to throw a baseball harder than I'd ever thrown one in my life.

(Kevin frowns as he throws the ball.)

(Shot of Jack as he swings. The camera pans slightly and changes focus to Kevin, who turns and looks after the ball off-screen.)

NARRATOR:And what had been in the palm of my hand...

(Shot of the baseball in mid-air. The camera follows it as it lands over the fence, in the street.)

NARRATOR:Was now out of the ballpark.

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the ball off-screen, frowning slightly. Sound of a dog barking.)

Fade to

Another Day - Baseball Field

(Shot of a batter standing near the pitcher's mound, tossing the ball up and hitting it.)

NARRATOR:The crack of the bat.

(High wide shot of kids on the field.)

NARRATOR:The smell of the grass.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning and looking off.)

NARRATOR:The lingering suspicion that something was rotten in the state...

(Shot of Jack and the coach talking and smiling on the sideline, looking at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Of junior high baseball.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning and looking off.)

NARRATOR:As tryouts continued...

(Shot of a batter tossing the ball up and hitting it.)

NARRATOR:I tried to put all those thoughts...

(Wide shot of Kevin in the outfield.)

BOY (V/O) Hey, Arnold!

(Kevin looks turns over his shoulder.)

NARRATOR:Behind me!

(The ball bounces onto the ground beyond him.)

BOY (V/O): Oh, come on, Arnold!

(Kevin nods and gestures.)

(Shot of Jack and the coach looking at Kevin off-screen. Jack frowns slightly in embarrassment.)

Cut to

Homeplate

(Shot of the catcher, and Kevin at bat.)

NARRATOR:And concentrate on the task at hand.

(Kevin whiffs at the pitch, stumbles backward across the plate, nearly falling down.)

(Shot of the pitcher looking at him off-screen and smiling slightly, and nodding.)

NARRATOR:But it seemed the more I concentrated, the worse I got.

(Close shot of Kevin putting the batter's helmet back on.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Arnold - will you quit aiming for the moon?

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: I'm NARRATOR:not aiming for the moon. (Frowns.)

NARRATOR:I was aiming for anything.

(Kevin looks toward the pitcher.)

Cut to

Cafeteria Line

(Shot of Paul and Kevin sliding down the line with their trays.)

PAUL: So. How'd it go at try-outs?

KEVIN: Six errors, two strike-outs. (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: Well, there's always next year. (Shrugs.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off and sighing.)

KEVIN: I made the cut. (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen slightly incredulous.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

(Shot of both as Paul looks at Kevin.)

PAUL: Congratulations. (Frowns.)

(Paul angrily sets his dish of Jell-O on his tray and exits.)

NARRATOR:This was getting to be too much.

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

Cut to

Cafeteria

(Shot across the tables of Kevin approaching the camera, frowning slightly.)

NARRATOR:What I needed to do was just sit down...

(Kevin slows up and looks at his ttray.)

NARRATOR:With my Jell-O cubes...

(Kevin looks off, then approaches the camera.)

NARRATOR:My french fries...and my girlfriend.

(Kevin sets his tray down and smiles slightly at Winnie off-screen.)

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: Hi!

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin as he sits down.)

KEVIN: Hi...

(He picks up his fork, then glances down and sighs.)

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)

WINNIE: What's wrong? (Frowns.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her, then frowning.)

KEVIN: Um, it's nothing.

(He shrugs and looks down.)

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: Kevin? (Frowns.) If something's bothering you, maybe I can help. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Well, maybe I should tell her. If anyone would understand...

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:It would be Winnie.

(She smiles slightly.)

KEVIN (V/O): Well...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen, then looking off.)

KEVIN: It's tryouts.

(Kevin looks at Winnie off-screen.)

KEVIN: You see, I'm having this problem...

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen and nodding slightly.)

WINNIE: Uh-huh...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen, then looking off.)

KEVIN: And...I can't figure it out.

(He shakes his head, then looks at Winnie off-screen.)

KEVIN: I don't know what to do.

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

KEVIN (V/O): And I'm really trying hard, ya know, cuz...it's important to me.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen, then sighing slightly.)

KEVIN: Do you understand anything at all I'm saying, Winnie?

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: I do. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

NARRATOR:OK, this was what I needed! A little dollop of feminine sensitivity.

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: Try choking up a little more.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly at Winnie off-screen.)

WINNIE (V/O): And widen your stance.

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: That'll help you get the bat around quicker, and that way your swing won't be so late, and you can meet the ball out over the plate. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off and frowning.)

NARRATOR:Great...

(Kevin looks at Winnie off-screen.)

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen, smiling and noding slightly.)

NARRATOR:Everybody's an expert.

(Sound of a sports-whistle.)

Cut to

Int. Locker Room

(Shot of two boys approaching the camera. Kevin and another boy follow them inside.)

NARRATOR:Tryout day number three.

(Kevin approaches the bench and takes his cap off.)

NARRATOR:Four strike-outs, five errors, and what's worse...

(Kevin sets his glove down.)

BOY (V/O): Congratulations, Arnold.

(Kevin looks off.)

(Shot of a boy approaching.)

BOY: You made the cut. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin as the boy passes him. Kevin approaches a window with the "list" taped to it.)

NARRATOR:OK - this had gone far enough.

Cut to

Coach Baker's Office

(Shot of the door as Kevin appears at the small window.)

NARRATOR:And now, it was time to find out why.

(Kevin enters, closing the door behind him.)

(Close shot of the coach looking up from his desk toward Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Arnold...

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

NARRATOR:Without mincing words.

(He looks at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: What time are tryouts tomorrow?

(Shot past Kevin of the coach looking off, then at Kevin.)

COACH BAKER: Same time as every day. (Gestures.)

(Close shot of Kevin nodding at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Right. (Smiles.)

(Shot past Kevin of the coach nodding slightly at him.)

NARRATOR:O-kay...

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

NARRATOR:Enough chit-chat. Let's cut to the chase.

(Kevin looks at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Why do I keep making the cuts? (Frowns.)

(Shot past Kevin of the coach looking at him, and leaning forward slowly.)

COACH BAKER: I think I know what you're gettin' at, Arnold.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen and raising an eye-brow.)

(Shot past Kevin of the coach looking at him.)

COACH BAKER: You've been making a lot of errors. And you haven't been handling the bat the way you'd like. And you're wondering...(gestures)...why I keep you around...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: I think you and I know the answer to that. His name...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Oh, no.

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Is Charlie Hustle.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Huh? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: You have a lot of desire, kid - a lot of heart! (Gestures.) That's one of the first things I look for in a player.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Really? (Smiles.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen as he leans back.)

COACH BAKER: You bet. You can keep your hot-shots who think somebody owes them a starting position. Just give me one guy who loves the game. One guy who plays his heart out. One guy you can count on.

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

NARRATOR:"One guy". Could that be me? Maybe I'd been all wrong. Maybe I did NARRATOR:have potential. Maybe making the cuts hadn't had anything at all to do with...

(Kevin smiles.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): You know...

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Your dad saved my life in Korea?

(Close shot of Kevin smiling at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Huh? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Never told ya, huh? (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly at the coach off-screen as the coach chuckles.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Doesn't surprise me. Yeah...pulled me out of the line of fire, once.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at the coach off-screen.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen, shaking his head slightly.)

COACH BAKER: There's nothing I wouldn't do for that man.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at the coach off-screen, and glancing off. Sound of an incoming artillery mortar.)

Fade to

Fantasy

(Sound of an incoming mortar as Jack and the coach, in Marine uniforms, approach and take cover behind some sandbags. Some bugle music plays.)

(Shot of approaching enemy soldiers as they fire.)

(Shot of Jack pushing the coach down, and firing at the enemy off-screen.)

(Close shot of the coach looking at Jack off-screen as the music fades.)

COACH BAKER: You saved my life!

(Close shot of Jack looking off.)

JACK: Ah, forget it.

(Close shot of the coach looking at Jack off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: No, I owe ya, Arnold. Anything - just name it!

(Shot of both.)

JACK: Well...Ya know, someday I may have a son. If you're ever in a position to put him on a baseball team, I'd really appreciate it.

COACH BAKER: Consider it done.

(Close shot of Jack looking off.)

JACK: You know, in fact...it would be nice if...

(Jack puts his unlit cigar back in his mouth.)

JACK: He were a starter.

(Close shot of the coach looking off and frowning.)

COACH BAKER: Well, you know...I can't promise anything.

(Shot of the enemy firing a mortar.)

(Close shot of Jack frowning.)

JACK: Look out!

(Jack pushes the coach down. Some debris lands on them.)

(Shot of both as Jack fires at the enemy off-screen.)

(Shot of the enemy firnig back.)

(Shot of Jack and the coach.)

(Close shot of the coach looking off.)

COACH BAKER: Ah...starter it is.

(Close shot of Jack looking off.)

JACK: Yeah. And I'm sure he'd like to play somewhere in the infield.

(Close shot of the coach looking off and frowning.)

COACH BAKER: Well, I don't know...

(Shot of Jack as he pushes the coach down again.)

JACK: Look out! Look out!

(Jack fires at the enemy again.)

(Shot of the enemy attacking.)

(Close shot of the coach glancing over his shoulder at Jack off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: How about short-stop?

(Close shot of Jack looking off.)

(Close shot of the coach looking off.)

JACK (V/O): Come on.

(Shot of Jack looking off.)

JACK: Let's get the hell outta here!

(Jack exits.)

Cut to

Int. - Living Room

(Close shot of a medic is leading another soldier toward the camera. The "Marines' Hymn" plays.)

NARRATOR:It gave a whole new meaning to the concept of war...

(The camera pulls back slowly, revealing the Army movie on TV.)

NARRATOR:Knowing that millions of brave men had gone off to fight and saved lives...

(Close shot of Kevin sitting on the couch, looking at the TV off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Just so their inept sons...

(Kevin glances off uncomfortably.)

NARRATOR:Could play junior high school baseball.

(Shot past Kevin of the TV as Jack turns it off. Music ends.)

(Close shot of Jack looking at Kevin off-screen.)

JACK: Hey, ya know? I've been thinkin'. This mitt of yours is gettin' kinda ratty.

(Shot past Jack of Kevin as Jack picks up Kevin's glove off his notebook, and approaches Kevin.)

JACK: How'd ya like to go out...and get a new one?

KEVIN: A new mitt?

(Shot past Kevin of Jack looking at him, holding the glove.)

JACK: Yeah - why not? (Shrugs.)

(Shot past Jack's hands holding the glove as Kevin glances off, then at Jack.)

KEVIN: I don't need a new mitt. (Frowns.)

(Shot past Kevin of Jack looking at him.)

JACK: Hey - wait'll you get a whiff of that fresh new rawhide on your hand. (Smiles.) What d'ya say?

(Shot past Jack's hands holding the glove as Kevin glances off.)

NARRATOR:Though moments like this from my father were rare...

(Shot past Kevin of Jack smiling at him.)

NARRATOR:It wasn't hard to see what he was feeling. Unfortunately...

(Shot past Jack's hands holding the glove as Kevin glances off.)

NARRATOR:I also had an idea of why.

(Kevin glances at Jack.)

KEVIN: There's no way I could break it in, in time for tomorrow.

(Close shot of Jack looking at Kevin off-screen.)

JACK: Course not. (Shrugs.) I just have a feelin' you're gonna need it...NARRATOR:after tomorrow. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Jack off-screen.)

NARRATOR:And there it was - the smoking gun.

(Kevin looks off.)

NARRATOR:The dead giveaway.

(Shot past Kevin of Jack looking at him.)

JACK: We'll go down to Kel's sporting goods...(smiles)...they must have a ton...(gestures)... in stock right now.

(Shot past Jack's hands holding the glove as Kevin glances off and frowns. Jack pounds his fist in the glove.)

(Close shot of Jack smiling at Kevin off-screen.)

JACK: Come on - it'll be fun, Kev. (Gestures.) Let's go! (Smiles.)

(Shot past Jack's hands holding the glove as Kevin stands up and frowns at Jack.)

KEVIN: Look. (Gestures.) I don't want a new mitt.

(Kevin pulls the glove from Jack.)

KEVIN: I can do fine with my own, OK?! (Nods.)

(Close shot of Jack frowning at Kevin off-screen, puzzled.)

NARRATOR:Let 'em get his own mitt.

(Shot past Kevin of Jack. The camera pans with Kevin as he turns and walks toward the front door.)

NARRATOR:I was sick of playing someone else's game.

Cut to

Ext. Day - Baseball Field

(Shot of the catcher, and a few kids behind the fence as Kevin approaches with a bat.)

NARRATOR:The only thing I wanted...was to prove that I didn't need any favors.

(Kevin looks toward the pitcher as he swings the bat in front of himself.)

NARRATOR:That I deserved to be here. I wanted...

(Shot of two kids on the field.)

NARRATOR:To prove it to the guys trying out...

(Shot of the coach and kids at the bleachers, looking at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:To the couch...

(Close shot of Kevin as he gets set and looks at the pitcher off-screen.)

NARRATOR:But most of all, I wanted to prove it...to myself.

(Kevin re-adjusts the bat.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Alright, let's go!

(Close shot of the coach looking toward the field.)

COACH BAKER: Let's look alive out there!

(Shot of the pitcher nodding slightly.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): This is it - there's no tomorrow!

(Close shot of Kevin as he gets set and looks at the pitcher off-screen.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Show me what you got out there!

NARRATOR:Alright, if I did have anything to show, I was gonna show it now.

(Kevin re-adjusts the bat.)

(Shot of the pitcher as he winds up and throws the ball.)

(Low slow-motion shot of Kevin as he swings, popping the ball straight up. A a dramatic chord of music plays, then a "whirling-type" of music plays.)

(Close shot of the catcher looking up and removing his mask.)

(Slow-motion close shot of the ball spinning and rising.)

(Slow-motion close shot of Coach Baker looking toward the ball off-screen.)

(Slow-motion close shot of the ball spinning and rising.)

(Slow-motion close shot of the pitcher frowning and looking toward the ball off-screen.)

(Shot of the top of the cage as the ball hits it, and sticks between the wire. The music ends.)

(Shot from above Kevin as he looks up.)

(Shot from higher above, of the ball stuck in the cage, and Kevin and the catcher below it.)

NARRATOR:Stee-rike one.

(The ball falls down.)

(Shot of Kevin and the catcher looking at he ball as it hits the ground and rolls toward Kevin.)

CATCHER: Nice shot!

(Close shot of Kevin smiling at the catcher off-screen.)

KEVIN: Thanks.

(Close shot of the catcher looking at Kevin off-screen, then bending toward the ball.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the handle of the bat.)

(Shot of the coach near the bleachers, looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: You bust one?

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the coach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Yeah.

(Closer shot of the coach looking at Kevin off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Alright...(gestures)...come and get a new one.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning then approaching the camera.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Let's go! Hustle!

(Shot of the coach near the bleachers, looking toward the field as Kevin trots past the camera.)

NARRATOR:Why bother? I could play as bad as I wanted to.

(Kevin sets the bat down.)

(Shot past the coach of Kevin as he looks at another bat.)

NARRATOR:I could strike out nine times in a row. I could try out for bandNARRATOR:...and still make this NARRATOR:team.

(Close shot of the coach looking toward the field off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Hey, Horton! Let's look alive out there!

(Shot past the coach of Kevin as he looks at another bat.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): And *Torchillo*...you're playing too deep in center!

(Kevin glances down.)

(Close shot of the clipboard on the bench.)

NARRATOR:Baker's final cuts.

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the coach off-screen.)

NARRATOR:I didn't even have to look.

(Close shot of the coach looking toward the field off-screen.)

NARRATOR:It was humiliating, it was degrading.

COACH BAKER: More! More! Over, more!

NARRATOR:I oughtta cross my name off that list.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning toward the coach off-screen, then bending down.)

(Close shot of the clipboard on the bench as the camera zooms in quickly on it.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): Come on, now - I want to see some hustle!

(Kevin's name has a red line through it.)

NARRATOR:Except...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the list off-screen.)

NARRATOR:I didn't have to.

COACH BAKER (V/O): Hey, you!

(Shot past the coach of Kevin as he straightens up, looking at the coach.)

NARRATOR:I'd been cut!

(Close shot of the coach looking toward the field off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Katt - move over there, and cover that line over there. (Gestures.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

NARRATOR:It was unbelievable. It was...great! It meant my dad hadn't been pulling strings for me.

(Kevin smiles slightly and looks toward Coach Baker off-screen.)

NARRATOR:He'd just been pulling for me.

(Close shot of the coach looking toward the field off-screen.)

COACH BAKER: Let's look alive, out there!

(Close shot of Kevin looking off and smiling.)

NARRATOR:It meant I really did have potential.

(Kevin smiles at the coach off-screen.)

COACH BAKER (V/O): OK, now - batter up.

(Kevin turns away.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the pitcher off-screen as he approaches the plate.)

NARRATOR:As I stepped back up to the plate...

(Kevin steps in the batter's box and gets set.)

NARRATOR:All the cares, all the worries, all the burdens I'd carried around for the past few days just disappeared.

COACH BAKER (V/O): Alright, come on, now, Arnold! Give it a poke. (Gestures.) Give it a ride!

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

NARRATOR:Suddenly, the outside world...

(Close shot of Kevin's foot and homeplate.)

NARRATOR:Fell away.

(Kevin scuffs the dirt with his shoe.)

NARRATOR:It was just me.

(Close shot of Kevin's hands as he adjusts his grip on the bat. The camera pans up to Kevin.)

NARRATOR:And baseball.

(Shot of two infielders getting set.)

(Shot of Paul and others on the bleachers. Paul claps his hands a few times, then stands up.)

PAUL: Come on, Kevin - give it a rip!

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

PAUL (V/O): Let's go!

(Kevin pauses and looks toward first base.)

(Closer shot past Paul as Jack approaches behind the bleachers.)

PAUL (V/O): Come on, Kevin - give it a rip!

(Closer shot of Kevin smiling and looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

NARRATOR:My moment had arrived.

(Shot of Winnie approaching and pauseing, looking toward Kevin off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly and looking at Winnie off-screen.)

(Shot of Winnie saying something - "I know you can do it" (?)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the pitcher off-screen.)

NARRATOR:And I knew what I had to do.

(Shot of the pitcher in his wind up.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the pitcher off-screen, and squinting slightly.)

(Slow-motion shot of the pitcher throwing the ball as a chord of dramatic music starts.)

(Slow-motion low shot of Kevin hitting the ball accompanied by a dramatic chord of music.)

(Slow-motion shot of the ball in the air.)

(Slow-motion close shot of Kevin wearing a red and white "Wildcat" uniform, looking toward the ball off-screen. Crowd noise increases.)

NARRATOR:I'm not sure how I did it. My memory begins with the crack of the bat.

(Slow motion close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:And the sight of the ball rising...

(Slow motion close shot of Paul smiling as he watches the ball off-screen.)

(Slow-motion shot of the ball in the air.)

(Slow-motion shot of a player in a "Blue Bird" uniform looking up, then running toward the fence.)

(Shot down the first base line of Kevin and the catcher, as Kevin drops the bat, raises his arms, and approaches the camera.)

ANNOUNCER: "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!"

(Slow-motion close shot of Jack looking after the ball off-screen. Some snuffy guitar plays througout.)

(Slow-motion shot of the ball in the air.)

(Slow-motion shot of the coach, and kids, as he claps and smiles, watching the ball off-screen, then looking at Kevin off-screen.)

(Slow-motion shot from homeplate of Kevin rounding first base. The camera pans with him as he heads for second base.)

ANNOUNCER: "They're going crazy! They're going crazy!"

(Slow-motion shot of a kid clapping and cheering, and mouthing "go, go!".)

(Slow-motion shot from homeplate of Kevin rounding second base. The pitcher is watching him with his hand on his hip.)

ANNOUNCER: "I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"

(Slow-motion closer shot of Kevin running and smiling, then extending his arms.)

(Shot of Jack looking at Kevin off-screen, smiling slightly.)

(Slow-motion shot from homeplate of Kevin rounding third base. He "high five's" the third base coach, and completely misses the bag...then heads for homeplate, smiling.)

(Slow-motion shot of the ball in the air as it lands past the fence in the street.)

(Slow-motion shot of the pitcher frowning.)

(Slow-motion shot of Winnie smiling, then trotting forward.)

(Wide shot of the kids on the bleachers as they run onto the field, led by Paul, who is smiling.)

NARRATOR:Maybe that's not exactly NARRATOR:the way it happened...but that's the way...

(Close shot of homeplate as Kevin's shoe's land on it.)

NARRATOR:It should NARRATOR:have happened.

(The camera pans up to Kevin, who looks up and extends his arms in celebration.)

NARRATOR:And that's the way I'd like to remember it.

(Close shot of Jack, at the bleachers, smiling at Kevin off-screen.)

NARRATOR:And if dreams and memories sometimes get confused, well...

(Fade to shot of Kevin leaning back as his teammates crowd around him.)

NARRATOR:That's as it should be.

(Paul bends down and, with the help of other kids, lifts Kevin up.)

NARRATOR:Because every kid deserves to be a hero.

(Kevin takes his batting helmet off, and throws it into the air.)

NARRATOR:Every kid already is.

(The kids carry Kevin on their shoulders, and he claps his hands together. The frame freezes. Fade to black. Sound of a baseball being hit, and the roar of the crowd.)


CLOSING CREDITS

Supporting Cast
Coach Baker - Harrison Page

Music
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
"Marine's Hymn"




Please send an e-mail to reynders@merck.de, if you have any suggestions or corrections.

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