Alex Murphy
and
Jack Rooney
© 1992
CAST OF CHARACTERS
JACK ANSLEY: thirty-something ex-major league baseball player reduced to catching for the sub-minors as the story opens.
DUNCAN: eighteen-year-old recently out of high school with a love of baseball and a great pitching arm.
LEROY: Duncan's best friend. An awkward, nerdy sort of character who idolizes Duncan and is always at his side.
SARAH MARTIN: eighteen years old and just out of high school. Love interest of Duncan. She is shy but intelligent, pretty, and completely devoted to Duncan although dominated by her father, the teen players' coach.
DAVE MARTIN: Teen Players Coach; Stern and forceful with a no nonsense attitude, but a real softy deep down inside, especially when it comes to his daughter, Sarah, with whom he is slightly overprotective in a fatherly sort of way.
LEE RUSSELL: Duncan's father. Fiftysomething. Acommon hardworking, practical man who loves his son and wants only the best for him.
CINDY RUSSELL: Twenty-something (24); Duncan's older sister. 100% USDA Choice woman. Genuine and moderately skeptical. Combines many of the attributes of her father, but with strong maternal instincts. Love interest of Jack Ansley.
CLAUDE: The major league manager. He has a great deal of respect for Jack. He knew Jack during his earlier brief stint in the majors. Claude loves the game of Baseball and is always willing to give a guy a break. An all around great guy.
BLOND: Thirty-something; a real bimbolina with rocks for brains but a body that would make most men look twice.
JEB: Thirty-something; team captain for the Muskoogie Hooters; a loud and obnoxious sort of fellow who drinks too much and is quick tempered.
Z: Thirty-something Major league star pitcher for the opposition. Walks a thin line between sportsmanship and ruthlessness.
BURGESS: Manager for the Podunk Zonkers. A cheerful light hearted sort of fellow with an impassioned love of baseball.
Fastball
It is the bottom of the 9th. The Podunk Zonkers are in a tight game with the Muskoogie Hooters. The scoreboard reads 4-4 with two outs, 2 and 2 count. Hooters are at bat. Bases are loaded. Zonker's Pitcher winds and throws. The pitch is low, too low.
SFX Wssshhhhppp. The ball strikes the catcher's mitt with a thud.
UMPIRE
Baaaaallllll Threeeee
Cut to reaction shots of players from both teams reacting to the pitch and the call.
Hooters are being true to their name and hooting at the pitcher from the dugout, laughing and pointing, slapping themselves on the knees and jostling each other from side to side on the dugout bench.
Zonker's team players react with expressions of disbelief.
Cut to JEB, Hooters manager and player, as he pulls a flask from his back pocket, takes a swig, and smiles.
Cut to Extreme Close Up (ECU) of JACK as he raises his mask, concerned.
JACK: (Loud enough for pitcher to hear:) What's the count, Ump?
UMP: Full count.
Jack takes a few steps toward the pitcher, gives him a "settle down" motion and turns. He is about to lower his mask when a SLEEK BLOND siting directly behind him in the bleachers with amorous smile and monumental chest catches his eye. She smiles at him seductively.
[Should probably also have Dunkin (teen star) and Leroy (Dunkin's best friend) in the bleachers, Sarah (Dunkin's love interest) and Sarah's Father (Dunkin's team coach) to establish them early in the film, maybe not, just a thought.]
CATCHER lowers the mask, turns, and squats for the throw.
Cut to ECU of Blond. Cut to ECU, BLOND'S point of view (POV) of CATCHER's Backside. Cut to ECU of Blond as she presses a piece of popcorn through her lips and chews as though it were a succulently delectable tidbit.
Cut to PITCHER on the mound. He winds and throws.
The BATTER swings
SFX Wssshhhhppp. The ball strikes the catcher's mit with a thud.
UMPIRE
Steeeerrrriiiike
The Hooters come off the bench howling with indignation.
Cut to various reaction shots of their twisted faces as they curse and spit on the ground.
CATCHER pulls off his mask and smiles. He throws the ball back to the pitcher
PITCHER raises his chin and throws out his chest proudly.
Cut to Various reaction shots of fans in the stands, Dunkin, Sarah, Leroy, etc.
Cut to BLOND bouncing up and down on the bench gleefully.
Cut to CATCHER as he catches the Blond's eye and throws her a wink.
Cut to BLOND licking her lips and stuffing another piece of popcorn in her mouth.
The batter is at first base. The pitcher poses for the pitch. The catcher signals. The team tenses for the throw. The Hooters are off the bench waiting for the pitch. The fans are leaning from the bleachers toward the field, silently. There is a moment of quiet.
Cut to PITCHER on the mound
Cut to CATCHER
Cut to Pitcher as he winds and throws.
SFX Wssshhhhppp. The ball strikes the catcher's mit with a thud {and appears to be a perfect strike}.
UMPIRE
Baaaaallllll 4. Batter takes first base.
The CATCHER pulls off his mask and looks at the umpire in amazement.
The team rushes in on the umpire. The manager rushes to the field and gets in the umpire's face and chastises him.
Cut to wide shot of field as third base Hooter comes home.
Cut to the Scoreboard. The Hooters beat the Zonkers 4-3.
Cut to Fans as they react with a mixture of glee and disappointment. Cut to BLOND as she lowers her eyes and shakes her head in disbelief.
Camera pulls back slowly to an omniscient position above the field showing the fans and players exiting the diamond.
Fade Out
Fade in to:
ZONKER 1
Hell of a way to lose.
ZONKER 2
We didn't lose. We were screwed.
Zonker 3
That Ump must be doin' drugs, man.
[Dialogue, dialogue, etc]
Cut to PITCHER at locker, depressed
Cut to CATCHER zipping up gym bag. He looks over at the PITCHER, picks up the bag and approaches
Cut to Two Shot, CATCHER and PITCHER.
CATCHER
Don't worry about things like that, man. It was a good pitch. So the ump needs glasses. Happens all the time, Besides, It's early in the season. Just bring it to 'em next time.
The PITCHER looks at CATCHER and smiles, acknowledging the suggestion resolutely. He knows advice from this man is worthwhile.
Cut to
SLEEK BLOND enters sports car. She sits there a moment, thinking. Cut to Blond's POV of Player's Entrance/Exit to the field. Cut to Blond as she opens her purse and removes a metal fingernail file. She exits the car, moves around to the back and kneels at the back tire.
SFX Hssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Cut to
INT -- LOCKER ROOM -- SAME TIME FRAME
CATCHER
I'm out o' here. Later.
Cut to MANAGER talking to one of the players. He notices CATCHER leaving. He starts after Catcher. He catches up with Catcher just outside the locker room.
MANAGER
(to Catcher)
Jack. Hey, Jack.
CATCHER/JACK turns and is confronted by Manager.
MANAGER
Where you headed so fast?
JACK
I'm going to get a bite and then crash. Gotta make some plans for next week at Richmond.
MANAGER
You gotta deal going with them now?
JACK
Nothing special...just a weekend with a doubleheader. I might stay a while there if it's right.
MANAGER
It could be right here, kid. I can't offer you a hell of a lot more money but you know you'd play regular.
JACK
(Appreciates the gesture and wonders when the time is coming he'll get no more offers) It's not money, Skip, I just told some people I'd be showing up.
MANAGER
(Pensively...playing his hand slowly) Well, you know we like the good job you did with Mickey tonight. We've got some good young arms here that you could really bring along.
JACK
Really, Skip, let me think it over. We can talk again after the game tomorrow night. I really think I'll be going. (doesn't want to close the door) But I'll be back here again if you'd like.
EXIT JACK POV from behind Manager as Jack leaves. Manager exhales slowly, wistfully. Manager picks up line-up card with "Next Week" as a heading. The name "JACK ANSLEY" is visible as the catcher. Manager slowly draws a line through JACK'S name.
Cut to
Wide shot of field and bleachers from the position of omniscience. The diamond is half-lit. Most of the field lights are off. ENTER CATCHER carrying gym bag, camera left, as he walks into frame across the field toward the parking lot.
Cut to CUSTODIAN sweeping up after the game
CATCHER
(to Custodian)
G'night, Sam.
The CUSTODIAN looks up from his broom as CATCHER walks by.
CUSTODIAN
Hell of a way to lose a game, Jack.
CATCHER/JACK
Tell it to the Ump.
The CUSTODIAN shakes his head and returns to his broom. Has a genial smile on his face and whistles vacantly as JACK leaves
Cut to
SLEEK BLOND sits in sports car looking toward the player's gate.
JACK exits through gate.
Sleek blond exits car and quickly sits up on the hood, revealing a little leg as Jack approaches. Jack walks through the lot and notices the Blonde siting on the hood of the car.
BLONDE
Hey there, trouble. Give a girl a hand?
JACK
What's the problem?
BLOND looks down at back tire; it is flat.
We could get the spare on in ... no ... time ... flat. As she gets the last words out we see JACK'S gaze fall on her sillouetted bustline. JACK gives a "it's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it" look. BLOND sweetens the deal.
BLOND
I was going to throw in dinner for my rescuer. She gives JACK a nice smile...it is not a bad deal. JACK applies himself to the job. BLOND watches the quick fix with guarded anticipation. There are a few muscular shots as JACK strains a bit on the lugs & jack. BLOND is appreciative. They exchange names. JACK notices the slit tire but says nothing. Spare tire is installed.
BLOND
Throw your stuff in here and I can drop you off after dinner.
JACK
I don't have any place special. (He has no problem with a woman driving him. He's adjusted.)
They go to Ziggy's bar. They engage in idle talk.
ENTER THE HOOTERS who are loud and boisterous as they celebrate their victory over the Zonkers. One of the Hooters, JEB, gets particularly drunk and obnoxious and chides Jack about "his pansy players"
JEB: Hey, meat....Howdja like that last run today?
JACK: Hall of Fame, I guess. To Blond: Who the hell is that?
BLOND: Jeb...He's the Hooter coach.
JACK: Right. Mr. Charm.
JEB: Continues to needle Jack: You two make a beautiful couple. How about I buy you a drink?
BLOND: I know him, Jack. He's a real jerk when he's drinking.
JACK: Can somebody really drink that much?
Jack and Blond rise to leave and Hooter, half drunkenly and half intentionally spills a drink on Jack. Jack starts to rise to leave and Jeb takes a swing at Jack.
Begin BAR ROOM BRAWL
Jack bests Jeb one-on-one and as Jeb sags into a bar booth Jack turns to leave with Blond. He is blind-sided by a companion/teammate of Jeb's.
Cut to
Shot of Jack's eyes rolling back as he falls to floor, unconscious. FIRST DREAM SEQUENCE (DS) BEGINS.
Major league game scene; POV from dugout with announcer's voice over of shot of Jack approaching plate; "Now batting for the Mammoths, No. 11, Jack Ansley." Jack steps into batter's box and readies himself for pitch. TV announcer's voice:
"Ansley's faced Z only twice in his short career but has hit him well both times." POV of female fan behind dugout yelling encouragement to Jack: "C'mon Jack, let's go...c'mon Jack...." DS fades along with voice.
CUT TO
Dissolve to present; soft daylight is streaming through the open bedroom window. Blond is in bed with Jack; his chest is visible. Blond is stroking his chest and her voice seques with DS voice.
BLOND C'mon, Jack.....c'mon Jack.
Jack begins to stir sleepily. He has a scrape on his face from last night's bar scene.
SFX kids' voices outside the window.
SFX Wssshhhhppp. The sound of a ball strikes the catcher's mitt with a loud smack.
ECU of Jack as his eyes open at the sound. He gets out of bed and moves naked to the window and looks out through sleepy eyes.
Cut to wide shot from bedroom window, Jack's POV of two uniformed teams loosening up for a ball game in an open diamond across the street. A boy in blue jeans and T-shirt is pitching to the uniformed catcher. Another uniformed boy is close, observing.
Jack watches attentively for a few moments and then realizes he is standing in front of the window naked. He grabs the edge of the curtain and steps back out of view and wraps the curtain around his naked body.
BLONDE stirs in the bed. She sees Jack standing at the window with the curtain draped around his body and she raises up on one elbow and looks at him curiously.
Blond
What are you doing?
JACK
Watching a kid throw a baseball.
BLOND
What?
JACK
A ball game...some kids playing ball in a field over there. Who are they?
BLOND
The high school team plays there on Saturdays. She focuses on what Jack is wearing. Love the curtain, but it really isn't you.
Jack looks at himself and realizes he must look pretty ridiculous standing at a window wrapped in a curtain. He moves quickly from the window back to the bed, picks up his pants laying in a crumpled heap on the floor, sits on the edge of the bed, and sticks one foot into one of the pant legs.
Blond reaches up and grabs Jack and pulls him down onto the bed and starts fondling his body.
BLOND
(seductively)
C'mon Jack, where do you think you're going? Gotta day game somewhere?
JACK
I gotta go. I gotta go...
BLOND
(disappointed)
What's the rush?
He stands and pulls his pants on the rest of the way.
JACK
I got things to do.
BLOND
What kind of things? (whining) Can't it wait?
JACK
(evasively)
Important things. (he picks up his shirt and pulls it over his head) Look, I'll see you at the game tonight, OK?
He bends over her and gives her a kiss and heads toward the door. He picks up his gym bag on the way out and closes the door behind him.
Cut to blond sitting in the bed with her arms folded and a pouty look on her face. She exhales slowly.
Cut to
Cut to a wide shot, steady cam, view of Jack walking to warm-up in progress. At Jack sees a group of teenage boys playing ball in an open field. Jack focuses on Duncan, in blue jeans and T-shirt, instructing the high school pitcher;
DUNCAN Hold it like this. (Duncan demonstrates grip.) Then try to get more snap with your wrist.
Jack is close to catcher ready to receive throw. High school pitcher attempts a few throws and Duncan steps in to demonstrate. He winds and delivers. Jack is amazed at the speed of the throw.
The pitch nearly bowls the young catcher over. The boy endures a second pitch and calls to Duncan.
LEROY/CATCHER
That's it, Dunc, my hand is already gone.
(Jack sees the poor condition of the catcher's mitt Leroy is using and reaches into his bag. He hands his catcher's mitt to Leroy.)
LEROY
What's this for?
JACK
For you to try and keep your hand.
LEROY
(Studies cather's mitt. It is new compared to the one he has been using.) This is almost new.
JACK
Not for long if you are going to catch for him.
Jack walks to where Duncan is standing as the high school pitcher resumes warming up. He is interested in this boy's pitching but doesn't want to appear eager.
JACK
You don't play for this team?
DUNCAN
Did before I graduated. Just came to see my buddy catch. (Duncan pauses for a wary look at Jack.) You ain't from around here?
JACK
Passin' thru, I guess. You playin' any ball around here?
DUNCAN
(He is amused at the thought.) Naw, I'm just fiddlin' with Leroy. I'm playing around on the farm for good now. Guess my playin' days are over.
JACK
Never can tell. I may look old, but I still play a few games here and there. See, I even had a mitt here a minute ago. (Loosely points to the mitt Leroy has.)
DUNCAN
No kiddin'. I guess I'll play in the church games now and then but Mom says I gotta get on with making a living now that I'm outta high school. Why did you let Leroy use your mitt?
JACK
The one he had wasn't worth spit. I can get another.
DUNCAN
(suddenly realizes that this means Jack has made a gift of his mitt.) You gave it to him? (Jack nods slightly, not wanting to appear maudlin.) Duncan mulls over the prospect of someone giving away a costly catcher's mitt.
(The game has started in the meantime and Jack and Duncan intersperse their conversation over segments of the game.) Duncan appears ready to depart.
JACK
I see that catcher called you 'Dunk'. Is that for slam dunking batters?
DUNCAN
No, my mom named me after a teacher she had once. "Duncan" doesn't sound like more than some book character, I guess. I'm Duncan Russell. (Duncan is non-commitedly friendly to Jack; he appreciates the mitt gesture. Leroy is returning to the bench at the end of the inning. Duncan announces in his direction.) Coulda been worse; she coulda named me Leroy. Leroy grins back and spits in Duncan's direction.
LEROY
(looks in Jack's direction and waves the mitt in the air.) This is great, man. (He is appreciative.)
JACK
(nods to Leroy and smiles his 'you're welcome.) Nice to see boys getting along. I'm Jack Ansley.
DUNCAN
Nice to meetcha, Jack. I gotta head home. See you around, I guess.
JACK
Realizes his car was left at the ball park last night. You wouldn't be going by Ames Field, wouldja? My car is over there.
DUNCAN
If you like a raggedy pickup truck, jump in.
they discuss Jack not having much to do today; he has to hang around until going to the game tonight; Jack ventures that Duncan might like to go to see the game.
Dunkin invites Jack home to the farm
Dunkin notices equipment in Jack's Car
D
That was nice of you to give the mitt to Leroy.
(Jack meets mom)
We hear Duncan's mother calling to Duncan from the house. She is a 40-ish woman who has been attached to the farm and its chores and appears a bit older than she is.
MOM
It's about time you got back. (she doesn't appear angry at Dunc, just busy.)
D
Mom, I met this guy at the game this morning. He plays for the Zephyrs. (indicates Jack and announces his name)
Jack Ansley. Jack, say hi to my mom.
JACK
(Jack clearly has some social graces.) My pleasure, Mrs. Russell. I've just met your boy but I can see he comes from a fine family.
MOM
(she is basically good-hearted and will not embarass her son. Still, she isn't quite sure of a grown man who she now knows to play a boy's game.) Are you new around here, Mr. Ansley?
JACK
That's my dad's name, ma'am. Everybody calls me Jack. And I'm pretty new. I just came here two days ago to play this weekend with the Zephyrs. (he anticipates Mom's interest in whether he'll be staying) I'll probably move on this week to play for Richmond.
MOM
You mean play baseball? Do you work somewhere else?
JACK
Well, yeah, in the off season I do. I've spent the last few summers sorta easing myself out of the game. I guess I'm just about there.
D
(trying to change the subject) Mom, I thought we'd all have lunch before I finished {painting the barn}.
Jack Invites them to the Zephyr's Game that evening
Gives them tickets
Night game-- evening-- Duncan and Cindy watch Jack play
Jack plays well
Game ends
Duncan has a knock-out sister - Cindy
Cindy is skeptical of Jack. She doesn't mind Duncan bringing home a stranger but is uncertain as to the interest this older man might be pursuing.
Duncan tries to convince Cindy Jack is OK
Cindy's attitude is tractable but unconcerned.
Farm scene evening
Jack trys to convince Father that Duncan should pursue a career as a ball player
Father thinks its fine but Duncan needs to make a living and advises Jack not to fill Duncan's Head with pipe-dreams
Jack wants to take Duncan to the majors. Sister is skeptical.
Jack: " I've seen good players. He has potential. Few things in life are better than pure talent. I've seen it wasted. Maybe this time it won't get wasted.
Cindy looks on skeptically: "did you go far enough in baseball to see talent?"
Jack looks wistfully: "Yeah" Realizes he has revealed too much [?is he conceding to her point here?]
Jack has a few drinks, turns down a few babes, and recalls Cindy's words "did you go far enough to see talent"
There is a ballgame on TV. We hear the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd.
ANNOUNCER
The last time I saw a ball hit here like that was ten years ago when X hit a grand slam off of Y
JACK: (to himself) It was Z
ANNOUNCER 2
I think it was Z pitching that day.
Announcer 1
Yes, that's right... it was Z
Flashback
Show Jack Slamming the ball out of the field on a pitch from Z
Jack rises from the bar and goes to the payphone and Calls Claude, manager for the majors. He mentions Duncan to Claude.
Claude agrees to try to see the kid.
Then he calls the Zepher coach and makes a deal to let the kid pitch an inning (after a try-out this week) in exchange for Jack's remaining with the team an extra week. {This gives Jack time to hang around the farm and get things rolling with Cindy}.
Jack visits the farm
He tells Cindy he has made an arrangement for the kid to try out for the majors.
She is skeptical
They squabble
She softens
ENTER father
Jack informs the father and the father is skeptical. Father says boy must do chores
Cindy convinces father to let him try
ENTER Duncan from school. Duncan is on the spot.
Jack informs Duncan of try-out.
Duncan is happy
There is a catch: You have to practice and do chores; I'll help with the chores
Cindy sees a side of Jack she likes and looks at him thoughtfully; in a new light.
Toward the end of the week Duncan pitches an inning for the Zonkers. He pitches a 1-2-3 inning. Everyone is amazed except Jack
Duncan meets Claude.
Claude likes Duncan, but he needs work.
Claude trys to convince Jack to come back to the majors.
Jack feels he can't and Claude knows why, but the audience doesn't know at this point. It is a mystery.
Duncan discovers who Jack really is through a baseball card collection
Flashback:
Jack is at bat taking a pitch from the infamous Z. Z winds and throws and beans Jack on the head. Jack is down.
Now Duncan realizes what Jack's problem really is. It's psychological. He can't take the inside pitch, and was washed out because of his batting average [?yes/no/maybe/suggestion s]]
Duncan helps Jack overcome his fear of the ball
Jack helps Duncan become a tremendous pitcher
They work together, training, and training, and training, and when they finish training, they train some more....
JACK
Why do you think they call it hardball, kid?... it ain't easy
They both go to the majors
The final scene would be the big game; the moment of truth
once again Jack could confront the infamous Z at the bat. Has a flashback of the injury and resultant slide from the big league.
Jack gets dusted from the plate with chin music. Hits the dirt, but he comes back up, dazed and shaken, but OK, and in a final moment of determined resolve, as he hears Cindy's voice speaking in his mind "everyone has to fight for themselves," he waits out a vicious curve that Z intended to knock him down again. Jack waits for the next pitch as crowd noise filters away. Soft repeat of Cindy's inadvertent advice/inspiration. Pitch comes; announcer fades up: "Z winds and throws - fastball." Jack connects solidly for a double. Winning run rounds third and heads for home with angle of Duncan celebrating on the bench. Throw comes a moment late and sliding runner is safe. Ump gives emphatic signal. Final moment of triumph. Fans and Cindy come to field as game ends.
THE END
JackRooney@worldnet.att.net