ODIE OWNZ!!!
Man: There's a story told in
the town of Big Lake, Texas --
a story of the town's
beginnings.
It's the story
of the Santa Rita Number One,
birthplace
of West Texas Oil.
Now, as with
most Texas legends,
there was a man who thought oil
was right beneath his feet.
And as with
most such stories,
no one else believed him.
Except in this case
for two nuns,
who in 1923 met the man
and believed so much in him
and his dream
that they invested money
no one knew they had.
Now, when the nuns told
their parish priest
about the man's dream
and their investment in it,
now, he counseled them
to try and get their money back.
Sheepishly, they admitted
that it was too late,
that the money
was already spent.
Well, the priest, he sighed,
shook his head,
and offered just
one small bit of advice --
bless the site
with rose petals,
and invoke the help
of Saint Rita,
patron saint
of impossible dreams.
And while the workers
waited for the oil
that would eventually come,
they played baseball.
Oil worker:
He's outta here.
Played baseball so well
that some were able to give up
the dirt and the despair
and went on to play
major-league ball
in the glory days
of Ruth and Gehrig.
[ lndistinct talking ]
Come on!
I've heard and told
that story on many occasions,
but that was long before
Saint Rita decided
to bless our little town
just one more time.
-- [ Bat cracks ball ]
-- Yeah!
First game
in the big leagues,
and Jimmy Morris
has a no-hitter going.
Agh, Jimmy,
don't throw it so hard.
My hands are cold.
[ Grunts ]
Agh!
What are you doing?
Waiting till Spring,
that's what I'm doing.
Jimmy...
Your father and l
need to talk to you.
I hear Virginia's
real nice --
at least that's what
the Navy folks told your father.
Isn't that right, Jim?
We'll just be moving
again.
It's my job
to decide when we move.
It's yourjob
to make the best of it.
Jim, please.
Who knows? Maybe it won't snow
so much in Virginia.
Jimmy: "Jimmy Morris,
"with another masterful
pitching performance,
"well on his way
to another
World Series title."
[ Fence rattles ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Panting ]
Jimmy...
Your father and l
need to talk to you.
[ Sighing ]
[ lndistinct talking ]
Man: Come on, Jimmy.
[ Sighs ]
[ Crowd cheers ]
Hey.
Jimmy.
[ lndistinct talking ]
Hey, partner.
How you doing?
Hey.
Hey, Dad.
Jimmy.
Hmm?
I had a good game --
Did you win?
I just found out
there's a chance we may be
restationed again.
-- How much of a chance?
-- It's in West Texas.
The Navy wants me to be
a recruiter there.
Texas? When?
Three weeks.
But, Dad...
We still got
half our season to play.
I'm aware of that.
Well, maybe I could stay
with the Johnsons.
Unh-unh.
We move as a family.
I don't have a choice
in this.
What kind of baseball
do they have?
They don't.
I hear they might be starting
some summer ball.
Yes, sir.
[ Door opens, closes ]
Kael:
What are those things?
Jimmy: What?
Those things moving up
and down.
Oil rigs.
When those things
are moving up and down,
it means times are good.
Looks like times are good.
Shoot.
[ Sighs ]
We must have left some of them
back in Florida.
Left what?
I packed a couple of boxes
with socks and things.
I could've sworn --
Jimmy, did you find
that one box?
Oh, no.
It's okay, Mom.
Don't worry, honey.
We'll find it.
I've never known a boy
to get so upset about
losing his socks.
His glove was in there.
His what?
His glove was in there.
Oh, quit moping
and grab a box.
Did you hear me?
There are more important things
in life than baseball.
The sooner you figure that out,
the better.
[ Bell jingles ]
[ Door creaks, closes ]
[ Distant conversation ]
Man:
This Lee Ivaco-cocus guy,
I guarantee you,
within two years,
three years tops,
he's gonna run that company
right out of business.
Ain't that right,
young man?
Eileen?
Eileen!
I guess she gone to lunch.
Help you find
something, son?
Socks.
Socks we have --
in contrast to common sense,
which we seem to be running
a little short on today.
I'll be right down.
Don't look at my dominoes.
All right, sir, we got
white socks with red stripes,
black stripes, blue stripes.
Over there you got
all your solids
in black, blue,
brown, and gray.
Just take your pick.
That's a real nice pair
right there.
You visiting?
We just moved here.
Oh, well,
then I'm Henry Sampson.
Nice to meet you.
Jimmy Morris.
Welcome to Big Lake,
Mr. Jimmy Morris.
You know, son, I can probably
tell you where it is
a whole lot quicker
than you can find it.
Got any baseball stuff?
Oh, baseball stuff.
Don't get much call
for baseball stuff
around these parts.
Now if it was football,
that'd be a whole different
story. [ Chuckles ]
You know something,
though?
I got a catalogue over here
that just might
help us out some.
Let's take a look at that.
[ Exhales deeply ]
Yeah, I think we might find
something in here.
You know, if you're interested
in baseball,
there's a story that people here
in this town tell
that you probably
ought to hear.
Thought you said nobody here
cared about baseball.
Oh, they care about this.
It all started
with a couple of nuns
and a piece of ground
not too far from here.
[ Scraping ]
[ Engine turns over ]
[ lndistinct conversations ]
-- Morning, Esther.
-- Morning, Jimmy.
Any more rattlesnakes
on the playground?
Yeah. Two this morning.
I swear those things show up
every time
the oil business goes bad.
-- They gonna bring
the kids in?
-- They're thinking about it.
Don't these families
have enough to worry about?
Hmm.
Coach.
Counselor.
[ Exhales sharply ]
Don't report that, Esther.
I never do.
"Sum" means
that we're adding.
We have at least two items.
Don't make this hard,
but what are we adding
here --
protons and...
Neutrons?
Neutrons.
Neutrons.
So, David...
These protons
and these neutrons,
they're inside of...what?
The nucleus?
Well, don't say it
like a question, son.
If you think you know it, just
say it like you know it.
The nucleus.
That's right --
the nucleus.
[ Laughter ]
So, congratulations.
Go home tonight
and tell your parents
that you figured out
the mass number of an atom.
Nat "King" Cole:
# Chestnuts roasting... #
Jimmy: Frank, ain't it
a little late to be
playing this song?
-- It's 8:30.
-- It's March.
Well, that song's too good
to play for only one month.
-- Hunter, you gonna want
cheese on that?
-- Yes, sir.
Cal: Besides, he smoked
three packs a day.
Henry: Who?
Nat "King" Cole. He thought
it'd make his voice deeper.
Frank: Oh, and Frank Sinatra
was the poster child
for vocal care?
Who died in his 40s?
You take care of yourself,
things work out.
Oh, is that right, is it?
Well, what about Jimmy, there?
I mean, he took
real good care of himself,
and, uh, how many surgeries
was it, Jimmy -- four?
Hunter:
They put this thing
from his ankle up
to his shoulder.
Ow.
We're talking about singing,
not pitching.
And, Hunter,
do us all a favor
and don't tell us that bit
about the ankle anymore.
-- Mel Torme in June.
-- What in the world are you
talking about now?
Mel Torme wrote
"The Christmas Song"
on a beach somewhere.
There wasn't no Jack Frost
nippin' at anybody's nose
that day.
-- Daddy...
-- Yeah?
Your arm ever hurt
anymore?
Only when I have to
drag you out of bed
in the morning
for school.
No, I'm just kidding
you, bud.
It hasn't hurt
in a long time.
How long?
Why do you want to know?
Just wondering.
Oh, let's see.
[ Exhaling ] Uh...
It never hurt
when I was in high school,
'cause we didn't have
a baseball team.
And it never hurt
when I was in junior college,
'cause, well, that's why
I got drafted.
And then, uh...
I don't know.
Just started hurting.
Is that why
you didn't make it?
It's never one thing.
[ Fence rattles ]
[ Fence rattles ]
[ Rattling continues ]
[ Baby crying ]
[ Groans ]
[ Sleepily ] Mmm.
[ lnhales deeply ]
I'll get her.
Is that a real
"I'll get her,"
or are you just
waiting for me to say,
"Go back to sleep"?
I haven't decided yet.
Go back to sleep.
[ Crying continues ]
Mm, baby...
Aww...
Oh...
Oh...
What's all that
crying about?
[ Crying continues ]
[ Sighs ]
I think it's my turn.
No.
It's your turn to sleep.
Shh.
Okay.
You sure?
Yeah.
Here we go.
Come on, baby.
There we are.
Good night.
Good night.
Mmm.
There we go.
Shh.
Mmm.
There we go.
Wack: Hey, Rudy, when was
the last date you had --
what, like a year ago?
Rudy: Not me, man.
Come on, man.
Who you kidding?
You, too, Rudy.
Don't be laughing.
All set, coach.
Give me a ball.
Owls player: Hey, coach,
I forgot my glove.
-- Check the bag.
-- [ Sighs ]
-- 10 players, 9 gloves.
-- Yeah.
-- How do they look?
-- Couple of holes.
All right, get one.
Thanks, man.
Hey, coach...
They putting down any grass seed
in the field this year?
Man, it's a goat track
out here.
Just waiting
for the seed to take.
Uh-huh?
-- What seed?
-- [ Chuckles ]
Ain't no seed
out here, man.
Wack!
How come we get dirt,
and the football field looks
like Tiger Woods' backyard?
They don't even play
for six months.
Just let me worry
about the field, all right?
You plan on worrying
anytime soon?
-- All right, Wack.
-- [ Laughter ]
You can get your running done
early today.
All right, I'll get
my running in early.
Lookin' good.
Okay, bring it home!
[ Exhales deeply ]
Hey, coach...
you want to throw?
You know, I seen you
out there at the Old
Legion Field at night.
You know,
sometimes it helps
when you throw
if you got somebody
catching for you.
A ball, a glove --
that kind of thing.
-- I'll throw a couple.
-- Really?
All right.
How come you throw out there
all by yourself?
Helps me relax.
I've been doing it...
a pretty long time.
Coach, back when you
were really throwing,
how fast were you
bringing it?
I don't know.
Well, that's not bad.
Well, it is when
the other guy's
throwing 90.
Coach, come on.
Let's see you bring one.
Can't.
Promised too many doctors.
Come on, coach,
one is not gonna kill you.
Now, come on.
Feed me.
Yeah, Dad.
Bring the heat.
Feed me, coach.
[ Air whooshes ]
Wow!
Coach...
Where'd that come from?
Forgot how good
that sounded.
Yes!
[ Air whooshes ]
[ Chuckles ]
[ Hunter laughing ]
[ Air whooshing ]
[ Grunting ]
Unbelievable.
Coach, how fast do you
think those were coming?
-- Oh, not as fast
as you think.
-- Oh.
Hey, uh, do me a favor,
all right?
Let's just keep this
between you and me.
Okay.
Hunter: You could barely see
that last one.
And that goes for you too,
all right?
-- No telling Mom.
-- Why?
[ Sighs ]
Because I said so.
Good night, Ray.
I know why
your grass isn't growing.
[ Crickets chirping ]
Usually get three or four
out here every night.
So I put the seed down,
they pick it up.
Once it comes in,
they don't like it as much.
That's why the football field
looks so good.
Yeah?
Maybe those football guys
are paying off these deer
with all the big budget money
they got.
[ Laughs ]
Hey!
Go on! Get out of here!
I thought deer
were supposed to be skittish.
[ Allison Moorer singing
"Tumbling Down" on stereo ]
Need me
to top that off?
Nothing like wine bought
with a Chevron credit card.
Well, I know what a demanding
consumer you can be.
Mmm. Yeah?
Yeah.
[ Sighs ]
I threw today.
To Joel...
after practice.
You threw?
I threw.
How hard?
Pretty hard.
Uh, don't worry.
If it starts to hurt,
l-I'll stop.
All right? Promise.
I gotta check on
the kids.
Joe David: Wack, got
the muffler changed,
buddy -- the jeep.
Can't hear me coming three
miles away, can you, there?
Owls player:
Ray, check out the screwball!
Ladies loving the jeep.
Come on, man.
Give me the rock.
All right,
bring it in for some b.p.
We can't.
Rudy's not here.
-- Well, where is he?
-- Locker room.
Something to do
with only having one shoe.
Somebody grab a bat.
You're throwing
batting practice?
Yeah.
-- [ Laughter ]
-- I'm up first, man.
Wack: I hit the Lotto!
Joe David: Come on, Wack!
Send it, baby!
Send it!
What do you say, Wack?
[ Laughs ]
-- Whoo!
-- Yeah!
Looks like that one's
gonna land in another
time zone, coach!
You might want to reset your
watch before this next one.
You see that?
Yeah, it's...
Come on.
Joe David: Yeah!
[ Laughs ]
[ lnhales deeply ]
-- [ Grunts ]
-- [ Air whooshes ]
What was that?
Man!
Wait till he warms up.
[ Laughs ]
[ Rudy and Joe David
laughing ]
Let me see
another one of those.
Nope. It's batting practice,
not pitching practice.
[ Chuckles ]
All right.
[ Laughing ] Oh, my God!
Cal: I'm already down
two bits.
How many of them
job applications you plan on
sending out, Jimmy?
Many as it takes, I guess.
So the little boy
coming into my store to buy
socks after a dozen moves
is planning on making
a move of his own now?
Well, this is different.
[ Laughs ] It always is.
I hear you diagnosed
that problem with that
baseball field of yours.
You mean
his potential field.
Well, "diagnosed" part's right.
It's the "curing" part I'm
having trouble with.
I'll take five.
You know, I had the same
trouble out at my place
a few Springs back.
You did?
What'd you do?
Oh, hell.
Give me five, too.
Let me ask you something --
how many games
you got on that field
next couple of weeks?
Well, we -- we play there
next Friday,
but then we're not back
till the end of the month.
You think you can keep
your boys off the field
for that length of time?
Now, I'm talking about no
practice, nothing whatsoever.
Henry...
why do I get the feeling
this is something
I don't want to know about?
I'm gonna take back
two of them old ones
if that's okay with everybody.
I'll tell you what you do.
You give me three weeks,
and I'll have that field
Iooking greener than Dublin
on Saint Patty's Day.
[ Coins rattle ]
Woman: All right, boys.
Get a hit.
Cal: [ On P.A. ]
Rudy Bonilla, hoping to
spark a Big Lake rally.
Come on, Rudy!
Be a hitter!
Owls player:
Keep your eye on it.
Strike three!
Cal: Strike three called,
and the Owls drop
their season opener.
It's all right.
It's okay. Good effort.
It's only one.
If we don't start hitting,
it's not gonna be the only one.
Opposing player: Good game.
Good game, buddy.
Cal: Drive safely
on your way home now, folks.
Good game.
Good game.
[ "Baby, I Ain't Gotta Do That
No More" plays ]
[ Humming ]
Where do you keep
your brooms, Cal?
Closet.
Right here, sweetheart.
Owls player: Come on, Cory.
Give it a ride.
-- Give it a ride, now.
-- [ Smooches ]
Matt: Get ready, Cory.
Owls player #2:
Guy couldn't throw a fit...
Come on, Cory!
-- Yeah!
-- Oh!
Joel: Play's at second,
Miguel!
-- [ Sighs ]
Blue!
Time!
Cal: [ On P.A. ]
And the Owls are down 10.
Not your day, Rudy.
Not my year.
Looks like
coach Jimmy Morris
is making a pitching change.
Owls player:
Shake it off, Rudy!
Cal: Just a reminder, folks --
the concession stand
is still open.
Jimmy: Anybody want to tell me
how we lost that game?
Hmm?
No?
How 'bout taking a look
at the numbers
on that scoreboard
out there?
What do those numbers
tell you?
How to get ahold
of Bo's Tire Barn?
[ Laughter ]
You quit.
You quit out there.
You quit on me, and worse,
you quit on yourselves.
Now, what is it?
Think people don't care about
baseball around here?
Think the school's gonna
drop the program?
You're just making it easy
for 'em.
Sad part about it is,
I see it and you don't.
Look, guys...
Most of you...
[ Exhales sharply ]
You're gonna
finish up school here,
you're gonna work the rigs,
you're gonna work at
Bo's Tire Barn,
you're gonna raise a family
and retire,
and you're gonna do all that
right here in Big Lake.
And there's nothing wrong
with that.
A lot of real good people have
done that.
I'm doing it.
But if you're looking for
something more
after you're done here,
you better give
some serious thought
as to how you're gonna play out
the rest of this season.
What difference
does it make?
I mean, it's not
like any of us are
getting scholarships.
I'm not talking about
college.
I'm talking about
wanting things in life.
I'm talking about
having dreams.
And all that starts
right here.
Okay? Right here.
You don't have dreams,
you don't have anything.
Joel: Coach,
what about you?
I mean,
you talk about our dreams.
I... [ Sighs ] I mean,
I've been catching yours --
Joel, we are not talking
about me.
Yeah, come on, coach.
Every time you throw,
I got to ice my hand --
every time.
Y-you're the one
who should be
wanting something more.
And the sad part is,
I mean...
We see it and you don't.
Now, listen,
I've had my shot, all right?
Just... [ Sighs ]
Look, we got practice
tomorrow.
Let's go.
-- So you take another shot.
-- It doesn't work like that.
It does if
you throw hard enough.
I don't throw hard enough,
all right?
-- Now let's hit the shower.
Come on.
-- N-Now wait a minute.
We start winning,
you try out again.
[ Scoffs ]
[ Exhales deeply ]
Last time I checked,
scouts aren't looking for
high-school science teachers.
Well, not many science
teachers throw like you.
-- No kidding.
-- Yeah.
-- No lie.
[ Sighs ] Take a heck of a lot
more than a couple of Wins
to get me to make
a fool of myself.
All right.
What if we win district?
Huh?
What if we win district
and go to state playoffs? Then?
Are you serious?
Yeah, absolutely.
Are you serious?
Yeah.
Yeah.
And all I have to do is just
find some kind of tryout
somewhere?
That's it, man.
[ Clears throat ]
All right.
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
If...
-- If you win district.
-- Yeah!
Come on, man,
we can do this!
-- Right on, man.
-- Yeah, coach!
We can take it!
Whoo!
Let's do this, man!
I don't get to tell Mom
about this, do l?
[ Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell's
"Stuff That Works" plays ]
[ Crickets chirping ]
# I got an old blue shirt,
and it suits me just fine #
[ Brakes squeaking ]
# I like the way it feels,
so I wear it all the time #
# I got an old guitar,
won't ever stay in tune #
# I like the way it sounds
in a dark and empty room #
# I got an old pair of boots,
and they fit just right #
Hmm.
# Well, I can work all day,
and I can dance all night #
# I got an old used car,
and it runs just like a top #
# I get the feeling
it ain't ever gonna stop #
# Stuff that works #
# Stuff that holds up #
# Is the kind of stuff
you don't hang on the wall #
# Stuff that's real #
# That stuff you feel #
# Is the kind of stuff
you reach for when you fall #
# Stuff that works #
# Stuff that holds up #
-- [ Vehicle passes by ]
-- # Is the kind of stuff
you don't hang on the wall #
# Stuff that's real #
# That stuff you feel #
# Is the kind of stuff
you reach for when you fall #
# The stuff that works #
-- [ Grunting ]
-- # The stuff that holds up #
# The kind of stuff
you don't hang on the wall #
-- [ Scraping ]
-- # Stuff that's real #
-- [ Breathes deeply ]
-- # That stuff you feel #
# Is the kind of stuff
you reach for when you fall #
[ Breathes deeply ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Sighs ]
[ Clicking ]
Cal: You sure about this,
Henry?
Yeah. Deer get
a whiff of human hair,
they just keep on moving
till they don't smell it
no more.
I figure we put us
a circle
all the way
around the field here.
This is a lot of hair.
[ Chuckles ] Well,
from the looks of things,
contrary to popular opinion,
Cal ain't been cheating
nobody down there at his shop.
[ All laugh ]
[ lndistinct talking ]
It helps if you actually
wear those goggles,
Ms. Martinez.
Uh, coach...
[ Chuckling ]
Joel: Yeah, baby.
Is that what
I think it is?
That, gentlemen, is
Bermuda Hybrid Number Five.
We're gonna have
a baseball field.
[ Doorbell rings ]
Maybe he's not home.
But he said
he'd be here.
[ Doorbell rings ]
Hey, Grandpa.
Hunter.
I was reading in the paper
this morning
that someone in your family
is having a birthday.
That's a kid joke,
Grandpa.
Kid joke? No kidding?
Jimmy.
Sir.
Whoa!
It's kinda big.
Oh, you'll grow into it
faster than you think.
Look, Dad, it doesn't have
any fingers.
That's 'cause
it's a first-baseman's mitt.
Uh...is that wrong?
Well, you know, l-I probably
got the receipt somewhere.
Uh, we can just --
we can get another one, huh?
One with fingers.
That's okay, Grandpa.
I like first base.
Can I go outside
and play, Dad?
[ Clears throat ] Yeah.
What do you say first?
Thank you, Grandpa.
I really like it a lot.
Oh.
[ Chuckling ] Oh.
Stay in the yard.
If he decides he wants
one with fingers...
I'll take care of it.
[ Sighs ]
I didn't know
you had these.
Oh, yeah.
Your mother gave me a few.
Hmm. She'd be the one
to have 'em.
# Happy birthday to you #
# Happy birthday to you #
# Happy birthday,
dear Hunter #
# Happy birthday to you #
Make a wish. Oh!
Jessica!
Lorri:
Hey, don't worry, baby.
Your wish still counts.
-- [ Whistle blows ]
-- Charles...
Do you think that
that ice-cream machine
is gonna start
spinning itself?
[ Noisemaker blows ]
Oh, I gotta go get
a knife.
I'll help you, Mom.
I think we need plates,
hon, too.
-- [ Grunts ]
-- [ Pop ]
Seems like
five minutes ago
I was watching you
blow out those candles.
Are you trying to
make me feel old?
Come talk to me
in 20 years.
Hunter says you spent
some time at your father's
today.
Yeah.
You know where
I'm going with that.
Yes, ma'am, I do.
Lorri says he's trying
real hard
to be a good grandfather.
Yeah, well...
Lord, Jimmy, I swear,
the one thing you got from him
is his stubborn side.
-- That's not true.
-- [ Sighs ]
Well, what do you
want me to do,
pretend everything
was perfect?
You've been blaming your father
for too many things
for too many years.
I just call 'em
like I see 'em, Mom.
[ Chuckles ]
Jimmy, you can sell that story
someplace else, 'cause
I ain't buying.
You got your shot
at baseball.
You got hurt.
Simple as that.
It had nothing to do
with your father.
You think
he didn't have dreams?
[ Sighs ]
That why it didn't work out
with you two?
[ Chuckles ]
I'm gonna need a longer street
for that talk.
Jimmy:
Okay, let's get two.
[ Bat cracks ball ]
Come on, Wack!
Come on, coach, how long
we gotta practice here?
Just a couple
of more days.
Joe David:
Getting old out here, coach.
Playing in a gravel yard.
Okay, Wack.
Come on in for
batting practice.
Owls player: This is
not a ball field.
-- Come on, let's go.
-- Okay, okay.
[ Metal squeaks ]
Okay.
Nice, easy swings.
Turn your hips.
Throw your hands
at the ball.
Come on, coach, l-I mean,
if we're gonna start winning,
we need to see
some better pitching.
-- Rudy: Yeah.
You gonna help us or not?
Come on, coach,
right here.
Joe David: Yo, let's see
some action.
[ Sighs ]
Joe David: Come on, Wack.
[ Elvis Presley's "Run On"
plays ]
# Ooooh #
# Well, you may run on
for a long time #
-- # Run on for a long time #
-- [ Air whooshes ]
# Run on for a long time #
# Let me tell you, God
Almighty's gonna cut you down #
-- # Go tell that
long-tongued liar #
-- [ Whooshing continues ]
# Go tell that midnight rider #
# Tell the gambler,
the rambler, the backbiter #
# Tell them God Almighty's
gonna cut them down #
# You may throw your rock
and hide your hand #
# Working in the dark
against your fellow man #
# As sure as God made
the day and the night #
# What you do in the dark
will be brought to the light #
# You may run and hide,
slip and slide #
# Trying to take the mote
from your neighbor's eye #
# As sure as God made
the rich and poor #
-- # You gonna reap
just what you sow #
-- [ Bat nicks ball ]
Rudy: Man!
[ Laughs ]
Hey, right on, man.
Got a piece of that one!
Now...get all of it.
-- You're the man, Wack.
-- Come on, Wack.
Joe David:
Catching up, coach.
-- [ Air whooshes ]
-- [ Bat cracks ball ]
[ Crowd cheering ]
Two, Wack! Two!
Go, go, go, go, go!
Stay up!
Stay, stay, stay!
Attaway, Wack!
-- [ Crack ]
-- Hustle!
[ Cheering continues ]
[ Crack ]
[ Crack ]
Run, boy, run!
[ lndistinct cheering ]
Pick it up! Pick it up,
pick it up, pick it up!
Umpire: Out!
[ Crack ]
-- Take it, Joel!
-- Got it!
Run, run, run,
run, run, run!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah! Whoo!
-- Whoo!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
[ Cheering continues ]
There you go, Joel!
There you go, baby!
Hit it, Wack!
Eye on the ball, buddy!
[ John Hiatt's "Slow Turning"
plays ]
[ Cheers ]
# When I was a boy #
# I thought it just came
to ya #
# But I never could tell
what's mine #
# So it didn't matter anyway #
Cal: [ On P.A. ] How 'bout that
for an outstanding double play?
# My only pride and joy #
# Was this racket down here #
# Bangin' on an old guitar... #
Cal: The Owls win again,
and that is five in a row.
#...It's been a slow turnin' #
Let's go.
# From the inside out #
[ Cracking ]
-- # A slow turnin', baby #
-- All around, all around.
# But you come about #
Strike three!
# A slow learnin' #
-- Whoo! Yeah!
-- # But you learn to sway #
Yeah, baby!
-- # A slow turnin', baby #
-- Come on,
get some defense going!
# Not fade away,
not fade away... #
Joe David: He's taking second!
-- Strike three!
#... Time is short, and here's
the damn thing about it #
-- He's out!
-- # You're gonna die,
gonna die for sure #
# And you can learn to live
with love or without it #
# But there ain't no cure #
# There's just
a slow turnin'... #
[ Crack ]
Cal: Going...going...
Gone!
#...A slow turnin' #
Whoooo!
# But you come about #
-- The Owls clear the bases.
-- # A slow turnin', baby #
-- [ Cheers ]
-- # But you learn to sway #
# A slow turnin' #
-- Yeah!
-- # Not fade away,
not fade away #
# Not fade away... #
[ All shouting ]
Hey! Hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
Keep it down now,
or folks are gonna think
that football season's
started already!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
Now, a lot of coaches
would say
that they're really proud
of you right now,
and I am.
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
A lot of coaches --
a lot of coaches would say
that it's amazing
that we won this many
games in a row,
and it is.
-- Yeah!!
-- Yeah!!
-- Yeah!!
But! But!
But, but, but,
but, but...
I am not gonna say
that I do not care about
tomorrow's game,
'cause I do.
So let's finish
this thing up.
[ Owls cheer ]
[ Chanting ] State!
State! State! State!
State! State! State! State!
State! State! State! State!
Quite a group
you got there.
-- Well, thanks.
-- I'm Steve Dearborn.
-- I'm with the Barton School
District in Fort Worth.
-- Oh.
I was hoping we might be
able to talk about that
application you sent us.
Uh...sure.
[ Cheering continues ]
[ No audio ]
They'll understand.
[ Sighs ] I got most of 'em
coming back.
Jimmy, you're always gonna have
kids coming back.
Not these kids.
It's Fort Worth.
High-school coaching jobs
don't get any better.
You get to coach,
you get to teach...
And not that it's the most
important thing in life,
but...it is twice the money,
Jimmy.
We sure could use it.
I know.
Well, I am done telling you
to sleep on it,
because that sure
ain't working.
[ Exhales deeply ]
[ Clears throat ]
Three years ago,
this program ended the season
with only one win.
Two years ago...
one win.
Last year...same story.
This year...
We have won 16 games.
And, gentlemen...
We need 17.
Anybody got any questions?
Hmm?
Wack: Coach...
Coming back next year?
Wack...
Why don't we worry about
this year first, all right?
All right, gentlemen,
hats off.
Lord, we humbly thank You
for bringing us here
this season without injury
and inspiring us...
[ "Star Spangled Banner"
playing ]
Henry: [ On P.A. ]
# And the rockets' red glare #
# The bombs bursting in air #
# Gave proof
through the night #
# That our flag
was still there #
# Oh, say, does that
star-spangled banner yet wave #
# O'er the land of the free #
# And the home of the brave #
[ Cheers and applause ]
Cal: [ On P.A. ]
A stirring rendition
from Big Lake
Rotary President,
Henry Sampson.
All right, all right.
We're a different team
than last time
we played these guys.
They're ripe
for the pickin'.
Just...Iet's not be nervous
out there.
[ Panting ]
Nothing to be nervous about.
Let's play baseball.
[ Cheers ]
[ Cheering ]
Go! Go! Go!
Go all the way!
Coach: Wave him home!
Home! Home! Home!
Safe!
Yes! Yeah!
Come on, guys.
Guys, come on.
Settle down.
Owls player: Shake it off,
baby. Shake it off.
Wack!
Give me the ball!
Damn!
Boys from Big Lake
In an early hole --
Keep your heads up.
Get this thing back to even.
Wack: It's all right.
Joel: Come on, boys.
It's the first inning.
All right, Brandon,
grab some wood.
Joe David, you're on deck.
This guy's fastball stinks,
so be looking out for his curve,
all right?
Umpire: Batter up!
All right, one hit at a time,
one swing at a time,
one run at a time.
Come on, now.
Watch him! Let's go!
What do you say, Miguel?
Wack: All right, Miguel.
Come on.
Joel: Let's get a hit.
Let's get a hit.
Umpire: He's out!
[ Groans ]
Damn.
Owls still with that zero
up on the board.
Rowley player: Throw him out!
Out!
A scorcher that dang-near
took our boy's head off.
[ Applause ]
[ Cheering ]
Whoo!
Come on, slide!
Safe! And that puts Big Lake
In scoring position.
You all right?
Owls player: Whoo!
Cal: Rudy Bonilla coming
to the plate.
[ Cheering continues ]
Come on, baby!
Come on!
Owls player: Come on!
Let's go!
Owls player #2: Come on!
Send him home!
[ Cheering ]
Safe! Safe!
Yeah!
A suicide squeeze,
and the Owls
are on the scoreboard.
Go, ball, go!
Yeah!
[ Cheering ]
Yeah!
Spectacular catch, and the Owls
are hanging in there.
Come on, Wack!
Cal: Joe David
is still on first base.
I see it! I see the fear
in his eyes, Wack!
Come on, baby!
Come on, baby! Just do it!
Let's go, baby!
Joel: Let's go, Wack!
Come on!
Come on, now!
Come on, Wack!
Go, Wack!
Come on, Wack!
Come on, Wack!
Come on, Wack!
Let's go, Wack!
Come on, baby!
[ Cheering ]
[ Whistling ]
Go! Go!
Go! Come on!
Stay! Stay!
Whoa! Whoa!
Whoo!
No!
Safe!
Yeah!
Whoo!
Joe David!
Whoo!
Yes!
Big Lake takes the lead.
Rudy Bonilla
working with a full count.
Ruffneck runners
on first and second.
Owls player:
Smoke it by him!
Come on, 'Necks!
You can do it!
[ Grunts ]
Ball four.
[ Groans ]
Bases now full of Ruffnecks.
[ Cheering and applause ]
Owls player: Right here, Rudy!
Right here, right now!
Owls player #2: We got him!
Owls player #3:
Let's go, Rudy!
Let's get this out!
Look him down, Rudy!
Look him down!
Cal: Last year's District MVP
Cory Jones coming to the plate.
Rowley player:
All right, Cory!
Rowley player #2:
'Necks all the way!
Owls player:
Throw him some heat, Rudy!
Woman: Yeah! Whoo!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Umpire: Ball!
[ Booing ]
Come on, baby!
Joe David:
Come on, Rudy!
What do you say now?!
Aw, come on, now, Rudy!
Come on, baby!
Get this last out!
-- Come on!
-- Strike him out, Rudy!
Come on!
Strike him out!
Jimmy: Here we go!
Here we go!
Owls player: He's got nothing!
He's got nothing!
Joe David: Look alive!
Man: Come on! Tighten up, now!
Tighten up!
Strike!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Oh, he is having
to dig deep now.
One-and-one count.
[ Grunts ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Gasping ]
Go. Go.
Goin' foul! Goin' foul!
Foul ball!
[ Sighs ]
Goin' foul! Yeah!
Ball.
Let me tell you, folks,
they don't make foul balls
any scarier than that one.
Come on, Rudy!
Let's go!
Come on, Rudy!
You can do it!
Bear down, baby!
Bear down!
[ Cheering continues ]
We need another strike,
Rudy.
What do you say, Rudy?!
Come on!
He can't hit you!
-- He got nothing on you!
-- He can't hit you!
Come on, now, rapid-fire, baby.
Rapid-fire.
-- It's just a long strike now.
-- You can do it, Rudy!
You own him, Rudy!
Come on, baby!
You got to do this one!
This punk can't hit you, Rudy!
Come on!
He got nothing on you!
Dig deep, Rudy.
One time, for all the marbles.
Let's go, baby.
Joe David: Come on, Rudy!
What do you say?!
Strike this guy out!
Come on!
[ Grunts ]
Strike three!
[ Cheering ]
Owls win!
Owls win!
Owls win! Owls win!
Owls win!
[ Cheering continues ]
Whoo-hoo!
[ Cheering continues ]
Yeah!
Owls win!
Owls win!
Owls win!
[ "Jump Around" by House Of Pain
plays on stereo ]
[ Owls continue cheering ]
# Pack it up, pack it in,
let me begin #
# I came to win,
battle me, that's a sin #
# I won't tear the sack up,
punk, you'd better back up #
# Try and play the role
and then the whole crew
will act up #
# Get up, stand up,
come on, throw your hands up #
# If you've got the feeling
jump across the ceiling #
# Muggs is a funk fest,
someone's talking junk #
# Yo, I'll bust 'em in the eye,
and then I'll take the punks
home #
# Feel it, funk it, amps
in the trunk, and I got... #
Hey.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
-- Settle down, fellas.
-- [ Music stops ]
Wack: Yeah, come on, guys.
Quiet down.
To the man who taught us
about wanting something more.
Coach Jimmy Morris
of the District Champion
Big Lake Owls!
[ Cheering ]
We wanted it,
and now we got it! Yeah!
[ Cheering and applause
continues ]
[ Cheering and applause
stops ]
Now it's your turn,
coach.
It's your turn, coach.
Your turn, coach.
It's your turn, coach.
It's your turn, coach.
It's your turn, coach.
It's your turn, coach.
It's your turn, coach.
Your turn, coach.
[ Baby crying ]
Here you go.
[ Smacking ]
Eat your cereal.
Come on.
[ Smacks ] Come on.
First day
of summer registration.
I'm gonna have to skip
breakfast.
Mommy, you can take
some Mister Crunch
with you if you like.
He's a captain, Jessie.
Don't go bustin' rank on him.
Thanks anyway, hon.
You got anything
going today?
Me?
No.
-- We need to go see
the real estate guy.
-- [ Cries ]
He's been a captain forever.
Why don't they make him
something better?
Like, you mean, like,
like Admiral Crunch?
Just say, "Yes, ma'am,"
so I know you heard me.
Yes, ma'am.
Take 'em all with you
if you go.
[ Smooching ]
You kids mind your daddy.
Remind me not to forget Jamie
if we go anywhere.
[ Brakes squeak ]
They got lots of players,
Daddy.
[ Sighs ]
[ Engine stops ]
Man: Sign right here.
Have your players get in line,
coach.
Everybody signs in.
Jim Morris.
Dave Patterson.
I saw you when the Brewers
drafted you.
Must have been, uhh...
Awhile back.
Yeah.
How ya doing, Dave?
Good.
You, um...
You still looking
at players?
Oh, well, the looking's
the easy part.
It's the finding
that gives me trouble.
-- Mm.
-- You bring some kids...
Besides your own?
Uh, I'm --
I'm here for me.
For you?
Uh-huh.
Well, all right, then.
All right.
-- Good to see you.
-- That's good.
-- Good to see you.
-- Uh-huh.
Sign here.
[ "Nothing I Can Do About lt
Now" by Willie Nelson plays ]
# I've got a long list
of real good reasons #
# For all the things
I've done... #
Come on. Let's go.
Oops.
Oops. Excuse me.
#...Of what I've lost
and what I've won #
# I've survived
every situation #
# Knowin' when to freeze
and when to run #
# And regret is just a memory
written on my brow #
# And there's nothing I can do
about it now #
# I've got a wild
and a restless spirit #
# I kept my price
through every deal #
# I've seen the fire
of a woman scorned... #
Daddy,
you can be X's this time.
Okay.
#...I've got the song
of the voice inside me #
# Set to the rhythm
of the wheel #
# And I've been dreamin'
like a child #
# Since the cradle
broke the bow #
# And there's nothin'
I can do about it now #
[ Crying ]
Now, now.
That's the last diaper.
Well, it's okay.
We're outta here just as soon
as Jamie's set to go.
But, Dad --
No "But, Dads," okay?
I'm dealing with enough butts
here as it is.
Hold on, honey.
Daddy's almost done.
[ Jamie continues crying ]
Hunter...
...Look,
I promised to try out,
but there's nothing
I can do if they won't
take a look at me.
Jimmy!
Come on. You're up.
[ Jamie continues crying ]
Just a second.
I'm not doing it.
All right, look, look, look.
You just stay right here.
You look after your sister,
all right?
Come on. Let's go.
[ Jamie crying ]
Sit!
Be right back.
Who do we got here?
All right. All right.
Need to warm up?
Uhh...no.
I'm good.
Don't hurt yourself.
Wheneveryou're ready.
Whenever I'm ready.
[ Exhales deeply ]
[ Scraping ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Air whooshes,
ball slaps mitt ]
[ "Blue Moon Nights"
by John Fogerty plays ]
# Help me, fellas,
I'm feelin' kinda weak #
# The way I'm livin'
just ain't right... #
[ Grunts ]
[ Whispering ]
#...All my blue moon nights #
[ Grunts ]
# I want a girl to take me
by the hand #
[ Grunts ]
# Follow me
right down the line #
# Hold me gently
while we dance... #
[ Grunts ]
You want me to keep going?
Couple more.
[ Grunts ]
#...Help me, fellas,
it's gettin' kinda late #
# Runnin' outta precious time #
# She might pass me... #
[ Grunts ]
#...All my blue moon nights #
# Heaven only knows I don't
want to be just a fool #
[ Giggling ]
# Passin' through #
# Won't you send an angel
to walk with me?
# All my blue moon nights #
# All my blue moon... #
[ Grunts ]
#...All my... #
That's good, Jim.
Pitch.
Pitch.
Man, you were bringing
some heat out there.
Aw, come on.
You had 'em talking.
You had 'em talking.
Good job, man.
[ Horn honks ]
That was Jessica.
Jim.
Man: You did good,
though, man.
How fast were you throwing
Slow enough that scouts stopped
using the word "fast."
Jim, how fast
were you throwing?
I don't know.
Why?
You just threw
Nah.
Dozen straight pitches.
Three radar guns.
Same thing on all of 'em.
Nah, D-Dave,
there's no way that I --
I've been a scout
a long time now,
and Rule Number One is arms
slow down when they get older.
Listen, Jim,
I call the office
and I tell them I got a guy here
almost twice these kids' age,
I'm gonna get laughed at.
But if I don't call in
a 98-mile-an-hour fastball,
I'm gonna get fired.
I'm just letting you know
that there's a chance
you might get a call
on this.
You figure out what I saw out
there today,
you let me know, okay?
Okay.
[ Beep ]
Jimmy: Hey, hon,
don't fix dinner.
We're getting some pizza.
Oh, thank God.
[ Beep ]
Man: Jim, this is Dan Jordan
with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
I'll try you back later.
[ Beep ]
Man #2: Jim, Mark Rafus with
the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Dave Patterson told me
about this afternoon.
I'll try you first thing
in the morning.
[ Beep ]
Dave: Hey, Jim, this is Dave.
Listen, uh...
We're gonna have you throw
again in a couple of days
just to make sure.
They're gonna send out
some of the boys from Tampa.
[ Brakes squeak, engine stops ]
Mommy!
Daddy told me
to give you the pizza
and not say anything else.
Thank you, sweet pea.
I'm sure that's exactly
what he told you.
[ Jamie cries ]
All right.
All right, go. Go ahead.
Hunter: There was, like,
a thousand players,
and it was so hot.
And Daddy was pitching
really hard.
-- Oh, yeah?
Jessica: Yeah.
-- And it was really hot,
but it was fun.
-- Yeah.
-- And I got my nose burned
really bad.
-- Yeah.
Hmm.
Jimmy: The guy thought that the
damn radar gun was broken.
Do you know how many guys
can throw the ball
Not many.
You can count 'em
on one hand.
I still don't believe it.
I mean, those are major-league
scouts on our message machine.
I know.
[ Chuckles ] It's great.
Um, listen, honey, w-why didn't
you tell me about all this?
Well, I just...
thought you'd laugh at me.
Oh, come on.
It was just this --
it was this thing to get
the kids to start playing.
I thought I'd just go there,
I'd throw a few pitches,
then I'd be done with it.
So...
are you considering this?
I-I don't know.
I -- l-I don't know.
I...I have never thrown
that hard before.
What?
Hmm?
Y-you don't seem
too excited.
No, I am.
Really.
[ Dishes clinking ]
[ Water running ]
Announcer: [ On television ]
It's a tough decision.
Do you go ahead and call in
your set-up man
to try to counter
the left-handed batter
with the
lefty middle-reliever?
Announcer #2: [ On television ]
That's right, Tom.
They have Johnson available
as well as Bisou,
who did work one full inning
on Tuesday night.
Yup, now it appears they've
made up their minds...
And they're gonna go
the set-up route.
And here comes Gray
out of the bullpen,
making the traditional run
through the outfield
to the mound.
You know, Jim, I'm sure
no matter how many times
you've made that run,
it still has to be
quite a thrill.
Right you are, Jim.
Back to the action.
[ Television turns off ]
[ Remote control drops ]
[ Rain falling ]
[ Sloshing ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Slap ]
Ain't nothing wrong
with that one right there.
[ Grunts ]
[ Slap ]
So much for his arm
falling off, huh?
[ Slap ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Sloshes ]
[ Engine running ]
[ Engine stops ]
Jimmy?
Yeah -- yes, sir.
[ Clears throat ]
I was just driving by.
I saw that...
Your light was on.
It'll be on
for a few more hours.
You want to come in?
Oh, no.
That's all right.
I was, um --
I got to be heading back.
I just, uh, wanted to,
um...
[ Clears throat ]
-- Uh --
-- Lorri called.
Yeah?
Guess the scouts saw
what they wanted to see.
Well...
I don't know what to do.
[ Chuckles softly ]
Give it some time.
[ Sighs deeply ]
I haven't got
a lot of that.
You're asking me?
[ Clears throat ]
[ Smacks lips ]
[ Sighs ]
Yes, sir.
Your grandfather
once told me
it was okay to think about
what you want to do,
until it was time to start doing
what you were meant to do.
That may not be
what you wanted to hear.
[ Clears throat ]
Good night, Jimmy.
Good night.
I swear, sometimes I think
he lies in bed at night
just figuring out the one thing
that he can say
that hurts the most.
I was this close
to thinking
he was gonna give me
some good advice.
Maybe he did.
What?
Oh, boy. [ Sighs ]
Listen, Jimmy, I love you.
Lord knows I think it's great
you going out there
and showing up the kids
at the tryout.
But I'm a little concerned that
you might be losing sight
of the fact you have a family
who needs you
and a pretty decent job waiting
for you up at Fort Worth.
For the record, all right,
I never said
I was gonna do this.
Oh, come on, Jimmy.
I know you.
Although I was hoping for
a little bit more support
on the home front.
Oh, so this doesn't concern
me...or the kids?
You can't eat dreams,
Jimmy.
And they don't pay for clothes
or shoes or gas or babysitters.
Now, I do not want to be
the bad guy in this,
but somebody around here
has got to start
being rational.
You know what?!
That's all I've been
my whole life!
Yeah,
what about my life?!
I was there, too,
remember?
Every time you got hurt,
I got a front-row seat
to watch you shut yourself off
from the rest of the world...
And from me.
Truth is,
I was happy when you quit.
Happy.
Yeah...
Because I don't want to see you
get hurt again.
[ Clears throat ]
[ Exhales deeply ]
[ Footsteps approaching ]
[ Sighs ] Kids down?
For a while, at least.
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
Me too.
[ Exhales deeply ]
I've been thinking --
So have l.
I think you should do this.
No. No.
You were right.
No. I don't think so.
We've got an 8-year-old boy
inside this house
who waited all day in the sun
and the rain
to see his daddy
try to do something
that nobody believed
he could do.
Now, what are we telling him
if--
if you don't try now?
[ Smacks lips ]
I can't leave you here
with all this.
Jimmy Morris,
I'm a Texas woman.
Which means I don't need
the help of a man
to keep things running.
Okay?
Okay.
[ Sighs ]
Okay.
Great.
[ Chuckles softly ]
[ Kisses ]
[ Kisses ]
[ Kisses ]
See you soon, little man.
[ Sighs ]
[ lndistinct conversations,
laughter ]
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
You the old guy?
I'm the old guy.
Man: Come on, Rays,
you're on a roll!
Man #2: Hey, Big Time.
You use a walker
to get to the mound,
or do the other players
carry you?
Man #3: Hey, Pitch, who'd you
come up with, the Senators?
Man #4:
What are they paying you?
Man #5: They ought to pay us
to come see you!
Welcome to last place!
[ Laughs ]
Hey, Skipper!
I didn't know it was
"Bring Your Dad To Work" night.
[ Cheering ]
Woman: Way to go!
Man: Way to bring up
his average!
Coach: Time!
Announcer: [ On P.A. ]
Pitching change for Orlando.
Now pitching, number nine,
Johnny Morris.
Check that -- Jimmy Morris.
And now, fans, it's time
to guess the winning car!
[ Cheering ]
And a big crash
at the first-base line!
Number one will win it
this time.
Man: Who is this guy?
Work fast.
We got a long bus trip.
Let's go, Stingrays!
[ "Wooly Bully" plays on P.A. ]
# Wooly bully #
# Wooly bully #
# Wooly bully #
# Wooly bully #
# Watch it now, watch it,
watch it, watch it #
# You got it, you got it,
you got it #
[ Music stops ]
Whoa!
[ Laughter and boos ]
Man: Hey, Pitch! Do I look like
a strike zone to you?!
-- You stink!
-- You can't play ball!
Lorri: I can't believe they let
you pitch your first game.
Well, how'd you do?
Not bad.
[ Sighs ] I had a few of 'em
get away from me.
Did the fans all yell
when you ran in?
Yeah. Oh, yeah,
they were yelling, all right.
Oh, honey,
that's just great.
Hey, let me get the kids.
Uh, no. Um...
Just tell them I'll call them
tomorrow from...
Wherever we're going.
Okay, I will.
[ Chuckles softly ]
I love you.
I love you, too.
Take care.
[ Sighs ]
[ Grunts ]
-- [ Slap ]
-- Strike!
[ Crowd cheering ]
-- [ Grunts ]
-- Strike!
-- [ Grunts ]
-- Strike!
Out!
[ Slap ]
[ Crack ]
Blue!
Jimmy: Okay,
what's four times four?
Hunter: 17?
No, it's not 17.
You're guessing.
Just add it up.
It's 16.
You got to be able to look at
four times four,
and just know that it's 16
without even having to think
about it, all right?
Now let's do your fives.
Aw, Daddy,
I already done my fives.
-- What's --
-- [ Knock ]
Well, if you want to learn
how to multiply,
you're gonna have
to practice, bud.
Okay.
-- Hey, Dad.
-- Yeah, partner?
Told you when you're going
to the big leagues yet?
[ Sighs ]
Could you put your mom on?
Okay?
Okay.
All right.
Oh, thanks, hon.
Hey.
Jessie says they left you in
one too many pitches.
Jessie needs to learn how to
keep a secret with her father.
-- How are things going?
-- Things are good.
Hunter's got a field trip
on Friday,
and the rest of us
are talking about --
Honey,
that's not what I meant.
I know.
It's not bad.
We're a little behind.
[ Groans ] How much?
Well, they took the bed,
but they left the nightstand.
[ Sighs ]
You all right?
I'm just tired.
[ Smacks lips ]
I love you.
Love you, too.
Good night.
Okay. Good night.
Good night.
[ Sighs ]
Listen, man...
This is the only
long-distance phone
we have here at The Ritz.
You see someone waiting, you
keep it to 10 minutes, okay?
What?
Now you all talked out?
Use it all up
on your girlfriend?
It was my son.
He needed help
with his homework.
[ Sighs ]
[ Crack ]
[ Crack ]
Get out of here.
It looks like a little screen
time's coming for Kenny Justin.
[ Crack ]
Jim!
Hey, Jim,
come here a minute.
Jim, I want you to meet
Tim Stewart from "ABC News. "
Hey, Jim. It's a pleasure.
Thanks for taking some time
with us.
You want to sit down?
I got a jersey for you.
Can you believe that?
I go four-for-five last night
and look where they got
the camera.
Man's been pitching good enough
to talk about it.
Dude's old enough.
He needs to talk
about retiring.
Player: Come on, let's go.
[ lndistinct conversations ]
Player #2:
Hey, grab my magazine.
Old Man River,
you're moving kind of slow.
Yeah.
Six hours on a bus.
Yeah?
Never mind.
Come on, man.
Look, I got just the recipe
to loosen them bones up.
[ Rock music plays ]
Waitress: Here you go.
Gentlemen...
To the diet that put Babe Ruth
in the Hall Of fame.
Hey, River, what was it like
watching The Babe play?
Mm-hmm. Okay.
You sure
you want to start this?
How many fans
did you guys lose
when you raised ticket prices
to 50 cents?
Not as many as we lose
when you pitch.
Ohhhh!
And this game is over, baby!
River, I swear, if you were
this funny all the time,
nobody'd say nothing --
About what?
What do you mean?
What are they saying,
Brooks?
Look, some of the guys figure,
you know,
the way the team's pushing
your story and all, that --
Oh. What? Do they think I'm some
kind of publicity stunt?
[ Sighs ]
Is that
what they're thinking?
They think
I'm taking somebody's spot?
What do you think, Brooks?
You're too fast for me.
That's all I know.
[ Crack ]
Player: Go, Brooksie!
That's in the gap!
Go, go, go, go, go!
Player #2:
All the way, Brooks!
Boy: Come on, Brooks!
Umpire: Safe!
Time!
You want to warm up?
Player: Nice job, Brooks!
Yeah.
Vendor: Peanuts!
Vendor #2: Get your programs!
Announcer: [ On P.A. ]
Now batting for the Bulls,
number 38,
Kenny Bryerson.
Vendor:
Get your ice-cold soda!
[ lndistinct conversations ]
Mac, we both know
it's gonna be Brooks.
I've had more than one player
called up before.
Anybody my age?
So, what are you thinking?
I got a...pile of unpaid bills
at home.
I got a good job there.
I only make $600 a month
here.
And I got a family I haven't
seen in three months.
We still got
some season left.
Somebody, uh, once told me
that it's okay to think about
what you want to do
until it's time to start doing
what you were meant to do.
Just so you know,
you were my best relief pitcher
this past month.
Thanks, Mac.
Hunter: Jessica, give me
that back! It's mine!
-- [ Telephone ringing ]
-- Jessica: No, Hunter!
I'm gonna tell mommy!
Shh-shh-Shh.
Jamie's asleep.
You're gonna be
in big trouble.
-- Hello?
-- Jimmy: Hey.
Hey! I didn't think I'd hear
from you till tomorrow.
I'm coming home.
What? Did you get hurt?
No.
I'm fine.
Um...it's just time.
You called Fort Worth,
didn't you?
Uh-huh. Uh, I told them I'd be
there in, uh, two weeks.
So, pitch for two weeks.
Mm, no. T-T-There's, uh,
too much to do.
I'll take care of it.
-- We've been okay
for three months.
-- Lorri?
-- We'll be okay
for two weeks.
-- Lorri?
No, no, I'm --
I'm wasting my time out here.
[ Sighs ] Listen, Jimmy.
Lord knows I am ready
for both sides of the bed
to be warm again.
But if you're gonna do this,
you make sure you're doing it
for the right reasons
because you're the one
that's gonna have to live
with it, okay?
I'll be fine.
You still love it?
Just think about that,
okay?
[ lndistinct conversations ]
[ "Holding Pattern" by Dave Hole
plays on jukebox ]
Charles Gibson:
[ On television ]
Finally tonight,
dreams that don't die.
In 1983,
the Milwaukee Brewers
drafted a pitcher
named Jim Morris.
You've never heard of him --
arm troubles.
He quickly dropped out of
baseball, married, had kids,
taught high school chemistry.
Pitching batting practice
to the high-school kids,
he found he was throwing
the ball 95 miles an hour --
faster than he could throw it
years ago.
He doesn't know
how that happened.
But guess what it did
to his dream?
Here's Aaron Brown.
Aaron Brown: [ On television ]
Jim Morris is afraid
to tell his mother
he quit his old job
as a high-school teacher
for his new one, a relief
pitcher in the minor leagues.
He is really old --
too old to be in the minors --
but he's also throwing harder
and better
than he did
as a 20-year-Old kid,
and so he's back in that
strange and wonderful land
called minor-league baseball,
where the bull snorts smoke
on every home run,
and future stars
run the bases between innings.
Jimmy: [ On television ]
I made a challenge to the guys
to, uh, follow their dreams.
Really, it was something to...
to motivate them.
And, uh, they turned it around
on me
and, uh, told me I wasn't
following my own dreams.
#...And washed
the spider out #
Be quiet.
Listen to Mr. Morris.
Jimmy: Uh, I-I grew up here.
I had a lot
of really good support
from my family and friends
and townspeople around there.
This game, it's been the true
love of my life,
other than my wife Lorri,
uh, since, uh,
I was a little boy.
I had a dream as a little boy
of playing
professional baseball.
I used to pitch
and imagine myself, you know,
Iike every other kid
in this country,
of being in the World Series,
pitching in the seventh game,
ninth inning,
big-league ballpark.
There's drama in it.
There's, uh, suspense.
There's a camaraderie
with the other players,
the fans in the stadium.
You add that to it.
It's -- It's a great game.
[ Cheering and applause ]
[ Applause ]
[ lndistinct conversations,
cheering ]
Man: Heads up out there!
Heads up!
Man #2: Energy up, now.
Come on, boys!
[ lndistinct shouting ]
Woman: Ready to play!
Man: Come on!
Riv!
[ Hands slap ]
You know what we get to do
today, Brooks?
We get to play baseball.
[ Slap ]
Two!
[ Cheering and whistling ]
Announcer: 0 and 2
the count on Williams.
Morris really on top
of his game.
Coach is really bringing it
tonight.
[ Air whooshes ]
Strike!
Called strike three.
Caught him looking
with a fastball.
That's Morris's third strikeout
of the evening.
[ Cheers and applause ]
[ Air whooshes ]
[ Crack ]
Infield! Infield!
I got it! I got it!
Yeah!
[ Cheers and applause ]
[ lndistinct conversations ]
[ lndistinct conversations ]
Thanks for cleaning up my mess
tonight.
Hey, you pitched
seven good innings.
I wouldn't call that a mess.
Jimmy.
Uh, go ahead
and close the door.
Jimmy, I just got off the phone
with the big club.
They're calling up Brooks.
That's great.
He won't be back.
He respects you and...
I thought you might want to be
the one to tell him.
Sure.
Being as that you're going,
too.
They're calling me up?
Two of you fly out of here
tonight.
You catch up with the team
tomorrow.
[ lnhales sharply ]
Where?
Well, they're on the road
right now...
In Texas.
[ Breathes deeply ]
[ Telephone ringing ]
Hello?
Hey, Lorri.
Hey, you.
Hey.
Uh, um, do you know that blue
sport coat that I never wear?
[ Water bubbling ]
Oh, hang on a sec, hon.
I'm boiling over.
[ Sighs ]
[ Chuckles ]
Now, what about the blue sport
coat you never wear?
Would you mind bringing it
to Arlington tomorrow?
Arlington?
I thought you were in --
You tell me right now,
Jimmy Morris.
Uh, apparently...
There's a dress code
in the major leagues.
Lorri?
[ Voice breaking ]
Yeah, I'm here.
[ Laughs ]
They're flying me out
in an hour.
Can you tell everybody?
Sure. You just have to tell
one person first.
Hunter?
Your daddy's got something
he wants to tell you.
Hunter: Hey, Dad.
Hey, buddy.
Hey, guess what?
What?
Um, your daddy is gonna be
a major-league pitcher.
Really?
Yeah, really. What do you
think about that, huh?
Cool.
I can't believe it.
Who are you gonna play for?
They're called
the Devil Rays.
What's a devil ray?
Uh, it -- it's a fish.
What color is it?
Black.
Can you eat it?
I don't know, bud.
It's got a stinger.
That's cool.
My daddy's
a big-league pitcher.
[ lndistinct shouting,
horns honking ]
Joel:
Coach Morris made it!
Rudy: Coach Morris
made it to the bigs!
Wack:
He's a big-leaguer now!
[ "There Is A Light"
by Duane Jarvis plays ]
# There is a light
at the edge of the shadows #
[ lndistinct conversations ]
# Show a little faith
and try and believe #
# Better days
around the corner #
# Droppin' on your knees
before you plead #
# There is a light
at the edge of the shadows #
# There is a light #
[ Music fades ]
Team won't be here
for a couple of hours.
Feel free to look around.
[ Sighs ]
We ain't in Kansas anymore,
are we, Riv?
Announcer: [ On P.A. ] Good
evening, ladies and gentlemen,
and welcome to The Ballpark
in Arlington.
It's baseball time in Texas.
Tonight's game,
the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
against your Texas Rangers.
[ Air whooshes,
ball slaps mitt ]
[ lndistinct talking ]
[ Air whooshes,
ball slaps mitt ]
[ Slaps ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Air whooshes ]
-- Hmm...
-- [ Chuckles ]
[ Slaps ]
[ Air whooshes,
ball slaps mitt ]
[ Fan whistling ]
Jimmy!
Jimmy Morris!
Hunter: Dad!
Man: Let's go, Rangers!
Boy: Come on,
let's play ball!
Jessica: Hi, Dad.
[ Chuckling ] Hi.
You look great.
Kids, doesn't your daddy
look great?
-- Yup.
-- Yeah.
Hey.
Hey.
[ Laughing ]
I can't believe it.
[ Giggling ]
Hi, sweetheart.
Hi, Daddy.
-- You're so big.
-- Yeah.
Hey, partner.
I missed you.
Me too.
P.A. announcer:
Here are the starting lineups
for tonight's game.
Well, kids, we'd better
let your daddy get to work.
See ya after.
[ Man shouting indistinctly
in background ]
[ Chuckles ]
Okay.
Come on.
Radio announcer:
Down at The Ballpark,
the Devil Rays went down
and now the Rangers try to get
their high-scoring offense
on track in the bottom
of the first.
P.A. announcer:
Leading off for the Rangers,
the center fielder,
number 24, Tom Goodwin.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Radio announcer: Three balls
and a strike, one out.
The pitch on the way.
It is low. Ball four.
Runners at first and second --
a scoring chance for Texas.
P.A. announcer:...Page 24
in your souvenir program.
Here's tonight's...
Radio announcer: Here's
the pitch. It is swung on
and lined to center field --
-- [ Cheers and applause ]
-- A base hit.
A run will score.
-- You see Daddy?
He's right there.
-- Runners at first and second.
It's 1-0, Texas,
and the Rangers have
a 1-0 lead.
There's a swing
and a base hit to right field,
and this game
is now a 1-1 tie.
[ Organ plays fanfare ]
-- Charge!
-- Charge!
-- Charge!
Radio announcer:
Last half of the 4th inning
about to get underway.
It's the Rangers 1
and the Devil Rays 1.
[ Slap ]
-- The pitch in the dirt again,
the third one he has thrown.
-- [ Telephone rings ]
And we're about to get
some action, it appears,
in the Tampa Bay bullpen.
Pitching coach:
Blanton, Miller.
[ Telephone hangs up ]
The pitch is on the way.
Swung on, and a shot to the gap
in right-center field.
It looks like extra bases.
One run is home.
Two runs are home.
The throw cut off.
The play at third --
out at third base!
Rangers 3, Devil Rays 1,
here in the bottom of the 6th.
P.A. announcer:... On this day
in baseball history.
Radio announcer:
Runners at first and second --
a golden chance
for the Rangers.
Here's the set.
The pitch on the way.
A swing and a smash up
the alley in left-center field.
That will score two.
It's the Rangers 5,
the Devil Rays 1.
Texas has broken it open.
[ Cheers and applause ]
P.A. announcer:
The Devil Rays and Rangers
also play on Sunday night.
Game time is 7:05,
and it's Cap Night.
-- [ Telephone rings ]
-- All fans 13 and under
receive a Rangers cap.
Game time Sunday is 7:05.
Morris!
Start warming up.
Mommy.
Hmm?
It's daddy in the bullpen.
Oh, my Lord.
Cal: Hey. Hey, guys.
-- Is that him?
-- There he is.
There he is.
There he is.
-- Look, he's in the bullpen.
-- [ Frank chuckling ]
There he is.
Yep, he looks good.
Come here.
Here, have a look-see.
Radio announcer:
Blanton trying to
get out of a bases-loaded jam.
There's a swing and a smash
right back at him.
He retrieves the ball
in front of the mound,
-- [ Cheering ]
-- Throws to first.
And he throws it away.
Another run will come home.
Two runs for Texas
on the play,
and the Rangers have
busted this game wide open.
And Blanton
may have been hurt
on that rocket
right back to the mound.
-- [ Air whooshes ]
-- Jim Morris continues
to throw in the bullpen,
-- Mmm. Mmm-hmm.
See? It's coach.
-- The left-hander
from Big Lake, Texas.
P.A. announcer:...Gift shops
and novelty stands located
throughout the ballpark...
Let's go! Come on!
Get loose, coach!
Get loose!
Radio announcer:
The Tampa Bay trainer
-- [ Telephone rings ]
is on his way
out to the mound to check.
It appears the Devil Rays
might have to make
a pitching change.
Morris!
You're in!
[ Cheering ]
Go, coach Morris!
Whoo!
[ Whistles ]
[ Cheering continues ]
Let's go, coach!
Just three months ago,
he was grading chemistry tests.
And now Jim Morris
finds himself on the mound
in a major-league ballpark.
-- [ Organ plays ]
-- Little louder
than back home?
Well, then let's not
make this too hard.
You remember that fastball you
were showing me before the game?
-- I think so.
-- Well, I need three of 'em.
P.A. announcer:
Ladies and gentlemen,
your attention please.
Coming in to pitch
for Tampa Bay,
a fellow Texan making his
major-league debut, Jim Morris.
[ lndistinct talking,
papers rustling ]
Radio announcer:
Morris will be facing
Ranger shortstop Royce Clayton.
Royce has had
a very strong second half,
and has not cooled off any
here in the month of September.
Come on, Dad!
[ Scraping ]
[ Cheering and whistling ]
[ Breathing heavily ]
[ Sighs deeply ]
[ Cheering intensifies ]
-- [ Grunts ]
-- [ Air whooshes ]
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
Yes!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Devil Rays player:
One more time!
Come on, baby!
[ Air whooshes ]
Strike two!
Oh, what?
Yeah! Whoo!
[ Cheering continues ]
Come on, get him!
Get him!
Come on, Jimmy! Whoo!
-- Whoo!
-- Yeah!
Whoo!
[ Scraping ]
[ Grunts ]
[ lnhales deeply, grunts ]
[ Exhales sharply ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Air whooshes ]
[ Cheers and applause ]
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
-- Yeah!
Yay!
Whoo!
Good job!
Congratulations, man.
-- Thanks, man.
-- Great job.
[ Laughing ]
[ lndistinct talking ]
Reporter: Jimmy? Jimmy?
What pitches did you throw
to get that strikeout?
Um...fastball...
-- Mm-hmm.
...Fastball...
And...fastball.
-- [ All chuckling ]
-- Reporter#2:
How'd it feel --
pitching in the major leagues?
Just like I hoped it would.
How's the arm feel?
Oh....
Uh, could you excuse me
for just -- for one second?
Could you excuse me?
Sir...I-I didn't know
you were here.
Wasn't missing this one.
Watching you tonight...
...Not many fathers
get a chance to do that.
I guess I let too many
of those things get away.
[ Sighs deeply ]
S-so did l.
[ Chuckles softly ]
Well, then...
[ Sighs ]
Hey, Dad?
Yeah?
Thanks for coming.
[ Footsteps departing ]
Does this mean I don't
get a baseball?
Oh...
[ Both breathing heavily,
moaning, smooching ]
That's all I got left.
Well, a girl
could do worse.
[ Chuckles ]
So, how did it feel
to be the oldest rookie
in the last 30 years?
Oh...I don't know.
I'm -- I'm tired.
[ Chuckles ]
So, where are --
where are the kids?
Hunter is with Henry,
and Jessie's with Cal.
Oh, don't tell me you
left Jessie with Cal.
Oh, Cal had a little help.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Jessica: Daddy!
Hunter: My daddy!
[ Cheers and applause continue ]
[ lndistinct talking,
car doors closing ]
[ Clanking ]
[ "Some Dreams"
by Steve Earle plays ]
# When I was a little guy #
# My daddy told me #
# "Mister, don't ever try
to climb too high #
# "'Cause it's the fall
that gets you #
# "And some dreams
can never come true #
# They'll never come true" #
# Well, I heard
every word he said #
# But I don't guess
I listened #
# But every time
I banged my head #
# Against the wall or system #
# Yeah, some dreams
don't ever come true #
# Some dreams #
# Don't ever come true #
# Some dreams #
# But some dreams do #
# If you just hang on #
# And your heart is true #
# And your hope is strong #
# Well, just because
you've been around #
# And had your
poor heart broken #
# Ain't no excuse
for lyin' there #
# Before the last word's
spoken #
# 'Cause some dreams
don't ever come true #
# Some dreams #
# Don't ever come true #
# Some dreams #
# Oh, but some dreams do #
# When you're feelin' low #
# And you think
you're through #
# That's when you will know #
# Yeah, when you
wish upon a star #
# Buddy, don't you miss it #
# Catch it 'fore
it falls too far #
# And keep it
with your secrets #
# 'Cause some dreams
don't ever come true #
# Some dreams #
# Don't ever come true #
# Some dreams #
# Don't ever come true #
# Some dreams #
# But some dreams do #
[ "Shining"
by Eileen Rose plays ]
# Sore head,
and I'm calling rain #
# Full stop --
home to meet my mama's pain #
# Cry like she does #
# Try like she does #
# Oh, the world
still loves a dreamer #
# Keep on, keep on, keep on,
keep on, keep on shining #
# Ooh ooh-ooh #
# Keep on, keep on, keep on,
keep on shining #
# Ooh ooh-ooh #
# Ooh ooh-ooh #