FADE IN:

EXT. - YANKEE STADIUM, 1926 - DAY

Yankee Stadium's CROWD overflows its capacity. FANS stuff seats and aisles and struggle for an unobstructed view of their baseball heroes.

In the press box of the Stadium, a RADIO ANNOUNCER'S LIPS flutter, inches from a unidirectional microphone that resembles the chrome grill of a miniature 1934 De Soto. The mike's base displays a label that reads "CBS Radio Network."

The radio announcer drumbeats a pencil's eraser against his desk as he babbles "play-by-play" for radio fans.

RADIO ANNOUNCER

It's the seventh and deciding game of the 1926 season. World Series fans, this game will inspire young ball players all across this country. Yankee's three games - Cardinal's three. Baseball history may be made and this pitcher may take it all! Grover Cleveland Alexander threw sixteen shutouts for the Phillies back in 1916. I'm sure you remember.

GROVER CLEVELAND ALEXANDER, in his 1926 Saint Louis Cardinal uniform tugs his cap and toe-putters sand from the back of the pitcher's mound.

The Saint Louis Cardinal CATCHER trots out to the pitcher's mound.

RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

The Yankees lost to Alexander in the second game. Will Grover Cleveland Alexander beat the world champions twice in one World Series?

CATCHER

Alex, one run lead. A strike now will do it. You Okay? I can call relief? Look, it's been ten years since those sixteen shutouts. We been friends a long time. Forget the curse! Throw the three-fingered curveball.

A padded lumpy UMPIRE chugs toward the mound.

CATCHER

If we don't take this one, I can forget my new contract, maybe my career. I will become the ghost of baseball's past. It's worth it. Throw the three-fingered curveball!

The catcher trots toward home plate, meets the umpire and pats him on the back as they pass. The umpire follows and takes his place behind the crouched catcher. The catcher flashes the sign between his legs -- two fingers, with one tucked at the knuckle and the other extended, both point toward the ground.

Sixty feet away Grover Cleveland Alexander, rests his glove on his knee and peers into home plate. He shakes off the catcher's sign. The catcher's sign repeats. Two fingers, one tucked at the knuckle and the other extended, poke towards the ground.

Alexander straightens from his peer into home plate and draws his glove to his chest. The thumb of his glove exhibits his initials, GCA, burned into leather. Alexander bends his middle and ring fingers at the knuckles and grasps the ball with thumb, forefinger and little finger -- he grips for a three-fingered curveball. At the last moment the fingers tucked against the baseball straighten into a NORMAL CURVEBALL GRIP.

Alexander delivers and flips his wrist. The ball spins through the air toward home plate. The catcher's eyes focus on the baseball, and the umpire's stare follows its rotation as the ball sails high and outside. The BATTER relaxes as he eyes the path of the ball. The baseball slides down and to the right - over the plate. With a puff of dust, it slams into the catcher's glove.

UMPIRE

Strike three! You're out of there!

CATCHER

He didn't throw it?

On the mound, Grover Cleveland Alexander leaps high into the air and screams, his voice drowned by crowd noise. He spins toward the catcher and waves his arm and hand with two fingers extended, the other two fingers clutched by his thumb, in a victory salute. Alexander slings his leather glove into the air.

The 1926 style baseball glove, with fat stuffed fingers not strapped together by leather thongs, sails toward the stands. The glove lands on the ground and slides into the backstop.

Fans mob the field and the Saint Louis Cardinal dugout empties. Players stream onto the field to surround the victorious Grover Cleveland Alexander.

EXT. - YANKEE STADIUM NEAR HOME PLATE - DAY

As players and the crowd mob the pitcher's mound, the catcher walks to the back wall backstop and bends to pick up Alexander's discarded glove. He gazes at the glove.

CATCHER

He didn't throw it? He got him anyway? I told him to throw it, but he didn't throw it?

A twelve-year old boy, JACK NELSON, stands nearby, with his arms clasped behind him, and stares at the catcher.

CATCHER

Here you go kid, a real baseball souvenir. You going to be a ballplayer someday? Maybe, a catcher?

The catcher pitches Alexander's glove to the boy. The boy catches the glove with his left hand and the stub wrist of his right arm, where his right hand should have been.

JACK NELSON

Yes Sir, I am. My Dad's gonna teach me how to run a bulldozer, just in case I can't. But, I'll be a Major Leaguer, you'll see.

EXT. - TOWN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, 1954 - DAY

Early morning sunlight bathes the driveway, shrubbery, and the brick face of a home nestled in a neat row of middle-class houses. An automobile stands parked in front on a driveway that extends along the side of the home to a rear garage. The car's back license plate reads: 1952 - Texas - The Lone Star State.

A woman's voice from within the house breaks the peace.

MRS. MACLAIN (V.O.)

You moved out, Ron. You quit your job. We didn't run you away!

INT. - MACLAIN'S HOUSE - DAY

In a bedroom of the house, JASON MACLAIN stirs on his bed. The bedroom's walls support professional baseball team pennants, several baseball clippings from newspapers and two magazine covers that feature photographs of 1950s professional baseball stars.

Jason rolls over and sits up in his bed.

MRS. MACLAIN (V.O.)

You just walked out and I can't make the house payment!

The twelve-year old boy reaches for a pair of blue jeans on a nearby chair back and slips his feet into the legs of the jeans.

EXT. - TOWN'S BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

Morning sun glares across the canopies of trees that surround this small town baseball field. Its rays glow bright yellow-green on leaves and cast deep shadows that spread across the edges of the playing field. Morning mist and haze floats about the baseball diamond.

An unpaved lot behind the baseball field provides empty parking spaces for automobiles. A bulldozer puffs black smoke from an exhaust pipe that protrudes above the engine as its scraper blade pushes against the earth and levels the parking lot surface. The bulldozer's engine stops.

A middle-age bulldozer driver, COACH JACK NELSON, pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and drapes the hanky over the wrist of his right arm, where his right hand should have been. He wipes moisture from the morning mists off his forehead. His left hand returns the cloth to his pocket and the driver gazes out across the baseball field.

With his left hand the driver unbuttons his coat and withdraws an ANTIQUE BASEBALL GLOVE with large stuffed fingers from within his jacket. The driver places the glove against his chest, over his heart.

COACH NELSON

I dedicate this playing field to all the ghosts of baseball's past. May their spirits guide my new team. May their spirits guide each boy who plays here in his efforts. Maybe - just maybe - one boy can make the "Bigs."

The driver flings the old baseball glove over the hood of the bulldozer into the clods and dirt in front of the bulldozer's blade.

COACH NELSON

No "Bigs" for me. But, Dad taught me to drive this bulldozer. Me and this old machine made a field where other boys can play - my boys. Every one of those boys will get his chance. Yes Sir! Every single one!

The driver re-starts his engine and the bulldozer pushes over and past the antique glove. The glove lays pocket down near the baseball field's backstop. Its stuffed fingers rest in the dirt, spread apart and unattached by leather thongs in the style of the late 1910s and early '20s.

Wisps of mist rise from within the glove, camouflaged by morning mists that float over the baseball diamond.

The bulldozer raises its scraper, shifts into higher gear and chugs away. Silence settles across the field - a sharp contrast to the noise of the bulldozer.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD NEAR BACKSTOP - DAY

The baseball glove lies pocket down, its finger tips covered in soil. Morning mists float around and from within its fingers. The mists within the fingers gather organization.

From inside the glove, a ghostly form - a Saint Louis Cardinal catcher - seeps from its leather interior as mist. Mass gathers from mist, the CATCHER - GROVER CLEVELAND ALEXANDER'S catcher from the 1926 World Series - stands upright.

The catcher, a ghost from baseball's past, wears an antique chest protector and face mask. He looks around the baseball field. The ghost glances down at the antique baseball glove at his feet and picks it up.

The thumb of the glove exhibits the initials GCA burned into it's leather. The initials blend with the leather, faded by time.

The Catcher walks onto the baseball field and stands on the pitcher's mound. The catcher drops his face mask and slips out of his chest protector. He looks at home plate and hears the roar of a nonexistent crowd.

The catcher slips one hand into his jersey and removes a baseball which he pounds into the antique glove's pocket. The catcher tucks his ring and middle finger at the knuckle and grasps the baseball within his glove.

The Ghost of Baseball's Past bends his middle and ring fingers at the knuckles and grasps the ball with thumb, forefinger and little finger -- he grips for a three-fingered curveball.

CATCHER

Grover Cleveland Alexander, this here curveball is the one you didn't throw!

The Catcher delivers with a flip of his wrist. The ball spins through the air toward home plate. The ball floats high and inside. The baseball cuts down and to the right, over the plate. It smacks into the ground behind home plate. The ball clatters into the chainlink backstop.

The catcher walks slowly from the mound to - and through - the chainlink backstop. The catcher turns and stares at the backstop's heavy metal links. He drops the glove in a pile of clods and dirt.

CATCHER

Damn the curse! I'm a ghost - from baseball's past.

He peers down at the antique glove in the dirt.

CATCHER

You gotta help me find another Alexander.

INT. - KITCHEN OF MACLAIN'S HOUSE - DAY

MRS. MACLAIN, Jason's mother, stares at RON MACLAIN, Jason's father, who sits at the kitchen table. JASON enters the kitchen. Mrs. Maclain extends her arms with a hug invitation. Jason shies away.

JASON

Mom? You Okay? I've got baseball practice this morning. Can you come watch, Dad?

Jason reaches for a glass from the kitchen's cabinets. He opens the kitchen refrigerator and pours a glass of milk

MRS. MACLAIN

Your Dad isn't doing anything else. You're happy in school... and baseball. If it weren't for you, I'd let it all go. You're father doesn't want any responsibility -- the house, you or me?

RON MACLAIN

No son. I've got to go. Your mom's upset. You two need to get on with your lives. Besides, I wasn't any good at baseball and neither are you.

Jason drops his glass of milk, milk and broken glass splatters the floor.

JASON

You upset Mom. You move out! But my life goes on. You two adults don't understand. Maybe I'm no good? But, my life is baseball. I'll be good. I'll be a major leaguer, you'll see.

EXT. - GARAGE OF JASON'S HOUSE - DAY

KLONDIKE stands and waits, his back against the brick side of Jason Maclain's open garage. As he waits, the slightly chubby boy fingers several wooden clothes pins and four stiff, new baseball cards.

Near the boy a bicycle props upon its kick-stand and a baseball glove hangs from one side of the bicycle's handle bars.

From the back door of his house JASON MACLAIN exits into the garage.

JASON

Hey, Klondike. You heard mom crying?

KLONDIKE

Yeah. Moms get weird sometimes.

Jason grabs his baseball glove from a work bench at the side of the garage and slips the glove over a handle bar of his bicycle.

JASON

See Dad leave? He didn't even say good-by. He's in and out of here, just like that. And he cuts me down, thinks I'm no good at baseball. He may be right?

KLONDIKE

Yeah. Dads get weird sometimes, too.

Klondike stoops and attaches a baseball card with one cloths pin to the frame of Jason's bicycle. The card extends into the spokes of the bicycle wheel.

JASON

Dad doesn't care that Mom's upset. Nothing I can do. I'm not very important.

KLONDIKE

Anybody that can pitch like you is important. Our team won't win unless you pitch. This will sound like an engine popping. Cool, huh?

JASON

Thanks, Klondike but I'm not sure I even want to pitch. What if I'm not good enough? Pitching is the key to winning.

KLONDIKE

Yeah, and you are the best I've ever seen. With you pitching, we will win. You're good enough.

JASON

I do want to make the Big Leagues someday and have my own baseball card but I don't have to be a pitcher.

KLONDIKE

Yeah, you will, and some kid will stick your picture in his spokes. As a pitcher, you can count on it. You'll really be popping then.

The two boys mount their bicycles and pedal away from Jason's house into the street. Cards pop in the spokes of their bicycles.

EXT. - ICHAEBOD HARRIS' HOUSE - DAY

A tall thin ICHAEBOD HARRIS exits his front door and walks toward his bicycle parked on the sidewalk in front of his home. The boy wears a baseball glove on his right hand.

Ichaebod's overweight mother, MRS. HARRIS, carries a brown paper bag and follows the boy.

Ichaebod turns toward the pop-pop sound of spokes on baseball cards. He waves to JASON and KLONDIKE.

Ichaebod ignores his mother and jumps onto his bicycle to join the other boys. The three pedal quickly away.

MRS. HARRIS

You are not leaving this house without your lunch, Ichaebod Harris! I'll bring it to the field! You want me to embarrass you in front of all your friends?

EXT. - JUD NELSON'S HOUSE - DAY

JASON, KLONDIKE, and ICHAEBOD pedal past a residence where a huge moving van hugs the curb in front of a house. Two ramps extend from the back of the truck bed onto the ground.

In the yard near the van, a large boy, JUD NELSON, about the same age as the trio on bicycles but larger and more mature, watches the three pedal past.

The large boy does not speak to the bicyclers, he only watches and spits onto the ground as their bicycles pass.

As Jason, Klondike and Ichaebod roll beyond the large boy, Ichaebod glances back over his shoulder.

ICHAEBOD

Who's he?

JASON

Some new guy in the neighborhood.

KLONDIKE

Yeah, a spitting creep.

EXT. - CHEEVERS' HOUSE - DAY

JASON, KLONDIKE and ICHAEBOD pedal their bicycles around a corner to the front of a two-story house. On the second floor of the house a small upstairs porch extends from the side of the residence. On the porch, a physically small boy crouches behind a potted plant with a pair of binoculars and peers over a wooden slat fence into his neighbor's back yard.

JASON

Hey Cheevers!

CHEEVERS, the boy on the upstairs porch with binoculars, motions for quiet and indicates that he will come down. Jason, Klondike, and Ichaebod sit on their bicycles, their feet rest on the street as they wait.

HARRY CHEEVERS, the runt of the group, slips out of his house and joins the other three boys on the street.

CHEEVERS

Damn, Guys! You make a hell-of-a-lotta noise.

Cheevers extends his hand for a handshake. As Klondike reaches for his hand, Cheevers quickly withdraws the hand and strokes his hair cream oiled hair. He points an index finger at Klondike.

CHEEVERS

Gottcha, man.

JASON

You going to practice?

CHEEVERS

Hell no. Got more important action than some stupid practice. Keep your damn voices down and come look at this.

Cheevers ducks his head low and scrambles toward the wood fence that separates his house from the house next door. With one finger extended to his lips to indicate silence, Cheevers leads the other three boys to the fence next door.

Cheevers motions that the other boys should look through knotholes. Cheevers and Ichaebod claim the two available knot holes. Cheevers withdraws his eye from the knothole.

CHEEVERS

Holy sheeeet!

Jason and Klondike capture the knotholes.

EXT. - BACKYARD OF JENNIFER LARSON'S HOUSE - DAY

Inside the backyard fence JENNIFER LARSON, a mature and developed young woman of the same age as the boys, lounges by a backyard swimming pool on a recliner and soaks in the rays of the morning sun.

The young woman's eyes rest closed. Her body swells a tight two-piece bathing suit. The suit form-fits and a pleated short skirt accentuates rather than conceals the smooth tuck between her legs and the shapely muscles of her mature hips and buttocks. Her newly swollen breasts strain against her swim suit top.

Jennifer Larson turns her head and glances toward a muffled commotion from the other side of her backyard fence.

Jennifer smiles and rolls onto her stomach and unlatches the strap of her swim suit top. The straps fall aside to reveal the white side of one breast.

Moans emanate from the other side of the wooden fence.

Jennifer sits up quickly and clutches her suit top to her breasts.

EXT. - OUTSIDE FENCE OF JENNIFER LARSON'S HOUSE - DAY

KLONDIKE spins from the fence knothole.

KLONDIKE

Oh my God! She heard us.

CHEEVERS and ICHAEBOD scatter, they run for their bicycles.

Klondike returns to his knothole.

EXT. - BACKYARD OF JENNIFER LARSON'S HOUSE - DAY

JENNIFER rises from the lounge chair and peers toward the fence.

She steps off the concrete walkway around her pool and steps through the grass toward the fence. As she walks, the young woman fastens her top behind her back.

KLONDIKE (V.O.)

Oh my God, she's coming.

EXT. - OUTSIDE FENCE OF JENNIFER LARSON'S HOUSE - DAY

KLONDIKE abandons his knothole and bolts for his bicycle. He races in pursuit of Cheevers and Ichaebod.

JENNIFER stands on a fence support rail and peers over the top of the fence.

JASON stands on the other side of the fence.

JENNIFER

You're not my slimy next door neighbor, but I heard him. I know you, from school. Where's Cheevers? You're Jason Maclain. You've lived around here since I was little.

Jason steps backward, away from the fence, but trips and falls on his rear.

JASON

I know I am. I mean yes, I am. I'm sorry. I mean I apologize for...for...spying on you like this. You know you're not so little anymore?

JENNIFER

Cheevers peeps all the time. I'm used to it. You look pretty silly down there. I knew someone was watching. I'm glad it was you, not Cheevers.

Jason struggles to his feet.

JASON

You're glad? Aren't you embarrassed?

JENNIFER

No. I liked it, makes me feel warm.

JASON

It does? I liked it too...I mean...I don't know what I mean. I got to go to baseball practice.

JENNIFER

Baseball practice?

JASON

Would you like to come watch me play ball? We practice all morning. At the ballfield down by the school. See how I do?

JENNIFER

I bet you are good. I just might come and do a little turn-about peeping at you.

EXT. - TOWN'S BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

KLONDIKE, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS wait for Jason at the baseball field. The boys lounge on steel spectator stands, positioned behind the backstop. They rise as Jason approaches. Several OTHER BOYS drape the opposite end of the steel stands and SEVERAL BOYS play catch on the field's grass.

As his bicycle spokes pop a baseball card, JASON pedals to his friends. He dismounts and kicks his bike stand down and leans the bike against its support. Cheevers, Klondike and Ichaebod gather around Jason.

CHEEVERS

Damn, man. Did you see her tits?

KLONDIKE

Shut up, Cheevers! He had the guts to stay. The rest of us Bozos ran.

CHEEVERS

Been watching that piece-of-ass for weeks - nothing! Today she undoes her top. Sheeeeet!

ICHAEBOD

I'm just glad Mom wasn't around.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD'S PARKING LOT - DAY

A 1954 Chevrolet station wagon pulls into the parking lot of the baseball field. It stops behind the steel spectator stands.

The door of the automobile flings open and COACH NELSON, the bulldozer driver, struggles out of the car. JUD NELSON, the same boy that stood by the moving van and spit as Jason, Klondike and Ichaebod pedaled past, sits shotgun in the station wagon.

Coach Nelson, with his left hand, pulls a canvas duffel bag of baseball equipment out of the car and lugs the heavy bag past the stands and the backstop to home plate. JUD NELSON lifts and carries one end of the equipment bag.

The coach drops the equipment bag on the ground and its contents clank upon impact with home plate. The driver waves his stub, where his right hand should be, and indicates that the boys approach. The BOYS in the stands and on the field congregate.

COACH NELSON

I'm Coach Jack Nelson. Most of you boy's know each other.

The coach indicates the boy who was his passenger. The boy looms larger than the others and his stance indicates a natural athlete.

COACH NELSON

This here's my nephew, Jud Nelson - new in town. Jud pitched last year in Dallas for a championship team. Now, you guys get out there and warm up. Baseballs are in the bag.

The boys pair-up to play catch and warm-up.

JASON throws to KLONDIKE. ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS begin to throw a ball back and forth.

Jud Nelson steps between Ichaebod and Cheevers and intercepts Ichaebod's throw. With the ball in his glove, the larger boy points his glove at Cheevers.

JUD NELSON

Play catch with somebody else, Shrimp.

CHEEVERS

Go to hell, you God-damn Gorilla.

JUD NELSON

What did you say?

CHEEVERS

I just said I heard you.

Cheevers looks to find someone else to warm up with. Jud Nelson turns to Ichaebod.

JUD NELSON

Call me Sludge. Don't call me Jud. I don't like Jud.

Sludge fires a strike into Ichaebod's glove.

Ichaebod whips his hand from within the glove and shakes off the sting.

 

ICHAEBOD

Not so hard! We're just warming up.

SLUDGE

How did you get a name like Ichaebod, anyway?

COACH NELSON

Infield! Take the base you wanna play. More than one guy at each base! You guys take turns as I hit'em.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

JASON jogs out to third base; SLUDGE takes short stop; and CHEEVERS, after a glance toward the big short stop, positions himself at second base. ICHAEBOD settles at first and KLONDIKE circles COACH NELSON, behind the plate. The other BOYS line up behind their respective bases.

Coach Nelson slaps grounders to the infield.

COACH NELSON

Bring them home! Good throws!

Sludge at short, and Jason at third compete for the quality of their catches and throws.

Cheevers, at second base, misses most of his catches and can't quite get his throws strongly to home plate. Klondike runs forward to catch the short lobs from Cheevers.

At first base, Ichaebod clumsily catches what's hit to him and throws with force to Klondike at the plate.

Jason and Sludge hustle to demonstrate infield dexterity.

As the boys scramble about the infield, Ichaebod's mother pulls into the parking lot behind the chainlink backstop.

MRS. HARRIS struggles out from behind the wheel of the car and waddles to the backstop with a brown paper sack-lunch.

MRS. HARRIS

Here's your lunch, Ichaebod Harris!

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD, BEYOND THE OUTFIELD FENCE - DAY

Thick bushes surround the back side of the chainlink outfield fence and extend several feet above the fence top. The bushes crowd thickly against the fence, broken only sporadically by spaces where an individual bush has died from winter freeze.

In one of those breaks, the CATCHER ghost of baseball's past stands with his arms crossed against his chest protector. He watches the boys practice before him and moves closer into the bushes to insure no attention from the field. The catcher drops onto his haunches as he watches, in the classic catcher's crouch.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

MRS. HARRIS stands with her sack-lunch behind the field's backstop and attracts the coach's attention. As COACH NELSON converses with Mrs. Harris, the INFIELDERS gather at the pitching mound.

SLUDGE

You guys haven't seen me pitch yet. I pitched back in Dallas. We won the Dallas Fort Worth championship. If you guys help me a little, I can take this team to a championship.

KLONDIKE

Jason's not bad either.

SLUDGE indicates CHEEVERS.

SLUDGE

I can see Shrimp can't play second base.

CHEEVERS

Who the hell made you coach?

JASON

Hey man, lay off Cheevers. He'll get better with a little practice.

SLUDGE

You his baby-sitter? Maybe you're his mother.

JASON

Everybody here gets a chance to play, even if you don't like it.

Coach Nelson separates himself from Mrs. Harris.

COACH NELSON

Hitting practice! Ichaebod! Cheevers! You bat. Everybody else spread out.

Ichaebod and Cheevers pick bats, as fielders take their places at their respective bases.

Cheevers bats first while Ichaebod stands at the chainlink backstop. Mrs. Harris crowds the other side of the wire.

Jason takes third base and Sludge ambles to short stop.

EXT. - STANDS OF BALLFIELD - DAY

JENNIFER LARSON in skin tight white short shorts, sandals, and a blouse tied in front to expose her stomach, steps around the corner of the metal bleachers and climbs several seats up. She waves at Jason.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

JASON waves back to JENNIFER, then glances around to see who noticed.

SLUDGE stares back at Jason.

CHEEVERS manages to hit COACH NELSON'S first pitch. A lazy grounder bounces toward Jason at third. Jason charges forward and gobbles up the ball. He glances toward the stands. Jason notices Jennifer as she claps wildly. Jason throws toward KLONDIKE at home plate. The ball sails over Klondike's head.

SLUDGE

Your brain in those white shorts?

Jason charges the bigger shortstop. He tackles the larger boy and both fall into struggle against each other on the ground. The other boys rush to surround the boys. Coach Nelson quickly wades into the scuffle and separates the two boys. The coach's bellow distracts the two fighters from each other.

COACH NELSON

Not on my team - cut it out! Now! It takes a team to win. Stop, right now! I want you two hot heads to cool off.

Coach Nelson deposits the two boys on the ground, seated, face to face.

COACH NELSON

Look you guys, I spent a lot of hours on a bulldozer finishing this field. The reason I did it was to give you clowns a chance to play baseball, a real chance to show your stuff.

The steel spectator stands support a few PARENTS, but Jennifer is gone.

COACH NELSON

I'm not going to let anybody spoil it! Tomorrow, after church, say three o'clock, we'll do pitching tryouts. Save your energy.

Jason and Sludge glare at each other.

COACH NELSON

We can have a good team if we stick together and make the effort. When I was a kid I got to see a game at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees lost to the Cardinals but after the game the Cardinals' catcher asked me if I was going to play ball. When he saw this missing hand, I could tell the answer he expected - so I said that I was going to learn how to drive a bulldozer. Well, I did play ball, without one hand. Through hard work and sticking with my team, I played Minor League ball. Point is we work hard and play as a team. In a few days we play a practice game with this league's Yankees. You all know how good they are. No matter how the practice game goes, we're going to work hard and play as a team. You got it?

Practice breaks up and Sludge leaves with the coach. The other boys mount their bikes and leave.

EXT. - BACKSTOP OF BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

JASON and KLONDIKE watch the Coach and Sludge pull away in the coach's station wagon.

JASON

I should have punched that guy out.

KLONDIKE

He's bigger than you. You did Okay. Want to come by my house and get some lunch?

JASON

No, I need to cool down. I think I'll hang around here.

Klondike strolls toward his bicycle.

KLONDIKE

Suit yourself. But I'm hungry. I'm heading home. See you later, Alligator.

JASON

After while, Crocodile.

As Klondike pedals away, Jason stays behind and walks around the backstop toward his bicycle, parked against its kick stand on the edge of the parking lot. He lobs a baseball high into the air and catches it as it returns to the ground. Jason kicks at the dirt and stubs his toe.

Jason bends to examine the object he kicked and tucks his own baseball glove under his arm. He pushes dirt clods from the object. Jason retrieves an antique baseball glove from the ground and rubs it. He slaps the glove with one hand to knock dust and dirt from its cracked leather. Jason pitches the glove back to the ground. He turns and throws his leg over his bicycle.

Unseen by Jason, the CATCHER ghost of baseball's past dissolves into existence - first as a floating cloud of mist and then solid human substance and form.

CATCHER

You a ballplayer?

JASON

You scared the bejeebees out of me!

CATCHER

Scared? You're the one talking about alligators and crocodiles. Hey Jason, you know Grover Cleveland Alexander?

JASON

How'd you know my name? Look Mister, I'm on my way home and if you bother me, I'll yell for help like crazy.

CATCHER

Don't know how I know your name - I just do. Don't be afraid. Grover Cleveland Alexander won 373 games and pitched 90 shutouts while playing for the Phillies, the Cubs, and St. Louis - 1911 through 1930.

JASON

You're crazy, Man. This is 1953. Get out of here and leave me alone.

CATCHER

He set a record in 1916. Pitched 16 shutouts for the Phillies. He beat the New York Yankees twice in the '26 world series. Had a big pitch - a magic curveball, except it was cursed. Here, let me show you.

The ghost of baseball's past steps toward Jason. Jason stumbles backward and hurls his baseball at the catcher. The baseball sails through the catcher's chest protector and through his chest to impact the backstop behind. The baseball drops to the ground.

GHOST

Looks like you already got a magic pitch.

EXT. - BALLFIELD, BEYOND THE OUTFIELD FENCE - DAY

The grassy outfield of the baseball park's edge stops at a wooden fence. The fence stands with its planks inward. Several advertising signs - a local hardware store, a local bank, and a local drugstore - display painted messages on the wooden fencing. Wooden slats stop several yards from either baseline and a chainlink fence spans the distance from wooden portion to wooden portion. A row of bushes crowds the wall and the fence on its outside surface. Branches extend several inches above the top of the fence.

JENNIFER LARSON hides at the corner of the fence and peeks around a slat, through the chainlink, onto the playing field beyond.

The baseball practice ends and SLUDGE leaves with the COACH and their equipment bag. The OTHER BOYS climb on their bikes and disperse.

JASON and KLONDIKE talk on the field and watch the coach and Sludge pull away in the coach's station wagon.

The station wagon moves smoothly by Jennifer as she crouches in the bushes beside the outfield fence.

Jason and Klondike stand alone on the practice field. Klondike strolls toward his bicycle. In the distance, Jennifer only hears the loudest words.

KLONDIKE

See you later, Alligator.

JASON

After while, Crocodile.

Klondike pedals toward where Jennifer hides. The girl draws deeper into the foliage as Klondike pedals past. She turns back to her viewpoint.

Jason stands on the baseball field and pounds a baseball into his glove. The boy walks around the backstop toward his bicycle, parked against its kick stand on the edge of the parking lot. He lobs a baseball high into the air and catches it as it returns to the ground.

Jason kicks at the dirt and stubs his toe on something. Jason bends to examine what he has kicked and tucks his own baseball glove under his arm. He retrieves a dark object from the ground and rubs it. He slaps the object with one hand. Jason pitches the object back to the ground and turns to throw his leg over his bicycle.

As if startled by a noise, Jason spins and jumps backward. He collapses into his bicycle and crashes to the ground. Jennifer covers her mouth with her hand and smothers a giggled laugh at the boy's clumsiness.

Across the expanse of the baseball field, Jason untangles from his bicycle and scrambles to his feet. He appears to talk to himself but the distance is to far for Jennifer to hear Jason's words.

After a moment, Jason stumbles backward and hurls his baseball. The baseball sails through the air to impact the backstop and drops to the ground. Jason stands frozen and stares at the baseball.

JENNIFER (V.O.)

He talks to himself!

Jason walks slowly. He talks and gestures - like someone in conversation with another human being - toward the steel spectator stands. Jason climbs several steps up the steel stands and sits with his elbows on his knees and his baseball glove on his left hand. He pounds the ball into the glove with his other hand. He turns his head to one side as if someone sits beside him on the steel spectator's stand.

Jennifer moves away from the fence on hands and knees and slips out of the foliage. She rises to her feet, keeps her head down and slips away from the baseball field.

EXT. - SPECTATOR STANDS, BALLPARK - DAY

JASON sits three benches up on the steel spectator stands at the baseball park. He wears his baseball glove on his left hand and pounds his baseball into the glove with his other hand. The CATCHER ghost of baseball's past sits beside Jason and fiddles with the leather of his big fingered antique glove.

JASON

I guess you really are the ghost of baseball's past, up from a baseball glove like the Genie in The Arabian Nights?

CATCHER

What kind of nights?

JASON

Arabian Nights. Stories, a Genie from a magic lamp, you know? Rub it and you get your wishes.

CATCHER

I didn't do so good in school - got scouted by the Yankees during my third year in ninth grade. But, I know I don't do wishes. You gotta earn your own way.

JASON

Too bad. If I had a wish, I guess I'd want to be the best pitcher ever and maybe grow up to be as good as Dizzy Dean, Whitey Ford, or maybe Sandy Kofax. There's this new guy on my team that could become the number-one player. I wanna stay the ace, the number-one.

CATCHER

Those guys must have been before my time. Some rookie's always coming up. The greats stay great. You should have seen Grover Cleveland Alexander. I caught him in the '26 series. Had a three-fingered curveball - a magic curveball, unhitable.

JASON

You could teach me his curveball?

CATCHER

Not sure you want to learn. Each time its thrown, something bad happens and each time the bad thing gets worse. Adult responsibility, you know?

JASON

Teach me, please?

CATCHER

You're a good kid. Come on.

The Catcher rises to his feet and ambles with Jason closely behind around the backstop to the pitcher's mound. The ghost demonstrates. He tucks his middle and ring finger under at the knuckle and grasps the baseball with his other three-fingers. He hands the baseball to Jason who mimics the grip.

CATCHER

Tuck your fingers like this. As you deliver, flip your wrist - like so.

The catcher walks backward toward home plate. The catcher drops to a crouch behind home plate and pounds his fist into his baseball glove. Jason winds up and throws the pitch with a flip of his wrist on delivery. The ball sails high and outside. At the last possible second, the baseball cuts down and over the plate for a perfect strike. The catcher remains crouched behind home plate and his image begins to fade.

CATCHER

That pitch will make you a pitcher and maybe even a Major Leaguer someday. You got it all now, Kid. You threw it. I'll warn you again. Expect something bad to happen.

The catcher dissolves completely away and the old and filthy baseball glove lies on home plate. Jason stands silently on the pitchers mound and stares at the baseball glove. Jason walks to home plate and picks up the old baseball glove. He slips his left hand into the glove. Inside the glove's pocket, Jason's right hand grasps a baseball with the magic curveball grip. The boy's middle and ring finger tuck under at the knuckle and his thumb, index and pinkie fingers clutch the baseball.

JASON

Magic curveball? Curse?

Jason leaves the ball in the glove and tucks the old and filthy antique glove under his arm. He walks around the backstop toward his bicycle. Near the chainlink backstop, Jason turns and looks back across the baseball field. Nothing stirs on the baseball diamond except dust kicked up by the wind near second base. Jason turns toward his bicycle.

From the base of the backstop some of the linked metal netting bends up, dislodged from the steel rods that form the framework of the backstop. As Jason turns the corner around the end of the steel link backstop the shoe laces of his black-top, high-cut tennis shoes catch on the loose steel netting and cling. He sprawls toward the dirt. Jason tries to break his fall with his hands. One upper wrist scrapes harshly against the chain net backstop and small drops of blood dot his wrist as the boy sprawls to the ground. Jason sits up and wipes a small smear of blood against his blue jeans.

JASON

If that is all that happens, it's worth the curveball?

INT. - BAPTIST CHURCH, SUNDAY MORNING - DAY

The CONGREGATION of a small Baptist church stands in song. JASON, with his MOTHER, holds a hymnal. A CHOIR leads the assemblage and a CHOIR DIRECTOR swings his hands in rhythm to a church organ.

A needle-nose paper airplane, folded from a church program, sails across the aisle and impacts the back of Jason's head.

Jason twists to look backward along the flight path of the airplane. Several rows behind and across the aisle, KLONDIKE sits with his PARENTS, jerks his head, and indicates that Jason should look in a particular direction.

The hymn ends and the congregation shuffles into its seats. A CHURCH LEADER steps to the pulpit.

LEADER

May we bow our heads in prayer. Our dearest heavenly father. As we prepare this day to depart from your holy spirit and rejoin the trials, the tribulations, and the confusion of our daily lives...

Jason spies JENNIFER at morning service with her PARENTS. She wears a Sunday dress and hose.

LEADER (V.O.)

...let us remember to face the temptations offered by this world in a spirit of trust, of guidance, and of love. We depart...

When Jennifer notices Jason's stare, she crosses her legs at the knees and smoothes her hose along the side of one leg.

LEADER (V.O.)

...this place, remembering the ultimate sacrifice of your son, Jesus. In His name, Amen.

Jason looks away, quickly. Klondike stuffs a giggle into his hymnal.

Church service ends and the CONGREGATION moves into the aisles - the crowd mills toward a reception hall for fellowship.

Klondike shoulders his way to Jason's side.

KLONDIKE

Did you see those legs? I think she's full of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of sacrifice. Know what I mean?

JASON

She's lived down the street since the third grade. Holy Spirit, baloney!

INT. - FELLOWSHIP HALL OF CHURCH - DAY

At fellowship, the church crowd mingles within a large fellowship room. The room features several doors in its walls that lead to Sunday School rooms.

The CROWD munches cookies, sips coffee, and exchanges social chatter.

JASON surveys the cookie table and selects a chocolate chip. JENNIFER slips to Jason's shoulder.

JENNIFER

I loved watching you play ball. Come on, I have something to show you - in the Sunday School room.

At a Sunday School room door Jennifer looks back toward Jason, who holds a chocolate chip cookie at the refreshment table. She enters the room and disappears from sight.

Jason glances around. The adults in the room, engrossed in conversation, ignore all the young people. Klondike stands, preoccupied with a church bulletin board.

Jason steps to the Sunday School room door.

INT. - SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOM SUPPLY CLOSET - DAY

JENNIFER stands by the open double doors to a supply closest and motions for Jason. She steps into the closet and as JASON joins her, closes the double doors of the almost empty space.

JASON

Can you come to practice this afternoon? It's pitching tryouts.

In the dimness of the closet's interior Jennifer steps closer to Jason and kisses him. Jason responds, kisses back. Jennifer's more mature sexuality leads to quick and heavy pressing and breathing.

JENNIFER

Baseball's not the only thing you're good at.

Jennifer pretends to accidentally stroke the swell in Jason's Sunday School pants. She grasps Jason's hand and slips it to her hose covered inner thigh.

The enclosed closet space flares into light as its double doors fly open. Jennifer jumps away from Jason, smoothes her skirt, and slips past KLONDIKE to exit the room quickly.

KLONDIKE

Oh no...looks like my timing's great.

JASON

Forget it. Let's get out of here. I gotta tell you about this old catcher I met yesterday, but I gotta go home first. Meet you later at your clubhouse?

KLONDIKE

Sure, but I'd rather hear how you got that broomstick in your pants.

EXT. - KLONDIKE'S GARAGE - DAY

The back door slams shut as KLONDIKE exits his house through the garage. The boy carries a bologna sandwich with a chunk of the corner bitten off. CHEEVERS pops from around the garage's corner.

CHEEVERS

I told Ichaebod to meet us in your clubhouse after church. Where's Jason? Sheeet! Wasn't Jason something? Standing up to Sludge yesterday. Damn stupid!

KLONDIKE

Standing up for you. You want a bite?

CHEEVERS

No, you eat it. Standing up for me? I guess - but I could of taken that Muther-ape.

Several yards beyond the boys a ramshackle, hand-constructed, club house stands. Its walls of discarded plywood lean inward and support a canvas roof. Worn pillow cases drape the shack's windows.

KLONDIKE

Yeah, right. Maybe he just cares, like a friend? Jason's my friend - my main pitcher. They don't get any better!

CHEEVERS

Sludge looks like a damn good arm too. We're gonna be tough.

INT. - CLUBHOUSE - DAY

The carpet floor of the ramshackle hut covers dirt and exhibits holes that allow the ground to show through. KLONDIKE flops to the floor, his back rests against an old worn-out sofa pillow. CHEEVERS drops cross-legged to a seated position.

KLONDIKE

Takes more than an arm to be an ace.

ICHAEBOD sticks his head around the edge of the bed sheet clubhouse door.

ICHAEBOD

Hey guys. Where's Jason?

EXT. - FRONT OF KLONDIKE'S HOUSE - DAY

JASON jerks the handlebars of his bicycle and the antique baseball glove on the handlebars flops upward as his front bicycle wheel clears the curb of the street. The rear wheel bounces over the curb.

The boy cuts through an alley between two wooden fences to the rear of the house. He brakes his bicycle at the clubhouse and leaps off the seat. Jason leaves the old baseball glove on his handlebars.

INT. - CLUBHOUSE - DAY

JASON joins a poker game. ICHAEBOD flips worn playing cards onto an old fuzzy army blanket in messy piles before the other three boys.

ICHAEBOD

That new guy, Sludge? He's some short stop.

KLONDIKE

We'll need him. You heard about the Yankees? Be the team we gotta beat.

CHEEVERS digs a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket and offers slightly bent smokes to the other boys. Cheevers pauses to light his cigarette and then tosses the matches to the others.

CHEEVERS

What happened to your arm?

Jason turns his arm to look at the scratch and as the arm moves his cards flash toward Cheevers, who surveys Jason's hand quickly.

JASON

Scraped it. Hey! You looking at my cards?

ICHAEBOD

Sludge can pitch too, I hear. Cards?

CHEEVERS

Threw three no-hitters last year, Coach said.

KLONDIKE slaps three cards onto the blanket and Ichaebod renews his hand. A noise rustles from outside the clubhouse and a woman's voice follows.

MRS. HARRIS (V.O.)

Ichaebod Harris, you in there?

ICHAEBOD

Holy smoke! It's my mom.

The boys scramble to extinguish and hide cigarettes along with all evidence of gambling.

MRS. HARRIS sticks her head through the sheet door and glances around the clubhouse interior.

MRS. HARRIS

Ichaebod, come on home. You've got chores to do before baseball and Cheevers, you're Mom says come home too. Smells smoky. You boys smoking those nasty cigarettes? Jason, Klondike, I think you better go home too.

KLONDIKE

I am home, Mrs. Harris.

Ichaebod and Cheevers crawl out the clubhouse door behind Mrs. Harris. Cheevers digs in his pants and flips the last of his crumpled pack of cigarettes back into the clubhouse.

CHEEVERS

Damned if I'm gonna need these.

Jason and Klondike sit alone in the clubhouse.

The two boys check the door to make sure that Mrs. Harris is gone and then light up the half-burned cigarette butts they extract from under the drab army green blanket.

Jason rubs the sore scrape on his forearm.

JASON

I gotta go soon. My Old Man's picking me up to go to practice. Want's to talk, he said. Anyhow, you ain't going to believe this, but...at the ballpark yesterday... something weird happened. An old catcher showed me a new three-fingered curveball - a pitch nobody can hit, magic, you know?

KLONDIKE

What?

JASON

He said he was the ghost of baseball's past. He said bad things would happen when I throw it. I threw it and scraped my arm.

KLONDIKE

Come on? Miracles happen only in church, especially for you with Jennifer. The ghost of baseball's past? Right?

Jason disappears out the sheet draped clubhouse door and plunges back into the clubhouse with the antique glove.

JASON

See this. You're my friend, so no jokes. Rub it and the ghost appears. I swear. Go on, rub the glove.

Klondike accepts the old baseball glove. Klondike rubs the glove as Jason requests and nothing happens. He rubs harder.

KLONDIKE

Ghost must be out for a smoke? Maybe he's waiting for church?

JASON

He is smoke. At the same time, he's real. I saw him. I talked to him. He showed me how to throw a magic curveball. I swear.

KLONDIKE

If you say so? Yeah, I'm your friend. Whatever you say.

Soft mists slowly secrete from within the glove, unnoticed in the smoke filled clubhouse.

JASON

It all starts now. This magic curveball's my ace. With it, I can't fail.

The mists from the glove form into the CATCHER in chest protector and catcher's mask. The ghost of baseball's past sits cross-legged on the floor.

KLONDIKE

Oh my God! This is church.

CATCHER

You can fail, Jason. Believe me, you can fail. You have to be willing to pay. When you throw the curveball, there's always a price to pay.

Klondike leans forward to touch the catcher's shoulder. Klondike's hand passes through the no-substance form. The ghost begins to slowly fade.

KLONDIKE

Oh, my God! He's going away. Oh, Jesus! This ain't even church.

JASON

I'll pay. I don't care about that. Whatever it takes. I want to be a pitcher. I want to be the best pitcher on my team, always! I want to be a Big League pitcher. I want to be as good a pitcher as Grover Cleveland Alexander. I want to be the best pitcher ever.

CATCHER

Alexander was good. He was the best. We'll see? Later, Alligator.

The ghost disappears completely and the two boys stare at his depressed spot seat on the blanket.

JASON

After while Crocodile.

EXT. - GARAGE OF JASON'S HOUSE - EARLY AFTERNOON

Ron MaClain's automobile pulls into the driveway of Jason's house and drives slowly down the drive to stop at its rear entrance garage. The automobile's driver side door opens. RON MACLAIN climbs out of the car and looks around.

RON MACLAIN

Jason! Let's go!

Ron Maclain walks through the open garage door to the rear door of the house. He opens the door and calls into the house.

RON MACLAIN

Jason! Its your father. You home?

Ron Maclain closes the door and surveys the garage.

RON MACLAIN

The bike's gone.

Jason's father climbs back into his car and starts the engine. Slowly he backs out of the driveway. JASON pedals furiously around the corner of his house.

JASON

Dad!

The automobile stops and Ron Maclain rolls down the driver's side window.

RON MACLAIN

Jason, get in. You're late. You want to be late for practice?

Jason drops his bike in the front of his house and scurries around the car. He climbs into the passenger's side.

JASON

I was with Klondike, talking baseball. Sorry I'm late.

RON MACLAIN

I don't need another excuse, Jason. I took off work to do this. I wanted to talk to you about something verry important but I don't have much time now and it seems we're already late for baseball practice.

JASON

Talk to me? What about?

INT. - RON MACLAIN'S CAR - DAY

RON MACLAIN'S car cruises toward the baseball park with JASON in the passenger's seat.

RON MACLAIN

Well, about life, I guess. And I wanted to talk man-to-man, like you and Klondike do.

JASON

We talk man-to-man?

RON MACLAIN

Maybe not, but confidentially? I don't want your mother to hear about this little talk.

JASON

You don't want me to tell Mom?

RON MACLAIN

I'm sure you can see that she and I don't always get along. Its kind of like baseball, say an owner and a manager. They live together and do stuff together but they don't always agree.

JASON

Owners do the money and managers do the team.

RON MACLAIN

Right. And sometimes when things aren't going so well, they don't get along. When things continue to go bad, usually the manager gets fired.

JASON

Is that why you and Mom argue so much?

RON MACLAIN

Something like that.Well, you're a ballplayer. What would you do if the owner fired the manager?

JASON

Guess I'd still play. The Big Leaguers do. But I don't understand. I not a Big Leaguer. And this isn't baseball, its real life.

RON MACLAIN

Son, baseball's a lot like real life. And I think soon we'll see how bad you want to be a Big Leaguer. Here's the ballpark. I gotta get to work.

EXT. - TOWN'S BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

COACH NELSON pulls his station wagon into a parking space near the baseball field. Several bicycles stand between the vehicle and metal spectator seats that crowd the backstop. The coach climbs out of his wagon and lifts the rear door of the vehicle. With his left hand the coach tugs at an equipment bag.

Several BOYS, JASON, KLONDIKE, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS play catch on the field. All the boys move toward the backstop to meet the coach. MRS. HARRIS, Ichaebod's mother, sits on the metal stands and watches the coach approach.

COACH NELSON

Okay guys, pitching tryouts. Jason, take the mound. Rest of you guys spread out.

MRS. HARRIS

Coach! Coach Nelson. May I see you a minute?

EXT. - PITCHER'S MOUND - DAY

As MRS. HARRIS talks to the coach, KLONDIKE, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS join JASON on the pitcher's mound.

ICHAEBOD

Got to warn you guys. Mom said she was going to volunteer for assistant coach and she wants me to pitch. You guys know I can't pitch, don't even want to. I tried to talk her out of it!

COACH NELSON separates from Mrs. Harris and picks up a catchers mitt, which he tucks under his arm and slips his left hand into. Coach Nelson crouches behind the plate.

COACH NELSON

Come on, Jason, lets see some heat!

EXT. - NEAR OUTFIELD FENCE - DAY

SLUDGE approaches on a bicycle. JENNIFER rides the bicycle's handle bars. She wears tight white short shorts and a white blouse, knotted at the front. Her legs tuck so that her feet rest together on the front fender of the bicycle. From Jason's view, Jennifer displays all legs.

EXT. - BALLFIELD - DAY

JASON'S first pitch bounces in front of home plate. COACH NELSON lunges forward to make the catch. The coach tucks his mitt with the ball under his arm, extracts the baseball with his available hand and throws back to the mound.

COACH NELSON

Strikes Jason. Forget heat. Lets see strikes.

As Jason winds up for his next delivery, JENNIFER smiles at SLUDGE, then hops off the bicycle's handlebars. She leans forward, closer to the boy.

Jason's pitch sails over Coach Nelson's head and the coach spins to fetch the baseball from the backstop. The coach lobs the ball back to the mound.

Jason begins his next windup as Jennifer climbs up the metal steps of the bench seats.

Jason's throw sails past Coach Nelson's outstretched glove. The coach lets the ball go and jogs out to the mound.

COACH NELSON

You pitched last year. If you don't want to this year, just say so.

JASON

I want to pitch, coach.

COACH NELSON

Okay, what you need is a new pitch.

Coach Nelson's fingers grasp the seams of the ball, with his first two fingers, unlike Alexander's grip for the three-fingered curve ball.

COACH NELSON

A curveball, two fingers on the seams. Flip your wrist to throw it, like so.

JASON

I got it, Coach.

COACH NELSON

Okay. Practice with Klondike over by the stands. Remember, flip your wrist every time. Sludge! Your turn, take the mound.

Sludge saunters toward the mound as the coach returns to home plate.

EXT. - BACKSTOP OF THE BALLFIELD - DAY

JASON and KLONDIKE move to the side of the field to practice. Jason stops at the chainlink backstop. JENNIFER hooks her fingers into the opposite side of the chainlinks.

JASON

I thought you came to see me, not him? I don't want my girlfriend hanging out with some other guy.

JENNIFER

Girlfriend? Who's your girlfriend? I'm not a girl anyway, I'm a woman - a young lady?

JASON

After church, I'm not sure about the lady part?

JENNIFER

I didn't see you running out of that closet!

KLONDIKE

Come on Jason, Coach says we need to practice.

EXT. - BALLFIELD - DAY

JASON throws KLONDIKE a strike and glances toward the spectator stands.

JENNIFER sits in the stands with her knees drawn up to her body and her arms around her legs. She watches SLUDGE.

COACH NELSON (V.O.)

You got it, Sludge! Klondike, come over here and catch so I can try some hitting.

KLONDIKE

This ought to be good. Coach Nelson played Minor League ball with only one hand. Hit three-twenty that year. Never seen anybody hit like that, especially with one hand.

Jennifer waves toward Sludge. Without a glance toward Jason, she walks away.

SLUDGE

Jennifer, take my bike.

Jennifer waves to Sludge and takes his bicycle. She pedals away.

EXT. - TOWN'S BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

SLUDGE pitches and COACH NELSON with his bat in only one hand, slaps a hot grounder toward JASON at third base. Jason bungles the catch. On Sludge's next pitch, Coach Nelson slams a high fly ball. The ball sails far over the outfield fence. Coach Nelson drops his bat to the ground.

COACH NELSON

Enough! Come on in, guys. Let's do some batting. Sludge, don't worry about my getting hold of that one. You got a good arm. You just may be my ace.

JASON

Coach, let me throw to you? I think I have the curve down pat.

Coach Nelson laughs and takes the challenge. The boys move back to their positions and Sludge runs to short stop. He jogs past Jason.

SLUDGE

Okay Ace, want to pitch? Let's see your stuff.

From the mound, Jason peers in to KLONDIKE at catcher and Coach Nelson. Jason delivers a fastball, as hard as he can throw. Coach Nelson swings, but misses. The coach, as Klondike returns the ball, digs in at home plate. Jason adjusts his grip, two fingers across the baseball's seams. He delivers and flips his wrist, like the Coach taught him. Coach Nelson swings hard, off balance. He misses.

COACH NELSON

Good Jason! Nice curve. Quick learner.

KLONDIKE

Just a minute, Coach.

Klondike meets Jason on the mound.

KLONDIKE

Want to be number one? Throw the three-fingered curveball that catcher showed you. If Coach belts it, I day dreamed all this ghost stuff.

Klondike returns to home plate. Jason tucks his middle and ring finger at the knuckle and grasps the baseball with three-fingers. He winds up and delivers.

The baseball sails toward Coach Nelson's head as the man frantically bails out of the batter's box. At the last possible second the ball cuts down and directly over the plate. The ball pops into Klondike's mitt.

KLONDIKE

Strike three! He got you, Coach!

EXT. - STREET NEAR JENNIFER'S HOUSE - DAY

A strip of chrome bumper debris left from an earlier automobile shines on the street in the afternoon sun. One end of the chrome strip bends upward at the afternoon sky.

JENNIFER pedals around a corner on Sludge's bicycle. An automobile turns the corner behind her and gains on her bicycle.

Jennifer's front tire impacts the chrome strip. The girl sprawls onto the pavement, her arms slide on asphalt.

The automobile's brakes lock and the car slides. The wheels of the car stop inches from Jennifer's legs.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

Pitching tryouts unwind and baseball practice concludes. BOYS move toward their bicycles or their parent's automobiles. KLONDIKE, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS group around Jason.

KLONDIKE

See what I said. I'm sure you made pitcher. Coach Nelson couldn't even hit you.

CHEEVERS

Struck out the coach! Not bad, not too damn bad.

ICHAEBOD

Good pithing, Jason!

JASON

Thanks, Guys. I guess I did get him but I'm not so sure? A pitcher's got to be on all the time.

CHEEVERS

On, Hell! Man, you spun him into the ground.

ICHAEBOD

Come on, Cheevers. Mom says for me to get home, bunch of chores. You rode your bike. Ride with me home. How about you, Jason?

JASON

Dad brought me. Guess I'll walk.

KLONDIKE

I'm on foot too, so lets get going, Big Pitcher. See you guys.

Ichaebod and Cheevers pedal away.

JASON

I threw the three-fingered curveball.

KLONDIKE

I know. I called it.

JASON

So, I didn't strike out Coach Nelson. The curveball did.

KLONDIKE

Same thing.

COACH NELSON waves good-bye as he and SLUDGE climb into the Coach's station wagon.

COACH NELSON

Good pitching, Jason.

Jason and Klondike wave good-bye and turn toward their walk home.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD'S PARKING LOT - DAY

COACH NELSON starts his station wagon and backs out of his parking space. The station wagon pulls away from the field.

SLUDGE

Those two are best buddies, Uncle Jack.

COACH NELSON

Oh? You getting to know all the boys? That's good. This town's got a lot of good boys your age.

SLUDGE

Thanks for the a ride. I let a girl ride my bike home.

COACH NELSON

That's fine. No problem here. Her name's Jennifer Larson. I know where she lives. I'll drop you there and you can get your bike.

SLUDGE

Great. You happy with the team?

COACH NELSON

You bet! We're going to be pretty good. With you and Jason Maclain pitching, we might be really good.

SLUDGE

You think so? I don't think Jason's all that great.

COACH NELSON

Just needs a little maturity. That boy has real talent. Believe me, I know talent. He might just give you a run for your money.

SLUDGE

If you think so, Uncle Jack? Didn't show me much, though. I plan to stay top pitcher. The talent out here can't compare to Dallas.

EXT. - OUTSIDE JENNIFER'S HOME - DAY

Coach Nelson's station wagon pulls to a stop in front of Jennifer's house. SLUDGE jumps out of the vehicle.

SLUDGE

Thanks, Uncle Jack. See you later.

The station wagon moves away as Sludge walks up the sidewalk to the front door of the house.

Propped against bushes at the front door of the house, Sludge's bicycle leans against greenery with one of its handlebars bent downward instead of level with the bike's seat. One side of the front fender lies crinkled and pinches its front tire. Assorted scratches and scrapes mar the bicycle's paint and its chain hangs loose from its drive sprockets.

SLUDGE

Damn, the bitch wrecked my bike! She's gonna pay for this!

Sludge stalks up the steps to the front door of the house and bangs the doorbell button.

JENNIFER'S MOTHER answers the door.

SLUDGE

Jennifer home?

JENNIFER'S MOTHER

Yes, but I afraid that she can't come to the door just now. She's had a bicycle accident.

SLUDGE

I know, that's my bike.

JENNIFER'S MOTHER

You must be Jud. Jennifer said to be expecting you. We'll pay for all the damage. Replace the bicycle, if we need to.

JENNIFER appears behind her mother. She wears a soft cloth robe and her wet hair supports a bath towel wrap.

JENNIFER

Sludge. I wrecked your bike. I'm so sorry.

The soft cloth robe slips apart slightly and slides over the white swell of Jennifer's breasts.

SLUDGE

That's no problem. You all right? I was going to get rid of that bike anyway.

EXT. - SCHOOL BUS STOP - DAY, NEXT MORNING

JASON leans against a school bus stop sign pole. KLONDIKE sprawls on the grass several feet away.

KLONDIKE

You threw it. Nothing happened, bad I mean. Unless you count Coach Nelson striking out? That wasn't bad, Man. That was terrific.

JASON

The catcher said something bad would happen.

ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS approach. A school bus turns a corner into view.

KLONDIKE

Cool that catcher stuff. They'll think you're crazy.

ICHAEBOD

Some pitching yesterday, Jason. Bring on the Yankees!

CHEEVERS

Sheeeet yes! You made pitcher for sure. Struck out the Coach! Hell of a pitch! Sludge made it, too. With both of you, we're gonna be a tough team!

JENNIFER rushes along the sidewalk toward the school bus with her school books and waves. Her forearms display several small bandages.

INT. - SCHOOL BUS - DAY

KLONDIKE drops into an empty seat. JASON takes a seat and stacks his school books at his feet. JENNIFER stops beside Jason.

JENNIFER

Mind if I sit with you? I'm sorry for getting mad yesterday. Sludge is only a friend. I just met him, then I wrecked his bicycle. Don't these bandages look awful? His bike had a flat tire and I was thrown in front of a car, but it stopped. I could have been killed.

JASON

Somehow, I knew something bad happened.

INT. - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HALL - DAY

In the hall of Junior High School KLONDIKE swings his locker door open. JASON stands beside him.

The locker's contents tumble forward and Jason lunges to help contain the books, athletic gear and mounds of loose papers within. Klondike stuffs materials back into the locker as Jason picks items from the hall floor and hands them to his friend.

JASON

She almost got hit by a car, could have been killed. It was all my fault. I knew something real bad was going to happen when I threw the three-fingered curveball.

KLONDIKE

Because you threw the curveball? I don't think so.

SLUDGE approaches Jason and Klondike with ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS behind the larger boy.

CHEEVERS

Damn, Sludge! The Yankees are in trouble. With you and Jason pitching, we got first place. The Yankee's don't have a chance. No chance in Hell!

SLUDGE

Hey, Man. Jennifer your girl?

JASON

She's nobody's girl.

Sludge picks one of Klondike's note books from the hall floor. A nudie magazine falls to the floor from within the notebook.

SLUDGE

Hey, look at this.

KLONDIKE

Give me that. It's mine. None of your business.

SLUDGE

Slow down, Man. Share the wealth. We're teammates, you know?

KLONDIKE

Give me my magazine.

JASON

Give it back, Sludge.

Sludge flings the magazine at Klondike's chest.

SLUDGE

There you go, pervert. Can't handle the real thing, can you?

JASON

Back off, Sludge.

Sludge turns to Jason.

SLUDGE

Look you second-string big mouth, I'll back off when I'm ready - so you shut up. You hear me? You Klondike's mother, or something?

KLONDIKE

Come on, Jason. We got to get to class.

INT. - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY - DAY

The library features several areas with tables and chairs grouped together for use by students. The areas nestle within rows of wooden bookshelves that support hundreds of reference books.

STUDENTS mill around the library shelves and cluster in the table areas.

JASON and KLONDIKE sit together at one table with books and notebooks open. A nearby book rack supports rows and rows of sport's books.

KLONDIKE

I can't take Sludge. I should have punched him out or something.

JASON

No, he's too much bigger than you. Don't get down on yourself. I backed off, too. Didn't you notice?

Jason's attention wanders from the conversation and his eyes scan the sports books on the nearby shelves.

KLONDIKE

It wasn't worth fighting. Besides, like it or not, we got to live with the guy. Teammates, you know? I think he's putting a move on your girl.

JASON

Guess so, and I sure don't have to like it. I think I'll go by her house after school...wait just a minute.

Jason rises for one of the books on the library shelves. He returns to the table and plops the book on the surface before him.

The book's title reads: Greatest Baseball Players, 1920 - 1940.

Jason opens the book and leafs the pages.

KLONDIKE

Yeah. He thinks he's big stuff. But I figure you'll show him. You're sure to be the best pitcher in the league. You got the three-fingered curveball and Jennifer. That'll make him second-string and then he don't have to like it. Right?

JASON

Alexander, Alexander. Here he is.

Jason turns the book so that Klondike can see the page.

The book's open page displays a 1920's baseball player in a Saint Louis Cardinals' uniform. Its caption reads Grover Cleveland Alexander.

The player in the photo holds his baseball glove to his chest. The letters GCA extend along the little finger of the glove, burned into the leather, and the glove's fingers are not strapped together, in the style of the '20s era.

JASON (V.O.)

Look! That's him. Grover Cleveland Alexander. See those initials on the glove. Just like the glove I found. It's got to be the same glove!

EXT. - JENNIFER'S HOUSE - DAY

Outside Jennifer's house Sludge's bicycle leans against the wood fence that surrounds the sides of the house and its backyard swimming pool.

JASON doesn't notice the bicycle at the side of the house as he pedals into a side garage driveway on the opposite side of the lot from the bike. Jason parks his bicycle and walks to a side door. He rings the doorbell.

JENNIFER answers the door. SLUDGE steps into Jason's view behind Jennifer.

JENNIFER

Jason? What are you doing here? I'm doing my homework. Sludge is helping me, you know, with my homework.

EXT. - JASON'S BACKYARD - DAY

From a tree in Jason's backyard an automobile tire drapes from a rope at the height of a batter's strike zone.

At the opposite side of the yard from the tree JASON grips his baseball with the Alexander's three-fingered curveball grip. He winds and fires the baseball toward the rubber tire.

The ball sails high and outside. At the last possible second the baseball cuts down and inside, through the circle hole of the tire, and slams against the backyard's fence.

Jason stands silently for a moment.

JASON

Take that, Sludge! I hope the curse will break your arm.

Jason throws his glove at the tire. The glove sails over the tire and lands at the base of the backyard fence. Jason kicks at the grass in the yard.

JASON

Look, you old Catcher. If your listening, make the curse happen. I threw the curveball. Now, break Sludge's girl-stealing arm!

Jason walks to the glass sliding doors of his house, slides the door open and looks at a grandfather clock in the room. The clock chimes the hour. It reads five o'clock.

INT. - JASON'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

JASON stands at the kitchen stove and stirs his supper. The backdoor slams and MRS. MACLAIN arrives home from work.

MRS. MACLAIN

Jason. Your home. I'm glad.

JASON

Mom, we're playing a practice game against the Yankees tomorrow after school.

Mrs. Maclain captures Jason in a hug.

MRS. MACLAIN

You are? That's wonderful. You've practiced so hard.

JASON

The Yankees are the best team in the league, but I think we can beat them. I sure would like for you to come.

Jason's mother guides her son to the kitchen table.

MRS. MACLAIN

Sit down and talk for a minute. Supper will wait. I have some good news. I got a night job as a waitress.

JASON

Mom, you can't do two jobs. If we need money, maybe I can get a job sacking groceries or something?

Mrs. Maclain sits next to her son.

MRS. MACLAIN

There's also bad news. My day job is over. Today's payday and this afternoon, I got a fired. No - I've been laid off. I'm so sorry Jason. I won't be able to go to your games.

JASON

When did it happen? What time, I mean? Around five o'clock?

MRS. MACLAIN

How did you know?

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY, NEXT AFTERNOON

The late afternoon sun shines over the baseball field as BOYS mill about one dugout. Several Cardinal PARENT SPECTATORS sit in the metal bleachers.

SLUDGE prepares to pitch. He warms up with COACH NELSON along the first base line. JASON, KLONDIKE, CHEEVERS and ICHAEBOD wait in the dugout.

CHEEVERS

Sheeeet! The Yankees must be scared to play us. Nobody's gonna show up.

ICHAEBOD

Somehow, I don't think so.

KLONDIKE

What do you think, Jason?

JASON

They'll show.

CHEEVERS

Naw, they heard Sludge was pitching.

SFX

Honk! Honk!

EXT. - ROAD TO BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

On the road to the parking lot of the ballpark an old school bus, painted light gray with darker gray pinstripes, honks as it approaches. A cloud of dust churns behind the bus as it wheels into the parking lot.

The gray bus sports a large banner on its side windows. In giant red letters, the message on the banner reads:

GO YANKEES! We want another championship!

Behind the bus, a long row of automobiles follow, all honk their horns in rhythm with the school bus.

The bus slides to a stop in the baseball field's parking lot and the other cars park in an orderly line, like soldiers in formation, behind the bus. As each vehicle stops, its horn falls silent.

Silence settles across the parking lot.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

JASON, KLONDIKE, CHEEVERS and ICHAEBOD stand within the Cardinal dugout and stare at the huge banner on the silent school bus.

SLUDGE and COACH NELSON stop their warm-up throws and gaze at the school bus.

The other Cardinal TEAM MEMBERS stand silently, all eyes on the pin striped bus and red-lettered banner.

The old school bus erupts into sound.

YANKEE PLAYERS

Go Yankees! Go Yankees! Win Yankees!

CHEEVERS

Holy Hell! I was expecting The Star Spangled Banner!

With exuberant cheers, the Yankee players tumble from the bus - a line of baseball automatons take their positions on the field followed by PARENTS and SUPPORTERS into the stands.

With quick, practiced efficiency the Yankee team executes infield practice - each move abruptly quick and practiced, with no errors.

The YANKEES resemble their Major League namesake.

ICHAEBOD

Okay, Guys. Now, what are we going to do? We need a banner. I'll talk to my Mom.

JASON

Watch! No errors. See that guy throw! They look strong, don't they?

KLONDIKE

Strong? They look unbeatable!

The YANKEE COACH spins toward the Cardinal dugout.

YANKEE COACH

Coach Nelson! We're ready. Let's play ball! Are your men ready?

CHEEVERS

Men? I ain't no man.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

The scoreboard attached to the fence in right field reads Yankees 3, Cardinals 0 in the top of the ninth inning. The Cardinals play the field. Metal bleachers support hoards of loud Yankee PARENTS and SUPPORTERS.

SLUDGE pitches and JASON plays shortstop, with KLONDIKE behind the plate. ICHAEBOD pumps his glove at first base and CHEEVERS paces in left field.

Sludge winds up and delivers to the plate. The Yankee BATTER slams a sizzling ground ball toward short. Jason fields the ball cleanly and fires to first base.

Ichaebod takes the throw, but bobbles the catch. Snatching the ball from the ground, Ichaebod tags first base, a split-second before the Yankee batter pounds across the bag. The first base UMPIRE jerks his thumb into the air.

UMPIRE

Ooooutttt! That's three!

The CARDINALS trot from the field to their dugout.

EXT. - CARDINAL DUGOUT - DAY

COACH NELSON meets and encourages his team as the BOYS enter.

COACH NELSON

We got them where we want them. Bottom of the ninth. Good pitching, Sludge! Our bat. Top of the order. Good play Jason, good catch. We're only three runs behind. Way to play at first, Ichaebod!

CHEEVERS selects a bat that leans against the chainlink dugout wire. JASON hangs from looped fingers through the chainlink, on the opposite side.

JASON

Let's go Cheevers. Get a hit!

CHEEVERS

I'm just praying that son-of-a-pitcher doesn't hit me. He throws damn hard.

Cheevers moves toward the batter's box.

ICHAEBOD

Praying? Don't think so.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

CHEEVERS digs in at the plate and the Yankee PITCHER delivers.

SFX

Blap!

Cheevers jogs to first base and rubs a red baseball imprint on his left arm.

JASON

Way to go, Cheevers! Way to get on!

ICHAEBOD steps into the batter's box.

The Yankee pitcher fires a fastball and Ichaebod connects. His flyball falls softly into the Yankee RIGHTFIELDER'S glove for the first out.

JASON takes the batter's box. The Yankee pitcher delivers and Jason swings hard. The ball bursts through the right side of the infield on the ground.

As Jason crosses first base, the Yankee RIGHTFIELDER charges the ground ball, scoops it up and, in one fluid motion, pegs second base. Cheevers slides into the bag, barely safe.

With Jason at first base, Cheevers at second and one out in the bottom of the ninth, SLUDGE steps up to bat. The Yankee pitcher winds up and throws home.

Sludge's hit towers into left field and the boy jogs toward first base, confident the fly ball will clear the fence.

Jason and Cheevers await Sludge at home plate and exchanges high-five's as the bigger boy crosses the plate.

JASON

Way to go, Man. Nice home run!

SLUDGE

So what? It's tied and your boy Klondike's up. We need a run to win this thing. You can't baby sit him now!

On three pitches, Klondike strikes out and the inning ends.

COACH NELSON

Sludge! Great going, you tied it. League rules say you can't pitch over eight. Take short. Jason, hustle out. Let's warm up. We'll get them next inning.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - NIGHT

JASON pitches with SLUDGE at short stop. A Yankee RUNNER bounces at second base. The runner attempts to attract a throw. Behind the plate, the UMPIRE shows three and two.

KLONDIKE, at catcher, calls time out. He joins Jason on the mound. Sludge joins the meeting.

KLONDIKE

Forget that first walk. You got that last guy, one out. Come on now, throw strikes.

SLUDGE

Okay, you two. No time for chit-chat. Strike this guy out, Jason. Then all we need's one more and chubby here won't have to bat again.

Sludge jogs back to short stop.

KLONDIKE

You got to show that creep, Jason. Throw the three-fingered curveball. Ain't nothing bad going to happen. Just because it has doesn't mean it always will.

JASON

Okay, Okay, I will. I don't think I can get him without it?

Jason tucks his fingers for the three-fingered curveball and throws hard to the plate.

The baseball flies at the Yankee BATTER'S head and the boy desperately bails out of the batter's box. The pitch cuts down, over the plate and into Klondike's glove.

UMPIRE

Strike three. That's two!

The YANKEE COACH bounds from his dugout toward the home plate umpire.

YANKEE COACH

Let me see that ball.

Klondike holds up his mitt and the plate umpire extracts the ball from the mitt and pitches it to the coach.

The Yankee coach inspects the ball, flips it over and over in his hand, mutters, and hands it back to the umpire.

UMPIRE

Let's play ball!

The next Yankee BATTER steps into the batter's box. He digs in and holds his bat high and loose, a hitter. Jason delivers a fastball.

The baseball screams over the fence. The stands erupt with Yankee victory. Klondike meets Jason at the mound.

KLONDIKE

Sorry, man. I really didn't think anything bad would happen.

EXT. - SCHOOL GROUNDS - DAY

JENNIFER, SLUDGE, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS linger in the school yard before school. The boys pitch nickels at the right angle junction of the brick school wall and a concrete sidewalk. Jennifer clutches her books to her chest, leans against the wall and watches the contest. Cheevers lobs a nickel at the junction. The coin lands a foot short and slides within inches of the wall.

ICHAEBOD

I should win something after those Yankees yesterday. You should have seen him, Jennifer. Sludge hit a three-run home run.

Ichaebod flips and his coin lands closer than Cheevers'.

CHEEVERS

Sheeet! Take him, Sludge. You're a winner. You just about beat the Yankees all by yourself.

Sludge lobs his nickel. The coin slides to touch the wall. Cheevers leaps to pick up all three nickels and hands them to Sludge.

CHEEVERS

Yeah, you're a winner. We'll stick with you.

SLUDGE

You guys did all right but a couple of other clowns we know didn't. I think you know who I mean.

JASON and KLONDIKE approach along the side walk. Sludge ignores the two, slips his arm around Jennifer's waist and walks away with the girl.

JASON

Hey, Guys. Great game yesterday. Bad breaks. We'll get them next time.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

COACH NELSON, in full baseball uniform and shadowed by his assistant MRS. HARRIS, passes out new team uniforms that read Cardinals on their fronts. Mrs. Harris, in an extra large uniform with thigh stretch material expanded to its maximum, checks off names from a clipboard as each boy receives his uniform.

TEAM MEMBERS, JASON, KLONDIKE, SLUDGE, ICHAEBOD, and CHEEVERS, crowd around the coach and Mrs. Harris.

COACH NELSON

Gather round guys. We lost to the Yankees, no big deal! We played hard and played as a team. They are the best in the league. We didn't do so badly and we'll get better with some hard work. I was real proud of all of you. Sludge, you had a great game. Our first real game is Thursday night. Be there at seven to warm up. Okay, lets get to work! Divide up. This group's team A with Jason pitching. Rest of you guys are team B with Sludge pitching. Okay, put up your uniforms and lets play ball!

The boys scramble for bicycles and their parent's automobiles to tuck their new uniforms safely away.

EXT. - JASON'S BICYCLE NEAR SPECTATOR STANDS - DAY

JASON folds his uniform into a leather pack behind the seat of his bicycle and glances toward the field's spectator stands.

Sludge's bicycle leans against the back of the stands and SLUDGE packs his new uniform into his bicycle's saddle bags. JENNIFER stands beside him and watches. As Sludge trots back to the field, Jennifer climbs into the metal bleachers.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

The TEAM gathers back on the field to scrimmage.

JASON pitches and SLUDGE bats. CHEEVERS, as Jason winds up, chatters from second base. Jason throws hard to home plate.

CHEEVERS

...Batter - Swing!

Sludge strides into his swing. The baseball soars high and beyond the outfield fence, foul.

CHEEVERS

He sure as Hell did.

Jason extends his arms into his next windup. Sludge digs in at the plate, his bat cocked high over his shoulder. Sludge pounds another hit beyond the outfield fence and slightly outside the opposite foul line.

KLONDIKE, at catcher, jogs toward the mound from behind the plate and passes Sludge.

SLUDGE

Hey chubby, tell him to lay another fat one up, like that last one, like the one he threw the Yankees.

Klondike joins Jason on the pitcher's mound.

KLONDIKE

He's killing it. Next one won't be foul, I bet. We got to get this slime. Throw the three-fingered curveball.

JASON

Okay. I have to if I'm going to beat him. But, watch yourself. Be ready for the bad stuff. Something bad will happen, for sure.

COACH NELSON stands on the bench and cups his one hand to his mouth.

COACH NELSON

Come on, Jason. Two strikes! Get him now!

Jason tucks his middle two fingers to the knuckle against the baseball and sweeps into his wind up.

Jason shifts his weight forward and whips his arm above his body. His thumb, index and little finger - three fingers - spin the baseball.

The ball sails straight for Sludge's head and the big batter lunges backward.

The ball cuts down sharply and over the plate.

Off balance and with one hand loose from the bat, Sludge weakly swings as the baseball smacks into Klondike's mitt.

Coach Nelson jumps up and down on the bench with excitement, slips and tumbles. The coach screams with pain as he impacts the dirt dugout floor. One leg twists under the dugout bench at an unnatural angle.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD PARKING LOT - DAY

PLAYERS gather around Mrs. Harris' station wagon. The back lift-gate of the station wagon extends open.

COACH NELSON lies in the rear of the wagon, propped against the back of the front seat and a baseball equipment bag. The back seat lies flat and supports the man comfortably, but he grimaces in pain. Two catcher's shin pads clutch the coach's right leg as a makeshift splint.

ICHAEBOD climbs into the back of the wagon and pulls the lift-back closed behind him. MRS. HARRIS leans out the driver's side window.

MRS. HARRIS

Okay. We're heading to the hospital emergency room. Everything's all right. I'll get him to the doctor. You boys go home. Remember - there's a real game tomorrow night.

Mrs. Harris pulls her station wagon out of the parking lot and speeds away. Boys drift toward their bicycles as PARENTS load other BOYS into cars. The parking lot begins to empty.

EXT. - NEAR BLEACHERS OF THE BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

JASON and KLONDIKE watch the last car pull out of the parking lot. Jason turns and with his head down walks slowly toward Klondike's bicycle. He stops at the bike.

Klondike lifts his bicycle from the pavement and throws one leg over its seat. He pushes Jason's shoulder with his clenched fist.

KLONDIKE

Quit moping Jason. You played fine.

JASON

I threw the three-fingered curveball?

KLONDIKE

So what? Coach had an accident. No curse. The curse was on Sludge. He was spinning like a top. Yeah! I loved it. We got him, didn't we? Where is that slime? He called me Chubby just before you struck him out. Well, I gotta get home or I'll be late for supper. Later Alligator?

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

JASON trudges onto the ballfield and picks up his dropped baseball glove. With the glove under his arm, the boy walks to his bicycle.

The baseball field stands silent as Jason prepares to leave.

Whirls of dust, kicked up by the wind, sweep the field. The dust blows through the field's chainlink backstop and peppers Jason's face. Jason hangs his baseball glove on the handle bar of his bicycle.

JENNIFER steps out from behind the spectator stands.

JASON

Hey, you startled me. I didn't see you in this dust.

JENNIFER

I was waiting for you.

JASON

For Sludge, you mean?

JENNIFER

No, for you. Sludge got mad and left after you struck him out. He didn't even care that his uncle was hurt. Walk me home, will you?

EXT. - STREET NEAR BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

JASON pushes his bicycle away from the field, with JENNIFER at his side.

JASON

I feel bad about Coach Nelson. It was my fault. It was the curse.

JENNIFER

The what?

JASON

Sit down a minute. I need to tell you something. Something that's been bothering me a lot.

Jennifer settles onto the grass in the shade of a tree.

JENNIFER

There's nothing you can't tell me, Jason Maclain. What's bothering you? Is it the time I've been with Sludge? I'm sorry. I know it hurts you. I don't really like him.

Jason leans his bicycle against the back side of the tree and joins the girl.

JASON

It's not that. It's something else. You see, I have a curveball. The one I threw Sludge. It's unhitable.

JENNIFER

You're a good pitcher, Jason. That's one of the things I admire about you.

JASON

Please, just listen. This curveball is magic. Nobody can hit it, not even Coach Nelson. But it has a curse with it. When I throw the three-fingered curveball, something bad always happens. A ghost gave it to me and warned me about the curse, but I throw it anyway. I threw it to Sludge and Coach Nelson broke his leg. I caused Coach Nelson to break his leg.

JENNIFER

Who do you think you're kidding?

Jason places a hand on each of Jennifer's shoulders and stares into the girl's eyes.

JASON

I'm not kidding, Jennifer. Its the truth, I swear.

Jennifer pushes Jason away and jumps to her feet.

JENNIFER

What silliness! I'm not naive. This is really stupid! You're just trying to make me believe that you're someone special and I think that's sick.

JASON

But, but...

JENNIFER

Men! You think you own us and we can't have other boyfriends. You would say anything to convince me. I'm sick of all of you! Walk your own self home, Jason Maclain!

Jennifer stalks away.

Jason starts to run and catch the girl, then stops.

JASON

Women!

EXT. - TOWN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM ENTRANCE - DAY

SLUDGE watches an ambulance scream up to the entrance of the emergency room and pushes his bicycle away from the doors. As ambulance PERSONNEL jump from the cab and unload a patient, Sludge parks his bike.

The ambulance DRIVER pushes a gurney with his patient toward the emergency room doors as Sludge approaches.

AMBULANCE DRIVER

Out of the way, young man. This is an emergency!

SLUDGE

Stuff it, Jerk.

Sludge enters ahead of the gurney.

INT. - EMERGENCY ROOM - DAY

The ambulance DRIVER and his gurney push past SLUDGE through another interior set of doors. Sludge stands in the emergency room waiting area.

MRS. HARRIS bursts through the doors into the waiting area.

MRS. HARRIS

Jud! In all the excitement, I forgot that you're Coach Nelson's nephew. I should have brought you with us in the station wagon but I didn't see you.

SLUDGE

That's all right. I rode my bike over. Where's Ichaebod?

MRS. HARRIS

I dropped him by the house on the way. I bet you were worried sick about your uncle.

SLUDGE

Yes, I was. But I was also worried about you, handling all this by yourself, you know?

MRS. HARRIS

How thoughtful, Jud. He will be fine. Broken leg and they are setting it right now, inside. In fact, I was just about to leave.

SLUDGE

I figure he won't coach the game tomorrow night?

MRS. HARRIS

No, he asked me to.

SLUDGE

Really? He asked you to coach? Who you going to pitch?

MRS. HARRIS

With all the excitement, I hadn't given it much thought. But Jason looked really good this afternoon?

SLUDGE

He just got lucky. I slipped on that last pitch or I would of slammed it out, like the first two. You know who wants to pitch? And, I think you should give him a chance.

MRS. HARRIS

Who, you? But I think it should be Jason.

SLUDGE

No Ma'am, not me. I think you should pitch Ichaebod.

MRS. HARRIS

Ichaebod? I didn't know he wanted to pitch. That's generous, so unselfish of you. You're quite a young man. Come on, we'll put your bike in the back of the wagon and I'll drive you home.

EXT. - JASON'S HOUSE - DAY

JASON pedals his bicycle to the front door of his house. He dismounts, lays his bike on the grass and jogs to his front door.

JASON

Mom! Hey, Mom. I'm home.

Jason walks into the kitchen of his home. MRS. MACLAIN stands at a kitchen counter and Jason's father sits at the kitchen table.

MRS. MACLAIN

How was practice?

JASON

Okay, I guess.

RON MACLAIN

Just Okay? I thought baseball was your life? Be the best pitcher in the league, right?

JASON

Coach Nelson broke his leg and I think it was my fault. Why are you here? I thought you were out of our life.

MRS. MACLAIN

I'll deal with this, Ron.

JASON

No! He's the one beating on you!

RON MACLAIN

I don't think the boy should be talking to his father like that! I oughtta slap a little respect into him!

MRS. MACLAIN

I understand, Jason. It's Okay. I'm glad your home. I have to go to work. I was just leaving. Your father and I talked it over. He wants to talk to you. He came by mainly to see you. I want you to listen to what he has to say. I'll slip into your room tonight when I get home and say goodnight.

RON MACLAIN

Lets take a walk.

Ron Maclain walks to the back door and steps out into the garage. Jason follows his father.

EXT. - OUTSIDE MACLAIN'S GARAGE - DAY

RON MACLAIN and JASON stand outside the garage.

RON MACLAIN

How's the pitching coming?

JASON

Fine.

RON MACLAIN

Get your glove. We'll do a little practice. We'll see how its really coming.

JASON

I thought you wanted to talk.

RON MACLAIN

Get your glove, Boy. We can talk while we throw.

Jason steps back into the open garage and meets his mother on her way out.

MRS. MACLAIN

Goodby, Jason. Your father's in a good mood. Don't be afraid of him. I made him promise that he won't hit you...or me, ever again.

JASON

He wants to play catch. We haven't played catch since I was six.

EXT. - BACKYARD OF MACLAIN HOUSE - DAY

RON MACLAIN crouches as a catcher and JASON practices pitching. Their conversation continues between throws and catches.

RON MACLAIN

That's an Okay fastball. Just get it over. You have to throw strikes.

JASON

I'm the best on my team.

RON MACLAIN

That's not good enough. If you want to do something with your pitching, you have to be the best in town, maybe even in Texas.

JASON

Coach says I'm pretty good. What did you want to talk about?

RON MACLAIN

Your coach may not realize how good you have to be. I've been talking to your mother. I think we came to a decision, I mean an agreement.

JASON

About what?

RON MACLAIN

About us, about you, about the future. About owners and managers.

JASON

Oh?

RON MACLAIN

Your Mom and I are filing for divorce, Jason. But you have to remember. I'm divorcing your mother, not you. I'm just firing my manager. You're my son and I want your future to be good. You have to be a better pitcher than this. Faster, more strikes.

JASON

I can't stand you. You hit Mom! Mom's on my side and if your firing her - I'm not pitching for you!

Jason throws his glove onto the ground and stalks toward the house.

RON MACLAIN

You're just like your mother! You get emotional when things don't go your way. I ought to slap your face, you spoiled brat!

JASON

Yes! I'm like Mom. Smaller than you. You leave me alone or I'll call the police!

Jason storms into the house.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - NIGHT

Bright lights glare above the town's baseball field. A CROWD of parents, other players, spectators and children fill the stands. Lawn chairs squeeze the field's fence on both base lines, each chair supports a parent fan. Moths spin and attempt suicide against the hot, bright park lights. They etch reflected circles as they twist beneath the black night sky.

JASON pedals into the light that sweeps the field's metal framework bleachers. He leans his bike against a post.

KLONDIKE and CHEEVERS lounge on lower bleacher seats several yards beyond Jason and his bicycle. Cheevers spots Jason and elbows Klondike.

In his new uniform, SLUDGE steps to the opposite end of the bleachers with JENNIFER on his arm. He helps the girl onto the bleachers.

CHEEVERS

Sheeeet! How lucky can you get?

KLONDIKE

Thought she was your girl, Jason?

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD, CARDINAL DUGOUT - NIGHT

JASON, CHEEVERS, and KLONDIKE gather at the dugout entrance, eager to begin their game. With a clipboard, MRS. HARRIS and ICHAEBOD join the boys.

SLUDGE squeezes between Mrs. Harris and the wire dugout wall. He pauses next to Jason.

SLUDGE

Hey big pitcher. I'm not the only one who strikes out. You see who I brought to the game?

JASON

No. You bring somebody?

CHEEVERS

Damnation, Jason. I thought you saw Jennifer.

KLONDIKE

Shut up, Cheevers.

MRS. HARRIS

Listen up, Boys. I talked to Coach Nelson. He's Okay. His leg was broken and it's in a cast. He wishes us all good luck in tonight's game. He said this game will be the only one that he misses. Here's the position and batting order on this clipboard. Klondike's catching and Ichaebod's pitching.

Jason looks at Klondike and silently mouths, "Ichaebod?"

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD, PITCHER'S MOUND - NIGHT

ICHAEBOD pitches with KLONDIKE behind the plate. SLUDGE plays shortstop and JASON protects third. CHEEVERS stands very small in left field. The bases each support opposition PLAYERS.

Jason shouts encouragement to his pitcher while MRS. HARRIS stands in the entrance to the dugout and peers toward the field.

JASON

Okay Ichy. Forget that walk. Throw strikes!

Ichaebod delivers to the plate. Klondike leaps to catch the high pitch. The plate UMPIRE points to first base as he signals a ball. A RUNNER trots into home plate from third base as the BATTER jogs to first base.

Mrs. Harris steps out from the dugout toward the field and then stops.

Sludge trots toward the mound, followed quickly by Jason. Klondike jogs out from his catcher's position. The three boys meet with Ichaebod at the mound.

KLONDIKE

You okay, Ichy? That's four straight walks. You got to throw a strike sometime?

JASON

Bear down. You can get them. All you need to do is throw strikes.

SLUDGE

Your old lady ain't going to take you out. You're going to lose this game for us. I thought you could throw a strike every once in a while.

JASON

You can do it, Ichy. I know you can.

SLUDGE

No, he can't. Get your fat-ass mom over here. Tell her your arm hurts or something. You understand me creep?

JASON

Wait a minute, Sludge...

SLUDGE

You heard me, Creep? Stay out of this, Jason.

Ichaebod motions for his mother. Mrs. Harris jogs out to the mound from the dugout, her stretch baseball pants strain to contain thighs in motion.

MRS. HARRIS

Are you all right, Ichaebod? You've walked a few of their batters.

ICHAEBOD

No, Mom. My arm hurts, right here.

MRS. HARRIS

Oh no! My boy's hurt. I'll take you home and we will put some ice on it.

ICHAEBOD

I'm all right, Mom. Its just sore.

MRS. HARRIS

Okay. Jud, you pitch. Jason, take short. Ichaebod, can you play third?

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - NIGHT

As SLUDGE pitches, the scoreboard reads a one run lead for the Cardinals in the ninth inning. Opposition RUNNERS occupy first and second base. Sludge delivers and walks the bases full. MRS. HARRIS waddles to the mound. JASON joins the meeting.

MRS. HARRIS

Good job, Jud. You're tired. Jason can clean-up. Ready to pitch, Jason? Strength of their lineup coming up. Jud, you play short.

SLUDGE

Call me Sludge, Ma'am. I don't like Jud.

Sludge hands the baseball to Jason.

JASON

Good pitching, Jud.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - NIGHT

JASON throws a hard strike to the plate. The opposition BATTER doesn't swing. The UMPIRE holds up both hands and indicates three balls and two strikes. Jason strolls around the back of the pitchers mound. He toes the pitching rubber and stares into his catcher. MRS. HARRIS paces in the dugout.

MRS. HARRIS

Two outs Jason. This is it!

KLONDIKE, behind home plate, jabs three-fingers toward the ground, the sign for the three-fingered curveball. Jason nods Okay and tucks three fingers to the knuckle against the baseball and delivers to the plate. The batter swings and at the same time lungs away from the three-fingered curveball.

The SPECTATORS in the stands and the team erupt in victory celebration -- except for SLUDGE who strolls off the field to join JENNIFER at the backstop wire.

The CARDINALS crowd Jason at the mound, slap his back, shake his hand, and yell congratulations. Awash in adulation, Jason struggles to view the bleachers.

Sludge slips his arm around Jennifer and strolls away from the ballpark.

INT. - JASON'S HOME, KITCHEN - NIGHT

Jason's MOTHER sits at one end of the kitchen table. She slumps over her crossed arms rest on the table's surface. The woman cries wildly. RON MACLAIN looms over the woman.

RON MACLAIN

Shut up! Hysterics won't do you any good. Shut up, now!

MRS. MACLAIN

You don't even know your son's playing a ball game tonight. Where do you think he is? Asleep in his room with you doing all this yelling?

RON MACLAIN

The kid's a looser, just like you. He'll never be any good at anything and it starts with baseball!

MRS. MACLAIN

Come on? you don't give a damn! If you cared, you would make the house payment! You'd work with Jason on his baseball! You don't care. Get out of here! Get out of my house!

Ron Maclain swings hard, the back of his hand crashes into his wife's face.

Mrs. Maclain tips backward in her chair and the chair legs slip on the floor. She crashes to the floor and lies silent.

EXT. - MACLAIN HOME - NIGHT

Dark shadows crowd the side walks that stretch in parallel strips on each side of Jason's street. The shadows fall from Live Oaks and Red Oaks in neighborhood yards and intrude between streetlights on the corner of the residential block and the pavement beyond.

JASON and KLONDIKE pedal their bicycles slowly through the shadows and approach Jason's house. The poker cards in their bicycle spokes pop and break the stillness of the night.

KLONDIKE

Some ball game. You were great! You pitched great. You won it for us.

JASON

I had to throw the three-fingered curve to do it. And something bad is sure to happen. I know it will.

KLONDIKE

Forget all that magic stuff. Nothing bad happened. After you get home, slip out your window and I'll meet you at the clubhouse. We'll smoke the rest of Cheevers' cigarettes.

Lights from RON MACLAIN'S automobile flash over the boys

.

JASON

That was my Dad leaving. I'll be there soon as Mom thinks I'm asleep.

INT. - JASON'S HOME, KITCHEN - NIGHT

At the end of the kitchen table, MRS. MACLAIN sits on the floor with her back against the wall.

JASON enters the kitchen, sees his Mom and jumps to her side. His mother's tear damp face smiles at her son. Her smile ends at a purple cheek bone beneath a black and swollen-shut eye.

JASON

Mom! What happened? Your face!

MRS. MACLAIN

I'll just stay inside for a few days. The swelling will go down and then I can wear sunglasses.

JASON

We need help. I'll call one of the neighbors.

MRS. MACLAIN

No. Your father hit me. You mustn't say anything to anybody about this.

JASON

Mom?

MRS. MACLAIN

We don't want anyone to know, especially anyone from church.

JASON

I think you should call the police. There has to be a law to keep him from hurting you.

MRS. MACLAIN

No, Son. You don't understand. We have to keep it secret. No one can know. It's like....

JASON

But I know!

MRS. MACLAIN

...like your Aunt Elma. Remember how MaMaw and PawPa kept your Aunt Elma hidden in the upstairs bedroom until they passed away? It's not right but you don't want all your friends to know.

JASON

Aunt Elma was crazy. They sent her to a home. Mom, you're not crazy. Dad just hits you.

MRS. MACLAIN

Still, we don't want everyone talking

JASON

Mom, I love you. I'll do anything you say.

MRS. MACLAIN

And I love you, Jason.

JASON

We won our ball game tonight. You won't see me play, ever?

MRS. MACLAIN

Good, Jason. I'm so proud of you. Maybe I could come to a really big game, like if you win the championship or something?

JASON

I would like for you to see me play.

MRS. MACLAIN

I could call in sick at work. Then you know I'll come. Your father too, probably.

JASON

No, not him! I don't care if I ever see him again!

EXT. - BACK YARD, KLONDIKE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

The shadows of night crowd the dark forms of trees, bushes and the back yard fence. One shadow moves, creeps closer to the home-made club house. Silently, the shadow of a large boy slips next to the clubhouse wall.

INT. - CLUBHOUSE - NIGHT

JASON and KLONDIKE sit cross-legged on a blanket within the clubhouse - both puff on Cheevers' abandoned cigarettes. Between them a small lit candle sits, glued with candle wax to a coffee can lid.

The light from the candle flickers through the interior of the clubhouse and serves as a cigarette lighter for Jason as he leans forward to light one of Cheevers' cigarettes.

JASON

The son-of-a-bitch beat her. I hate him! You ought to see Mom's eye! It's swollen almost shut and her face is all bruised.

KLONDIKE

You got it tough. I'm sorry, Jason. What are you going to do?

JASON

Nothing I can do...except, not grow up like my old man.

KLONDIKE

Your nothing like your old man.

JASON

Maybe I can be a Big Leaguer and make lots of money. Then Mom won't need him or his piddling money. You know it's my fault. It's all my fault!

KLONDIKE

You didn't do nothing. You weren't even there.

JASON

I threw the curveball.

EXT. - BACK YARD, KLONDIKE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Away from the clubhouse wall, the dark shadow of a large boy pauses at the dark fence. SLUDGE turns to look back at the candle light glow through a pillowcase that hangs over the clubhouse window.

SLUDGE

You two pricks are gonna wish you weren't such good friends. Too friendly, damn queers.

EXT. - BALLFIELD - DAY

The ballpark basks in early morning light, deserted and quite A solitary JASON sits on the metal bleachers. He rises and trods around the backstop and walks slowly across the infield of the park. His head hangs and his feet shuffle dust. The boy wipes at his eyes with his shirt sleeve.

The CATCHER ghost of baseball's past, in full gear, dissolves into form behind Jason and softly pops a baseball into his catcher's mitt.

CATCHER

Hey Jason. What's up? How's the pitching?

The catcher flips the baseball and Jason catches it deftly with a bare hand. Jason studies the baseball.

JASON

Okay, I guess.

CATCHER

What do you mean, Okay? Okay wasn't good enough for Grover Cleveland Alexander. You still want to be the best pitcher in the league or not? You got to practice. You need to pitch all the time.

JASON

Sure ...but, there's lots of problems. My old man beat my mom and there's problems with my girl?.

Jason flips the baseball back toward the catcher. The catcher cups the ball in his catcher's mitt.

CATCHER

Son, that ain't so bad. I never even knew my old man.

The ghost flips the baseball back toward Jason. The baseball freezes in mid-air, halfway between the two.

Jason stares at the anti-gravity baseball.

CATCHER

Nothing be better for her than you becoming somebody. You know, like a big league pitcher, like Alexander.

JASON

If you can do that, I believe you.

CATCHER

It all starts now. And you ain't got any excuses because you can throw his magic curveball.

Jason steps forward and grasps the mid-air baseball. Beyond Jason's shoulder, in the distance, KLONDIKE approaches the ballpark on his bicycle.

CATCHER

You play ball. Forget girls. With Alexander's curveball, there will be plenty of girls. All you got to do is practice.

KLONDIKE (V.O.)

Jason, Hey Jason!

JASON

Hey Klondike.

No one stands before Jason. The ghost of baseball's past is gone, instantly.

JASON

You see him?

KLONDIKE

Who? I went by your house. Your mom said you left and forgot your books. I got them for you.

INT. - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY

A bell signals the end of class and JASON closes his book and gathers up papers. Several desk rows away, KLONDIKE jerks his chin toward the school room door.

Jason joins the other boy as they exit the classroom into the hall. The two boys stroll down the hall toward their next class.

JASON

The old catcher says I need to work harder on my pitching.

KLONDIKE

Thought we weren't going to talk too loudly about him? Especially at school. I'm still not sure I really saw him, for real I mean. May have been all that smoking.

The two pass the entrance to a side hall and fail to notice SLUDGE, CHEEVERS, and ICHAEBOD. They stand in a little group to one side of the hall.

INT. - END OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HALL - DAY

SLUDGE, CHEEVERS and ICHAEBOD notice JASON and KLONDIKE.

CHEEVERS

Hey, there's Jason and Klondike.

SLUDGE

Let them go, Man. You two fawn after that guy like he's Mickey Mantle or something. Seems to me, its always Jason and Klondike, a pair, you know? A real sweet pair.

CHEEVERS

Sweet? Queer, you mean? Damn!

ICHAEBOD

That ain't what Sludge said. Right Sludge?

SLUDGE

Guess not. Klondike's just a fan. His best fan, you know? You two are just assistant cheerleaders.

CHEEVERS

I ain't nobodies ass kissing cheerleader.

SLUDGE

But Klondike is, specially the ass kissing part.

ICHAEBOD

About time for class. I have to split.

The trio splits apart, with each boy on his separate way to his separate class.

INT. - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HALL - DAY

JASON and KLONDIKE walk slowly down the hall.

KLONDIKE

Lets skip school this afternoon and practice. Get some more pitching in.

JASON

You talked me into it!

Jason and Klondike exit the building through double-glass doors.

INT. - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HALL - DAY

SLUDGE steps to the double-glass doors and watches JASON and KLONDIKE cross the school's parking lot.

Sludge turns and walks down the hall. As he turns a corner JENNIFER looks up from her locker. Jennifer's locker is open and she shifts books into the space, one book at a time.

SLUDGE

Hey, Sexy. You need help?

JENNIFER

Please. Jason usually comes by about now and carries my books for me.

SLUDGE

Really? I knew there was a reason I don't like him.

JENNIFER

Because he's as good as you at baseball?

SLUDGE

No, because Jason's weak. He has to have all his buddies, his support group. You know, Cheevers, Ichaebod and especially Klondike, all his cheerleaders with him.

JENNIFER

Everybody needs cheerleaders. Whose your cheerleader?

SLUDGE

I want you to be my cheerleader.

JENNIFER

Sometimes you can be real sweet. Jason's a nice guy. Just a little mixed up.

SLUDGE

Mixed up? You sound like another one of his cheerleaders.

JENNIFER

No, it's just...you see, Jason knows an old catcher guy who's messing with his mind, says he has a magic curveball nobody can hit.

SLUDGE

Sure he does! I think the guy just wants to get in your pants.

JENNIFER

Pardon me? He struck you out.

SLUDGE

Your one sexy girl, Jennifer. And I think you know it.

Jennifer places the last book in her locker, steps closer to the boy and takes his hands in hers.

JENNIFER

Sometimes I do.

Jennifer holds SLUDGE'S hands and presses even closer. She pulls the boy's hands behind her and directs them to her jeans covered buttocks. Sludge pulls her tightly against him and attempts a kiss. Jennifer giggles and twists out of his arms.

JENNIFER

Who wants in my pants? Time to get to class. You want to walk me? And later, maybe home.

EXT. - PARK NEAR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

JENNIFER walks along a sidewalk in a park near the school and her home. SLUDGE walks beside her and carries her books.

SLUDGE

What you need is a man.

JENNIFER

Like you, I suppose and not Jason?

Sludge sits under a shade tree and Jennifer joins him.

SLUDGE

Jason doesn't like women. Hangs out with Klondike all the time, you know what I mean?

JENNIFER

No I don't. What do you mean?

SLUDGE

I think they like each other - more than like each other, maybe love each other.

Jennifer leaps to her feet.

JENNIFER

That's repulsive Sludge. How can you boys talk like that?

SLUDGE

Hey, pretty girl. I'm no boy. I'm a man and you're going to like it.

Sludge lunges toward the girl and captures one ankle. As he pulls, Jennifer falls backward to the ground and Sludge scrambles to pin her against the grass. Sludge grasps Jennifer's blouse at the shoulder and jerks. The blouse tears and exposes one side of Jennifer's bra.

Sludge violently nuzzles the girl's neck and shoulder as he forces his knee between Jennifer's legs. Jennifer kicks, her knee impacts Sludge's groin. Sludge rolls in pain away from Jennifer and the girl springs to her feet.

JENNIFER

Leave me alone, you slime!

Jennifer runs. Sludge squirms in pain on the grass.

EXT. - PARK NEAR BALLPARK - DAY

JASON walks slowly along the sidewalk in the park near the baseball field. Jason's path directs the boy near a large clump of bushes. He turns, distracted by a noise, toward a clump of bushes. JENNIFER, on her knees in the bushes, clutches her torn blouse to her chest and sobs.

JENNIFER

Jason, it's you. Thank God. I'm hiding from Sludge. He did this. He ripped my blouse. I think he tried to rape me. I kicked him in the crotch and got away. What am I going to do? I can't go home like this.

Jason peals off his shirt.

JASON

You're Okay. Nobody's around. He's gone. He can't hurt you. I'm here. Put this on and I'll walk you home. When I see Sludge, he's going to wish he never touched you, I promise.

JENNIFER

No, Jason. I don't want you to do anything. Sludge is bigger than you. He's mean and a little crazy. He could hurt you badly, maybe kill you? He scares me. I'm not even going to tell my parents.

EXT. - STREET NEAR JENNIFER'S HOME - DAY

JASON and JENNIFER walk along the street near Jennifer's home. The sun sets and a golden glow of sunset flickers off both the young people's faces.

JENNIFER

You were at the park because of your dad? I don't understand.

JASON

He beats my mom. I was upset, so I took a walk.

JENNIFER

Jason, I'm so sorry. Sorry about the way I've been with you. Sorry about your mom. Sorry I encouraged that awful Sludge. Can you ever forgive me?

JASON

Of course I can. I mean you don't need my forgiveness. You couldn't do anything wrong.

Jennifer extends on her tiptoes to kiss Jason lightly on the lips and then turns to jog into her house. At the door, Jennifer pauses and looks back toward the boy. She quietly lets herself into her home.

EXT. - CHEEVERS' HOUSE - DAY

SLUDGE and ICHAEBOD trudge up the driveway of Cheevers' house. Sludge knocks on the door. After a moment the door opens and CHEEVERS looks out.

CHEEVERS

What's up, Guys?

SLUDGE

We got a problem on the baseball team. Jason and Klondike are queers. I saw them in Klondike's clubhouse. They were kissing.

CHEEVERS

Sheeeeet?

ICHAEBOD

Sludge thinks we oughtta tell the coach. We don't want queers on our team.

INT. - COACH NELSON'S HOUSE - DAY

SLUDGE, CHEEVERS and ICHAEBOD sit across from COACH NELSON on a couch. The coach sits in an armchair with his leg in a cast and on a footstool. He stares at the three boys.

COACH NELSON

That's pretty serious stuff. Rumors like that go round all the time with boys your age.

SLUDGE

Its not a rumor, Uncle Jack.

COACH NELSON

Rumors like that can ruin a ball team. But its a lot more important than baseball. Rumors like that can ruin a boy's life.

SLUDGE

I know. But, it's true. I saw them in Klondike's clubhouse last night, kissing.

COACH NELSON

Okay, Okay, Jud. I don't want the details.

Coach Nelson leans back in the pillows of his couch and studies the boys.

COACH NELSON

You're my nephew, Jud. You wouldn't lie to me, would you?

SLUDGE

No, Uncle Jack. I wouldn't lie to you.

COACH NELSON

You boys give me some time to think about all this and how I'm going to handle it.

The three boys nod agreement and quietly file out of the living room through the front door.

Coach Nelson sits for a moment and then reaches for a telephone on an end table beside his chair. He flips through book, selects a number and dials.

COACH NELSON

Mrs. Maclain, this is Coach Nelson, Jason's baseball coach. Yes Ma'am, he's all right. I need to talk to you about something else. Could I come over. You have to work tonight? Tomorrow about 4:30 would be fine.

EXT. - CIRCLE DRIVE IN FRONT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

A large brick-building school extends a circular drive from its front entrance, a drive that opens to a large parking lot beyond. The parking lot bulges with 1950's model Fords, Chevrolets, Oldsmobiles and Studebakers, all creep in line. The automobiles crowd the entrance doors, driven by anxious parents who battle the crowded lot to disembark their children for class.

The circular drive also supports a line of yellow school buses with their double front doors open. Young PEOPLE elbow each other to exit the buses.

JASON and KLONDIKE, both with several schoolbooks under their arms, discover a path from the entrance of one bus.

KLONDIKE

I saw her. I saw her in front of her house before I went to the bus. She said she wasn't going to catch the bus this morning.

JASON

Was she still upset? How'd she plan to get to school? She always rides this bus. I'm worried about her.

KLONDIKE

Beats me. What do you mean, upset?

Jason stops abruptly. Klondike plows into his back.

SLUDGE stands in their way, flanked by ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS.

SLUDGE

Hey, big pitcher. What's this crap about a magic curveball?

KLONDIKE

Who told you? What magic curveball?

JASON

You're in my way.

CHEEVERS

Better answer him, Jason. He's pissed.

JASON

Look Sludge, you just struck out. That's all there was to it.

Sludge shoves Jason, who drops his books and stumbles backward into Klondike.

SLUDGE

Jennifer told me you struck me out with a magic curveball. What a bunch of crap!

JASON

I struck you out, period. And leave Jennifer out of this. I've had enough of you and your crap. I can't take men that hit on girls.

SLUDGE

No, big shot. I struck you out. I got Jennifer. She loved it. Much better than hanging out with a queer!

Jason lunges forward and shoves the bigger boy. Cheevers leaps between the two with one hand on each boy's chest.

CHEEVERS

Sheet! Look, you guys. We'll settle it, after school. We'll see who strikes out. Jason pitches, Sludge hits. We'll see who can really beat on the other guy - and no one gets hurt. Okay?

Cheevers glances back and forth between the two antagonists.

CHEEVERS

Yeah! Okay! After school.

Sludge laughs and preens before Ichaebod and Cheevers.

SLUDGE

Look, Guys. It'll take a hell of a lot more than magic to strike me out again.

INT. - MACLAIN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

COACH HARRIS sits across from MRS. MACLAIN in the living room. Mrs. Maclain pushes a footstool close to the Coach.

MRS. MACLAIN

Coach, here, prop that cast on this. I'm glad to see you. I'm sorry that I haven't been to any games. I work nights. How's Jason doing?

COACH NELSON

Mr. Maclain home? I would really like to talk to you both.

MRS. MACLAIN

I'm sorry Coach, Ron doesn't live here. We are separated.

COACH NELSON

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry.

MRS. MACLAIN

Is that what this is all about? I know that Jason tries to be brave and a man but I know it's bothering him. Does it show with his baseball?

COACH NELSON

No, Ma'am, it's something else.

MRS. MACLAIN

Sit down, please.

COACH NELSON

Mrs. Nelson, I have trouble on my baseball team.

MRS. MACLAIN

With Jason?

COACH NELSON

Well sort of? Some of the team members believe that Jason and his friend Klondike are homosexual.

MRS. MACLAIN

What? My son? That isn't true!

COACH NELSON

I didn't say that it was true, Ma'am. I only said some of the team members think so and that's my problem. I have to remove Jason and Klondike from the team. I'm terribly sorry but it's too much of a disruption.

EXT. - STREET ON THE WAY TO BALLFIELD - DAY

JASON and KLONDIKE pedal their bicycles along the street. Jason's mother, in her car, follows the two boys. MRS. MACLAIN motions for Jason to stop and come to the car. Mrs. Maclain rolls down her passenger side window.

MRS. MACLAIN

Get in the car, Jason.

Jason parks the kickstand of his bike and climbs into the automobile. He closes the door and Klondike fidgets outside.

INT. - MRS. MACLAIN'S CAR - DAY

JASON turns to his mother.

JASON

What's up, Mom? Is Dad at the house? Did he hit you again?

MRS. MACLAIN

No, no. Coach Nelson just came by the house. I don't have much time. I have to get to work, but I'm glad I found you. Coach Nelson says he has to remove you and Klondike from the baseball team.

JASON

Are you serious?

MRS. MACLAIN starts to cry.

MRS. MACLAIN

I'm afraid I am. Some of the boys on the team have started nasty rumors and your coach says best thing for the team is for you and Klondike not to play. It's so unfair.

JASON

Don't cry, Mom. I can't stand to see you cry. What kind of rumors?

MRS. MACLAIN

This is embarrassing. Coach Nelson told me that some of the other boys say that you and Klondike are...are... you know, love each other.

JASON recoils away from his mother and his head bumps the passenger's side window of the car.

Through the window, KLONDIKE peers into the automobile.

JASON

Like queers? This is really stupid! I know where all this is coming from, Mom. Don't you worry. I can take care of it. Go on to work.

MRS. MACLAIN

I have to. Don't you do anything about it. Don't get into any trouble at all. We'll work out of it, clear up the whole mess this weekend.

JASON

Don't worry about it, Mom. It's no big deal. Nothing this stupid ever is. I love you. Go to work.

MRS. MACLAIN

I love you too, Son.

After Jason climbs out of the car, Mrs. Maclain pulls away and leaves Jason on the street with Klondike.

KLONDIKE

What was that all about?

JASON

Coach Nelson is kicking you and me off the team. Somebody's saying we are queers.

KLONDIKE

What?

JASON

Somebody's got to be Sludge.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

JASON and KLONDIKE pedal their bicycles into the parking lot of the baseball field. Jason's baseball glove dangles from his bicycle handlebar.

KLONDIKE

There he is, on the bleachers, the lying slime ball.

JASON

Play it cool, Klondike. We're gonna show him.

Perched on metal bleachers behind the field's backstop, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS jump up as the two other boys enter the lot.

CHEEVERS

Okay! Everybody's here. What we have is one Hell of a match up! Ain't that right Ichaebod?

Ichaebod nods agreement and eyes SLUDGE.

JASON

You ready, Sludge?

SLUDGE

You bet I'm ready.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD PITCHER'S MOUND - DAY

JASON walks onto the pitcher's mound and KLONDIKE joins him.

KLONDIKE

Okay, just lob it to me till you get warm. Don't throw your arm out. Take it real easy.

JASON

Quit worrying. You make me nervous.

Klondike jogs to home plate and drops into a catcher's crouch. Jason begins to lob the ball and the two play catch to warm-up.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD BLEACHERS - DAY

CHEEVERS plops next to SLUDGE on the metal slat seats.

CHEEVERS

You ready man? He got you last time, but I think it was a fluke. You're one Hell of a batter.

SLUDGE

I pitch too, as good as him.

CHEEVERS

How about his unhitable pitch? The magic one.

SLUDGE

Bunch of crap!

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

KLONDIKE takes the last warm up pitch. He stands from his catcher's crouch and jogs around the backstop to the equipment bag.

KLONDIKE

We're ready. Batter up!

As SLUDGE steps down the bleacher's seats, one row at a time, Klondike digs in the equipment bag and extracts his catcher's chest protector and face mask.

ICHAEBOD steps to help Klondike with the numerous protective gear latches.

Sludge digs in the equipment bag to select his favorite bat.

KLONDIKE

Jason's hot. Take more than a good bat to get hold of one this time.

SLUDGE

Go to Hell, Punk.

ICHAEBOD

Hey, Man, talk with your bat.

SLUDGE

You can go to Hell too.

Sludge, with his bat, stalks around the backstop to home plate, followed by Klondike, in full catcher's gear. Sludge digs in with his right foot and stamps his left in place. Klondike drops to a catcher's crouch behind the plate.

JASON begins his windup and whips his body at the waist to fire at home plate.

Sludge swings, the force of the effort throws his body off balance. The hit baseball soars in the wind to reach a graceful arc and then descends earthward.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD BLEACHERS - DAY

Cheevers dives away from the ball as it contacts the metal bleachers behind home plate's backstop.

CHEEVERS

Duck, damn it!

The impact of the baseball rings the bleacher seat like a bell. Cheevers retrieves the baseball and lobs it back over the chainlink backstop.

CHEEVERS

Steeeerike One!

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

SLUDGE chops at the ground with his right foot and digs deeper into the batter's box. KLONDIKE settles into his catcher's crouch.

KLONDIKE

Under that one a little bit, Big Guy?

SLUDGE

Shut-up, Punk.

On the mound, JASON peers into home plate and nods agreement with Klondike's sign. He winds up and fires his second pitch to home plate.

Jason spins to his right, his chin in the air, and his eyes follow a fly ball.

CHEEVERS (V.O.)

He did it! Outta here!

ICHAEBOD (V.O.)

It's going foul!

The baseball soars over the left outfield fence, several feet outside the foul line.

Klondike stands behind the plate, awed by the power of the foul ball.

SLUDGE

How bout that one, Punk?

KLONDIKE

Looks like a foul ball strike to me.

Klondike drops to his catcher's crouch and jabs three-fingers at the ground.

Jason shakes off the signaled request for the three-fingered curveball.

Klondike jabs three-fingers at the ground, emphatically.

SLUDGE

Okay, this is it. Let's see your best stuff! Lay one up here

Jason shakes off the sign and Klondike jogs to the mound.

EXT. - BASEBALL PITCHER'S MOUND - DAY

KLONDIKE joins JASON on the pitcher's mound.

KLONDIKE

The big butt wants it. Throw the three-fingered curveball.

JASON

After what happened last time? Mom's eye is just now getting to be the right color.

KLONDIKE

Hey, you're dreaming. The pitch doesn't cause your old man to beat on your mom.

JASON

All this bad stuff is just coincidence, right?

KLONDIKE

We got to get him. Throw the magic curveball.

EXT. - BASEBALL FIELD - DAY

KLONDIKE crouches behind the plate. He stabs three-fingers at the ground.

JASON nods no and begins his windup.

As the pitched ball sails toward home plate, the big batter holds his ground and waits for the break that he has seen before.

The baseball swishes toward the plate. SLUDGE swings.

As Sludge spins in the batters box, the bat slips from one hand and catches the back of Klondike's head.

Jason spins and follows the path of the ball as it sails through air over the center field fence. Jason turns toward home plate.

Jason, frozen on the mound, stares into home plate.

EXT. - HOME PLATE - DAY

KLONDIKE lies still and lifeless, his face mask on the rubber of home plate.

SLUDGE, at the plate with his bat, jumps up and down with excitement. He bounces over Klondike's prone form.

SLUDGE

I got it! A home run! Get up, Punk! You ain't hurt!

JASON, in from the pitcher's mound, CHEEVERS, and ICHAEBOD form a small crowd around Klondike.

Jason drops to his knees and slowly rolls Klondike onto his back.

Klondike lies still, unconscious.

SLUDGE

Get him up. He ain't hurt.

ICHAEBOD

Shut up, you louse. Jason, be careful moving him.

JASON

Ichy! Get help, quick!

Ichaebod charges for his bicycle.

CHEEVERS

Get some water from the fountain, quickly!

SLUDGE

Naw. You do it. I'm going home. I didn't hit him on purpose. It was an accident. Nobody's going to blame me for this.

Sludge stalks away as Cheevers runs for water. Jason carefully lifts Klondike's head and shoulders onto his lap and smoothes his unconscious friend's hair. Cheevers returns quickly and drops to his knees. He folds his wet white T-shirt across Klondike's forehead.

CHEEVERS

He's out. We need help. I'll go get somebody.

JASON

It's all my fault. I'll never pitch again! Go for help!

Jason looks up, as a shadow falls over him. Cheevers stares upward. The CATCHER ghost of baseball's past peers down at Klondike.

CHEEVERS

What the Hell? Son of a bitch? I'm having visions.

CATCHER

Back in '24, I took one on the head like that. Maybe that's why I ain't so smart today. But, he'll be Okay. I know that. I don't know how I know it, but I do. Jason, you'll never pitch again? You have Alexander's three-fingered curveball but you didn't throw it? You should have thrown it. That batter kid wouldn't have hit it so he wouldn't have let go of his bat. See, sometimes bad things happen, no matter what you do. Never pitch again? We'll see?

The big catcher's form begins to fade in the afternoon air.

JASON

It's all my fault! I swear I'll never pitch a baseball again. I don't give a damn about Grover Cleveland Alexander! You hear me! I'll never pitch again!

INT. - HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM - DAY

JASON, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS sit in chairs against the wall of a hall several yards from double doors that display a sign that reads: Emergency Room - Hospital Staff Only. The three young people cluster in their chairs and whisper to each other.

CHEEVERS

Damn, he could be dead for all we know?

JENNIFER bursts into the hall through doors at the opposite end.

JENNIFER

Jason! Is Klondike Okay?

The double doors to the emergency room slam open and a PATIENT, reclined on a gurney, bleeds profusely from a gash on his temple and moans as he is rushed through the hall.

The gurney and its ATTENDANTS rush by the young people, followed by a uniformed POLICEMAN into an elevator.

JASON

These people are really busy. Nobody tells us anything.

MRS. HARRIS enters the hall from within the hospital's interior.

ICHAEBOD

Mom, is he Okay?

MRS. HARRIS

Everything's allright. Klondike has a concussion. He's awake but they are going to keep him for a few days. His parents are with him. I think I better take all of you home.

JENNIFER

Can't we go up and see him?

MRS. HARRIS

He's in room 307. You can some other time. I don't think he should have any visitors tonight, except family. I'll take all of you home.

JASON

I have my bike, Mrs. Harris. Thanks anyway.

INT. - THIRD FLOOR OF HOSPITAL - DAY

JASON steps from an elevator on the third floor of the hospital and reads a sign: No children under 17 without an accompanying adult.

Jason sneaks down the hospital hall and looks at the number on each door. He stops in front of room 307 and slowly swings the door open. Jason peeks in.

Across the room KLONDIKE lies in a hospital bed with his head wrapped in bandages.

JASON

Hey, how you doing? Can you talk?

KLONDIKE

Okay. Sure I can, but it hurts a little. Come on in.

JASON

Man, I was worried. Sludge got you good. Where are your parents?

KLONDIKE

Just left, went home. I have a concussion.

JASON

Yeah, like a broken arm but it's your head. Jennifer, Ichaebod and Cheevers were downstairs - but Mrs. Harris took them home. I snuck up. That bandage looks like a turban.

KLONDIKE

Hurts bad. It's making me sick at my stomach. But I'm glad you came.

JASON

It was my fault. All my fault. You told me to throw the three-fingered curveball and I didn't. If I had, Sludge would of probably missed you.

COACH NELSON sticks his head into the room and sees the two boys. He enters. The coach walks with a crutch and a leg cast to the knee.

COACH NELSON

How's my best catcher?

KLONDIKE

Okay, Coach.

COACH NELSON

Looks like you need a cast, like me - except on your head. The doctor says no baseball for a while, but you should make it back for the end of the season. And we'll hold your spot for you.

JASON

My Mom said you were taking us off the team?

COACH NELSON

You both are still on. I called your Mom to tell her this morning but you had already left for school.

KLONDIKE

Sludge was lying, coach. I know he's your nephew but he'd do anything to make Jason look bad.

COACH NELSON

The more I thought about it, the more I didn't believe it. I had a talk with Jud and his dad last night. Well, it all came out. He did lie with that story. Hard for me to take from my nephew.

JASON

We're sorry, Coach. But we really didn't have anything to do with it.

COACH NELSON

Yeah, I know. Sludge's Dad took him off the team. I owe you two an apology for not straightening it out quicker, but - Sludge is my nephew.

JASON

That's fine Coach. We both understand. We want to play. We want to win. The only thing is I don't pitch. Klondike's my friend and I can't help but feel responsible for this. I don't want any more bad stuff to happen. I won't pitch anymore.

EXT. - BALLPARK - DAY

The baseball season progresses. JASON, at bat, eyes a pitcher with ASTROS written across his jersey in script letters as the boy winds up. The PITCHER delivers and Jason swings. The hit ball sails into the air and clears the left field fence. Jason trots around the bases into home plate. ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS wait in the home plate area.

CHEEVERS

Hell of a home run.

The boys exchange high-fives in celebration. The scoreboard in right field just beyond the fence reads Astros 2, Cardinals 5.

EXT. - LEAGUE BALLPARK - DAY

Behind the plate in full catcher's gear, CHEEVERS crouches and scrambles for a pitch thrown from ICHAEBOD on the mound.

The ball impacts Cheevers' chest protector and falls at his feet. Cheevers grasps the ball and throws to third base.

JASON leaps in the air and snags Cheevers' errant throw. He slaps his glove down, the leather brushes the leg of a Red Sox RUNNER.

THIRD BASE UMPIRE

You're Oooooout!

Jason lobs the baseball to his pitcher. Ichaebod clenches his fist in a success-salute to congratulate his catcher.

ICHAEBOD

Hey Cheevers! Good play! Klondike couldn't of done it better!

Cheevers grins and looks to right field.

The right field scoreboard reads Red Sox 1, Cardinals 7.

EXT. - LEAGUE BALLPARK - DAY

The DODGERS play the field and the Cardinals bat. CHEEVERS, at the plate, swings and connects.

Cheevers drops his bat and watches the ball sail over the right field fence.

CHEEVERS

Holy sheeeeeet! I did it! I did it!

The scoreboard in right field changes to Cardinals 3, Dodgers 0.

ICHAEBOD, in the dugout, turns to JASON.

ICHAEBOD

A home run?

EXT. - LEAGUE BALLPARK - DAY

The scoreboard in right field reads Yankees 7, Cardinals 0. JASON, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS huddle in the dugout.

CHEEVERS

Damn! Why can't we beat these guys?

ICHAEBOD

Because I pitched. That's why. Jason, you got to start pitching or we'll never beat them.

JASON

No. Klondike's still in the hospital and he can't remember some things. That's my fault. We can win but I don't pitch - ever!

CHEEVERS

Then we won't win. We can't beat them. Somebody at school said Sludge was going to pitch for the Yankees. Sheeet! That's like adding chocolate sauce to ice cream!

EXT. - LEAGUE BALLPARK - NIGHT

After the final game of the series, COACH NELSON gathers his PLAYERS behind their dugout. JASON, CHEEVERS and ICHAEBOD gather with their TEAMMATES.

COACH NELSON

We've played a great season. This was it. We won our division! Playoffs are this weekend. We play the Dodgers Saturday morning. If we win, I figure we play the Yankees Sunday afternoon for the league championship. But no matter what happens, this team has had a great season. I thank all of you. It's been a blast!

The team breaks up and boys scramble for bikes and cars. The ballpark lights extinguish and people drift away.

Jason unlocks the padlock and chain that straps his bicycle to the metal bleachers as JENNIFER climbs down from the stands.

JENNIFER

Good game. How about walking me home?

EXT. - BALLPARK OUTFIELD FENCE - NIGHT

JASON and JENNIFER walk slowly as Jason pushes his bicycle along the outfield fence of the ballpark.

JASON

This weekend's the championship. We have to beat the Yankees.

JENNIFER

Will you pitch?

JASON

No. You know Klondike's still up in that hospital. I'm not crazy.

JENNIFER

I thought you were crazy one time.

JASON

You did?

JENNIFER

Yes, right here. I was watching you from right over there. You were practicing with Klondike and he left. You stayed talking to yourself. You went over to the backstop and threw your baseball against the backstop. Then you stood staring and talking to the backstop.

JASON

You could hear me?

JENNIFER

No, you were way over there - by the backstop. You can't see it at night but this was in the afternoon. Here was where I was hiding.

Jennifer drops to her knees and crawls under a bush to a space between the bush and the fence.

JENNIFER

Come on in. This was where I watched you.

Jason joins the girl.

JASON

That day, I didn't know you were here.

JENNIFER

I think you know I'm here now.

Jennifer kisses Jason.

JASON

Guess I do.

Jennifer lays on her back and pulls Jason with her. She wraps her arms around him and presses against Jason's body. She kisses passionately.

JASON

Jennifer, I think I love you.

Jennifer pulls Jason's hand to her breast. As the two press closer, Jennifer's more mature sexuality leads the grope.

JENNIFER

I know I love you.

JASON

Stop! I'm not like Sludge. I'm not going to force you.

JENNIFER

Force me? I want to. I want to now with you, nobody can see.

JASON

I love you but I can't. It's like throwing the magic curveball. It feels good but I can't handle the results. Neither can you, Jennifer. I've never done it with anybody but I want the first time to be with you - just not now. When I'm older, when I'm a major league pitcher, maybe.

JENNIFER

Jason, you'll be a major league pitcher. I know it. I love you. I can wait if you want me to. I haven't done it with anybody either. I just thought that's what all boys want and I love you. I want to do what you want.

JASON

You'll wait 'till I'm a major league pitcher?

JENNIFER

I'll wait.

Jason pulls the girl close.

JASON

I want to hold you close but I want to wait - wait 'till we're ready. I love you too much to ruin it now.

INT. - JASON'S HOME - NIGHT

JASON closes the door quietly into his dark house. The boy slips through darkened rooms to his bedroom door.

MRS. MACLAIN (V.O.)

Jason, is that you?

JASON

Yeah, Mom.

MRS. MACLAIN (V.O.)

Come in here.

Jason enters his mother's bedroom.

MRS. MACLAIN lies in bed and pulls her bed linens around her after she turns on a lamp that sits on a lamp table beside her bed.

MRS. MACLAIN

You're very late. I was worried. How was the game?

JASON

Sorry, Mom. I walked Jennifer home and we talked a lot. We won the game. We won our division.

MRS. MACLAIN

I'm happy for you, Son.

JASON

The championship's this weekend. You don't work weekends and you haven't seen a game. Can you come see me play?

MRS. MACLAIN

Of course. I'll be there. I can't wait to see you pitch. Sit down here a minute.

Mrs. Maclain pats the mattress of her bed.

JASON

Mom, I don't pitch anymore. I am afraid to pitch after what happened to Klondike. I swore that I would never pitch again.

MRS. MACLAIN

That wasn't your fault. You want to pitch. The coach wants you to pitch, too. He called a little while ago to encourage me to talk to you. He wants you to pitch. I want you to pitch. I think you really want to pitch.

JASON

No Mom, I don't. Klondike is my best friend. I didn't hit him with the bat but still, it really upset me. I can't Mom. I'm sorry, but I can't.

MRS. MACLAIN

It's up to you. You're growing up, making your own decisions. Whatever you decide? I'll be there rooting for you. I'll sit with your girl, Jennifer. She seems to be a nice girl.

JASON

Yeah Mom, she's very special. Good night.

INT. - JASON'S BED ROOM - NIGHT

JASON sleeps in his bed below the assorted items of baseball memorabilia thumb-tacked to the wall. Jason moves on his pillow.

Jason lifts his head and looks to his bedroom window. Through the window and screen KLONDIKE smiles in at the boy. Klondike waves.

Jason waves back and fluffs his pillow. He settles back into sleep.

Jason's eye's pop open and he jumps from bed. He lurches across the bedroom to the window where Klondike grins through the glass.

Jason unlatches and slides his window open.

KLONDIKE

Hey, Man. I'm out. Thought they were going to keep me in that hospital forever. They finally let me go home.

JASON

Yeah! Good to see you out of there! So how's the concussion?

KLONDIKE

Healed up. They said I'm good as new. Come on, lets go to the clubhouse. I need a smoke.

Jason slips on his blue jeans and unfastens his window screen. Klondike lifts the screen from the opposite side and Jason slithers through the window to join his friend in the night.

INT. - CLUBHOUSE - NIGHT

JASON and KLONDIKE sit cross-legged on the blanket covered floor of the shanty.

KLONDIKE

The doctor's said I could go back to playing ball. I heard we won the division and Mom told me about the playoffs this weekend.

JASON

Yeah, we need you bad. We've been winning, but it hasn't been easy. I'm glad you're back.

KLONDIKE

You think Coach Nelson will let me back on the team? I haven't been practicing?

JASON

Sure he will. He said he would. We need you, I tell you. We can beat the Dodgers Saturday, but then we'll have to play the Yankee's on Sunday. We didn't beat that team all season. We need all the help we can get.

The CATCHER ghost of baseball's past materializes on the blanket next to Jason. The ghost's legs are crossed underneath him. He sits Indian pow-wow style like the other two boys.

CATCHER

I'm too old for this. My knees are killing me. Too many years behind the plate, I guess?

KLONDIKE

Oh no, here we go again. Maybe I still have my concussion?

CATCHER

Jason, why ain't you pitching? Don't tell me I'm wasting Grover Cleveland Alexander's curveball on a shortstop?

JASON

I'm not going to pitch. I guess that makes me a shortstop.

CATCHER

You're not even going to try? How you going to be the best player in the league? How you going to be a Big Leaguer? How you going to be anything at all, if you don't try?

KLONDIKE

Yeah Jason. You got to pitch. You didn't cause me to get hurt. You got to pitch?

JASON

No way. I am not going to pitch again, ever.

The ghost of baseball's past begins to fade away.

CATCHER

You can't be the best if you don't try? You have to work to be the best. Grover Cleveland Alexander worked. He was the best.

EXT. - BALLFIELD - DAY

Dressed in Cardinal uniforms, JASON and KLONDIKE pedal their bicycles into the parking lot of the ballpark.

CHEEVERS and ICHAEBOD meet the two as they park their bikes.

CHEEVERS

Hell of a deal! Klondike's back! Hey Klondike, you going to catch?

Klondike extends his hand for a handshake. As Cheevers reaches for his hand, Klondike quickly withdraws the hand and strokes his hair.

Klondike points an index finger at Cheevers.

KLONDIKE

Gottcha, Man.

ICHAEBOD

Klondike, you Okay? Looks like your dressed to play?

Klondike poses in his new uniform which is brighter and less grass stained than the other boy's uniforms.

KLONDIKE

Yeah. You're Mom brought me my uniform while I was still in the hospital.

CHEEVERS

Sheeeet! As pretty as you are, I figure the Dodgers are dead meat. All we need now is Jason pitching! Then we got a sure thing.

JASON

I'm not going to pitch. Ichaebod is. He'll do just fine, I know it.

CHEEVERS

We'll still kill them. Right Ichy?

ICHAEBOD

Do the best I can. But it will sure help to have Klondike back.

CHEEVERS

Sheeet yes! We might even beat the Yankees!

JASON

Got to beat the Dodgers first. You guys don't forget that. And the Yankees have to win their game today, too.

SLUDGE

No sweat, we'll win.

The gathered boys jump and turn in the direction of the voice.

In Yankee pinstripes, SLUDGE looms near the boys.

SLUDGE

This team hasn't lost a game all year and I joined the team last week. They asked me to play and nothing my scummy uncle could do about it.

ICHAEBOD

Coach Nelson's not scummy!

KLONDIKE

Sludge has always had a problem with the truth.

SLUDGE

Can it, Klondike. You still sticking your head in front of bats? Maybe tomorrow you'll land another one.

CHEEVERS

The Yankees better find a place to land.

SLUDGE

You little dips don't stand a chance! Better hope you can just win today. Make it easy for the Yankees when we play you Sunday. Later, Wimps.

EXT. - CARDINAL DUGOUT - DAY

The DODGERS take the field and the CARDINALS crowd their dugout and prepare to bat. COACH NELSON addresses the team.

COACH NELSON

Good going, Guys! Three run lead. Lets get a couple of insurance runs, then on to the Championship!

JASON, KLONDIKE, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS sit together on the Cardinal bench.

CHEEVERS

I can't believe it! Sludge on the damn Yankees.

ICHAEBOD

We haven't got a prayer.

KLONDIKE

Yeah, we do.

CHEEVERS

Sheeet?

KLONDIKE

Simple. Jason pitches against them. He uses Alexander's magic curveball. What do you say, Jason? You going to pitch or aren't you? I say its time you pitched.

JASON

I don't know?

CHEEVERS

I'm not sure I believe all this magic curveball crap?

KLONDIKE

Nothing's going to happen. You didn't cause my concussion and you know it.

CHEEVERS

I think you're scared. Scared of the Yankees. Scared of loosing.

JASON

No way I'm going to pitch. Sorry, Guys. I just can't. I won't throw the three-fingered curveball and Cheevers, you're right. I know I can't beat the Yankees without it.

EXT. - JASON'S HOME - DAY

The early morning sun casts long shadows from trees across the face of Jason's home. KLONDIKE, CHEEVERS and ICHAEBOD, with their bicycles, stand in a little group on the street in front of the house. JASON exits his house from its front door.

JASON

Hey, Guys.

ICHAEBOD

Hey Jason.

KLONDIKE

Com'on, we'll be late at Coach Nelson's.

CHEEVERS

Damn early in the morning for a team meeting.

JASON

Rah, rah for the big game this afternoon, I bet?

CHEEVERS

Maybe Coach wants to tell us we got no chance in Hell to win?

Jason lifts his bike from the front yard of his house.

JASON

No, that doesn't sound like our Coach.

ICHAEBOD

Mom left an hour ago for his house. Something's cooking.

The four boys pedal away from Jason's home.

KLONDIKE

Who knows? Maybe we can win?

ICHAEBOD

Mom says Coach has a plan.

CHEEVERS

We need more than a plan. We need a fucking miracle.

EXT. - STREET IN FRONT OF SLUDGE'S HOME - DAY

The four BOYS turn on their bicycle seats and look at Sludge's house as they pedal by on the street.

JASON

Look there.

A large gray sign with Yankee pinstripes stretches from two poles in the house's front yard.

The yard sign reads: Home of Jud (Sludge) Nelson, power hitter and starting pitcher - the next ace of the championship WINNING YANKEES.

KLONDIKE

I feel like tearing that down.

ICHAEBOD

He ain't no champion.

CHEEVERS

Yeah, he is. He's a champion ass-hole.

EXT. - COACH NELSON'S HOME - DAY

JASON, KLONDIKE, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS pedal into the driveway of Coach Nelson's home. Several cars occupy the front curb of the home and Mrs. Harris' station wagon sits in the drive way. Most of the cars display white shoe polish hand letters across their back windows that read Go Cardinals! The boys park their bikes together in front of Mrs. Harris' station wagon and walk to the front door.

JASON

Looks like more than a pep talk to me.

KLONDIKE

Look at all the cars.

ICHAEBOD

I ain't supposed to tell you guys but Mom said its a party for the team.

CHEEVERS

Party time! Hell! I didn't even bring anything to spike the punch.

INT. - COACH NELSON'S HOME - DAY

The main room of Coach Nelson's home displays a hand lettered paper banner stretched across a double window that reads: BEAT THE YANKEES!

Other Cardinal TEAM MEMBERS sit about the room. MRS. HARRIS hovers by the big poster.

MRS. HARRIS

Hi, Boys. Welcome to the official Cardinal victory breakfast.

All the Cardinal team sits around the chairs and floors of Coach Nelson's living room. Excited chatter fills the room. Most of the BOYS balance paper plates and cups on their laps at the breakfast celebration.

COACH NELSON rises from a lounge chair and drops his plate and cup into a nearby trash can.

COACH NELSON

Okay, Cardinals! Listen up!

KLONDIKE

Speech! Speeech!

COACH NELSON

Your right! I am going to make one.

The boys in the room laugh and applaud.

COACH NELSON

This afternoon, we play the Yankees.

TEAM MEMBERS

Booo! Booo!

COACH NELSON

You all know that they are a good baseball team. You know we haven't beaten them once this season. But, all that doesn't matter.

CHEEVERS

How so, Coach?

COACH NELSON

You guys have played hard all season. That's all that matters. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You won your division against the Dodgers and win or lose this afternoon, you're still champions. I am very proud of every one of you.

The team applauds and several boys whistle.

COACH NELSON

I don't have to tell you that we are the underdogs. In this country the underdogs can win. When I was a boy, my Daddy took me to a game at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The real Saint Louis Cardinals were playing the real New York Yankees in the 1926 World Series.

The team groans.

COACH NELSON

The Yankees were the best team in all of baseball back then. Babe Ruth was their big bat. Gherig played first. Unbeatable, almost...but you know what?

The team leans forward in their chairs.

COACH NELSON

An old pitcher beat them, a superstar pitcher from the past. Against all odds, Grover Cleveland Alexander won his second game of that series and the World Championship!

More cheers.

COACH NELSON

This afternoon's going to be the same. My Cardinals are going to beat the Yankees! So...

Coach Nelson's front doorbell chimes. The room freezes in time-suspension.

INT. - COACH NELSON'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

JASON, KLONDIKE, ICHAEBOD and CHEEVERS look at each other and at the frozen figures of their PARENTS and TEAMMATES.

ICHAEBOD

Somebody going to answer the doorbell?

KLONDIKE

What's going on? Look at Coach Nelson.

CHEEVERS

What the Hell's going on? You guys look at everybody. They're paralyzed or something. Weird.

SFX

Ring! Ring! Riing!

JASON

Who's going to answer the doorbell?

The CATCHER ghost of baseball's past saunters into the living room. The Catcher looks about the room at all the frozen figures.

CATCHER

Everybody looks a little choked up. Nobody seemed to be coming to the door, so I let myself in. Real impolite, I guess, since I wasn't even invited. But I could have stood out there all day.

CHEEVERS

Damnation! Who the Hell are you?

ICHAEBOD

Mom?

MRS. HARRIS stands frozen and stares in rapt attention at the rigid form of COACH NELSON.

KLONDIKE

Cool it, Cheevers. It's Jason's ghost, the one you don't believe in. Like in the Tiny Tim story, except this guy's the ghost of baseball's past.

CATCHER

We got a problem.

CHEEVERS

You're a Hell of a problem. Who's we, Kemosabe?

CATCHER

We, meaning me and you four boys. I'm a little tired of all this rah-rah winning talk - since you four don't believe its going to happen anyway.

The catcher walks slowly around the frozen Mrs. Harris.

CATCHER

Hmmm, she's as big as my second wife. This here Coach she's eyeing better look out. But, back to reality.

ICHAEBOD

Watch your mouth. That's my mom.

CATCHER

Look, you little nobodies - you can beat the Yankees. Grover Cleveland Alexander and I beat the real Yankees in our time. And I went to all this effort of coming back to give Grover Cleveland Alexander's three-fingered curveball to Jason. It's real simple. Jason, you pitch this afternoon.

JASON

Nothing bad's going to happen? You take the curse off the curveball? I throw it with no curse? Then, you got a deal!

CATCHER

Curse? What are you babbling about? What curse? You mean that something bad happens each time you throw it?

ICHAEBOD

Sounds like a curse to me?

CHEEVERS

Sounds like a Hell of a curse!

CATCHER

No! No curse. Just life, Boys. Things happen good. Things happen bad. Ain't no guarantees. Just like in real life.

JASON

But I don't want all this bad stuff to happen. I can't handle it.

CATCHER

But you want to beat the Yankees, don't you? You want to be the best pitcher in the league and you want your life to be just peachy, right?

JASON

Yes, more than you know.

CATCHER

Then throw the three-fingered curveball. Everything will be peachy. Just remember, you're in real life so you gotta pay and that won't be so peachy. But the good with the bad, you know? Grow up and handle it. It's called life.

The catcher begins to fade away.

CATCHER

You're in real life, Jason. And believe me, real life's good, Son. Enjoy it while you can.

KLONDIKE

Jason, you got to pitch this afternoon. You heard him. You got to pitch.

INT. - COACH NELSON'S HOME - DAY

The room returns from frozen animation.

COACH NELSON

...let's go Cardinals! Beat the Yankees.

MRS. HARRIS leads the team as all the PLAYERS in the room bursts into applause. Some of the boys jump up and down and cheer.

MRS. HARRIS

Three cheers for Coach Nelson!

TEAM

Hooray! Hooray! Hoooooooray!

KLONDIKE

Coach Nelson, I think Jason's got something to say?

COACH NELSON turns to Jason.

JASON

Yes, I do. If it's Okay with you, Coach, I'd like to pitch this afternoon?

MRS. HARRIS

Three cheers for Jason!

TEAM

Hooray! Hooray! Hoooooooray!

EXT. - TOWN BALLPARK - DAY

PARENTS and SPECTATORS jam the stands of the league ballpark and overflow its capacity. FANS stuff seats and aisles between the bleachers and struggle for an unobstructed view of their young baseball player offspring.

The majority of the exuberant crowd waves Yankee banners and signs.

MRS. MACLAIN and JENNIFER sit on one side together on the bleachers, surrounded by Yankee supporters, several feet behind the Cardinal's home-team dugout.

A temporary wooden cubicle on stilts behind and above the spectator stands supports a PA announcer's booth. Inside the cubicle, the public address announcer's lips flutter rapidly, inches from a massive antique steel microphone, and the sound echoes over the fans.

The microphone, a nineteen twenty-six unidirectional with a faded and partially rubbed off label that reads "CBS Radio Network," faces the announcer's lips like the grill of a antique 1934 De Soto.

The P.A. announcer drumbeats a pencil's eraser against his work surface as he babbles "play-by-play" for his eager audience.

P.A. ANNOUNCER

It's the last and deciding game of this season. Fans, this game will inspire young ball players all across this town. The baseball season comes down to this. After sixteen games, this season's champion will soon be decided. This is it, the championship, our own little World Series. And this year's baseball history may be made. Jason Maclain of the Cardinals threw well early in the season but Ichaebod Harris carried this team most of the year at pitcher. I'm sure you remember.

EXT. - PITCHER'S MOUND - DAY

JASON MACLAIN in his Cardinal uniform tugs his cap and toe-putters sand from the back of the pitcher's mound.

The Cardinal catcher, KLONDIKE, trots out to the pitcher's mound.

P.A. ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

The Yankees beat the Cardinals every game this season, Folks. But today, young Jason Maclain's on the mound. Things may be different. Just a minute, I see a new name on the Yankee roster. Jud Nelson has been added. He played yesterday in the playoff game and slammed the winning base hit. Way to go, Jud!

KLONDIKE

Hey, don't let the pressure get to you, Man. Remember what the catcher said. This is real life. Things end good sometimes. Sometimes they don't. And it don't really matter. You handle it as part of growing up. No matter what happens, we'll still be friends. That's what's important.

EXT. - BALLFIELD - NIGHT

The ballpark lights glare across the game and push light into every shadow of the evening's twilight. The scoreboard reads: Cardinals 1, Yankee's 0.

The Cardinal's PLAYERS possess the field and the YANKEES huddle in the visitors' dugout.

The YANKEE'S COACH claps his hands in the huddle. One of the PLAYERS grouped around the coach is SLUDGE.

YANKEE'S COACH

Okay! This is it, two outs. If we don't score, that's it. This season's a wash. Sludge, it's up to you. These Cardinals got a lot of spunk and they're playing way above their heads. This pitcher, the Maclain kid, is bound to be tired. Get up there and blast one out of here.

SLUDGE

No problem, Coach. I've beat him before.

Sludge carries his bat to home plate as his new teammates cheer from their dugout.

Sludge taps his bat on the edge of home plate. KLONDIKE crouches behind the plate at catcher.

SLUDGE

Watch your head, Sweet-thing. Don't want your head in the way of my bat.

Klondike stands and trots toward the pitcher's mound.

KLONDIKE

Time out.

EXT. - PITCHER'S MOUND - NIGHT

On the mound, KLONDIKE rubs his nose with his catcher's mitt and his eyes flick from focus to focus at the crowd in the stands. He avoids eye contact with JASON.

KLONDIKE

You all right? We got a one run lead. A strike out now WIll win it. You tired? We can get Ichy in here.

EXT. - BALLFIELD PARKING LOT - NIGHT

An automobile pulls into the field's parking lot and extinguishes its headlights. RON MACLAIN climbs out of the car and walks toward the chainlink fence. He leans against the fence and watches the game.

KLONDIKE (V.O.)

There's your Old Man. Came to see you lose, I bet. Forget Ichy. We'll show your Old Man, but you know how Sludge can bang it? Bear down.

P.A. ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

The Yankees beat this pitcher in a practice game this season but it's all on the line now! And the Yankee's power-hitting Sludge Nelson steps to the plate. The Cardinals versus the Yankees, Jason Maclain versus Sludge Nelson for all the potatoes!

EXT. - PITCHER'S MOUND - NIGHT

KLONDIKE quickly glances at JASON'S face and then his eyes flip back to the crowds in the stands.

KLONDIKE

Look Jason, Sludge puts your fastball out of the park. He's an asshole. We been friends a long time. Maybe you ought to throw the magic curveball?

The catcher glances at Jason's face and turns to look back toward home plate. He turns and jogs back.

EXT. - BALLFIELD - NIGHT

KLONDIKE crouches behind the plate and JASON winds up. Jason delivers.

SLUDGE swings and fouls the ball back against the backstop.

SLUDGE

Got a piece of that one.

KLONDIKE

Still a strike. You're all mouth. All talk, like that queer crap about me and Jason.

SLUDGE

Watch your mouth, Sweet-thing. I got a long memory.

Klondike retrieves the ball and lobs it back to Jason. Sludge digs in at the plate.

SLUDGE

I'm going to beat him on this one.

KLONDIKE

All you beat is women...

Jason winds up and fires toward the plate. Sludge swings.

The baseball sails off Sludge's bat. It lofts, spins into the air and arches down the third base line toward the outfield fence. At the last possible moment in the baseball's path, it slices foul and lands over the fence.

KLONDIKE

...and Jennifer couldn't hit back.

Sludge spins toward Klondike with his bat in one hand like a club.

PLATE UMPIRE

None of that! Catcher, visit your pitcher.

EXT. - PITCHER'S MOUND - NIGHT

KLONDIKE jogs onto the mound.

KLONDIKE

I got him upset. Make it quick, Jason. If we don't win this game, we don't win the championship. Then, you aren't the best pitcher in the league. Where's your spooky catcher when we need him?

The short lumpy PLATE UMPIRE chugs toward the mound to break up the meeting.

KLONDIKE

Two and 0. I know about the curse, but - but... Hell, throw the curveball anyway! I don't think we can get Sludge without it!

Klondike trots back toward home plate, and passes the umpire on the way to the mound. The umpire turns and follows Klondike.

EXT. - BALLFIELD - NIGHT

KLONDIKE flashes the sign between his legs, two fingers with one tucked at the knuckle and the other extended, point toward the ground.

Forty-five feet away, JASON, with his glove on his knee and with the baseball tucked behind his back out of sight, peers into home plate. He shakes off the sign.

The sign repeats. Two fingers, with one tucked at the knuckle and the other extended, poke toward the ground, emphatically the signal for the three-fingered curveball.

Jason straightens up from his peer into home plate and draws his glove to his chest. He tucks the baseball inside the glove with his other hand.

Out of sight within his baseball glove, Jason bends his middle and ring finger at the knuckle. He tucks them against the leather and grasps the ball with thumb, forefinger and little finger. He grips for a three-fingered curveball.

Jason starts his wind up.

At the last possible split-second the fingers tucked against the baseball within the glove straighten to a normal grip for a two-fingered curveball.

Jason delivers and flips his wrist like Coach Nelson taught. The ball floats through the air toward home plate.

Klondike's eyes enlarge, focus on the baseball and the umpire's intense stare follows its every rotation. The ball floats high and inside.

SLUDGE twists backward from the waist and whips his head from the path of the ball. At the last possible second the ball bites downward and to the left over the plate.

It smacks into the catcher's glove with a puff of dust.

EXT. - HOME PLATE - NIGHT

KLONDIKE closes his eyes as he grips the catcher's mitt closed over the baseball. The short lumpy home plate UMPIRE spins at his knees and punches his right fist, thumb up, into the air beside his chest protector.

PLATE UMPIRE

Strike three! You're out of here!

EXT. - BALLFIELD - NIGHT

The stands erupt in excitement. JASON leaps high into the air in victory. He looks to KLONDIKE.

Jason screams, his voice drowned out against crowd noise, but his lips are readable from the catcher's perspective.

JASON

I did it! No magic curveball!

Jason leaps and slings his leather glove into the air.

Jason's baseball glove lands with a puff of dust and slides into the edge of the chainlink backstop.

EXT. - BALLFIELD NEAR HOME PLATE- DAY

As PLAYERS and the CROWD mob the pitcher's mound, KLONDIKE walks slowly to the back wall backstop and bends down to pick up Jason's discarded glove. He gazes at the glove.

KLONDIKE

He didn't throw it? He got him anyway? I told him to throw it, but he didn't throw it?

A nine-year old BOY stands quietly nearby, with his arms clasped behind him, and stares at the catcher.

KLONDIKE

Here you go kid, a real baseball souvenir. You gonna be a ballplayer someday? Maybe, a catcher?

Klondike pitches Jason's glove to the boy.

The boy catches the glove with his left hand and the stub wrist of his right arm, where his right hand should have been.

BOY

Yes Sir, I am. My Dad's gonna teach me how to run a bulldozer, just in case I can't. But, I'll play ball, you'll see.

EXT. - TOWN BALLPARK - NIGHT

The ballpark lies dimly lit from only one bank of lights at the top of one pole. The other light poles support extinguished banks and moths swirl around the one lit bank in suicidal circles.

The excitement of the championship is vanished and only a few automobiles remain, with their headlights on, as they prepare to leave.

Near the chainlink fence that stretches from the backstop to left field and just past the home team dugout, JENNIFER and MRS. MACLAIN lean against the fender of Mrs. Maclain's automobile. JASON stands with Jennifer.

MRS. MACLAIN

Get your bike. We'll put it in the trunk. Did you see your father?

JASON

Yeah, I saw him. I gotta get my glove too.

MRS. MACLAIN

He watched you win, then we had words. He didn't say anything about the game - or your pitching, or your winning.

JASON

What did he say, Mom?

MRS. MACLAIN

He said he is out of our life, Jason. He's gone forever and I'm glad. We'll start life over, together.

JENNIFER

And I'd like to be a little part of that starting over, Mrs. Maclain? If that's Okay with you, Jason?

JASON

Sure, it's Okay. That's good. The good with the bad. Life's like that, you know? An old catcher told me that.

Mrs. Maclain nods agreement and opens the driver's side door of her car and climbs in. She starts the engine and turns on the headlights.

Jennifer leans against the front fender and waits.

Jason walks slowly around the backstop and bends to pick up his baseball glove. His glove isn't there.

Grover Cleveland Alexander's 1926 baseball glove lies in the dirt against the chainlink.

The boy looks at the glove for a moment and picks it up.

Jason slowly trudges to the dimly lit pitcher's mound and bends to leave the old worn out 1926 glove tucked against the pitcher's rubber.

CATCHER (V.O.)

Grover Cleveland Alexander also walked away. It's called growing up. You're a Big League kid, Jason Maclain.

Jason turns slowly on the mound and surveys the playing field. No one is on the field.

JENNIFER and MRS. MACLAIN wait at the car.

CATCHER (V.O.)

See you later, Alligator.

JASON

After while, Crocodile.

Jason turns and stares out across the shadows of the dark, empty ballpark.

Wisps of wind blow dust from the pitcher's mound toward home plate.