Ready, and there's the pitch.
High and inside.
Chin high there. Drove
him right back out of the box.
Come on, it only
takes one to hit it, kid.
Two and one the count...
Now the batter steps back.
Grabs a hand full of dirt.
Robbie, throw this stuff in
the ash can for me, will you?
Sure, Bub.
Hey, has he hit yet?
No, not yet.
I mean now, not tomorrow.
One out.
Who's winning?
They are. Who on?
It only takes
one to hit it, kid.
Come on, you guys.
Robbie, why don't you help Bub?
Mike.
I mean both of you.
Take this stuff out
to the trashcan here.
Come on. Get... Man, come on.
Bub, I just...
Take it out now. I got
to clean this room up.
Okay. Go on.
You'd think it was
the World Series.
Bub, it's only...
Go on. Take the
stuff out, I tell you.
Here we go... Count two and two.
Come on, fellas, you
heard what Bub said.
Let's get this
trash outside, huh?
Gee, Dad, they win this game,
they have a good possibility...
Come on, come on. I
know, but we've got...
We've got a lot of cleaning
up to do around here today.
Maybe they could win the
pennant. Come on there, kid.
Only takes one to
hit it. Get in there!
He hit it. It's
going! It's going!
Over, out. Out! Out!
And it's foul by inches in
the right field corner. Ooh.
Get in there.
Come on, kid. It
only takes one to hit it.
That's what I just told him.
What's this?
Those are Chip's baseball cards.
I wonder what
they're doing there.
Who knows? He's
always losing his junk.
Little gangway?
Hey, did he hit it, Bub?
No, he's still fouling 'em.
Get... He's still
fouling 'em up.
Here. Chip's baseball cards.
Found 'em in the trash can.
Yeah, well, that figures.
He keeps his
trash in his drawers,
and what he wants,
he throws away.
Get out of here, will you?
Give me this.
Go ahead. Get out.
Hey, what's going on here?
How did this thing get here?
Well, that darned kid is
always leaving his stuff around!
That uniform cost 15 bucks.
Yeah, well, you're
a fine one to talk.
How about that $175.36 trumpet
you left on the back
porch last night?
Yeah.
Well, you hollered for me
to come to dinner, didn't you?
The count now three and two.
Oh, hi, Chipper.
How did practice go?
I didn't go.
What happened?
The tying and winning
runs are on the bases.
How's it going?
We still in the game?
One out, two on.
And here comes the payoff pitch.
It's a hot sh*t to short.
Over to second for one.
On to first for
two. Double play!
Nice play!
Boy, what luck!
He went deep in the hole for it.
Let's face it. They're a hot
double-play combination.
I know a better one.
Come on now, you guys.
Let's get this room cleaned up.
Sure. Tinker to Evers to Chance.
Yeah? How about
the old Yankees...
Peck to Pratt to Pipp?
Ancient history.
Where do you think I found this?
Where?
In the garage.
And, the next time I find
these baseball
cards in the trash can,
I'm going to leave them there.
I'll set the table.
Hey, Chip, what's
your good mitt doing
under the couch?
Chip, why didn't you go
to baseball practice today?
I went yesterday.
What about today?
None of your business!
Come on, Chip. How about it?
How would you like it if
you struck out all the time?
You've only played one game.
I struck out all
four times, too!
So? Willie Mays
went 0 for four today.
He didn't have
kids yelling at him.
Are you kidding?
Yeah? They kept yelling
I couldn't hit the
broad side of a barn.
Chip, I admit it's a
little discouraging
to get up there
and strike out, but...
That no reason to
throw your uniform away.
$15 down the drain!
I didn't throw it away.
I just hung it in the garage.
Yeah. Then you hung
your glove under the couch
and filed your cards
in the trash can.
Well, anyway, it's
okay with the coach.
What's okay, Chip?
He said, if I wanted
to quit, I could quit.
What is this quitting business?
Chip, you can't quit.
Wait a minute.
Wait a minute. Wait.
I'll, uh... go help
him set the table.
I'll give you a hand, Chip.
Is that what you've done?
Quit the baseball team?
You know, I can't
understand that.
As far back as I can remember,
you've talked about
playing baseball...
Being in the Big
Leagues, and all that.
Now you're finally
old enough to play
and, after one game, you quit.
The forks go on
the left. Remember?
You take care of the salad.
If you can't hit,
you can't play ball.
And I don't want to be a
Big Leaguer or anything.
Maybe you could learn to hit.
I practiced a whole
week with the team.
Well, pin a medal on him.
What can you learn in a week?
All the other kids learned.
Pardon me, Robbie.
You really haven't given
yourself a chance, Chip.
Maybe, next time,
you'll do better.
Well, look, if he can't
take it, he's right to quit.
Wait a minute, Robbie.
If hitting's his problem,
he's got it made.
Go and pour the
milk or something.
We've got plenty of
hitters around here.
Who?
Look at Robbie.
He was worse than
you when he started.
What do you mean?
You know what I mean.
Good leather, no wood.
Are you kidding?
What about last year?
Just wait till I finish,
will you, chump?
Robbie's considered
a power hitter now.
He's even learned
to pull the ball.
Oh, yeah. Well...
Robbie would be
glad to help you.
Wouldn't you,
Rob? Here, take this.
Well, I can't teach
you all I know,
but I can give you a few tips.
We'll all be glad to
help you, won't we?
Sure, we will.
How about it, Chip?
Meat loaf again?
Oh, boy! Good one.
Now, let's take a s*ab at it.
Well, get a rock for home plate.
There we go.
Now, you see where my foot is?
You showed me that before.
Well, why don't
you try it, Chip?
I'm tired.
Now... Your right
foot's in the bucket.
What bucket?
You know what I mean.
No, I don't.
Sure, you do. No, I don't.
Yes, you do!
Okay, there!
Oh, yeah.
See? I told you you knew.
Well, sure, I do now.
Then how come your
foot's still in the bucket?!
You don't have to
yell. I'm trying to do it.
Okay. Well, try again, harder.
It doesn't feel good.
Well, it will feel right
after you get used to it.
Now, I'll throw you.
Are you going to try to
do it right or aren't you?
See? I can't do it.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Well, hi, Chipper.
Hi.
Quit it, Tramp.
Get out of the way, Tramp.
Chip?
Chip? Chip?
Here. I taped the
handle for you.
Ought to give you a better grip.
That looks fine, Mike.
Thanks very much.
Yeah. Thanks, Mike.
When do the Tigers have
their next game, Chip?
Next week. But what
good does that do me?
I'm not on the team.
I bet they could sure
use a good batter.
Chip! Hey, Chip!
Chip! Hey, Chip!
Hey, Dad, you seen
Chip anywhere?
Yeah, I've seen him.
Oh, Chip!
How are you, Chip?
Hey, look. I oiled it up
for you. All you've got to do
is just keep slugging your
fist into it and you got it made.
Boy! Thanks, Robbie.
Yeah. Thanks, Robbie.
Robbie tells me you were
really slugging that ball today.
Bunted it pretty
good, too, for a kid.
Well, I'm not surprised.
That just goes to show you.
Sometimes you think
you can't do something,
and then you work
really hard at it,
and you find out you can.
Perseverance:
that's the word for it.
Perseverance won't
get me back on the team.
How do you know? You
haven't tried, have you?
I just know.
Look., why don't you go
up to the coach and say,
"Coach, I'm sorry I quit.
I'd like to have
another chance."
Will you talk to him for me?
No.
Will you come with me?
No.
Will you write me a note?
No.
You mean I have to go alone?
That's right, Chip.
From here on in, this is
your ball game.
Now, look, Greg.
When you let go of the
ball, snap the wrist, okay?
Okay.
I got no control over it.
I keep telling you, it
takes a lot of practice.
Here we go. Try again.
I am trying.
Just try a little
harder, all right?
Hey, look who's here!
I thought you quit.
What makes you think you
can get back on the team?
I got it! I got it!
It was your ball, Mickey.
He yelled for it.
You yelled first.
Hello, Mr. Townsend.
Hello.
Okay, Greg, let's try again.
What are you doing here, Chip?
Hanging around.
This is no place to hang around.
We're practicing.
All right, boys, let's
have an infield drill!
Snap it up! Come on!
Come on, boys! Let's
go! Let's go! Snap it up!
Okay. Cliff, you're on first.
Jay, second base.
John, third base.
Dave, shortstop.
Dave had to leave.
He had to go to piano lessons.
All right, who's
going to cover short?
I am! I am! I am!
All right, Terry, you're it!
All right, boys,
let's go! Let's go!
Come on! Let's go!
I played short
in the first game.
I know it.
All right, boys,
let's play ball!
Supposin' I said
I was sorry I quit?
Are you saying it?
I guess so.
Well, when you stop
guessing and you're sure,
let me know.
Don't take steps when
you throw the ball!
Get rid of it!
I'm sure.
Well, sit down. I
can't see through you.
Will you guys ever learn?!
I shouldn't have quit.
I was a dope.
You think you're
playing croquet?!
I'm real sorry.
You, um... you want
to be a Tiger again?
Yes, sir.
Well, I've got nothing against
a boy who has got guts enough
to admit he was wrong.
Gee, thanks.
But all I can do is put
you back on the squad.
Maybe you'll get a
chance to play this Friday.
Keep that body low!
Remember what I told ya!
Or maybe not.
I'm making no promises, okay?
Okay.
Okay, Chip.
All right, boys, let's
shag some flies.
Okay, Tiger, you're all set.
Now, keep your
foot out of the bucket.
If I get in the
game, I'll remember.
Well, remember to
choke up on the bat.
Keep your eye on the ball.
And don't telegraph those bunts.
And watch the third base coach.
And for Pete's sake, relax.
Yeah, relax!
He's starting Dave at short.
That's all right,
you just be ready.
Yeah, and remember, on the
ground's safer than in the air.
Oh!
All ready to take off,
huh, Chipper? Yep.
Say, I don't know
whether I'm gonna be able
to make that game today,
but I'll sure try like
everything to get there.
It's okay. I might not get in.
Well, don't worry about
it if you don't, Chip.
Just remember, a team's
only as strong as its bench.
Hey, you forgot
your stuff here. Yeah.
If you don't get in today,
you'll get in one of these days.
The way you're hitting
that ball now, hmm?
Good luck, boy.
Thanks a lot.
Hello.
Yeah, this is he.
Oh, hi, Mrs. Falkner.
Oh, well, no, no,
I don't think so.
Well, I've got some
things I ought to do today.
This is kind of short notice.
Well, I thought
Barnes was umpiring.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
Forgot my glove.
Raised in a barn?
All right, Mrs.
Falkner, I'll be there.
Yeah. Well, I'll just have
to clear the decks
some way, that's all.
Yeah. Good-bye.
Clear the decks for what?
Barnes has got the flu.
So I'm going to have to
umpire the game today.
Jeepers, if you're calling
the balls and strikes,
and if I get in the
game, I can't lose.
No!
Chip, wait a minute.
Now remember, when I'm
out there, I'm not your father,
I'm the umpire.
Okay, Dad!
Darn kids leaving the
doors open all the time.
The whole house
is full of flies.
Who could that be at
this hour of the morning?
Good morning. Are you
the lady of the house?
What are you doing out there?
Well, I... Never mind, Bub.
Oh, uh, you better
shut the door.
You don't want to let
all the flies out, do you?
No.
For cryin' out loud,
it's the last inning.
Why doesn't he put
Chip in the game?
Yeah, we want Chip!
We want Chip Douglas!
Hey, Dad, I mean,
ump, what's the count?
I'll call the play, Robbie.
Ball!
Okay, Joey, you can do it.
He can't hit it. Come
on. Pitch it in there.
Come on, Joey!
Okay, Joey, you
can do it, boy, let's go!
Come on! Come on!
Hey, Coach, what about Chip?!
Hey, look at that guy
sitting on the end of the bench!
Best hitter out there. Come on!
He's a great batter!
He's a top star
hitter on the team.
Sure, he's improved quite a bit
since the last time you saw him.
Come on. Give him a chance.
Yeah, give the kid a chance.
He'll drive everyone in.
Get ready, Chip!
Now, Chip, don't
swing at the bad ones.
Just get on base.
Do you think you can do it?
You bet.
Attaboy. Get in there.
Get in there and hit!
Hey, look, picking
the bat I taped for him.
And how about it, too?
Come on, Chip!
Darling, isn't
that the little boy
that always strikes out?
What's the difference, Mable?
He's not our kid.
He won't even hit it.
Swing, batter!
Strike one!
Hey!
Looked high to me.
It's a ball!
All right, Chip, boy,
keep your eye on the ball!
Come on!
Look, he's not
stepping in the bucket.
He remembered. Yeah.
Lay into it, Chip! Come on!
Belt it, Chip! Belt it!
Come on, there. Look at it now.
Look at that ball
before you bat.
Swing, batter! That's a ball!
Come on, Dave, boy.
He's easy to pitch around.
He can't hit off ya.
Come on, Davey, boy.
Hey, batter! Swing, batter!
Strike two!
Oh, boy, that was
a good cut, though!
That's all right, Chip.
You can do it, boy.
Hit one for me, Chip.
I have this awful feeling
he's going to strike out again.
Honey, let his father worry.
It only takes one
to hit it, ma'am.
Attaboy, Chip!
Hold up! Hold up!
Come on, back!
Boy, was he lucky!
Who does he think
he is, Willie Mays?
Yeah, well, he
can score on a hit
and tie up the ballgame.
Hey, hey!
What's the matter, Chip?
Heads up, Chip!
Keep your eye on
the third base coach!
The other way, the other way!
Tag up now, Chip.
Swing, batter!
Hold up!
Stop!
No!
I did it! I did it!
The runner is out!
Wouldn't you know it?
The only thing we didn't
work on: base running.
Chip?
Chip?
Chip?
Oh, hi, Chip.
You didn't do a very
good job with dinner,
but we all decided you ought
to have a piece of cake anyway.
I'll just put it down here
till you get ready
to eat it, huh?
You know, Chipper, I
haven't seen my name
in the papers too many times,
but, boy, I'll always
remember the first time.
I was playing on the Beaver
Dam high school baseball team
and we played our
first out-of-town game,
and there was a write-up
about it in the hometown paper.
There was my name right
at the head of the column.
I can still remember
exactly what it said.
"After Mayor Blake
threw out the first ball,
"Beaver Dam second
baseman Steve Douglas led off
"the batting order
for the visitors.
Douglas struck out."
There it was in
big black letters
for the whole town to read.
I really felt bad about that.
Of course, now
that I think back on it,
it was pretty silly for
me to feel that way.
But, well, when you're young...
You know, Chip, I'm
sorry I had to call you out
at home plate today.
But I was the umpire
and the umpire has to call
'em as he sees 'em, hmm?
And you were out.
It was pretty darn close.
No, Chip, it wasn't
that close really.
You were out a mile.
But that isn't the point, Chip.
The point is you went
through a stop signal.
You shouldn't
have gone for home.
You should have held third
like the coach
tried to tell you.
I think I'll go to bed.
Oh, for Pete's sake.
Wait a minute, Chip.
You know, we're
forgetting something.
We're forgetting that
baseball's a game
and a game ought
to be fun, right?
Now, maybe some of us don't
play it quite as well as others,
but if you get fun
out of playing it
what's the difference?
Oh, I don't mean you shouldn't
play it as hard as you can
or the best way you can,
but if you don't
get fun out of it,
I mean, if it's gonna
make us sore at each other,
we ought to give it up, huh?
Why don't we give it up?
For a while, anyway.
Then maybe later on,
you'll feel differently about it,
and you can take
another cr*ck at it, huh?
Why don't we do that?
Now you better eat that.
You don't want to
hurt Bub's feelings.
You know how he
is about his cakes.
I'll get you a glass
of milk, hmm?
Maybe he just wasn't
supposed to be a ball player.
Plenty of other
things he can do.
It'll break Bub's heart, though.
Hey, anyone want to play catch?
Just for the fun of it.
Sure, Chip.
Here, catch.
Okay, why don't
you give me the glove
and I'll throw a few to you?
You can get a little
batting practice, huh? Okay.
Where'd you leave the bat?
It's around the
side of the car. Oh.