Beyond The Seams
                                                        Screenplay
                                                               by

                                                      Larry Hunter

                                                                                                                    P.O. Box  6693
                                                                                                                    Houston, Texas 
                                                                                                                    77265
                                                                                                                    281-498-0454
                                                                                                                    colourwhirl@cs.com
                                                                                                                    WGA#935125

                                                           BEYOND THE SEAMS

            Screenplay by Larry Hunter

                  WGA#935125

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD-EVENING-6:00PM-HOUSTON,TEXAS-FENNIGAN PARK

Young thirteen year old black kids are playing a teenage baseball game. The TEAMS are
THE RAGGEDY NINE and THE SEAGULLS. A pitcher by the name of HUNT is
pitching for THE RAGGEDY NINE. He is left handed and thin. He pulls his cap down
over his eyes, takes the sign from the catcher and delivers a sharp breaking curve to the
batter.

THE BATTER SWINGS AND MISSES. HE STEPS BACK IN THE BATTER'S BOX.

                                                           CATCHER
                                          (throws the ball back to the pitcher)
                               Thata way to go Hunt, baby. Keep that junk
                               coming!  He can't hit you!

HUNT walks around the mound as he rubs the new baseball.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. BASEBALL BLEACHERS

His PARENTS are in the bleachers yelling at him to strike out the batter.

                                                           MOTHER
                               Come on my baby, show him what you got!

The BATTER looks at his third base coach to pick up the sign, then steps back in the
batter box.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. SEAGULLS' TEAM SIDE OF THE FIELD

KIDS are standing up cheering the batter on.

                                                           ONE KID
                                          (yells out)
                               Hit him Smokey!  Watch out for that curve!

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

HUNT takes a long look at the catcher, then steps off the mound to tie his shoes. The

                                                                                                                                              2.

UMPIRE comes from behind the plate, pulls off his mask and heads for the mound.

                                                           UMPIRE
                               Are you going to play ball young man or primp all
                               evening? I don't wanna be out here all night, son.
                               So let's play ball!

The UMPIRE turns, walks to the plate, bends over, take out his little brush and wipes the
home plate clean. He turns and puts his mask back on and kneels behind the catcher. The
BATTER waits patiently at the plate. HUNT puts his foot on the pitching rubber. He
winds up and releases the ball to the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (continues)
                               BALL!

The CATCHER turns to the UMPIRE.

                                                           CATCHER
                               Come on Ump! That was right on the corner! For
                               Christ sake!

The UMPIRE pulls off his mask.

                                                           UMPIRE
                               Play ball, young man!

The CATCHER throws the ball back to HUNT. HUNT is angry as he snatches the ball in
his glove.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

BASEBALL BLEACHERS

HUNT'S MOTHER is furious. She throws her cup of soda on the field.

                                                           MOTHER
                               You need glasses, Mr. Umpire!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The UMPIRE pulls off his mask and walks toward the bleachers. He points at the MOTHER.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (continues)
                               Lady! Please! If you do that again. I'm going to
                               ask you to leave.

The Mother sits down quietly. The UMPIRE returns to home base, puts on his mask.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (continues)
                               Play ball!

                                                                                                                                              3.

HUNT steps back on the mound. He winds up and delivers the pitch.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

The ball is slowly curving to the plate. The BATTER waits. He brings the bat around. He
holds up his swing and let the ball pass.

                                                            UMPIRE
                                          (continues)
                               STRIKE THREE! YOU OUT! The game is over!

The BATTER throws the bat down and walks away. HUNT'S teammates stampede him
on the mound.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. PARK AND RECREATION SITE-FENNIGAN PARK-MORNING

The PARK DIRECTOR, HUNT'S baseball coach is sitting outside the gym making leather
bill folds. His name is BROS HENRY, an African American. Suddenly there is a lot of
noise in the gym. BROS gets up to check it out.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

INT. GYM

TWO BOYS are fighting on the gym floor. BROS HENRY comes between them.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (grab both boys' arms)
                               You know the rules! Pack up and leave right now!
                               You are suspended from the gym.....

The TWO BOYS grab their bags and leave. The other boys continue to play as BROS
leaves to continue his work on the leather bill folders.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

HUNT is walking up the street towards the gym. He has a baseball and glove in his hand.
As he walks towards the gym, he begins to play catch with himself until he is right up on
BROS. BROS smiles as he continues to make leather bill folds.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (continues)
                               Hunt...You early...Practice is not until three, son.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (throws ball and catch)
                               I know. Just wanna work on something.

                                                                                                                                              4.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Good game the other day...I don't want you to
                               throw too many curves. You're still too young.

                                                           HUNT
                               Okay...I'm going to the ball park...

HUNT takes off running to the ball park. BROS just shakes his head.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (shakes his head)
                               That's one young black boy that loves the game
                               of baseball.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD-PITCHER MOUND

HUNT is standing on the mound alone. He looks down at home plate, winds up smoothly
and throws the ball to home plate. The ball hits the fence behind the plate. He straddles the
pitching rubber looking toward first base. He steps on the rubber, looks at home plate and
throws to first. An OLD MAN stands watching the kid practice his moves toward first base.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

The OLD MAN behind the fence looking at HUNT seriously.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (walks toward the mound)
                               Hey! Kick a little higher and keep those shoulders
                               square when you throw to first...If you lean
                               toward home plate, you balk....Do it again...

HUNT steps on the rubber, winds up and does a throwing motion to first.....

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (continues)
                               Now that's better. No lefty is doing that move,
                               not even in the Big Leagues. You are a smart
                               kid...How's your control?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (thankful)
                               I throw strikes most of the time.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (takes the ball from the glove)
                               Now there are two ways you can grip this here
                               baseball....along the seams or beyond the seams.
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                              5.

                                                           THE OLD MAN (CONTINUED)
                               Now beyond the seams gives it a different kind of
                               spin like life itself.

THE OLD MAN throws the ball to the fence.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (eyes bulges)
                               Man! I like that!

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (touches Hunt's shoulder)
                               You like baseball, don't you?

                                                           HUNT
                               I love baseball! When I'm on that mound, I feel
                               like I'm the king of the hill.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (laughs)
                               Well, it's a good game...I just wish there were
                               more black people in the Majors. But by the time
                               you reach manhood, maybe, just maybe----anyway
                               I'll be watching from here or heaven, which ever
                               one comes first.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (curious)
                               I didn't get your name, Mister.

THE OLD MAN walks away smiling as he turns away waving.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                               Names are not important to me...Just call me, The
                               Old Man. Practice makes perfect, remember that.....

THE OLD MAN sings as he walks away.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (sings)
                               'Take me out to the ball game.'Take me out with
                               the crowd---buy me some peanuts and cracker
                               jacks, I don't care if we never get back.'

HUNT watches. THE OLD MAN disappears across the street. He throws the ball in his
glove. He looks toward the plate, steps on the mound like men are on base and he motion
a throw to first base, just like THE OLD MAN.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (balls his fist up)
                               Yes!

FADE TO

                                                                                                                                              6.

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

INT. JMG. BARBECUE PLACE-AFTERNOON-HOT SUMMER DAY

HUNT'S mother and father own a small barbecue place in the black community. HUNT'S
mother name is Mae. She is ringing up the cash register for a customer.

                                                           MAE
                                          (hands change to customer)
                               Here you are Mr. Ratcliff, and do come back.

                                                           CUSTOMER
                               I will...You got the best tasting barbecue around
                               here. And that sauce is special....

                                                           MAE
                                          (smiles)
                               I makes my own Mr. Ratcliff---and tell your Mrs.
                               Ratcliff, I'll see her at Church, Sunday.

                                                           CUSTOMER
                               I will do just that Ms. Mae. Thank you.....That
                               boy of yours sure can throw a baseball.

                                                           MAE
                               Well. He loves the game. Plus, it keeps him out of
                               trouble.

The CUSTOMER laughs as he walks out the door.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BASEBALL FIELD-LATE MORNING

HUNT is throwing to his catcher, BIG B. HUNT is getting in some extra practice. He
persuades BIG B to stay a little longer.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (stands up from the plate)
                               Look! Hunt! I'm tired and hungry---and it's hot
                               out here....I've seen your new stuff---let's go--now!
                               We got a day off from practice....Let's go eat
                               something....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (in pitching position on mound)
                               Give me ten more minutes. I'm trying to curve the
                               ball beyond the seams.

                                                                                                                                              7.

                                                           BIG B
                               What?!

BIG B bends down in catching position. He taps his hand in the mitt. HUNT throws a
pitch that seems like it is going to be high and it drops right over the plate.

                                                           BIG B
                               WHOA! What was that, Hunt?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles)
                               Yes! Big B....That was a beyond the seam pitch....

                                                           BIG B
                                          (puts the ball away in his glove)
                               Who taught you all of this, Hunt?

HUNT sits down on a near by bench, pulls off his cap and wipes the sweat from his face.

                                                           HUNT
                               I tell you on the way to Mama's barbecue
                               place...You're not gonna believe me anyway....

                                                           BIG B
                               You mean we going to eat----

                                                           HUNT
                               That's right!  And the first one there will get the
                               coldest soda water! Let's go!

BIG B and HUNT takes off running through the park.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. JMG. BARBECUE PLACE-BENCH- AFTERNOON-HOT SUMMER DAY

An old homeless looking WHITE MAN is sitting outside of the barbecue place. BIG B and
HUNT look at him strangely as they open the door to go inside.  He keeps on eating and
sucking on the barbecue bones. He never looks up at the kids. They enter the barbecue
place. MS. MAE is in the back.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (yells out)
                               Mama!  Where are you?

There is no answer. BIG B and HUNT looks suspiciously at each other.

                                                           BIG B
                               That old white man---

                                                                                                                                              8.

                                                           HUNT
                               MAMA!....Let's go---

MS. MAE comes out straightening her apron before they run for the police.

                                                           MS. MAE
                               Quit your hollering, boy. I was using the
                               restroom....And what ya'll doing here anyway, Hunt?

BIG B and HUNT look at each other.....

                                                           BIG B
                               Ms. Mae....We thought something had happen to
                               you when we saw that old homeless looking white
                               man sitting out there eating your barbecue....

                                                           HUNT
                               And nobody see no white people around here
                               anyway unless they cutting off your utilities or
                               collecting money.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (smiles)
                               Bless your little hearts....But the man jumped off
                               the train because he was hungry and the barbecue
                               from my place smell so good, he took a chance of
                               coming here to beg me for some....

                                                           HUNT
                               What?!

                                                           BIG B
                               And you gave it to him free?

                                                           HUNT
                               Did you, Mama?

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (smiles)
                               I sure did....What's wrong with that? My daddy
                               always taught me to never refuse to feed a hungry
                               person, no matter what his or her race is---Ya'll
                               remember that--but I told him that he took a
                               dangerous chance because they got some black
                               folks will kill him on the spot.

                                                           HUNT
                               But doesn't he have a family?

                                                           MS. MAE
                               To make a long story short, he's a Hobo....

                                                           HUNT AND BIG B
                               HOBO?!

                                                                                                                                              9.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (smiles)
                               Now what can I do for ya'll?

BIG B rub his hands together and smack his lips.

                                                           BIG B
                               Some stuff links, potato salad and rib
                               sandwich....Oh yeah! An orange crush soda water.
                               Your barbecue is the best in the world, Ms. Mae.

                                                           HUNT
                               Give me the same, Mama....

                                                           MS. MAE
                               Okay...Coming up...Have you two washed your
                               hands?......

BIG B and HUNT look at their hands.

                                                           MS. MAE
                               Just what I thought---Get!

BIG B and HUNT rush to the restroom in the back.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. JMG BARBECUE PLACE-RESTROOM

BIG B and HUNT are washing their hands. HUNT splashes some soapy water in BIG B'S
face. He hollers as the soapy water burn his eyes.

                                                           BIG B
                               Hunt! You are crazy!

                                                           HUNT
                               That's for trying to con my mama out of her
                               barbecue---talking about the best barbecue in the
                               whole world and you ain't traveled nowhere....

                                                           BIG B
                               I still say you crazy!

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. HOUSE-HUNT'S ROOM-LATE NIGHT

HUNT is laying in his bed. The night is quiet. He is squeezing a tennis ball in his left hand.

                                                                                                                                            10.

He raises his left arm back and forth. He falls off to sleep.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS-LIGHTS FLASHING-TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

A car is approaching the railroad crossing. The train is coming fast.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. -HOUSE-HUNT'S ROOM

The sound of the train awakens HUNT. He jumps up in a sweat, still squeezing the tennis
ball. The train shakes the walls like an earthquake.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS-CAR AND TRAIN COLLIDE ON TRACKS

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. HOUSE-HUNT'S MOTHER BEDROOM

MS. MAE shakes her husband, but he is too tired. She jumps up and puts her robe on. She
dashes out the room into the front living room. HUNT is standing by the door,trembling.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (closing her robe)
                               Hunt...You stay here! I don't want you to see
                               this...That train done kill more people at that
                               crossing way before you were born...lord have
                               mercy....I'll be right back, baby--and try to wake
                               your dad up....He worked late last night....

FADE TO

POETRY-THE OLD BLACK ENGINE

Folks are standing around the railroad tracks watching a bloody body laying across the rails.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

                                                           V.O.
                               The sound of the train throughout the night
                               always awaken me, restless, sometimes all day
                               from the noise of that old black engine that shook
                               my walls as the loud screaming whistle called,
                               voices were heard in the wee hours of the morning
                               where somebody tried to beat that old black
                               engine across the tracks, folks mumbled and
                               watched a body that lay,scary that old black
                               engine could be, send folks to their graves in a
                               hurry and Mama always worried and scolded,
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            11.

                                                           V.O. (CONTINUED)
                               "boy, don't play with that old black engine
                               because it ain't nobody's toy."

FADE TO

SIRENS OF AMBULANCES AND VOICES SOUNDING IN THE NIGHT

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. -FENNIGAN PARK-BASEBALL FIELD-EVENING

HUNT is pitching batting practice. He throws his last pitch. His new curve is dropping
right over the plate.

                                                           BATTER
                               That was a good pitch, Hunt. I didn't know you
                               had a pitch like that.

                                                           HUNT
                               I'm still working on it, Rip...

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Okay! Okay! Everybody up on the double....Got
                               some news for you.

Everybody run off the field.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (pats Hunt on the shoulder)
                               Man! That pitch you threw to Rip, I could see it
                               drop from the outfield.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Listen...Guess what?...

                                                           THE TEAM
                               What?...

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               We got uniforms!

                                                           THE TEAM
                                          (happy)
                               ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT!

The TEAM is excited as they clap their hands

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Now, Rose Cleaners and Klein Ice Cream Parlor
                               is responsible for this to happen. I want everyone
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            12.

                                                           BROS HENRY (CONTINUED)
                               of you to personally go thank them for this good
                               deed. You here?

                                                           THE TEAM
                               Yes, sir!

Bros reaches in his back pocket and pulls out a note pad. He begins to turn the pages as
the TEAM stands silently.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               And another thing, since we've been The Raggedy
                               Nine all summer, we will keep that name and it's
                               gonna be printed right across the front of that
                               blue and gray uniform...

                                                           THE TEAM
                                          (nods their heads)
                               Fine by us, coach....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Now, the teenage all star game is next week...The
                               Third Warder's Team against The Fifth Warder's
                               Team. I wish all of you could have made it, but
                               not possible.

                                                           BRADY
                               That's all right, coach. As long as we win the
                               championship in two weeks from the Kelly Court
                               Boys.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               That's the way young men should think, Brady.
                               Anyway here are the all stars from this team,
                               Brady, Hunt, Hall, Big B and Rip.....

EVERYBODY clap for the chosen TEENAGE ALL STARS.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (continues)
                               Okay...That's it! Give me a couple around the field.

THE TEAM takes off running around the baseball field

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

INT. HUNT'S HOUSE-KITCHEN-NIGHT-8:00PM

HUNT'S mother always leaves his dinner on the stove. He grabs the plate of food off the
stove, sits it on the table while opening the fridge to get some milk. He sits down at the

                                                                                                                                            13.

table. As he eats, he still squeezes the tennis ball. His mother comes in the kitchen. She
looks beat. She stands in the doorway watching her son eat like a hungry pig. She just smiles.

                                                           MS. MAE
                               You like them smother potatoes and pork chops, uh?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (looks up)
                               Oh! Hi, Mama! I made the all star team!

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (kisses him on the cheeks)
                               Hunt, I'm so proud of you.....

                                                           HUNT
                               Is dad, home? I wanna tell him myself......

                                                           MS. MAE
                               Your dad is still down at the waterfront putting in
                               them long hours. They had a banana boat to come
                               in. He came home, got a pan lunch and went back
                               out....

                                                           HUNT
                               That's my dad....I'll tell him the good news in the
                               morning.

                                                           MS. MAE
                               So my son is going to go up against them big old
                               boys in Third Ward---What's that slugger name
                               that can hit the seams off a baseball?

                                                           HUNT
                               McGee....Oh, I strikes him out every time he
                               comes to the plate, as a matter of fact, left hand
                               hitters find it hard to hit me. I throw that curve
                               ball right at their heads and it just dips in the
                               middle of the plate.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (yawns)
                               Look, baby, Mama is a little tired and tomorrow
                               is Friday...You know how that is at the place....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (gets up and put his dish in the sink)
                               Okay, Mama....I'm going in the backyard and
                               practice on my move to first base....

MS. MAE waves gentle at HUNT and returns to her bedroom.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                                                            14.

EXT. BACKYARD-HUNT'S HOUSE-NIGHT

                                                                                                    CUT TO

HUNT is practicing his move to first base. His move to first base is perfect, just like THE
OLD MAN'S move. He sits down and thinks about THE OLD MAN. He turns the seams
of the baseball and takes a good look. He runs his finger along the seams. He puts the
baseball in the palm of his hand and raises it up to peep at the seams underneath. He spins
the ball in his hand.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. BACK DOOR-HOUSE

HUNT'S FATHER, CARL is standing in the back door watching him. He has a first base
glove in his hand. He softly pats in the glove as he stands watching.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

HUNT gets up and straddles the grass like a man is at first base. He goes through the
stretch, kicks his leg toward first, look home and throws to first.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. BACK DOOR-HOUSE OPENS

HUNT'S father comes out the house. HUNT turns around and sees his father. He is surprise.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles)
                               I thought you were at work....

                                                           FATHER
                                          (throwing the ball up and down)
                               We finished that banana boat before I could blink
                               my eyes.....I saw your move to first base.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excited)
                               Did you like it?....

                                                           FATHER
                                          (smiles)
                               Yeah...Reminded me of an old pitcher I used to
                               play ball with--of course it was nothing like yours.
                               I've never seen a lefty with that kind of move, not
                               even in the Major Leagues....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (pounding ball in glove)
                               Really...You mean I'm the first....

                                                                                                                                            15.

                                                           FATHER
                               Unless I see different.....Come on. Let's see what
                               old Bros done taught you......

The FATHER rushes to the fence and squats down like a catcher. HUNT winds up and
throws his new sinker that starts high and drops in the middle of the plate. His father sees
the ball coming high, he stands up and the ball drops below his glove.

                                                           FATHER
                                          (looks surprised)
                               What was that?!

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               My new curve sinker.....

                                                           FATHER
                                          (concern)
                               Now that was a dandy. But don't throw too many
                               of those. Remember. Too much curves for a
                               young arm is not good. Now come on, Let's see
                               what else you got!

The FATHER squats and taps in his glove. HUNT winds up and throw the pitch right
down the middle of the glove.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS-EVENING LIGHTS FLASHING-TRAIN WHISTLE
BLOWS

BIG B and HUNT are walking up the street toward home. They are eating an ice cream
cone. The train whistle gets louder as they run to beat the train. BIG B is out of breath as
the train passes the crossing and comes to a dead stop.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (looks down the track)
                               Man! Dog! We gonna be here all day. It got at
                               least 200 cars....I tell you what. Let's climb across,
                               it won't take long.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (backs away)
                               You crazy! This train just kill a man the other day.
                               He couldn't wait and it smashed him and the car.
                               Half his head was laying on the tracks.......

                                                           BIG B
                                          (eats the rest of his ice cream)
                               Scary cat! Watch me cross over.....

                                                                                                                                            16.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (concern)
                               No!

Just as BIG B attempts to cross over, the train jerks the cars. BIG B jumps back.

                                                           HUNT
                               I told you! Come on...Let's go the long way....We
                               got time...

                                                                                                    CUT TO

HUNT and BIG B are walking up the street the long way home. They are throwing the
baseball around. TWO OLDER BOYS are walking behind them. They are trying to catch
up with HUNT and BIG B. BIG B turns around and spot them coming fast.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (holds the ball in glove)
                               Uh, uh....Do you know what neighborhood we're in?

                                                           HUNT
                               Ah, man! I forgot about them bad cousins and
                               brothers. They gonna have to catch me!

                                                           BIG B
                                          (agrees)
                               Me too!

HUNT and BIG B takes off running. THE TWO OLDER BOYS take off running too.
HUNT and BIG B disappear as THE TWO BOYS STOP to catch their breath.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. AROUND THE CORNER

HUNT and BIG B look back as they stop running to catch their breath.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (takes a deep breath)
                               Whew! That was close. I had rather jump that
                               train then to let them catch me.

                                                           HUNT
                               I'll still take my chances on out running them bullies.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. THIRD WARD-EMANCIPATION PARK-BASEBALL PARK-EVENING

BLACK FOLKS are crowding the STANDS. They are talking and shaking hands with

                                                                                                                                            17.

each other. Parents, cousins, brothers, sisters and Aunts gather around the seats, pointing
and looking on the field. The sound of batting practice rings out on the field. The sound of
the baseballs pounding in the catchers' mitts by the starting pitchers is a feeling of baseball
in the air.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD

HUNT is talking with MCGEE and SAMMY. SAMMY is a fast ball pitcher and MCGEE
is that left hand hitting pitcher and outfielder. He hits every pitcher but HUNT. HUNT
strikes the big kid out most of the time.

                                                           MCGEE
                                          (shakes his head)
                               Hunt! I'm gonna hit you tonight!

                                                           HUNT
                                          (responds)
                               Don't try too hard. I got something for you.

                                                           SAMMY
                                          (smooth)
                               Listen. I gotta finish warming up. Hey, Hunt...May
                               the best team win.

SAMMY runs over to his catcher and begins to warm up.

                                                           MCGEE
                                          (frowns)
                               You bet not throw that stuff down the middle of
                               the plate. I'm gonna hit you to kingdom come,
                               Lefty....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               We'll see, Big McGee...I gotta go...

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The Umpire is brushing dirt from home plate. He turns and puts on his mask and breast
protector. He pulls his mask off again.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               Let's play ball!

HUNT is on the mound. The lead off batter for the THIRD WARD STARS is at the plate.
HUNT steps on the rubber and stares at home plate. He goes into the wind-up and delivers
to home plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               Strike!......

                                                                                                                                            18.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (stands up and throws the ball back)
                               Thata way to go, Hunt! Smoke this chump....

The batter steps out the batter's box.

                                                           THE BATTER
                               Who you calling a chump?! I'm gonna knock him
                               into the streets....

HUNT steps back on the rubber and stares at home plate. He winds up, hesitate and
throws the ball to home plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (raises his hand)
                               Strike two!

The BATTER steps out the box again.

                                                           THE BATTER
                                          (thumps the bat on home plate)
                               Come on Mr. Porter...That was outside.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (warns)
                               Play ball, young man!

The BATTER steps back in the batter's box. BIG B throws the ball back to HUNT.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (yells)
                               Come on Hunt! He can't hit what he don't see!....

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

HUNT'S mother is in the stands yelling for him.

                                                           MOTHER
                                          (yells)
                               Come on baby. Send him home....

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

HUNT steps back up on the pitcher's rubber, winds up and throws his new curve sinker
pitch and it drops right in the middle of the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (turns his head)
                               Ball!.....

BROS runs to home plate. The UMPIRE pulls off his mask.

                                                                                                                                            19.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (kicks up some dirt)
                               Porter! You turn your head when the ball was
                               dropping.---Come on!....

The UMPIRE refuses to listen. He puts his mask back on. BROS walks back to the Dug Out

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (kneels behind catcher)
                               Play ball!

HUNT stares at the plate, delivers a fast ball down the middle of the plate. The BATTER
fouls it off. The UMPIRE takes a new ball out of his little hip bag and throws it out to
HUNT. HUNT rubs the ball between his hands real good. He doesn't like new balls. They
are hard to curve. He steps back on the mound as the BATTER waits patiently swinging
his bat back and forth over the plate. HUNT steps on the pitching rubber, winds up and
throws a sweeping curve. The BATTER just stands there as it curves right in the middle of
the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               STRIKE! You're out!

The BATTER turns and walks away, back to his Dug Out.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (yells at the batter)
                               I told you! You can't hit what you don't see!

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (warns)
                               Young man! Play ball!

The next BATTER steps up to the plate. HUNT is rubbing the ball up on the mound. He
tucks his shirt in a little bit, plays with his cap and steps on the rubber. BIG B gives him
the sign. He shakes it off.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (yells back)
                               Come on Hunt! This is the one, baby!

HUNT still shakes him off.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (continues)
                               Time out Ump!

BIG B rushes out to the mound. HUNT stands there rubbing the ball.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (continues)
                               He's not gonna call that pitch. He sees it coming
                               high and he calls it a ball before it reaches the plate....

                                                                                                                                            20.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (pounds the ball in his glove)
                               I don't care. He still have to see it enough and
                               maybe--

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (pulls off his mask)
                               Young men! Let's play ball!

BROS walks out to the mound. BRADY, the first baseman walks over.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (curious)
                               What's the problem here, folks?

                                                           BIG B
                                          (explains)
                               Hunt wants to throw his new pitch, but every time
                               he does, the Ump calls it a ball, Bros....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Okay Hunt...This is the deal...If he doesn't call it
                               this time, don't throw it anymore today....

The UMPIRE heads for the mound. BROS, Brady and BIG B leave right before he gets there.

                                                           UMPIRE
                               Let's please, play ball!

The BATTER steps up to the plate. He touches home plate with the bat. His eyes stare
right on HUNT. BIG B adjusts his mask as he squats down. HUNT winds up and delivers
his new pitch. It slowly comes toward the plate.The BATTER is looking up as the ball
travels to home plate. He takes the pitch.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               BALL!

                                                           BIG B
                                          (throws the ball hard to Hunt)
                               Don't say I didn't tell you....

HUNT stares angrily at the UMPIRE. He pounds the ball in his glove. HUNT looks in the
stands at his mother. He downs his head. He looks behind the plate and there stands THE
OLD MAN. He is smiling at HUNT. He jesters for HUNT to settle down.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

He is trying to tell HUNT something. HUNT nods his head. THE OLD MAN nods his
head. HUNT delivers the pitch. The BATTER swings and hit the ball between second and
first for a base hit.

                                                                                                                                            21.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (frustrated)
                               Dog! I threw that right down the middle of the plate.

BROS HENRY and the bench is cheering HUNT on.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Come on Hunt...One hit don't hurt, just keep
                               pitching--come on!

HUNT straddles the rubber, bends over with glove hand on knee. He gets the sign from
BIG B, looks toward first base as the RUNNER eases off. HUNT pulls on his cap, then go
into his stretch. The BATTER eases a little farther from the base. HUNT'S glove is at his
waste as he pauses. He looks toward home, begins to deliver the ball as he kicks and
raises his leg toward first base while looking home, throwing and telegraphing the ball to
first base. The RUNNER is caught between second and first. He decides to go to second.
The second baseman tags him out.

                                                           OTHER TEAM COACH
                                          (rushes over to the umpire)
                               Wait! Wait PORTER! That's a balk!

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (explains the rule)
                               Jim! Calm down! The kid is smart...The rules
                               state that he has to lean toward home, his
                               shoulders were square and positioned toward first
                               base. He had no movement toward home....Play ball!

JIM heads back to the bench as he kicks toward the ground. He is very upset over the call....

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

A BLACK MAN sits down besides HUNT'S mother, MS. MAE.

                                                           BLACK MAN
                                          (curious)
                               Mam. My name is Lucious....Can I be a little nosy
                               here?

MS. MAE looks around at him....

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (jokes)
                               He's too young to play for the Major Leagues.

The BLACK MAN laughs.

                                                           BLACK MAN
                               No. I guess he is. I wanna know what high school
                               is he going to attend? Pat Patterson played for the
                               Kansas City Monarch and he's a fine coach over
                               at Yates.

                                                                                                                                            22.

MS. MAE almost chokes on her cold drink.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (clears her throat)
                               Yates! I'm a Wheatleyite and my son gonna be the
                               same, I beg your pardon.

                                                           BLACK MAN
                                          (gets up to return to his seat)
                               It was just a thought, Miss....

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (yells at Hunt)
                               Be careful with Big McGee...He can hit the seams
                               off that baseball...Be careful, baby.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

MCGEE is walking up to the batter's box. He stretches with the bat. The bat looks like a
tooth pick in his hands. He take a few swings while eyeing HUNT on the mound. The
UMPIRE pulls out his brush and cleans home plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (kneels behind catcher)
                               Let's play ball!

MCGEE steps in the batter's box, legs spread wide as he waves the bat back and forth,
anxious to hit HUNT. HUNT throws his best curve right at head level of MCGEE.
MCGEE hits the dirt in a hurry. The ball curves right down the middle of the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (continues)
                               STRIKE ONE!

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

JIM, the coach from the other team shakes his head.

                                                           JIM
                                          (yells)
                               Come on McGEE! Stay in there!

HUNT stares at MCGEE as he steps back in the batter's box. He winds up and delivers.
MCGEE hits the ball.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

The FANS in the bleachers stand up thinking it's a home run. MCGEE is headed to first
base. The ball curves foul. MCGEE returns to home plate and BIG B takes a big breath.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (goes to the mound)
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            23.

                                                           BIG B (CONTINUED)
                               Hunt...Don't throw that pitch. He's a fast ball
                               hitter...He can't tip your curve ball...You crossed
                               me up...

                                                           HUNT
                                          (apologizes)
                               Sorry...I thought I could sneak my fast ball by him
                               since he was looking for the curve....

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (heads for the mound)
                               Play----

                                                           BIG B
                                          (Imitates as he returns)
                               Yeah. yeah..play ball!

MCGEE steps back in the batter's box feeling good about the foul ball. The Big left hand
hitter digs in. HUNT delivers a slow breaking curve that's coming right at MCGEE. He
leans back and the ball curves right over the middle of the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (raises his fist)
                               STRIKE THREE!

MCGEE walks out the batter's box angry as he hits the bat on the ground.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (yells)
                               That's what I'm talking about!

HUNT and the FIFTH WARDERS run off the field.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The THIRD WARDER'S TEAM comes out on the field. SAMMY, the pitcher is taking
his warm up pitches. He has a humming fast ball.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The FIFTH WARDER'S TEAM are watching SAMMY from their DUG OUT as he
throws hard from the mound. The UMPIRE is ready to dust off home plate when SAMMY
finish his warm up pitches. SAMMY throws his last pitch. The UMPIRE brushes home plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (puts his mask on)
                               Play ball!

BRADY steps in the batter's box. SAMMY winds up and delivers to the plate. BRADY
swings and misses....The CATCHER throws the ball back to SAMMY....He delivers the
pitch. BRADY swings and misses....SAMMY fast ball is humming past BRADY. BRADY
steps out the batter's box to gather himself...Then he steps back in. SAMMY wastes no
time in delivering to the plate.....BRADY swings and misses for STRIKE THREE.

                                                                                                                                            24.

BRADY walks back to the Dug Out shaking his head......

                                                           THE CATCHER
                                          (yells at Brady)
                               You can't hit what you don't see!

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

EXT. BALL GAME-LAST INNING-7TH

THE FIFTH WARDERS lead the game 1 to 0 in the 7th inning. SAMMY and HUNT are
sitting in the DUG OUT after three innings of work. This is the last inning. The PITCHER
for THE FIFTH WARDERS delivers the ball to home plate. THE BATTER pops it up to
BRADY, the first baseman. BRADY squeezes it in his glove and jumps sky high. THE
FIFTH WARDERS rejoice on the field.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BACKYARD-HUNT'S HOUSE-NIGHT

HUNT'S FATHER, CARL and his LONGSHOREMAN friends are in the backyard playing
dominoes.

                                                           LESTER
                                          (puts down a domino)
                               I heard about your son. They say, he can really
                               pitch that ball.

                                                           CARL
                               Yep...He started the game last week for the
                               Teenage All Stars.

                                                           BUSTER
                                          (slams the domino down)
                               Where did he learn to pitch like that, Carl?

                                                           CARL
                                          (slams the domino down)
                               Give me twenty five! Bros Henry took him under
                               his wings.....Saw something in the kid.....

MS. MAE comes out the house with bottles of beer. She put them on the table.

                                                           BUSTER
                                          (smiles)
                               Why, thank you Ms. Mae.

Everybody gives a nod of 'thank you' to MS. MAE.

                                                                                                                                            25.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (smiles)
                               I thought all you Longshoreman's deserve a little
                               refreshment after working on those ships all week.

MS. MAE turns to leave, but thinks of something to remind the men.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (reminds)
                               Oh, yeah...By the way, Hunt is pitching in the
                               championship game against The Kelly Court Boys.
                               If ya'll are not working a ship next week, please
                               come out. Hunt is gonna need ya'll support. This
                               team is really good.

Everybody nods.

                                                           CARL
                                          (laughs)
                               We gonna all be there, baby. Don't you worry.

                                                           EVERYBODY
                               That's right, Ms. Mae......

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. HUNT'S BEDROOM

HUNT is fast asleep in his bed. The tennis ball in his hand falls to the floor and rolls softly
under the dresser.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS-2:00AM-MORNING

ONE MAN is running ANOTHER MAN down the tracks shooting a GUN at him. The
footsteps are loud as they run on the heavy gravel. The sound of the gun rings through the
neighborhood....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. HUNT'S BEDROOM

HUNT wakes up in a sweat as the gun blast is loud in his ears. HUNT jumps from the bed
to the floor. Suddenly the gun shots stop. HUNTS mother enters his room to see if he is
all right. She consoles his trembling body.

                                                                                                                                            26.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (holds him in his arms)
                               Go back to sleep baby. It's just them old men
                               shooting at each other over some crooked dice at
                               that Hollywood Night Club down the railroad
                               tracks. I wish they would just sit a match to that
                               jute-joint. It makes no sense.

MS. MAE holds HUNT tight in her arms for a moment.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BASEBALL FIELD-MORNING

HUNT is sitting down on the bench looking out at the pitching mound. He is squeezing
the tennis ball in his left hand. He just stares over the field like day-dreaming about the
championship game. THE OLD MAN comes up and touches him on the shoulder. He
jumps up off the bench and looks around to see that it is THE OLD MAN.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (puts his head down)
                               Sorry...I didn't know---

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (smiles)
                               I shouldn't have walked up on you like that. I
                               know you have a lot on your mind these days.
                               The championship game, huh?

                                                           HUNT
                               Sort of....

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                               Listen....Sit down here for a minute.

HUNT and THE OLD MAN sit down on the bench.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (continues)
                               Life is a game of winning and losing.  But the
                               challenge comes when you can overcome losing
                               because sometimes you can't win all the time.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (squeezes tennis ball)
                               But losing hurts, Old Man.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (smiles)
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            27.

                                                           THE OLD MAN (CONTINUED)
                               I know, but you're just a kid. You can overcome---
                               but me, at my age, that's another story....

HUNT laughs.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (curious)
                               Why are you so interested in me. I hardly know
                               you, but you have taught me so much. It's almost
                               like you came from heaven.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (laughs)
                               I don't know about all that, but one day I hope to
                               be there. You reminds me of myself when I was a
                               pitcher.

                                                           HUNT
                               You pitched in the Major Leagues?!

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                               No! That was forbidden fruit....Black man during
                               my days couldn't even think about the major
                               leagues. Later they let Jackie in.....

                                                           HUNT
                               I didn't know. It was that hard, huh?

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                               Still is. But we had a Negro league back then....It
                               was just as good as the major leagues.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (interested)
                               Really! All black ball players!

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                               That's right--and I was a left hand pitcher just like
                               you. I played for the Kansas City Monarchs....I
                               see something in you, kid and you're good. So
                               come on, I brought my tool with me today. You
                               gonna get another lesson.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

THE OLD MAN on the pitcher's mound is going through different pitching motions as
HUNT imitates him.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (demonstrates)
                               If you throw three quarters and over-hand, have
                               two pitches, fast ball and curve....If you throw
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            28.

                                                           THE OLD MAN (CONTINUED)
                               overhand, have two pitches. All ways have two
                               pitches for each deliver. The batter can't guess
                               what you gonna throw....Come on Let's put it into
                               practice......

THE OLD MAN walks to home plate, turns and kneels down. HUNT winds up and
throws to the plate.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. STREETS-AFTERNOON

HUNT is walking down the street eating an ice cream cone. THREE GIRLS are sitting on
a porch as he passes by. He doesn't pay them any attention....They are trying to get his
attention...

                                                           ANNA MAE
                                          (yells)
                               You sure are cute!

HUNT turns around as he finishes his ice cream cone.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (taps her on the shoulder)
                               Girl! You crazy!

                                                           BOBBIE
                                          (waves at him)
                               Well. It's the truth...He is cute....

SUSAN has long black hair. It catches HUNT'S eyes. He turns and heads toward their
porch. ANNA MAE and BOBBIE run and hide. SUSAN stays.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (laughs)
                               Ya'll bother the boy and then run like cats....I'm
                               staying right here....

HUNT walks up to the porch.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (walks up to porch)
                               What happened to your friends?

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (serious)
                               They ran like jack rabbits in the house. They are
                               my cousins.

                                                                                                                                            29.

BOBBIE AND ANNA MAE are snickering inside the house.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (continues)
                               You play baseball?...

                                                           HUNT
                               Yep...I'm a pitcher

                                                           SUSAN
                               You really must love that game....You pass here
                               everyday, squeezing that tennis ball and carrying
                               that glove.

                                                           HUNT
                               I do......

                                                           SUSAN
                               I don't know that much about the game.....

                                                           HUNT
                               If you really want to know about the
                               game....Sometimes when I pass by, I will stop and
                               teach you what I know.

                                                           SUSAN
                               I don't care, if sometimes you see me on the porch
                               with my silly little cousins...

                                                           HUNT
                               What's your name?

                                                           SUSAN
                               Susan...just call me Sue....

                                                           HUNT
                               My name is Hunt....Well I'll see you later.....

HUNT takes off walking down the street. ANNA MAE and BOBBIE hurry out the house
and sit down beside SUSAN. They are laughing.

                                                           BOBBIE AND ANNA MAE
                                          (laughs)
                               I think that little cute boy likes you!

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (responds)
                               Maybe and maybe not---and ya'll are so---

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

                                                                                                                                            30.

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BASEBALL FIELD-EVENING

THE KELLY COURT BOYS are arriving for the big game as they walk across to their
Dug Out. THE RAGGEDY NINE is on the other side of the field. HUNT is warming up
for the game. Others are doing sprints up and down the Sideline. Folks crowd into
bleachers, children, parents and friends. HUNT looks over at his mother and waves. He
sees SUSAN with her friends. He waves and smiles at her.The Umpire is putting on his
gear. The sound of baseballs are sounding in the gloves of the players and pitchers. It is a
typical hot evening in HOUSTON, TEXAS. BIG B catches the last ball from HUNT. He
rushes to the bench and starts putting on his gear. The first base UMPIRE is checking all
the bases to make sure they are secure. Everyone is waiting patiently for the pitcher to
throw the first ball.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               Play ball!

THE RAGGEDY NINE is the home team, so they run out on the field as HUNT pulls off
his jacket and slowly walks to the pitcher's mound. BRADY and all other INFIELDERS
are throwing the ball around the horn. BRADY catches the ball and runs over to the mound.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (hands the ball to Hunt)
                               It's your game to win, baby...This is it.......

HUNT is speechless as he nods to BRADY. He takes a deep breath while rubbing the new
ball in his hands. HUNT looks around at everybody's position on the field. Everybody is in
place. The first BATTER comes up to the plate and steps in the batter's box. He waves his
bat back and forth as the UMPIRE kneels behind the CATCHER. HUNT steps on the
pitcher's rubber, props his glove on one knee and looks down to home plate for the sign
from BIG B.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (flashes two fingers)
                               Come on, Hunt, baby! Show him what you got!

HUNT winds up and throws a fast ball.

                                                           UMPIRE
                               STRIKE!

The BATTER steps out the box and straightens his cap. He steps back in while thumping
home plate with his bat. HUNT winds up and throws his new curve, 'beyond the seams.' It
drops right in th middle of the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                               STRIKE!

THE COACH of THE KELLY COURT BOYS yells at the BATTER..

                                                           COACH
                               Come on Pete! Don't just stand there!

HUNT winds up and throws the same pitch. The BATTER thinks it is going to be high. It

                                                                                                                                            31.

drops right in the middle of the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                               STRIKE THREE!

The BATTER returns to the Dug Out with his bat on his shoulder.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (yells)
                               That's what I'm talking about, Hunt!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BASEBALL GAME-7TH INNING

Everybody is quiet in the bleachers. THE KELLY COURT BOYS are leading 1-0.
BRADY is at bat with two men out. This is their last chance to score. THE KELLY
COURT BOY'S PITCHER winds up and throws a wide breaking curve and BRADY
misses it by a mile. The game is over. THE KELLY COURT BOYS celebrates on the field.
HUNT is crying on the bench. CARL and MS. MAE comes over to console him.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. JMG. BARBECUE PLACE-BENCH-NOON

HUNT is sitting outside his mother's MS. MAE'S barbecue place. His baseball glove is
laying on the bench. HUNT is staring into space like he just lost his best friend. BIG B
walks up with his glove.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (sits down on the bench)
                               I thought we were going to practice on your new
                               pitches today...I went by your house and you
                               weren't there.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (wipes his eyes)
                               The season is over and we are losers.....Anyway,
                               Bros Henry is calling me a cry baby--even teased
                               me and said he was gonna buy me a pretty doll....

                                                           BIG B
                               Come on, Hunt....You know Bros ain't
                               serious....He just like to joke....It was a close
                               game and you threw your best....Come on, I'm
                               gonna buy you a link sandwich. I got some money....

                                                           HUNT
                               I'm not hungry, Big B. I don't know whether I
                               will ever pitch again.

                                                                                                                                            32.

                                                           BIG B
                               Don't ever say that! You're too good to say that,
                               Hunt...Those boys were good if they beat you.....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

THREE CUSTOMERS comes out of the BARBECUE PLACE with orders in their hands.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

BIG B and HUNT are still sitting on the bench. HUNT has a stone face look. BIG B is
trying to snap him out of it.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (suggests)
                               What about going to the canteen tonight?....I'll
                               ask your mother, can you go...

HUNT yells out.

                                                           HUNT
                               BIG B! I don't feel like doing nothing!

                                                           BIG B
                               I was just trying to cheer my friend up---I didn't
                               mean---

                                                           HUNT
                               I'm sorry, I didn't mean to holler at you......

MS. MAE sticks her head out the door.

                                                           MS. MAE
                               I didn't know you all were sitting out here.....And
                               Hunt quit pouting over one game....It's not the
                               end of the world......

                                                           BIG B
                               Ms. Mae...Can Hunt go to the Canteen with me
                               this evening at Fennigan Park?

                                                           MS. MAE
                               Just be careful--and Hunt, you be back before
                               twelve.....

                                                           HUNT
                               But I didn't---

                                                           BIG B
                               He will, Ms. Mae.....

MS. MAE closes the screen door and goes back inside the place.

FADE TO

                                                                                                                                            33.

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. FENNIGAN PARK GYM-CANTEEN-NIGHT

BLACK YOUNG GIRLS and BOYS are dancing on the floor. They are swinging out to
the music. BIG B is snapping his fingers in the corner. HUNT is standing and watching
folks dance. HUNT turns to leave. BIG B grabs him by the arm.

                                                           BIG B
                               Now where do you think you going, huh? Listen,
                               have fun!

BROS HENRY comes out the office. He looks over the dancers and beck for HUNT.
HUNT walks in the office. BROS HENRY closes the door.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

BROS HENRY hands HUNT a box. HUNT looks surprise.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (sits down)
                               Open it....

HUNT opens the box. He pulls out a little white doll.

                                                           HUNT
                               I don't understand, Bros...I don't play with dolls...

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Oh no! You fool me then, cause the way you
                               cried like a baby the other night, I thought I
                               would buy you a doll, Cry Baby!

HUNT throws the doll down and bursts out the office.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BASEBALL BLEACHERS-FULL MOON

HUNT goes to the baseball bleachers and sit alone, staring out at the baseball diamond. He
doesn't like the idea of BROS calling him a Cry Baby. His eyes are full of tears. THE OLD
MAN is sitting at the end of the bleachers. HUNT doesn't see him in the dark.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (in the dark)
                               Hunt!.....

HUNT jumps up and looks around.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (looks toward the old man)
                               Whose there?!

                                                                                                                                            34.

THE OLD MAN walks into the moonlight for HUNT to see him.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               The Old Man? Is that you?....What are you doing
                               here?

THE OLD MAN takes a seat on one of the bleachers.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                               Out there on the field and a full moon, it takes me
                               back when I was around your age especially after
                               a game I lost...Just the smell of the grass made me
                               want to play ball forever. I hated for the season to
                               end.

                                                           HUNT
                               You mean, you didn't wanna quit and walk away
                               forever like I feel right now?....

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (touches Hunt on the shoulder)
                               Quit! Because of a lost?! Revenge, yeah...but
                               never quit....Losing is a challenge for you to come
                               back. If it wasn't for losing, it wouldn't be any
                               challenge, Hunt---I gotta go, it's past my bed time.

THE OLD MAN gets up and as he walks away, he is singing.

                                                           THE OLD MAN
                                          (sings)
                               'Take me out to the ball game. Take me out with
                               the crowd,---buy me some peanuts and cracker
                               jacks. I don't care if we never get back.'

HUNT sits for awhile and stares out at the baseball field.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (rushes up to Hunt)
                               Hunt! I've been looking all night for you! Come
                               on. It's almost twelve! What're you doing out here
                               all alone?!

                                                           HUNT
                               I was talking to my friend, The Old Man.....

                                                           BIG B
                                          (looks around)
                               Old Man?!....Are you all right?

                                                           HUNT
                               Come on...I'll tell you about it on the way home.....

FADE TO

                                                                                                                                            35.

MUSIC-OLDIES

INT. BROS HENRY OFFICE-FENNIGAN PARK CENTER-MORNING

MR. WALKER, coach of PHILLIS WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM
is discussing the possibility of HUNT coming to his school. BROS HENRY is listening.

                                                           MR. WALKER
                                          (progressive)
                               Listen, Bros...We need this kid. Do you know
                               how many games we win a year?!

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (holds up his finger)
                               One......

                                                           MR. WALKER
                               Every high school baseball team loves to see
                               Wheatley baseball team step out on the field
                               because they know it's one in the win column for
                               them....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Listen...The kid is not going cross town to Yates
                               High school. His mother is a Wheatley
                               graduate....Stop biting your finger nails over
                               this....Go home and relax Frank....Hunt will be at
                               Wheatley High next year, I promise.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BASKETBALL COURT-MORNING

HUNT is sitting watching a group of his friends play basketball. BRADY goes up for a lay
up and comes down. He twists his ankle. He is rolling around on the ground.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (in pain)
                               Dog! Twisted my ankle!

                                                           HUNT
                                          (rushes over)
                               You all right, Brady?

BRADY gets up and limps off the court. OTHER PLAYERS just stand there looking as
he goes over to the bench and sits down.

                                                           ONE KID
                                          (yells)
                               Are we gonna finish the game or what?

                                                                                                                                            36.

                                                           ANOTHER KID
                               We short a person--unless lefty here not afraid of
                               hurting his pitching arm....Uh, Hunt?

HUNT walks on the court.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (serious)
                               Shut up and take the ball out!

HUNT steals the throw in and shoots a long shot that hits nothing but net.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (laughs)
                               Whew! Hunt. Did you curve that in the nets! Ya'll
                               didn't know Hunt is awesome on the court?.....

HUNT takes the ball out. He throws the ball in and on a give back, he split two defenders
for a lay-up.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (continues)
                               Game!

HUNT walks off the court as BRADY continues to laugh at the DEFENDING KIDS.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (puts on his shirt)
                               I gotta go....I got some work to do...See ya'll
                               later.....

HUNT takes off walking down the street.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               You see, boys. He is a very good pitcher, but
                               basketball--he's pretty good too.

BRADY laughs as the DEFENDING KIDS down their heads.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BASEBALL BLEACHERS-EVENING

HUNT is sitting in the bleachers. He is looking at the seams of the baseball. He twists his
wrist back and forth. A stray dog comes up to HUNT. The DOG stares at the baseball as
HUNT continues to twist his wrist, demonstrating different ways to throw the curve and
sinker. The DOG barks. HUNT gets up and pats the dog on the head. HUNT runs out to
the pitcher's mound. The DOG is right behind him. He steps on the pitching rubber as the
dog stands next to him. HUNT stares at home plate, winds up and throws home. The DOG

                                                                                                                                            37.

runs after the ball, picks it up with his mouth and runs back to HUNT. HUNT takes the
ball from his mouth.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (pets the dog)
                               That's a good boy! Good catcher! What's your
                               name?!

The DOG barks twice...

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               I'll just call you Barky...

HUNT throws the ball to home plate and BARKY retrieves it.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FRONT PORCH-HUNT COUSIN'S HOUSE-EVENING

HUNT is walking around the corner to his COUSIN WILTON'S house. WILTON is a
young musician and he plays in the middle school band. HUNT attends the same school.
HUNT walks up on the porch, sits down on the steps and waits until WILTON finishes his
solo....

                                                           WILTON
                                          (finishes)
                               Hunt....How you doing Cous?! Where's your Sax
                               Aint Sallie gave you. You were pretty good.....

                                                           HUNT
                               Yeah...I know--but I love sports better. Now you,
                               Sample, Wayne and Nesbit, ya'll going
                               places....Ya'll had everybody rocking in the
                               assembly last semester. Anyway I just stop by
                               when I heard you playing. I gotta go cut the
                               yard---you know my allowance.

WILTON laughs as HUNT walks back to his house around the corner. WILTON continues
to play his Sax.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. HUNT'S HOUSE-EVENING

HUNTS walks in the back door. He is playing around with the baseball. He goes in the

                                                                                                                                            38.

fridge, pours him a glass of milk. Suddenly two girls, HELEN and DELORES, his two
sisters jump from behind the kitchen door. HUNT jumps and spills milk on his clothes.

                                                           HELEN AND DELORES
                                          (joking around)
                               You thought you were going to get rid of your
                               sisters for the whole summer---fool you didn't we?
                               Betcha didn't mention our names all summer. Did
                               you?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (puts glass on table)
                               No! I didn't because ya'll woulda nagged me all
                               summer, just like you doing now. Anyway I
                               thought Big Mama was gonna keep ya'll in Hot
                               Springs all summer.

HUNT grabs a paper towel from the table and wipes the spill milk off his clothes.

                                                           HELEN
                               It's Delores's fault. If she hadn't swatted Big
                               Daddy's head with that fly swatter, thinking she
                               saw a fly, we would still be there. I think Big
                               Daddy was just fed up with the nagging too. So
                               here we are, brother.

                                                           HUNT
                               I was just getting over losing the championship
                               game---and now this...

                                                           HELEN
                               Well, you just going to have to put up with us for
                               the rest of the summer, baseball player....

                                                           DELORES
                                          (laughs)
                               Now, don't you worry. We won't tell Mama you
                               got a girlfriend.....

DELORES and HELEN laugh as they rush out the kitchen. HUNT just stands there
shaking his head at his nosy sisters.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BACK ALLEY-RALSTON DRUG STORE-MID MORNING

A GROUP OF OLD MEN are playing dominoes in the alley behind RALSTON DRUG
STORE. They are loud as the dominoes slam on the plywood table. ONE MAN pulls out
of his back pocket, a half pint of Gin and takes a big swallow. He frowns as he gulps it
down. The OLD MAN name is WALLY, HUNT'S UNCLE.

                                                                                                                                            39.

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                                          (wipes his forehead)
                               Whew!  That stings!

                                                           DOMINO PLAYER
                                          (laughs)
                               That straight Gin gonna take you to your grave
                               one day, Wally.....Give me fifteen.....

DOMINO PLAYER slams the domino on the table.

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                                          (laughs as he holds a domino up)
                               Uh, uh! Not this tough old man! And twenty five
                               on 'your you know what!'

UNCLE WALLY slams the domino on the table.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. ACROSS THE STREET FROM RALSTON DRUGS

HUNT is crossing the street.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

UNCLE WALLY sees HUNT coming toward him as he smiles.

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                                          (dominoes)
                               Domino! Give me what you got!....

UNCLE WALLY total the numbers on the dominoes.....

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                                          (continues)
                               Give me thirty!....

HUNT walks up to UNCLE WALLY. He's squeezing a tennis ball.

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                                          (continues)
                               Hey, boy! Now this is gonna be a major leaguer
                               one day....Have ya'll seen this young boy pitch?

The Men all grab the dominoes after the OTHER MAN finishes shuffling them. They nod
their heads as they peep at their domino hands.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (squeezing the ball)
                               How you doing Uncle Wally? It's not good to
                               build me up like that.....

                                                                                                                                            40.

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                               Ya'll, he just shy, but on the mound, he's meaner
                               than a scared cat.....Why you squeezing that
                               tennis ball?....The last person I saw do that was
                               Lefty Moneywell. He sure could thump that ball.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (turns to leave)
                               I gotta go, Uncle Wally.....

UNCLE WALLY goes in his pocket and pulls out a dollar bill....

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                               Wait! Take this and go buy you a big scoop of
                               vanilla ice cream across the street. Cool off...It's
                               hot out here...

HUNT turns and takes the money from UNCLE WALLY.

                                                           HUNT
                               Thanks Uncle Wally!

HUNT takes off running...

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                                          (laughs)
                               Now that's my boy....If we live long enough, we
                               all gonna be reading about my nephew...Yeah
                               sir....Give me twenty five!

UNCLE WALLY slams the domino on the table.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. GENEVA'S ICE CREAM PARLOR-NOON

HUNT is sitting in a booth alone, eating a big scoop of ice cream. SUSAN walks in the
door with a pair of shorts on. HUNT almost drops the ice cream as he stares at her. She
doesn't see him. Her back is to him. The YOUNG GIRL behind the counter comes over to
SUSAN.

                                                           THE YOUNG GIRL
                                          (leans against the counter)
                               May I help you?!.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (looks at the different flavors)
                               Give me a scoop of vanilla and strawberry.

HUNT kind of clears his throat, trying to get SUSAN attention. She still doesn't

                                                                                                                                            41.

acknowledge the sound.

                                                           THE YOUNG GIRL
                                          (hands her the ice cream)
                               Here you go......

SUSAN hands her twenty five cents. She turns to leave and spots HUNT sitting alone in
the corner eating ice cream. SUSAN smiles and walks toward HUNT.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (stands up near booth)
                               What are you doing sitting here all alone? I didn't
                               see you when I came in.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (squeezing his tennis ball)
                               I saw you, and you look so good, I just wanted to
                               stare.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (laughs)
                               Hunt, quit your flirting, you are embarrassing me.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (invites)
                               Why don't you sit down and eat your ice cream.
                               By the time you get home in this hot weather, it
                               will all be melted.

SUSAN pauses for a moment and then agrees.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (sit downs)
                               You right. So you still love the game of baseball.
                               I haven't seen you since the time my little nosy
                               cousins bother you on the way home....

SUSAN scoops up a spoon of ice cream and gentle puts it in her mouth.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (downs his head)
                               Just trying to recover from a big lost we had....But
                               I'm okay now. What about you?.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (smiles as takes a bite of ice cream)
                               Well...I've just been sitting around listening to
                               music with my cousins...and waiting for school to
                               start....I'm going to be a majorette when I get to
                               Wheatley next year.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excited)
                               I think I'm going to Wheatley next year too......

                                                                                                                                            42.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (ready to leave)
                               Listen...uh I gotta go...My silly little cousins are
                               waiting on me...We are practicing on some new
                               dances...

HUNT gets up too.

                                                           HUNT
                               I was just getting ready to leave too. I'll walk you
                               half way...I do like to be a gentleman....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (laughs)
                               Okay....But only half way...Those little silly cousin
                               will tease me all day if they see you.....

HUNT and SUSAN leave GENEVA'S ICE CREAM PARLOR.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BASEBALL FIELD-EVENING

HUNT is on the pitcher's mound. BIG B is behind the plate. BROS HENRY is teaching
HUNT some new throwing moves to third base and second base. HUNT goes through his
usual wind up with men on base.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (goes through the motion)
                               Now, a lefty can fake to third as long as he is not
                               on the pitching rubber, same goes for second....

BROS HENRY fakes to third base and quickly motion a throw to first, like trying to catch
the man off first....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (continues)
                               You got that? Sometimes you can catch that man
                               sleeping on first. It's a long shot....

HUNT imitates. He stretches, pause, steps off the pitcher's rubber, fakes to third and
throws to first base where BIG B is standing to catch it.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (continues)
                               Good! Perfect! That will keep the base runners
                               honest when they know you are up to tricks on
                               the mound....

HUNT does it again and again....

                                                                                                                                            43.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (continues)
                               Let's try second now....

BROS HENRY steps up on the mound. He stretches like a left hander, takes feet off
rubber and do a 360 degree turn and throws to second base....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (continues)
                               Your turn, Hunt.....

BIG B moves over to second base to catch the throw. HUNT steps up on the mound. He
goes through his stretch and pauses. He steps off the rubber, does a 360 degree turn and
fires to second base....

                                                           BIG B
                                          (swiping the base)
                               You're out!

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (teaching)
                               Now sometimes I will call for the center fielder to
                               sneak up behind the runner and cover second base
                               for the throw---that's a long shot. But sometimes
                               you can catch the runners sleeping--take
                               advantage--you are a lefty...Lefties are all ways
                               tricky on the mound....I gotta go attend to some
                               business.....

BROS HENRY turns to leave the baseball field.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (appreciates)
                               Thanks coach......

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Thank me later when you make Wheatley's
                               baseball team...

BROS HENRY disappears beyond the bleachers.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (pounding in his glove)
                               You ready to go to lunch. I can smell Ms. Mae's
                               barbecue.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (steps back on the mound)
                               Let's go through this one more time...

BIG B doesn't like the idea as he slowly gets in position at first base.

                                                                                                                                            44.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (shakes his head)
                               Aw man! We gonna be out here all day!

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. STREETS-EVENING-8:00PM

BIG B and HUNT are walking down the street eating barbecue.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (digging in the bag)
                               Boy, these regulars taste better than the good
                               barbecue.

HUNT is sucking on the bones. He throws them away and digs in the bag for more. Three
dogs comes running up the street and fight over the bones.....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

TWO MEN are running toward BIG B and HUNT. ONE MAN has a gun in his hand......

                                                           HUNT
                                          (yells)
                               He has a gun!

                                                           BIG B
                                          (holds on to the bag)
                               Come on, let's hide behind these bushes.

BIG B and HUNT hide in the bushes. ONE MAN is running for his life. They pass the
bushes....THE FEARFUL MAN slips and falls. He is so scared, he starts running on his
knees. The OTHER MAN catches him from behind.....

                                                           FEARFUL MAN
                                          (pleading)
                               Man! Please don't kill me!

                                                           THE OTHER MAN
                                          (puts the gun to the man's head)
                               Why did you shoot into my house last night?!.....

                                                           FEARFUL MAN
                                          (trembling)
                               Man! It wasn't me! Please man! Don't--

THE OTHER MAN pulls the trigger....

                                                                                                                                            45.

                                                           FEARFUL MAN
                                          (continues)
                               Aw God!.....

THE FEARFUL MAN holds his heart, thinking he is shot...The gun is empty as the other
man clicks it again.

                                                           THE OTHER MAN
                                          (looks at the gun)
                               You lucky this time!

THE OTHER MAN hits THE FEARFUL MAN up side the head with the butt of the gun.
He turns him loose. THE FEARFUL MAN takes off running down the street....THE
OTHER MAN turns and walks down the street in a different direction. BIG B and HUNT
come out of hiding eating their barbecue regulars....

                                                           BIG B
                                          (sucking on a bone)
                               That scared cat was lucky.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BLEACHERS-EVENING

THE OLD MAN is sitting staring out at the baseball field. THE OLD MAN leans back to
rest his back. He doses off to sleep. He has a baseball in his left hand. BARKY comes up
to THE OLD MAN. He barks for him to throw the ball, but THE OLD MAN doesn't move.
BARKY takes the ball from his hand with his mouth. He runs and turns to THE OLD
MAN, but no response. BARKY runs to home plate and drops the ball, looking for THE
OLD MAN to respond. BARKY lays down on home plate and whines.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. PARADISE CEMETERY-MORNING-GRAVE SITE-THE OLD MAN

HEAD STONE READS: LEFTY MONEYWELL-1899-PRESENT

HUNT stands at the grave site, tears running down his cheeks. He places flowers on the
grave. He wipes his eyes. He puts two baseballs along side of the flowers. BARKY runs
over and sniffs the grave. He barks. HUNT bends down and pets him on the head.

                                                           HUNT
                               Now I know your name, Lefty Moneywell. They
                               said you were the best around here---sure gonna
                               miss you....I'll see you around, Lefty
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            46.

                                                           HUNT (CONTINUED)
                               Moneywell....Your grave site reads 1899-
                               present....So I guess you are still here. I'll always
                               remember what you taught me, Beyond The
                               Seams.......

HUNT dries his eyes, turns and walks away. BARKY follows him.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (looks back at Barky)
                               Come on boy....Let's go catch some baseball....

BARKY barks as he takes off running ahead of HUNT.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL-ATHLETIC OFFICE-MORNING-TWO YEARS
LATER

HUNT is talking with the baseball coach, MR. WALKER. MR. WALKER is serious about
his baseball team. But the team is always in last place. MR. WALKER shows him a picture
of LEFTY MONEYWELL.....

                                                           MR. WALKER
                                          (hands him the picture)
                               Take a good look at this picture.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excited)
                               Lefty Moneywell--The Old Man! Is this him when
                               he was young?.....

                                                           MR.WALKER
                                          (laughs)
                               That's him....Some thinks they still see him on the
                               baseball field....He died---

                                                           HUNT
                               Two years ago---

                                                           MR.WALKER
                               Uh,uh...ten years ago....Every left hand pitcher
                               that have come through here swears he comes
                               back to teach them a few things on the mound.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (shocked)
                               That can't be. I saw him two years ago and he
                               taught me so many things. He had a dog name
                               Barky.....

                                                                                                                                            47.

                                                           MR. WALKER
                               Maybe so....I'm not a Lefty. But I do know, a
                               spirit can pop up anytime or any place.......I'm not
                               gonna question a lefty.....We just glad to have you
                               at Wheatley High.....Bros Henry told me all about
                               you....See you in the Spring.....

HUNT walks away as MR. WALKER rambles through some old papers on his desk
mumbling to himself.

                                                           HUNT
                               The Old Man is a spirit! How can that be?! Maybe
                               I will see him again...

MR. WALKER looks up and shakes his head.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL FIELD-SPRING-AFTERNOON

WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL baseball team is playing a practice game among each other.
HUNT is pitching for the A-team. He is on the mound and his teenage catcher, BIG B is
catching behind the plate. All eyes are on HUNT. BRADY, his teenage first baseman for
THE RAGGEDY NINE is on first base. MR. WALKER is standing behind the pitcher,
observing the pitches. HUNT steps on the pitching rubber as the FIRST BATTER steps in
the batter's box....HUNT winds up and throw the first pitch.....

                                                           MR. WALKER
                                          (yells at the batter)
                               That was down the middle of the plate son....Take
                               the bat off your shoulder and swing.....

BIG B throws the ball back to HUNT. He squats and gives HUNT a sign. HUNT steps
back on the rubber, winds up and throws a curve drop ball. The BATTER misses a mile.

                                                           MR. WALKER
                                          (continues)
                               Now that was a hell of a pitch, Hunt....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles as he rubs the ball)
                               That one is called 'Beyond The Seams.'

                                                           MR. WALKER
                                          (smiles)
                               Next thing you gonna tell me is that Lefty
                               Moneywell taught you that pitch.

                                                           HUNT
                               Yes sir, Mr. Walker, he sure did....

                                                                                                                                            48.

MR. WALKER takes off his cap and scratch his head.

                                                           MR. WALKER
                               Play ball, please......

HUNT winds up, delivers a dipping curve to the plate. The BATTER misses the ball as the
bat slips out of his hands.....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The next BATTER strikes out on sweeping curves.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The next BATTER strikes out. No one can hit HUNT'S pitches. He just handcuffs every
hitter that comes up.

                                                           MR. WALKER
                                          (shakes his head)
                               I've seen enough....Give me two laps....Practice is
                               over for today.

The TEAM takes off running around the field.....

                                                           ONE PLAYER
                                          (confident)
                               Man! Hunt got some stuff! We should win some
                               games this year....

                                                           ANOTHER PLAYER
                                          (agrees)
                               He's good. We gonna need him because Sammy
                               and McGee went to Yates.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. STREETS-SUSAN AND HUNT WALKING-AFTER SCHOOL-AFTER-NOON

HUNT is walking SUSAN half way home. He is carrying her books. They are laughing
and joking with each other.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (curious)
                               Susan. Can I ask you a question?

                                                           SUSAN
                               It all depends.....

                                                                                                                                            49.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               No. Not anything personal....Do you believe that
                               spirits can talk to you and you can see them like
                               an everyday person.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (thinks)
                               My Aunt told me when her husband died. He
                               came back to the house everyday---I don't
                               know.....Why you wanna know?

HUNT remembers if he doesn't hurry, he's going to be late for practice. He hands the
books to SUSAN.

                                                           HUNT
                               Sorry...I'm running late for practice....I'll call you
                               tonight.

HUNT runs off as SUSAN just stands there shaking her head....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BACK ALLEY- RALSTON DRUG STORE-MORNING

UNCLE WALLY is reading a newspaper clipping on Wheatley High baseball team. The
DOMINO MEN come and pull up chairs to the table. They all sit down.

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                                          (chuckles)
                               That's my boy! He done threw two one hitters
                               already for Wheatley!

ONE DOMINO MAN starts shuffling the dominoes. He stops and others grab their hands.
UNCLE WALLY pulls out his half pint of gin and takes a big swallow.

                                                           ONE DOMINO PLAYER
                                          (looks at his hand)
                               Have they played Yates yet? Now that's gonna be
                               the real test. They got Sammy and Big Mcgee. If
                               he whip them, he's better than I thought....

                                                           UNCLE WALLY
                                          (laughs)
                               Well, it's better said than done....Twenty five on
                               your old gray beard and you know what! And
                               that's for not being a believer!

FADE TO

                                                                                                                                            50.

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. FENNIGAN PARK CENTER-CANTEEN-NIGHT

YOUNG BOYS and GIRLS are dancing to the sound of R&B. They are having a great
time. BIG B is swinging out with a GIRL.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

Everybody steps back to let BIG B take the floor. BIG B is showing his different swing
out moves. Everybody is clapping him on. BIG B and his PARTNER dance off the floor.
ANOTHER COUPLE takes his place as the interchange on the floor continues. SUSAN
and HUNT are looking and clapping their hands. HUNT grabs SUSAN by the hand and
leads her through the crowd.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BLEACHERS-NIGHT-FULL MOON

SUSAN and HUNT are sitting in the bleachers. They are kissing. SUSAN pulls back and
take a long look at HUNT. She looks away.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (apologizes)
                               I'm sorry--I just---

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (touches his lips with her finger)
                               It's okay, Hunt.....

They pause for a moment without a word.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (looks at Susan)
                               You are so pretty--I know you hear that a lot
                               from other boys...

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (smiles)
                               I do--but it doesn't matter. When I hear it from
                               you, it matters....

SUSAN kisses HUNT. HUNT responds as they hold each other like love birds.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (pulls back)
                               Can I ask you something?

                                                                                                                                            51.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (interested)
                               Sure....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (curious)
                               What makes a black man like you love baseball so
                               much.

HUNT gets up, takes SUSAN hand and leads her to the baseball field....

                                                           HUNT
                               I'll show you. Come on...

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (chuckles)
                               What are you doing?

                                                                                                    CUT TO

SUSAN and HUNT are standing on top of the pitching mound.

                                                           HUNT
                               Up here, I feel like I'm a king, a magician. When I
                               can make a batter miss or ground out or fly out
                               with bases loaded. It's like a game of chess with
                               me and the batter....I am a thinker instead of a
                               warrior....The smell of the spring grass calls me
                               every year to this place on the pitcher's mound to
                               compete with the batter.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (downs her head)
                               I see......That's great.....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK GYM-CANTEEN

THE YOUNG PEOPLE are running out the door. TWO BOYS are fighting...One boy
pulls out a razor and starts swinging it at the OTHER BOY. the other boy is trying to
defend himself.....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

SUSAN and HUNT run toward the crowd standing on the outside of the gym. BIG B is
standing in the crowd as he takes a breath of relief. HUNT and SUSAN rush through the
crowd to BIG B.

                                                           HUNT
                               BIG B! What happened?

                                                                                                                                            52.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (explains)
                               You see..it was this dude from Yates wearing his
                               school colors, red and gold....You know them bad
                               cousins, well they had him backed up in a corner
                               and he came out slicing, man---with a razor---I
                               think he cut up one of the cousins pretty bad---
                               and took off running down the street....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The sound of the AMBULANCE is on it's way. YOUNG PEOPLE move to the side as the
SLAIN COUSIN stumbles out the door and falls.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (turns her head)
                               Hunt...Please...Let's go.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. HUNT'S HOUSE-KITCHEN-MORNING-MONDAY

HUNT pours the last of the milk in his cereal. Delores comes in. She opens the fridge,
looking for milk....

                                                           DELORES
                                          (closes the fridge)
                               Mama just bought that milk the other day---and
                               you done drank it all up already.....What about
                               leaving me some sometimes....

HUNT picks up his books from the table.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (serious)
                               I don't wanna here nothing this morning...It's too
                               early...Bye--and you better get ready for school
                               before Big Mama send you off to Boarding
                               School like she did Helen...

                                                           DELORES
                                          (responds)
                               No way I'm going to any Boarding School.....

HUNT exit the back door, laughing....

FADE TO

                                                                                                                                            53.

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL-BASEBALL FIELD-EVENING

WHEATLEY BASEBALL Team is taking laps around the field. The coach is standing on
home plate with a watch in his hands.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (yells)
                               Come on! I said sprints, not walk!

The FIRST BOY is sprinting toward home plate...He is almost there.....

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (continues)
                               Get down! Hook slide to the left!

BRADY is sprinting fast to home plate.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (continues)
                               Hit the dirt, Brady!

BRADY does a belly slide on home plate....

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (continues)
                               Okay! Everybody up!

All the PLAYERS sprint up to home plate.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (teaching)
                               Baseball is a technical game. It's the small
                               mechanics of the sport that makes you a winner in
                               this game...And your legs and arms must be
                               strong, especially pitchers....Are there any questions?

                                                           BIG B
                                          (raises his hand)
                               I have one, Coach!

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (acknowledge)
                               Go ahead, Big B....

                                                           BIG B
                               Where are we in the standings?....

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (responds)
                               Good question...Do ya'll really wanna know?

                                                                                                                                            54.

                                                           THE TEAM
                                          (loud)
                               Yes sir!

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (pulls out a stat card)
                               We are now in second place, one game behind
                               Yates High....

                                                           THE TEAM
                                          (excited)
                               All right! All right! Yates! Here we come!

COACH WALKER raises his hands for silence. THE TEAM acknowledges and is quiet.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (explains)
                               Listen....I know this is the best team Wheatley has
                               ever had in many years. Everybody used to see us
                               coming and laugh...not anymore...We are
                               whipping butts. Not taking anything away from
                               all the players, but I would like to give a special
                               thanks to one hell of a left hand pitcher, Hunt!

THE TEAM cheers and clap, giving HUNT the praise for his work on the pitchers mound.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (continues)
                               Hunt...Thanks for coming to Wheatley High....We
                               couldn't have done it without your effort and
                               determination to win---and pick all those other
                               team players off first base....

The TEAM cheers as HUNT stands bashfully with a smile.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                               Now! Let's get some batting practice in. Booker
                               T High is next week. A game we gotta have to
                               keep pace with Yates.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. HUNT'S HOUSE-FRONT YARD-MORNING

HUNT is cutting his front yard. The sound of the LAWNMOWER mowing the grass roars
through the early morning. A FREIGHT TRAIN blows it's whistle at the railroad crossing
as HUNT stops to wipe the sweat from his face, then he continues to push the
LAWNMOWER. The FREIGHT TRAIN stops, blocking the railroad crossing. TWO
YOUNG BOYS around ten years old runs up to the tracks to cross over. HUNT stops
pushing the LAWNMOWER to observe.

                                                                                                                                            55.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (yells)
                               Don't do it!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The TWO YOUNG BOYS ignore HUNT'S warning and climbs between the FREIGHT
CARS and jump down to the other side of railroad crossing.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

HUNT shakes his head as he starts up the LAWNMOWER again. BIG B rides up on his
bicycle. He is trying to get HUNT'S attention.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (yells)
                               Hey! Hunt!

HUNT turns and stops the LAWNMOWER.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (wipes his face)
                               What're you doing up so early, Big B? I thought
                               we were going to the park this afternoon.

BIG B pulls a newspaper from his back pocket as he parks the bike.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (opening the paper)
                               Look! You made the Informer.

HUNT walks toward BIG B. BIG B hands HUNT the newspaper. HUNT reads the
HEADLINES.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES READS: WHEATLEY HIGH LEFT HAND ACE

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. FENNIGAN PARK CENTER-BROS HENRY OFFICE-EVENING

BROS HENRY and COACH WALKER are sitting and chatting about HUNT.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (looking through some papers)
                               Listen, Frank, I got a call from a Chicago Cubs'
                               Scout last week.

                                                                                                                                            56.

                                                           WALKER
                                          (curious)
                               What did he want?

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (sits back in his chair)
                               Well, he wants to scout Hunt.

                                                           WALKER
                                          (curious)
                               In practice or what?

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               He wants to be at your game this week.

                                                           WALKER
                               HUNT is not pitching this week. I'm saving him
                               for the Yates High game in two weeks. I don't
                               wanna ruin his arm.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               I know. Can't you bend the rules a little...It's not
                               like he's going to sign the kid. He just wanna have
                               a look at him.....

                                                           WALKER
                                          (takes a deep breath)
                               Okay...I'll think of something to get him in the game.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               Don't tell the kid. He might get too nervous....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BLEACHERS-NIGHT-FULL MOON

HUNT and SUSAN are kissing. SUSAN pushes back, gets up and walks to the fence.
HUNT thinks something is wrong. He walks up to her.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (put his arms around her)
                               Did I do something wrong, Susan?

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (tears in her eyes)
                               I think I'm falling in love with you.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (turns her gentle around)
                               Me too.....

                                                                                                                                            57.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (cries)
                               But...we're too young for this, Hunt!

SUSAN turns around and look out over the baseball field.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (continues)
                               You love baseball! I can't compete with
                               that....What if--

                                                           HUNT
                                          (turns her gentle back around)
                               The love for baseball and the love for you are two
                               different things here---come on. Let's not confuse
                               ourselves. Okay?

HUNT and SUSAN hold each other as the evening fades away under the full moonlight.

FADE TO

MUSIC

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL FIELD-PRESS BOX-AFTERNOON

A BIG WHITE MAN, wearing sun glasses and a stingy brim hat is sitting in the PRESS
BOX. COACH WALKER is talking to him. BOOKER T and WHEATLEY HIGH teams
are warming up for the game. HUNT is laughing and joking with BRADY.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The TEAMS on the field. BRADY is teasing HUNT.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (tease)
                               You bad...You got you a day off...just like all the
                               stars.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               Alexander is good...He'll win this one for us. He
                               got good stuff....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

ALEXANDER is warming up with BIG B on the Sidelines.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The UMPIRE is brushing off home plate. He puts on his gear. COACH WALKER and
BOOKER T'S COACH walk over to the UMPIRE and gives him the player's list. The
UMPIRE looks at the list as the two coaches shake hands. They return back to their Dugouts.

                                                                                                                                            58.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (in front of home plate)
                               Let's play ball!

WHEATLEY HIGH TEAM takes the field as ALEXANDER walks slowly to the pitcher's
mound. The INFIELDERS pass the ball around the horn. Then the first baseball walks up
to the mound, rubs the ball up a little and puts it in ALEXANDER'S glove.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (puts ball in pitcher's glove)
                               All right, Alex...We need this one...Throw
                               strikes...We're behind you, baby....

                                                           ALEXANDER
                                          (smiles as he rubs the ball)
                               Thanks.....

BOOKER T FIRST BATTER steps in the batter's box. The UMPIRE kneels down behind
the catcher, BIG B. ALEXANDER winds up and throw the baseball to home plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (throws up his right hand)
                               STRIKE!

BRADY pounds in his glove at first base.

                                                           BRADY
                               That's what I'm talking about Alex...Throw
                               strikes, baby!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The BIG WHITE SCOUT is drinking a soda up in the PRESS BOX. He is observing
everything in a quiet manner, waiting patiently for HUNT to enter the game.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

4TH INNING-ALEXANDER ON PITCHER'S MOUND-SCORE-3-0

BRADY comes over to the mound to chat with ALEXANDER.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (encourages)
                               Three more innings to go, baby...you doing
                               good...Throw strikes....

BRADY trots back over to first base.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

COACH WALKER is talking to HUNT. HUNT looks surprise.

                                                                                                                                            59.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (surprise)
                               But Coach, the score is 3-0, we're leading and
                               Alex got good stuff.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (trying to keep secret)
                               Listen, I know that, but somebody up in the press
                               box came way out here to see you pitch---and I
                               wasn't suppose to tell you this secret---

COACH WALKER looks around and tells his second CATCHER to warm up HUNT.

                                                           SECOND CATCHER
                                          (looks surprise)
                               But Coach---

                                                           COACH WALKER
                               Move, boy!

The second CATCHER grabs his glove and hurries down the side line to the pitching area.
HUNT hesitates.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (curious)
                               I don't understand Coach--Who is this person?...

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (pulls off his cap)
                               Hunt. Listen, a Chicago Cub's scout is up there in
                               the press box.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (freezes)
                               Chicago Cubs!

HUNT looks up to the press box and sees this BIG WHITE MAN with sun glasses eating
peanuts, waiting for HUNT to enter the game.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (yells)
                               Hunt! Make it snappy, boy!

HUNT runs down the sideline to the pitcher's rubber and starts warming up. He is nervous
and happy.....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The THIRD BATTER steps in the batter's box. ALEXANDER is walking around the
mound rubbing up the baseball. Just before he steps back on the mound, COACH
WALKER calls time...He goes over to talk with the UMPIRE.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

                                                                                                                                            60.

THE INFIELDERS comes in and stand around the mound wondering what's going on.
COACH WALKER, after explaining to the UMPIRE, motions for HUNT to come in the
game. COACH WALKER walks up to the mound. HUNT is on his way....

                                                           BRADY
                                          (curious)
                               Coach...What're you doing...The score is 3-0 and
                               Alex is pitching great..I don't under---

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (interrupts)
                               I will explain later. Alex...I'll make it up to
                               you...You pitched a great game.

ALEXANDER gives the ball to COACH WALKER as he walks quietly off the field with
out a word. HUNT walks up to the mound. COACH WALKER gives HUNT the ball.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (continues)
                               Do your best. Chicago Cubs are watching....

BRADY over hears the name CHICAGO CUBS as he is returning to first base. COACH
WALKER walks off the field, but BRADY trots back over to HUNT....

                                                           BRADY
                                          (whispers)
                               Did I hear Chicago Cubs!

HUNT points his glove up to the press box in a mild way. BRADY sees this BIG WHITE
MAN with sunglasses on eating peanuts waiting patiently. He trots back over to first base.
He puts his glove up to the side of his mouth and whispers to the SECOND BASEMAN.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (whispering)
                               Chicago Cubs' scout.

The SECOND BASEMAN whispers to the SHORT STOP.

                                                           SECOND BASEMAN
                                          (whispering)
                               Chicago Cubs' Scout...

The SHORT STOP whispers to the THIRD BASEMAN.

                                                           SHORT STOP
                                          (whispering)
                               Chicago Cubs' Scout...

HUNT smiles as the BATTER steps in the batter box. HUNT looks up at the CHICAGO
CUBS' SCOUT and throws a sweeping curve to home plate. The BATTER swings and
misses. HUNT looks up in the Press Box as he rubs up the baseball.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

                                                                                                                                            61.

INT. PRESS BOX

The BIG WHITE CUBS' SCOUT smiles as he writes some information in his pad on HUNT.

                                                                                                    CUT TO:

HUNT is pitching in the seventh inning. Two men are out. BOOKER T TEAM is hitless
off of him and the score is still 3-0. HUNT looks up in the PRESS BOX and the BIG
WHITE SCOUT is still observing HUNT. HUNT steps on the mound, winds up and throw
the high pitch that drops in the middle of the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (raises his hand)
                               STRIKE!

BIG B throws the ball back to HUNT.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (laughs)
                               Throw that one again, Hunt!

The BATTER steps out the batter's box and steps back in. HUNT delivers another high
pitch that drops in the middle of the plate. The BATTER swings and misses. He steps out
the batter's box again and steps back in. HUNT winds up and throws a sweeping curve
that looks like it's going outside, but curves right in the middle of the plate. The BATTER
stands with the bat on his shoulder.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (raises his hand)
                               STRIKE! Game over!

HUNT looks up in the PRESS BOX. The CHICAGO CUBS' SCOUT puts his coat on and
exits. All his teammates know by now about the  CHICAGO CUBS' SCOUT. They
congratulate HUNT as he walks off the field.....The BIG WHITE SCOUT disappears as
HUNT looks toward the exit.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. BROS HENRY OFFICE-FENNIGAN PARK CENTER-MORNING

BROS HENRY is on the phone talking to The CHICAGO CUBS' SCOUT.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (holding the phone)
                               He's fifteen now......Yeah I know....We haven't
                               thought about that yet......I would appreciate it,
                               Bob. I'll keep you inform......Bye.....

HUNT walks into BROS'S office. He is happy.

                                                                                                                                            62.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excited)
                               Bros...Guess what?!

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               You were scouted by the Chicago Cubs....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (surprise)
                               How did you know?

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (pulls out a pad)
                               I just finished talking with him.

                                                           HUNT
                               You did?...

                                                           BROS HENRY
                               He said for you to keep up the good work. He
                               like what he saw.....And he would keep up with
                               your progress...

                                                           HUNT
                               I can't believe it! Chicago Cubs!

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT.  FENNIGAN PARK-BASEBALL FIELD-EVENING

HUNT is doing extra practice for the championship game against YATES next week. BIG
B is behind home plate ready to catch. HUNT is on the pitcher's mound.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (squats)
                               You ready?...

HUNT throws a fast ball down the middle of the plate. BIG B moves to the outside of the
plate.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (continues)
                               Come on...hit the outside corner.

HUNT throws an overhand curve ball that sinks right in the middle of the plate.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (continues)
                               That's enough Hunt...Save them pitches for Yates
                               next week.

                                                                                                                                            63.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. JMG BARBECUE PLACE-EVENING

BIG B and HUNT are sitting drinking soda and eating barbecue. MS. MAE is dipping
homemade ice cream up for a LADY CUSTOMER. The CUSTOMER waits patiently.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (hands the ice cream to customer)
                               Here you go Sue Jean.....

The LADY CUSTOMER pays MS. MAE

                                                           LADY CUSTOMER
                               Thank you, Ms. Mae....

                                                           MS. MAE
                               And tell your mama, I'll see her in church, Sunday...

The LADY CUSTOMER nods and exits. MS. MAE looks across the counter. BIG B and
HUNT are eating away at the barbecue ribs.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (continues)
                               Are ya'll all right over there?

                                                           BIG B AND HUNT
                               We're fine!

MS. MAE shakes her head and smiles.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL FIELD-CHAMPIONSHIP GAME-EVENING

YATES and WHEATLEY baseball teams are warming up on the Side Lines. PEOPLE are
crowding in the Stands. The UMPIRE is collecting Line Ups from COACH WALKER and
COACH PATTERSON at home plate. SAMMY TAYLOR, the fast ball pitcher for
YATES is throwing hard down in the Bull Pen. HUNT is throwing hard on the other side
in the Bull Pen. The UMPIRE puts the Line Ups in his back pocket and bends down to
wipe the plate with his little brush.

                                                           COACH PATTERSON
                               Okay...Everybody up.

                                                                                                                                            64.

YATES team sprints over to COACH PATTERSON

                                                                                                    CUT TO

COACH WALKER calls his WHEATLEY team up. They hurry over to him as he stands
looking over his Line Up.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                               Listen...It's your game to win---We are not
                               satisfied with second place. If we win, we share
                               first place with Yates-and that's call, Co-City
                               Champs...Are you a believer?

                                                           WHEATLEY TEAM
                               YES!

                                                           COACH WALKER
                               Well. Prove it out there today....Beat Yates!

                                                           WHEATLEY TEAM
                               Beat Yates! Beat Yates! We ready!

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (puts his gear on)
                               Let's play ball!

WHEATLEY is the home team. They sprint out on the field. BRADY passes the ball
around the horn. HUNT kisses the rabbit's foot around his neck as he walks slowly up to
the pitcher's mound. MS. MAE and CARL, his father are in the Stands. SAMMY and
McGee watch carefully from the YATES' BENCH. The FIRST BATTER for YATES
steps up to the plate. He steps in the batter's box waving his bat back and forth. HUNT
stares at the plate to get a sign from BIG B. He shakes the first sign off.

                                                           BIG B.
                                          (flashes another sign)
                               Is this the one!

HUNT nods his head,winds up and throws a sharp curve. The BATTER fouls the pitch off.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               Foul ball.

The UMPIRE throws another ball out to HUNT.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

COACH PATTERSON is standing at the end of his DUGOUT.

                                                           COACH PATTERSON
                                          (yells)
                               Watch his sneaky fast ball, Louis!....

                                                                                                                                            65.

HUNT takes the three finger sign from BIG B. Hunt winds up and throws a hanging curve.
The BATTER swings and grounds out to FIRST BASE. BRADY scoops it up and beats
the RUNNER to the bag. The WHEATLEY INFIELDERS pass it around the horn.
BRADY lightly tosses the ball back to HUNT....

                                                           BRADY
                                          (comments)
                               You looking good, Hunt!

HUNT steps back on the mound. The SECOND BATTER comes to the plate. He digs in,
taps the bat on home plate and gets into his crouch stance. HUNT winds up and delivers a
fast ball right down the middle of the plate. The BATTER swings for a hit between
SHORT STOP and SECOND BASE. He rounds first base , but doubles back when
WHEATLEY CENTER FIELDER retrieves the ball quickly.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (yells)
                               Let's play for two! Come on Hunt! That hit was
                               an accident.

The THIRD YATES' BATTER steps up to the plate with BIG MCGEE waiting in the ON
DECK CIRCLE. HUNT straddles the pitching rubber. The RUNNER eases off first base.
HUNT stretches and comes to a stop at the waist. He eyes the RUNNER. The RUNNER
stands still off first. HUNT looks home to throw, but kicks toward first base. The
RUNNER is anticipating the ball going to home plate but HUNT delivers a strike to first
base catching the RUNNER sleeping. The RUNNER runs toward second and BRADY
just throws the ball to the SECOND BASEMAN and he tags the RUNNER.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               You out!....

COACH PATTERSON runs to home plate. He kicks up some dirt at the UMPIRE.

                                                           COACH PATTERSON
                                          (yells)
                               The pitcher balked....Didn't you see that
                               John?...for God sakes, he lean toward home.....

UMPIRE pulls off his mask.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (shakes his head)
                               It was a good move, Pat. His shoulder never lean
                               toward home plate. I observed his move
                               closely...As a matter of fact, that's the best move
                               I've seen by a young pitcher.

UMPIRE puts his mask back on.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (continues)
                               Play Ball!

                                                                                                                                            66.

COACH PATTERSON turns away angry as he kicks toward the ground. BIG MCGEE
steps in the batter's box. The bat looks like a tooth pick in his hand. He looks over the
field, crouches into his stance and waves the bat. HUNT steps back on the mound. He
takes the sign from BIG B. Hunt winds up, pauses between and throws a sweeping curve
ball right at MCGEE'S HEAD. MCGEE hits the dirt, but the ball curves right in the middle
of the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (continues)
                               STRIKE!

MCGEE steps back in. HUNT delivers an overhand curve ball that curves right below
MCGEE'S waist. He swings badly at the ball.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

MS. MAE is cheering HUNT on. His FATHER, CARL is silent and has a serious look on
his face.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (yells)
                               Don't give him nothing good, Hunt! That big boy
                               can hit you out the park!

HUNT smiles as he hears his mother's voice. BIG MCGEE steps back in the batter's box.
HUNT stares at the plate. BIG B flashes two fingers. HUNT winds up and throws a nasty
curve that spins like a spinning top and drops off on the outside of the plate. BIG MCGEE
swings and misses it by a mile.....

                                                           BIG B AND HUNT
                                          (balls up his fist)
                               Yes! That's the one, baby!

BIG B rolls the ball back out to the mound as WHEATLEY team sprints off the field.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                               Okay! We broke the ice. Let's get some runs off
                               Sammy.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BASEBALL GAME-WHEATLEY AND YATES-TOP OF 7TH INNING

The SCORE is WHEATLEY 3 and YATES 2. YATES is batting. BRADY is rubbing up
the new ball for HUNT. He walks up on the mound.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (hands the ball to Hunt)
                               We almost there, baby....Throw him something
                               nasty....

BRADY pats HUNT on the back. The UMPIRE takes his position behind the CATCHER.
YATES' BATTER steps in the batter's box. He digs in, then raises the bat above his head.
HUNT steps on the pitching rubber and delivers the first ball.

                                                                                                                                            67.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               Ball!

BIG B throws the ball back to HUNT. HUNT bends over with glove on knee. BIG B gives
him the sign. HUNT shakes him off. BIG B gives him another sign. He nods and winds up.
He delivers the pitch to the plate.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (stands up and fires the ball back)
                               Come on Hunt! That's not the one! Tighten up!

BIG B. squats back down. He flashes the sign to HUNT. HUNT winds up in a slow
motion and delivers a sweeping curve ball right over the plate. The BATTER takes the pitch.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               STRIKE!

                                                           BIG B.
                                          (throws ball back)
                               That's what I'm talking about!

The BATTER steps back to get some dust out of his eye. He steps back in and goes into
his crouch. HUNT winds up and delivers a hanging curve right over the middle of the plate.
The BATTER swings and lifts a deep fly ball to RIP, the center fielder.

                                                           YATES TEAM
                                          (edge of Dugout)
                               Yeah!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

RIP races back and snags it with one hand.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

WHEATLEY TEAM is standing in their DUGOUT cheering RIP on!

                                                           WHEATLEY TEAM
                               Thata way to go Rip! Yeah!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

BIG B and BRADY are chatting with HUNT at the PITCHER'S MOUND.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (rubbing the ball)
                               Hey! That was close...Good thing Rip is fast.....

                                                           BIG B
                               What happened?! That pitch was just asking to be
                               hit....

                                                                                                                                            68.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (explains)
                               I'll be okay...It just slipped beyond the seams.....

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (steps in front of home plate)
                               Play Ball!

BIG B trots back to home plate and BRADY returns to first base. BIG B squats and the
UMPIRE stoops behind BIG B. YATES BATTER walks up to the plate. He taps the plate
with his bat, gets in his crouch and waves the bat. HUNT is staring to home plate as BIG
B flashes a sign. HUNT nods and goes into his delivery. He throws a fast ball right down
the middle of the plate. The BATTER SWINGS AND MISSES.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (yells)
                               Throw another one of those!

BIG B. throws the ball back to HUNT. HUNT picks up the rosin bag, pats it on his left
hand. He steps back on the mound and delivers a sweeping curve ball. The BATTER
chops it right in front of the plate.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               Fair Ball!...

The BATTER takes off running as BIG B pounces on the ball like a cat and fires it to fist
base for an out.

                                                           WHEATLEY TEAM
                                          (yells)
                               Yeah! One more to go Hunt!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

MS. MAE and CARL are jumping up and down.

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (yells)
                               That's my boys! Get this last out and all ya'll
                               invited to free barbecue!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

BIG B hears the invitation.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (balls up his fist)
                               Come on now, Hunt!...Free barbecue! Yeah!
                               Throw your best stuff!....

BIG MCGEE steps up to the plate. He steps up on the RIGHT HAND SIDE.

                                                                                                                                            69.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (continues)
                               I didn't know you're a switch hitter.

                                                           BIG MCGEE
                               I am now....

BIG B. kind of laughs. BRADY trots over to the pitching mound.

                                                           BRADY
                                          (surprise)
                               I didn't know that Big MCGEE was a switch hitter...

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles)
                               I didn't either, trying to cross me up...

                                                           BRADY
                                          (advise)
                               Be careful....

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (yells)
                               Come on young men!

BRADY trots back over to first base. BIG MCGEE stands in the batter box waving the
bat seriously. He goes into his crouch as HUNT delivers a sweeping curve about waist high.
BIG MCGEE SWINGS and pops it up to first base. BRADY runs under it for the LAST
OUT. BIG MCGEE throws the bat down on the ground in anger. WHEATLEY'S TEAM
run out on the field and smother HUNT.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. SUSAN'S HOUSE-FRONT PORCH-EVENING

SUSAN and HUNT are kissing on the front steps of her house. They hear some footsteps
and immediately stop. SUSAN'S SISTER, ELLA, peeps out the screen door

                                                           ELLA
                                          (softly)
                               I didn't know ya'll were out here...Congratulation
                               on the game, Hunt....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (responds)
                               Oh..thanks Ella....

                                                           ELLA
                               Okay...I'll see you two love birds tomorrow....at
                               school.

                                                                                                                                            70.

                                                           HUNT
                               Yeah...sure....

ELLA closes the screen door and goes back in the house. HUNT AND SUSAN look at
each other and laugh.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues as he jokes)
                               We have to be more careful...We don't want them
                               to know we are love birds..

SUSAN pauses.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (compliments)
                               Listen..uh, really, congratulation on the fine game
                               you pitched...I was there, but way up top so I
                               couldn't distract you....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles)
                               I appreciate that, Susan....

SUSAN pauses again.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (curious)
                               You'll be graduating next year and I'll still be in
                               my last year at Wheatley High....and you probably
                               gonna get a lot of scholarships to all different kind
                               of Black Colleges. Maybe you will forget about
                               me when you get around all those other pretty girls...

                                                           HUNT
                                          (holds her hand)
                               I don't think so--and I don't think they can be as
                               pretty as you anyway...

SUSAN smiles and turns away, looking out toward the streets.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (serious)
                               I'm serious Hunt...You love baseball...I don't want
                               to get in the way of that...Folks will blame me if I
                               distract you.....You got to promise not to lead me
                               on a wild goose chase.

HUNT holds SUSAN close to him as tears run down her cheeks.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

                                                                                                                                            71.

INT. FENNIGAN PARK CENTER-BROS HENRY OFFICE-ONE YEAR LATER-
EVENING.

BROS HENRY is looking over some work papers. HUNT enters the office.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (put the papers away)
                               You just the person I wanna see.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (sits down)
                               Yes sir...my mama told me you call....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (sits back in his chair)
                               Ever since that Yates game, there are four schools
                               that will give you a baseball scholarship....Tell
                               your mama and daddy, leave everything up to me.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (humble)
                               Yes sir.....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (reads from a pad)
                               Listen to this....Arkansas A&M in Pine Bluff,
                               Arkansas, Langston College in Oklahoma,
                               Praiview University in Praiview, Texas and
                               Southern University in Baton, Rouge
                               Louisiana......Take your pick...

HUNT pauses.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excited)
                               Some of my friends are at Southern. They say it is
                               a beautiful campus right off the Mississippi River.
                               Yes sir, that's the one....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (assures)
                               Now, don't let nobody attend to this business but
                               me. I'm gonna handle it.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excited)
                               And they say that the scouts are everywhere in
                               Louisiana, Bros!....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (laughs)
                               You just go on and enjoy your prom and banquets.
                               I'll handle this.....

                                                                                                                                            72.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA-PROM NIGHT

SUSAN, HUNT, BIG B and ANNA MAE are sitting at the table. SUSAN and HUNT gets
up to dance, leaving BIG B and ANNA MAE sitting alone. ANNA MAE looks at BIG B.

                                                           ANNA MAE
                                          (aggressive)
                               Are we just going to be a wall flower tonight?
                               This is your Prom Night.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (responds)
                               I told you, I can't dance....

ANNA MAE pulls BIG B up by the arm....

                                                           ANNA MAE
                               It's a slow song...All you have to do is think about
                               Hunt throwing you one of those slow curves
                               dancing up to the plate.....Now come on, Big B!

ANNA MAE leads BIG B out on the dance floor.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA

BIG B and HUNT are sitting outside on the BANISTER of WHEATLEY HIGH
CAFETERIA.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (shakes his head)
                               That Anna Mae is more than I can handle....Listen
                               I heard you going to Southern University---now
                               they got some pretty girls up there....

                                                           HUNT
                               I'm not interested....I going to play baseball. They
                               say the scouts are a dime a dozen up there....

                                                           BIG B
                               Well...I guess I have to go to school here, my
                               folks don't have the money to send me away---
                               you lucky, Hunt. You got a golden arm. What
                               you did for Wheatley will always be remembered...

                                                                                                                                            73.

                                                           HUNT
                               Couldn't have done it without good teammates.
                               We've been with each other ever since teenage
                               ball...How times flies....

BIG B pulls from his coat pocket a liquor flash. He unscrews the top and takes a drink...

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues as he laughs)
                               Man! What are you doing?!

BIG B hands the flash to HUNT.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (wipes his mouth)
                               Hey! This is prom night! This is my first time ever
                               drinking liquor. Twelve years of getting up early
                               in the morning for school, we deserve something
                               stronger than punch--go on it ain't gonna hurt
                               your pitching arm.

HUNT takes a swallow and coughs.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (frowns)
                               What is this?...Man, my throat feels like a torch....

HUNT hands the flash back to BIG B.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (takes another drink)
                               Gin...An old man's drink...My Uncle Ginny bought
                               it for me....

HUNT laughs. BIG B gets up and falls back down.

                                                           HUNT
                               All right...Remember, you are driving...I'm just
                               learning and you don't want me behind the wheel...

EXT. WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL PARKING AREA-PROM NIGHT

SUSAN and ANNA MAE are sitting in a 1960 PLYMOUTH, CHRYSLER. SUSAN is in
the back seat and ANNA MAE is in the front. BIG B is leaning against the CHRYSLER.
He is drunk....

                                                           BIG B
                                          (laughs)
                               You gonna have to drive, my man! I'm too full of
                               it....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (worries)
                               Man--I told--come on get in the car....

                                                                                                                                            74.

Rain starts to come down.....BIG B. opens the back door of the car and flops in the seat....

                                                           ANNA MAE
                                          (angry)
                               This is disgusting!

                                                           SUSAN
                               Whose gonna drive us?

                                                           ANNA MAE
                               Million dollar question, cause I can't even ride a
                               bicycle....

                                                           SUSAN
                               I can't either....

                                                           BIG B
                                          (laughs)
                               My man gonna drive, right Hunt?...He'll take care
                               of--

BIG B falls off to sleep.....SUSAN looks fearful at HUNT.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (scared)
                               I know you--when did you learn how to drive, Hunt?

HUNT turns on the motor.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (nervous)
                               Three weeks ago. My father been taking me on
                               isolated roads...just ya'll pray real good, you hear?

HUNT drives off. He almost runs into a ditch....SUSAN and ANNA MAE are holding on
for dear life...

                                                           SUSAN AND ANNA MAE
                               Watch that ditch, Hunt! Oh, Lord! It's time for
                               pray!.......

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BROS'S HENRY OFFICE-TWO MONTHS LATER-EVENING

BROS HENRY is sitting making leather billfolds. HUNT rushes into his office. He flops
down.

                                                                                                                                            75.

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (stops)
                               I told you I was handling it, didn't I?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (tears in his eyes)
                               But I haven't seen any paper work to enter
                               Southern and my friends are already on campus.....

                                                           BROS HENRY
                                          (softly)
                               Just be patient...If I don't get you there, Praiview---

HUNT gets up....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (wiping his eyes)
                               Praiview! I believed in you, Bros....My friends
                               want me to come to Southern. The coach up there
                               knows who I am---you were trying to get me to
                               go to Praiview all the time----Man! I trusted you!

HUNT storms out the door. BROS just shakes his head and sits down to finish his billfold.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT-EVENING

HUNT rushes into COACH WALKER'S office. He is out of breath. COACH WALKER is
getting ready to leave the office....

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (surprise)
                               Hunt...What are you doing here? I thought you
                               were getting ready to go to College.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (angry)
                               I was, but Bros messed it up---Listen I heard you
                               graduated from Southern University---Is it too
                               late for you to get me there, Coach?

                                                           COACH WALKER
                                          (sits down)
                               I'll try...Do you want a basketball or baseball
                               scholarship....

                                                           HUNT
                               Strictly baseball, Coach!

                                                                                                                                            76.

                                                           COACH WALKER
                               Check back with me tomorrow. I'll call the coach
                               up there first thing in the morning---now be sure
                               to check back now...You put Wheatley baseball
                               team back in the hunt again.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles as he wipes his eyes)
                               Thank you Coach....Thank you...

HUNT walks out the office. COACH WALKER picks up the phone.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. HUNT'S HOUSE-KITCHEN-NIGHT-8:00PM

HUNT is sitting talking to his MOTHER and FATHER. He gets up and starts pacing up
and down...

                                                           MS. MAE
                                          (softly)
                               Be patient! Go there and see what the president
                               of Wiley College is going to say....It's like a
                               miracle, he dropped in to see your grandmother.

                                                           CARL
                                          (hints)
                               Always use your options, son, just like you have
                               more than one pitch in the frying pan, so the same
                               with life. Bros meant well, but sometimes folks
                               just over talk themselves....

MS. MAE touches him on the hand as he sits down.

                                                           MS. MAE
                               Anyway. your sister HELEN is up there at Wiley.
                               She would be tickle to death if ya'll attend the
                               same college.

                                                           HUNT
                               I suppose to talk to Coach Walker in the morning.
                               He said he probably can get me in at Southern
                               University---I never heard of Wiley College
                               having a good baseball team. Do scouts go
                               there?....Bros just messed me up.

CARL gets up from the table....

                                                                                                                                            77.

                                                           CARL
                                          (advice)
                               You are on your own on this one. It's your
                               decision. Like I said, you have more than one
                               option, take advantage.

                                                           MS. MAE
                               The president of Wiley is a good friend of your
                               grandma---he's waiting on you--and it's only two
                               doors down---go see--it might be better than what
                               you think.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. GRANDMA'S HOUSE-EVENING

HUNT walks in the back door into the living room. GRANDMA and The PRESIDENT is
talking about WILEY COLLEGE. GRANDMA turns around.

                                                           GRANDMA
                               Here's my grandson now, Dr. Scott...Come on in
                               Hunt and have a seat...

DR. SCOTT stands up and shakes HUNT'S hand...

                                                           DR. SCOTT
                                          (shakes hand)
                               Please to meet you, son...

                                                           HUNT
                               Thank you sir...please to meet you too.

HUNT takes a seat. He is speechless.

                                                           GRANDMA
                               I was just telling Dr. Scott about your little
                               problem....

                                                           HUNT
                               I'm suppose to talk to Coach Walker in the
                               morning. He might----

GRANDMA interrupts.....

                                                           GRANDMA
                               Now Hunt, that's here-say. Listen to what Dr.
                               Scott have to say--and I know you are a good
                               listener. Right?

GRANDMA gives HUNT the eye. HUNT sits back.

                                                                                                                                            78.

                                                           DR. SCOTT
                               Wiley has the second best baseball team every
                               year to Southern University. We just need that
                               other pitcher to rise above second place--just like
                               you did for Wheatley High I heard.....

HUNT sits straight up to listen. GRANDMA smiles.

                                                           DR. SCOTT
                                          (continues)
                               Saying all that, what I will do is call the baseball
                               coach at Wiley right now....And see whether we
                               have room for another scholarship....Is that okay
                               with you?....

HUNT is slowly responding.

                                                           GRANDMA
                                          (touches Hunt)
                               Don't put all your eggs in one basket, Hunt. Didn't
                               I teach you that, young man?....

DR.SCOTT is waiting patiently for HUNT to respond. HUNT nods his head. DR. SCOTT
picks up the phone on the table. He dials the number. Everyone waits quietly. GRANDMA
looks at HUNT and smiles...

                                                           GRANDMA
                               I'm so proud of you...You going to be just fine,
                               son...God is on our side.

HUNT downs his head.

                                                           DR.SCOTT
                                          (holding the phone)
                               Hello!.....Yes, Coach Kelly...I'm calling from
                               Houston.....Yes...I'm okay....Listen...I think we
                               have found another pitcher.....His name......

DR. SCOTT turns to HUNT.

                                                           DR.SCOTT
                                          (continues)
                               What's your name?

                                                           GRANDMA
                                          (interrupts)
                               Hunt Gillmore.....

                                                           DR. SCOTT
                               ...Hunt Gillmore.....you have?....You want
                               him.....okay...I'll get back with you....See you
                               tomorrow...bye.....

HUNT doesn't show any expressions of happiness.

                                                                                                                                            79.

                                                           DR.SCOTT
                                          (sits down)
                               Look, son...You don't have to come. But you got
                               to get over somebody else mistake....Now you
                               have to get on that train this week end if you want
                               that scholarship....The coach has heard of you and
                               they got a hard throwing pitcher from Yates that
                               fast ball looks like an aspirin tablet. You team up
                               with him and we going places...It's left up to you......

HUNT raises his head with a different look. He nods.

                                                           GRANDMA
                                          (smiles as she touches his hands)
                               That's the boy I help raise...Hallelujah!

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. SUSAN'S HOUSE-FRONT PORCH-EVENING

HUNT and SUSAN are kissing each other good-bye. SUSAN turns away with tears
running down her cheeks. HUNT takes his hand and gentle turns her face toward him.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (assures)
                               Listen....I hate to leave you here too. Wiley is two
                               hundred and twenty five miles away. I'll be coming
                               home on some week ends......

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (wipes her eyes)
                               I knew this was gonna happen...But I just couldn't
                               get ready for it.....I'm sorry.

                                                           HUNT
                               I'm gonna write you everyday---and send you the
                               baseball to every game I win.....Autographed by
                               all my teammates.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (smiles)
                               Really, Hunt.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (hugs her)
                               I truly mean that....

                                                           SUSAN
                               I love you Hunt Gillmore...

                                                                                                                                            80.

                                                           HUNT
                               I love you too, Susan Johnson....You be good at
                               Wheatley High. I'll come to your graduation next
                               year.....

                                                           SUSAN
                               I would like that....

SUSAN and HUNT kiss each other. HUNT walks away without a word as SUSAN stands
on the porch with tears running down her cheeks. HUNT turns and waves back as she
does the same.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. MARSHAL, TEX- WILEY COLLEGE BOYS' DORMITORY-EVENING

HUNT is dragging his foot locker in the door. He has on a sport coat with a brown stingy
brim hat. His Stacy Adams shoes are shinning like a new silver dollar. The HOUSE
MOTHER of the dormitory is standing and watching as HUNT continues to struggle
through the door.

                                                           HOUSE MOTHER
                                          (comes from behind office)
                               Young man! You are messing up my floor.

A STUDENT gets up out of his chair in the lounge to help HUNT.

                                                           STUDENT
                               I'll help him House Mother....

                                                           HOUSE MOTHER
                               Young man...I'm the House Mother of Coe
                               Hall...What is your name?

House Mother walks behind glass petition to her office.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (walks over to the office window)
                               Uh, mam, my name is Hunt Gillmore.

                                                           HOUSE MOTHER
                               Oh, I see...You are the new pitcher that's going to
                               help us win a championship, huh?

The STUDENT is speechless....He points.

                                                           STUDENT
                               You are the one from Wheatley, the pitcher that's
                               Big MCGEE'S worst nightmare.

                                                                                                                                            81.

HUNT laughs.

                                                           STUDENT
                                          (continues)
                               Please to meet you. My name is JT Smith....I've
                               heard a lot about you...Well if you wanna know,
                               I'm the second string catcher...I warm up the
                               pitchers.

HUNT smiles as he extends his hand for a handshake.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (shakes JT'S hand)
                               Please to meet you---and it's good to know that
                               the first person I met is the catcher---a good sign....

HOUSE MOTHER holds HUNT'S room keys in her hand.

                                                           HOUSE MOTHER
                                          (give keys to Hunt)
                               Here you go, young pitcher...room 230, second
                               floor--and your roommate is Thomas Lee
                               Robertson.....You can go now...I will inform you
                               about rules and regulations later....And don't let
                               these boys around here influence you to do
                               anything wrong. You seem like a nice young
                               man...Seventeen years old, right?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (innocence)
                               Yes mam........

HUNT and JT grab hold of the foot locker and carry it up the stairs.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WILEY COLLEGE-COE HALL-SECOND FLOOR-ROOM 230

JT and HUNT put the footlocker down. JT knocks on the door....

                                                           JT
                                          (suggests)
                               Since Thomas is not expecting you, it best to
                               knock to see whether he's in..

JT knocks on the door.

                                                           JT
                                          (yells)
                               Hey, Thomas! Wake up! Your new Roomy is here!

The door slowly opens.

                                                                                                                                            82.

                                                           THOMAS
                                          (wipes his eyes)
                               Ya'll come on in.....

HUNT looks around the small room.

                                                           JT
                                          (introduces)
                               Thomas Lee...This is Hunt. Hunt, this is Thomas
                               Lee.

They shake hands. THOMAS LEE sits down on his bed.

                                                           HUNT
                               My pleasure.....

                                                           THOMAS LEE
                               Same here, Roomy....Listen, that's your bed over
                               there...I'm sorry about the messy room.

                                                           HUNT
                               That's cool....I understand.

                                                           THOMAS LEE
                               Wiley's Combo had a Gig last night in
                               Longview....I play drums. I just crashed after that.
                               What is your name again?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (sits down on his bed)
                               Hunt...Hunt Gillmore.....

THOMAS LEE snaps his finger.

                                                           THOMAS LEE
                               Yeah! You are the new pitcher. Everybody is
                               talking about you. Left hander, right?

HUNT nods as he smiles. THOMAS LEE pulls out a pack of cigarettes, pulls one out and
offers HUNT one.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (refuse)
                               Thanks. I don't smoke.....

                                                           THOMAS LEE
                                          (lights cigarette)
                               The left handed pitcher. Wiley loves their baseball
                               team. They gonna treat you like a king, Roomy.....

JT closes the EBONY magazine he is reading.

                                                                                                                                            83.

                                                           JT
                                          (gets up to leave)
                               Hunt, if you need me to show you around, I'm
                               right down the hall. I'm gonna let ya'll get better
                               acquainted with each other.

                                                           HUNT
                               Thanks for everything, JT......

JT nods as he leaves the room.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WILEY COLLEGE-GIRLS DORMITORY-MCCLOUD HALL-EVENING

Hunt is sitting in the Lounge of McCLOUD HALL, senior for girls, waiting for his sister,
HELEN. Two girls pass and do a 360 degree turn. They smile as HUNT sits alone in the
Lounge.

                                                           ONE GIRL
                               Who is that?

                                                           OTHER GIRL
                               Who ever he is....sure is cute.

                                                           THIRD GIRL
                               I think it's Helen Gillmore little brother...She is
                               expecting him.

                                                           ONE GIRL
                               Oh, yeah...He's a pitcher....

                                                           OTHER GIRL
                               Girl! He sure could pitch for me!

                                                           THIRD GIRL
                               Come on ya'll....That boy ain't interested in any of
                               us....

HUNT doesn't look at them as he smiles while scanning through a magazine. They exit the
dormitory laughing. HELEN walks in the Lounge. HUNT is busy reading the magazine.
HELEN peeps over the magazine.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles)
                               Helen!

They hug each other.

                                                                                                                                            84.

                                                           HELEN
                                          (sits down)
                               When did you get here?

                                                           HUNT
                               Yesterday! I was so tired from that train ride, I
                               just stayed in the dormitory.....

                                                           HELEN
                                          (excited)
                               I'm so glad that you came to Wiley. I know it
                               can't top Southern University, but we are family
                               here and we do compete in baseball and football....

                                                           HUNT
                               All I wanna do is have a chance to pitch....

                                                           HELEN
                                          (smiles)
                               And study....

They look at each other, pause and laugh.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WILEY'S GYM-THE HANGER-TWO MONTHS LATER-COLD EVENING

THREE PITCHERS are throwing to catchers in the HANGER. The sound of baseballs
hitting the catchers' Mitts echo through the HANGER. Baseball season is a month away.
Spring is near.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (gets Hunt's attention)
                               Make sure you follow through on every pitch
                               Hunt...This is College, not high school. Someone
                               lay a bunt down, catch you off balance,,,,and they
                               got some ball players that can run in this
                               Southwest Conference........

HUNT throws and follow through perfectly.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                               That's what I'm talking about! Let's see you throw
                               from the stretch.

HUNT goes through the stretch and fires a dropping curve to the catcher.....

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (continues)
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            85.

                                                           COACH KELLY (CONTINUED)
                               You got some good stuff. You dropped that one
                               right off the table.

COACH KELLY walks over to JB, the fast ball pitcher. He pats him on the shoulder.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (takes the ball out of his glove)
                               You going to be ready this year JB? We almost
                               won it last year.....

                                                           JB
                                          (putting on his jacket)
                               I'm always ready Coach....Look like we got us
                               another good pitcher....

                                                           COACH KELLEY
                               Yeah...I'm gonna take him slow. Don't wanna
                               burn him out his first year.

                                                           JB
                               Anything you say, Coach.....

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (pats JB on the shoulder)
                               You can go now....It's too cold out there for your
                               arm--be sure and wrap up.

Before JB exits, he trots over to HUNT. HUNT stops throwing and turns to speak to him.

                                                           HUNT
                               Man! Your fast ball is like a speeding bullet.

                                                           JB
                               But you got some nasty stuff. I am amazed how
                               you can drop that ball off the table. Me, I don't
                               throw nothing but fast balls....

HUNT demonstrates.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (throws to the catcher)
                               It's all in the wrist, beyond the seams---under and
                               over.....

                                                           JB
                               I'm glad you came to Wiley, Hunt....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles)
                               Thanks.....

                                                                                                                                            86.

                                                           JB
                               Listen,uh, I gotta go. I got a hot date...See ya
                               tomorrow...

JB exits. COACH KELLY dismisses practice.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (yells)
                               Okay! Okay! Good work out. It's cold out
                               there...Button up---and Hunt before you go, come
                               to my office.

HUNT is putting on his jacket.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (looks curious)
                               Yes, sir.....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WILEY'S-COACH KELLY ATHLETIC OFFICE

HUNT enters COACH KELLY'S OFFICE. COACH KELLY is sitting behind his desk.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (lights his pipe)
                               Hunt. We are happy you chose Wiley College.
                               Are they treating you all right?...You got all the
                               classes you need?....Have a seat.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (serious as he sits down)
                               Yes, sir....

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (puffs on his pipe)
                               Now there's one other thing. You and JB are the
                               only ones' on baseball scholarships.....So that
                               makes you special....But everyone on scholarship
                               has a duty to perform and your duty is to clean up
                               the restrooms in the gym. You don't have to clean
                               them everyday, just check and see whether or not
                               they need cleaning. Is that understood?

                                                           HUNT
                               If you say so, sir.....

                                                           COACH KELLY
                               Good! Now button up that jacket and get some
                               rest before classes in the morning. Pitchers need
                               rest....See you.

HUNT buttons up his jacket and rushes out the office.

                                                                                                                                            87.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (V.O.)
                               Restrooms! I really miss Southern now!

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WILEY'S BASEBALL FIELD-BENCH -THE CLAY BOWL-AFTERNOON-TWO
MONTHS LATER

WILEY is losing to Grambling University. The score is 5 to 2. HUNT is angry over on the
bench. He has yet to pitch a game for WILEY. He throws his glove to the ground. JT pats
him on the back.

                                                           JT
                                          (sympathizes)
                               Your turn coming, Hunt...Hang in there. Coach
                               must have a plan for you.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (pounds his fist into the glove)
                               The season is almost over and we haven't gain any
                               ground on Southern.I can help...What is the
                               Coach thinking?

                                                           JT
                                          (serious response)
                               Freshman...He's hung up on you being a freshman.....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The PITCHER for GRAMBLING steps on the mound. WILEY BATTER digs in. THE
PITCHER winds up and throws a sharp breaking curve to the plate. WILEY BATTER
swings and misses.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WILEY LIBRARY STEPS-NIGHT-8:00PM

HUNT is talking to his sister on the Library steps. He is raging with anger as he paces up
and down the sidewalk. His sister is trying to calm him down.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (paces)
                               I hate Bros Henry!...He's the one that messed me
                               up. I could be pitching for Southern then come to
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            88.

                                                           HUNT (CONTINUED)
                               little old Wiley to clean restrooms...What kind of
                               scholarship is that, uh?

HELEN grabs HUNT by the shoulders.

                                                           HELEN
                                          (shakes him)
                               Hunt! Get a hold of yourself and quit acting like a
                               spoil brat! This is College, not high school...Our
                               parents and Grandma taught us to think and
                               weigh out our options---it has to be a reason why
                               Coach is not pitching you....Everybody knows
                               that you are good! Come on!

HUNT sits down, holding his head in his hands.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (wipes his eyes)
                               I don't know...Maybe I just love this game of
                               baseball too much....

                                                           HELEN
                                          (agrees)
                               I agree...Take advantage of your scholarship.
                               How many black pitchers do you see in the major
                               leagues. Not that many, not saying you won't
                               make it, just think this thing out, Hunt. You only
                               paying $5.00 a month to go to college...What?
                               Huh?...I will talk to Coach Kelly tomorrow to see
                               what the problem is. Now Go! Rest! Write a letter
                               to SUSAN.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WILEY BASEBALL FIELD-THE CLAY BOWL-MID NIGHT

HUNT is sitting on the mound. He is looking at the seams of the baseball. The moon is full.
HUNT looks up in the sky.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (raises his hands)
                               Old Man! Where are you when I need some
                               answers. Am I losing it?  Has the game of baseball
                               taken over my spirit! Ever since I was twelve, I've
                               been possessed by this white ball with red
                               seams....Where are you Old Man? My arm is
                               paining from being so idle......

HUNT puts his head between his legs and starts to cry. HUNT hears footsteps...He gets

                                                                                                                                            89.

up and looks around.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               Is that you Old Man!

JT walks into the moonlight.

                                                           JT
                                          (looks strange)
                               Hunt...Who are you talking too?

HUNT immediately gets up......

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excuse)
                               I talk to myself when I'm confused...I'm all right.
                               What are you doing out here?

                                                           JT
                               I saw you in the moonlight. I thought something
                               was wrong. You sure you're okay......

                                                           HUNT
                                          (starts walking)
                               I just wanna pitch...I've always pitched. I'm almost
                               ready to quit. My sister talked me out of it.

                                                           JT
                                          (serious)
                               Your turn gonna come, believe me. They can't
                               continue to lose and hold you back as good as
                               you are.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (settles down)
                               You think so, huh?

                                                           JT
                               Just be ready when the time comes.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WILEY COLLEGE BASEBALL FIELD-THE CLAY BOWL-GAME TIME-
AFTERNOON

HUNT is sitting on the bench. Thirty minutes before game time. COACH KELLY is
rubbing up a new ball. JB always starts the first game. JB gets up.

                                                                                                                                            90.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                               Not today JB....We gonna give the ball to Lefty here.

All the players clap for HUNT. It is long over due. JB goes over to HUNT.

                                                           JB
                                          (pulls on Hunt's cap)
                               Go for it Hunt. Show Texas College some real
                               nasty stuff.

JT gets up to warm up HUNT. HUNT takes off his jacket in a hurry. He trots down to the
bullpen to warm up. He is still nervous from the surprise.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. PITCHER'S MOUND

HUNT walks the first TEXAS COLLEGE BATTER. He trots down to first base as
WILEY'S TEAM cheers HUNT on. The next BATTER steps in. HUNT is wasting no
time as he stretches, kicks and throws a sweeping curve around the knees.....

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (raises his hand)
                               STRIKE!

HUNT steps back on the pitching rubber. He takes a sign from his catcher, BIG HUT. He
stretches, kicks, telegraphs to home plate and fires to first base. He catches the RUNNER
between first base and second. It's a run down as the SECOND BASEMAN tags the
RUNNER out. WILEY'S BENCH is jumping up and down.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WILEY ATHLETIC OFFICE-GYM

HUNT is sitting talking with COACH KELLY. COACH KELLY is doing most of the
talking. HUNT is quiet....

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (lights his pipe)
                               You think I made a mistake for not pitching you
                               all season, don't you? I've already heard it from
                               your sister, now let's hear it from you....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (sits back in his chair)
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                            91.

                                                           HUNT (CONTINUED)
                               I could have helped Coach.....We could have won
                               the conference.....I was helpless.....

                                                           COACH KELLY
                               I thought I was doing the right thing...We don't
                               usually play freshmen that much the first year......

                                                           HUNT
                               Well. Why didn't you tell me that before I got on
                               the train? I almost quit, Coach....Baseball is in my
                               heart. Take that away, I'm lost...

COACH KELLY sits back and puff on his pipe.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                               We have one more game left in the season. You
                               got the ball. Make good use of the chance. Prove
                               it to me that you can do it again.....We're playing
                               Langston University....You can go now....

HUNT gets up slowly expecting to hear something else from COACH KELLY. COACH
KELLY never looks up as he rattles through papers on the desk.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WILEY BASEBALL FIELD-THE CLAY BOWL-EVENING

JT is staying after practice to work with HUNT. HUNT throws his last pitch to JT. He
walks off the pitching mound dripping with sweat toward the bench. JT goes over and sit
down too.

                                                           JT
                                          (compliments)
                               Man! You got some nasty stuff....We should be
                               on top of the conference if Coach would have
                               pitched you earlier. What was he thinking?

                                                           HUNT
                               I don't know...Rules and regulations I guess,
                               freshman stuff---anyway, thanks for putting in
                               some extra time with me....I got the ball next
                               week against Langston University....Let's go eat.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

                                                                                                                                            92.

EXT. WILEY'S BASEBALL FIELD-THE CLAY BOWL-WEEK LATER-EVENING

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY and WILEY COLLEGE baseball teams are warming up on
the Side Line. The last game of the season is about to begin. Folks and students are
standing around the Fan's part of the field, waiting. A TALL SLIM WHITE MAN makes
his way to WILEY TEAM'S side line. He is looking around for somebody. He walks up to
a PLAYER.

                                                           WHITE MAN
                                          (interrupts)
                               Excuse me.....

The PLAYER turns around.

                                                           PLAYER
                                          (looks strange)
                               Can I help you?

                                                           WHITE MAN
                                          (he pulls out a pad)
                               Whose pitching today?

The PLAYER points at HUNT down farther, warming up with JT. THE WHITE MAN
walks over to HUNT. HUNT is throwing his last warm up pitch.

                                                           WHITE MAN
                                          (continues)
                               Hello, there...uh, what's your name?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (curious)
                               Why Mister? I'm not any trouble with the law....I
                               got a game to pitch....

The WHITE MAN laughs as JT stands there looking strange.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               What's so funny?

                                                           WHITE MAN
                               I come here to see you pitch...

                                                           HUNT
                                          (surprise)
                               What?! You can't be the scout that--

                                                           WHITE MAN
                                          (interrupts)
                               I don't know about all that, but I'm a scout from
                               the Boston Red Socks. I'm gonna be watching
                               you today....

                                                                                                                                            93.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excited)
                               What?! I can't believe this....

                                                           WHITE MAN
                                          (writes on the pad)
                               Your name is Hunt Gillmore, right?

                                                           HUNT
                               Yes, sir, it is....

JT smiles as he touches HUNT. JT walks away to go tell others what's happening.
WILEY'S entire BASEBALL TEAM is curious as they observe HUNT and the WHITE
MAN.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

WILEY TEAM is watching as the WHITE MAN talks to HUNT.

                                                           JT
                                          (shares information)
                               Gentleman! That white man over there, happens
                               to be from the Boston Red Socks. He is here to
                               scout Hunt.

                                                           WILEY TEAM
                               Boston Red Socks!

                                                           A PLAYER
                               That's strange because they never come here to
                               scout any black players.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

THE WHITE MAN is questioning HUNT.

                                                           WHITE MAN
                                          (ready to write)
                               Hunt, now what is your best pitch?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (responds)
                               Well, I have more than one, a sinking overhand
                               curve, a crossfire curve, a dropping sinker ball
                               called, 'beyond the seams.'

                                                           WHITE MAN
                                          (curious)
                               What about the fast ball.....

                                                           HUNT
                               Well, I guess you can say, I'm sneaky fast....

The WHITE MAN laughs.

                                                                                                                                            94.

                                                           WHITE MAN
                                          (folds pads)
                               That will do it, Hunt. I will be sitting behind the
                               screen watching your pitches. Good luck on the
                               game....By the way my name is Rosenbug.

HUNT and The WHITE MAN shakes hands. The WHITE MAN walks off the Side Lines.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (holds his hands up to the heavens)
                               Yeah! Thanks Old Man. You taught me well.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD-LAST INNING-7TH

HUNT is working on a one hitter. Big HUT walks out to the pitching mound. Two men
are out.

                                                           BIG HUT
                                          (encourages)
                               You in good shape, Hunt. You're leading by four
                               and you got a one hitter going. What more could
                               you give a scout, huh?

BIG HUT puts the ball in HUNT'S glove and trots back to home plate.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The WHITE MAN is observing every pitch behind the screen.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

HUNT delivers the pitch to the BATTER. The BATTER pops it up to BIG HUT. BIG
HUT circles around and catches the ball for the last out. WILEY'S TEAM run on the field
to congratulate HUNT.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

The WHITE MAN is sitting and talking to HUNT. Everyone else is gathering up their
equipment. Baseball season is over for Wiley.

                                                           THE WHITE MAN
                                          (shakes Hunt's hand)
                               Good game...Freshman, right?

HUNT nods.

                                                                                                                                            95.

                                                           THE WHITE MAN
                               Well, I'm going to be watching you again, so keep
                               improving your pitches, maybe next year will be a
                               championship year for the team....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (stands up)
                               Thanks for your support, Mr. Rosenbug.

                                                           THE WHITE MAN
                               That's my job, young man. That's my job.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. SUSAN'S HOUSE-FRONT PORCH-EVENING-THREE MONTHS LATER-
HOUSTON, TEX.

SUSAN and HUNT are hugging each other on the steps of SUSAN'S porch.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (lays her head on his shoulder)
                               You know I love you Hunt and I'm so alone while
                               you are away...

HUNT rubs his fingers through SUSAN'S long black hair.

                                                           HUNT
                               Yeah, I know. I love you too, especially for
                               waiting on me to come home....It's not easy being
                               away from you....

                                                           SUSAN
                               Hunt, I don't care how much it pains, I never want
                               to get in the way of what you wanna
                               do....especially baseball.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles as he goes into his pocket)
                               I do appreciate that Susan--

HUNT pulls out an engagement ring.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               And to show my appreciation, I spent some of my
                               summer earnings on this.

HUNT opens up the ring case. SUSAN is speechless. She doesn't know whether to take
the engagement ring out of the case or just stare at it.

                                                                                                                                            96.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               I know that we are real young, but at least this
                               engagement ring can stand  as a bond between us,
                               no matter how far we are apart.

HUNT takes it out the case for SUSAN. She is still speechless. He holds her hand and
slips the ring on her finger.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (touches her heart)
                               I don't know what to say---I'm just so--

SUSAN puts her arms around HUNT'S neck and kisses him.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. HUNT'S HOUSE-FRONT PORCH-EVENING-8:00PM

HUNT and his father,CARL are sitting on the front porch. CARL gives HUNT a brand
new glove.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (excited)
                               Thanks Dad!.....

                                                           CARL
                               I know you will take care of it. And don't forget
                               to oil it down so often. This is fine leather. And
                               when you get to the Big Leagues, you can hang
                               this one on the wall as memories.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (pauses)
                               I don't know about the Big Leagues, Dad. They
                               say you have to be three times as good as the
                               white boys. I just love the game on the level I'm
                               playing.

                                                           CARL
                                          (smiles)
                               But the time is gonna come, son. Just be ready for
                               your turn....I gotta get back down to the
                               waterfront---and tomorrow, you are on that train
                               to Wiley.

CARL gets up slowly.

                                                           HUNT
                               And Dad....

                                                                                                                                            97.

CARL turns to HUNT.

                                                           CARL
                               Yeah, son....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (looks up at Carl)
                               Thanks for getting me on at the Waterfront this
                               summer. Trucking that cotton kept my body in
                               good shape, plus I made some real money for the
                               first time.

CARL laughs.

                                                           CARL
                                          (smiles)
                               Yep...It was quite an experience, huh? Them old
                               men down there will work you and talk you to
                               death especially when you young.

HUNT smiles as CARL goes into the house. The night is quiet as HUNT pounds his fist
into the glove. He takes a baseball from his pocket. HUNT stares at it as he turns the
seams while twisting his wrist back and forth. His sister, HELEN sneaks up behind him
and touches his shoulder. HUNT jumps up.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (dislike)
                               Helen! Don't do that?

HELEN laughs as she sits down on the porch with CARL.

                                                           HELEN
                                          (pushes him on the shoulder)
                               Quit being so jumpy...

HELEN picks up the glove. She pounds her fist into the glove.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (takes the glove)
                               This is new.....Listen. Congratulation on
                               graduating from Wiley College. I haven't had the
                               chance to say this personal to you...Gonna miss
                               you up there.

HELEN jokes.

                                                           HELEN
                               You think you going to be all right without your
                               big sister going to bat for you. huh?

HELEN tickles HUNT under the arms. He laughs.

                                                                                                                                            98.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               I'm gonna be fine....Quit, girl!

HELEN continues to tickle HUNT.

                                                           HELEN
                               You are going to be patient, right?

HELEN continues to tickle HUNT.

                                                           HUNT
                               Yes! Yes!......

HUNT laughs as HELEN continues to tickle him.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WILEY BASEBALL FIELD-THE CLAY BOWL-EVENING-FIVE MONTHS
LATER

HUNT and JT are running wind sprints. Spring is almost here. They stop to take a breather.

                                                           JT
                                          (curious)
                               Man..hold up! You gonna run my balls off....

JT bends down to one knee as he tries to catch his breath.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (running in one place)
                               I'm ready this year, JT. We gonna win the
                               championship....

                                                           JT
                                          (raises his hand)
                               Okay! But let's not kill ourselves before the
                               season begin, Hunt, Jesus! Let up a little bit...Let's
                               go check some pretty girls out on campus.

HUNT sits down on the grass.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (comments)
                               What for? I got a girl.

JT laughs at HUNT.

                                                                                                                                            99.

                                                           JT
                               Girls, my man. You just can't have too
                               many....Come on....It doesn't cost you nothing to
                               observe, baby...Loosen up!

INT. WILEY COLLEGE LIBRARY-EVENING-8:00PM

A girl name JEAN is sitting at the studying table with HUNT. They are looking over some
notes from ZOOLOGY class.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (closes the notes)
                               Jean! Why are we studying, butterflies, spiders
                               and frogs, and no telling what else? Mrs. Reisnor
                               is in another world. How we gonna use this in the
                               real world.

HUNT squeezes the tennis ball in his hand. JEAN pulls off her glasses.

                                                           JEAN
                                          (smiles)
                               To think about it. Who cares, huh?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (snaps his finger)
                               That's right! Let's get out of here!

HUNT gets up to leave, but JEAN doesn't move.

                                                           JEAN
                                          (pencil touches her lips)
                               Only one thing, Hunt...

                                                           HUNT
                               What?...

                                                           JEAN
                               She sure doesn't care about giving us an F if we
                               don't know these notes tomorrow. You wouldn't
                               want that to happen I know.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (sits back down)
                               You're right...Like all ways....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WILEY COLLEGE-DOGAN HALL-GIRLS DORMITORY-9:00PM

HUNT and JEAN are standing in front of DOGAN HALL GIRLS DORMITORY.

                                                                                                                                          100.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (gives a book to her)
                               Thanks for helping me out this year with Zoology
                               142.

                                                           JEAN
                                          (takes the book)
                               It's been my pleasure, Hunt. I've always admired
                               you as a baseball player and as an honest person.

                                                           HUNT
                               If I wasn't--

                                                           JEAN
                                          (interrupts)
                               Committed?---listen, I truly understand. Susan is
                               a lucky girl.

JEAN turns and walks away leaving HUNT standing there in an innocent way.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. WILEY COLLEGE-BASEBALL FIELD-THE CLAY BOWL-TWO MONTHS
LATER-EVENING

WILEY'S TEAM is practicing on the field. The infielders are throwing the ball around to
each other. The outfielders are shagging balls. The pitchers, JB, HUNT and catchers, JT
and BIG HUT are practicing in the pitching area. COACH KELLY walks over to the bench.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (yells)
                               Everybody up! On the double!

The TEAM sprint off the field in a hurry. The PITCHERS are the last ones to trot up to
the bench.

                                                           COACH KELLEY
                                          (continues)
                               We are in the hunt to be champions. But we still
                               have a mountain to climb, Grambling and Southern.

                                                           BIG HUT
                                          (curious)
                               I heard that Sammy, the pitcher for Grambling
                               threw his arm away. It just popped one day he
                               was pitching.

                                                                                                                                          101.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                               That's true...Hunt, JB and Ike, I preach everyday
                               to ya'll about taking care of your arms.....Now
                               next week we play Grambling. Ya'll know Eddie
                               Robinson, the assistant coach and Pres is gonna
                               be gunning for us on their own turf.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (curious)
                               Is the president of Grambling really the head
                               coach of baseball?

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (little smile)
                               That's why we call him Pres....Now we play
                               Southern the following week for the championship
                               if we get by Grambling next week. You better do
                               a lot of praying....Give me two on the double!

The TEAM takes off running around the field.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. WILEY'S ZOOLOGY DEPARTMENT-REISNOR CLASS ROOM-MORNING

HUNT is looking in a microscope. MRS.REISNOR approaches him. HUNT is faking like
he is concentrating on the lesson.

                                                           MRS.REISNOR
                                          (touches Hunt on the shoulder)
                               Mr. Hunt...May I have a word with you?

MRS. REISNOR points toward her desk. HUNT walks over to the desk.

                                                           MRS.REISNOR
                                          (continues as she sits down at her
                                          desk)
                               Tell me, Mr. Hunt. Why have you been missing
                               so many days lately?...

                                                           HUNT
                                          (pauses)
                               Well, Mrs. Reisnor, I've been on the road with the
                               baseball team. We are in the hunt for the
                               championship this year.

                                                           MRS. REISNOR
                                          (taps her pencil on the desk)
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                          102.

                                                           MRS. REISNOR (CONTINUED)
                               Well, I tell you what Mr. Hunt, if you miss
                               another day in here, the hunt for the championship
                               going to bring you a flat out F....

                                                           HUNT
                               But Mrs. Reisnor, I'm on a baseball scholarship,
                               you can't---

                                                           MRS. REISNOR
                               Watch me, Mr. Hunt.........

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. GRAMBLING COLLEGE-BASEBALL FIELD-EVENING-3:00PM

GRAMBLING TEAM is on the field warming up. WILEY TEAM is warming up on the
other side of the field. The UMPIRES are standing at home plate chatting. COACH
KELLY and COACH EDDIE ROBINSON approach home plate at the same time. The
PRES. is chatting on the side with one of his pitchers.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (looks at Eddie)
                               Eddie Robinson...How your football team gonna
                               look next year?

                                                           EDDIE
                                          (smiles)
                               I don't know...I tell you when the season comes
                               around.

EDDIE hands his Line Up to the UMPIRE. COACH KELLY and EDDIE ROBINSON
shake hands.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                               I'm sorry about Sammy, Eddie.

                                                           EDDIE
                               Yeah! He heard his arm pop when he was
                               throwing in the gym.

COACH KELLY hands the UMPIRE his Line Up.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (puts line-up in his pocket)
                               All right coaches, let's play ball!

The UMPIRE brushes home plate off. The other UMPIRES takes their positions.

FADE TO

                                                                                                                                          103.

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT.  GRAMBLING BASEBALL FIELD-7TH INNING-4-2

WILEY TEAM is winning 4-2, 7th inning. The last BATTER for GRAMBLING TEAM
steps up. JB is on the mound and one away from winning the first game of the series.
GRAMBLING BATTER digs in, trying to keep the inning alive. JB winds up and delivers
a speeding fast ball. The BATTER swings and misses.....The first game is over. WILEY
wins, 4-2. WILEY TEAMMATES congratulate JB. JB points at HUNT.

                                                           JB
                               It's on you now! We got the first one. Get
                               nasty......Come on down here.

HUNT runs down to the pitching area to warm up. JT is waiting on him as HUNT throws
his jacket to the ground.

                                                           JT
                               Show your best stuff just like you did those other
                               teams, baby....It's all on your shoulders now.....

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. GRAMBLING BASEBALL FIELD-7TH INNING-5-1-SECOND GAME

WILEY TEAM is winning the second game, 5-1. HUNT has a man on first and third, one
man out. WILEY TEAM is on the edge of the bench.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

PRES yells from his GRAMBLING bench.

                                                           PRES
                                          (yells)
                               Please! Don't let Wiley and that little left hander
                               beat us...Dig in on him, Lucious! Come on!

                                                                                                    CUT TO

HUNT rubs up the baseball. Big IKE trots over to the mound.

                                                           BIG IKE
                                          (whispers)
                               You got this chump on first. He's leaning too
                               much toward second.

HUNT nods his head at IKE and steps back on the mound.He stretches, looks home, looks
back to first base. The RUNNER is easing off first. HUNT telegraphs toward home plate,

                                                                                                                                          104.

kicks and fires to first base. The RUNNER is caught between second and first in a run
down. BIG IKE tags the runner out. PRES and EDDIE run up to the UMPIRE at home
plate. PRES kicks up some dirt.

                                                           PRES
                                          (arguing)
                               He balked, John! Where's your eyes, man!

                                                           EDDIE
                               He's right, John. His shoulders lean toward home
                               plate, for peace sakes, man! Come on! Give me a
                               break!

The UMPIRE shakes his head.

                                                           UMPIRE
                               Ya'll are wrong...He executed that move perfectly.
                               He did not commit to home plate....Play ball!

EDDIE and PRES retreat to the bench, losing the argument. The next BATTER steps up
with two men out and one man on third. HUNT goes into his wind up. He delivers a
sweeping curve to home plate. The BATTER pops it up to second base. WILEY TEAM
jump up and down while running on the field to congratulate HUNT. WILEY wins 5-1
and a chance to play Southern for the championship next week.

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY-BASEBALL FIELD-WEEK LATER-EVENING.

The CHAMPIONSHIP GAME is about to start. Scouts are everywhere. Detroit Tigers,
Chicago Cubs, The Dodgers,Giants, Cardinals and many others. HUNT home -boys are all
over the place yelling at him. It is quite a scene and event. HUNT is sitting on the bench
waving back at his home-boys from Houston.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (waves back)
                               Man! This is like our little World Series. I never
                               thought it would be like this!

A SCOUT rushes up to the bench. He has a pad in his hand and a cigar in his mouth.

                                                           SCOUT
                                          (approaches the bench)
                               What two pitchers are throwing today?

Everybody points at JB and HUNT. The SCOUT approaches HUNT first. JB is warming
up farther down the side line.

                                                                                                                                          105.

                                                           SCOUT
                                          (continues)
                               What's your name, kid?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (kind of nervous)
                               Hunt Gillmore...

                                                           SCOUT
                                          (writes on pad)
                               What your best pitch? I can tell you are a lefty by
                               looking at your glove.

                                                           HUNT
                               Sweeping curves, sinkers and sneaky fast.....

                                                           SCOUT
                               Okay...I'm gonna be watching. My name is
                               Harvey and I'm scouting for the Detroit Tigers.
                               Good luck. Where's that other pitcher?

HUNT points at JB. The SCOUT walks down to talk with JB. SCOUTS are coming from
everywhere.

                                                           ANOTHER SCOUT
                                          (approaches the bench)
                               I'm looking for a strong hitter that I can put on
                               the plane after the game. I'm from the Cardinals.
                               Just call me Joey.

                                                           HUNT
                               Man! I never seen nothing like this before.

                                                           BIG HUT
                               Just stay focus on the game. Southern has a hot
                               commodity on the bench over there, LB. He's a
                               good hitter, but speed is why they are after him.
                               Try not to put him on base. He run bases like a
                               Jaguar......One thing in your favor, he's a left hand
                               hitter and I'll put you up against those odds any
                               old day. He was a pinch hitter last year.

The UMPIRE brushes off home plate. COACH KELLY and SOUTHERN'S COACH
bring up the Line-Ups. The TWO COACHES shake hands and return to their benches.
COACH KELLY yells for everybody to gather up.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                                          (looks at JB)
                               Are you okay, JB?....

JB wipes the sweat from his face.

                                                           JB
                               I feel good, Coach...

                                                                                                                                          106.

                                                           COACH KELLY
                               Listen. This is what we are up against. Speed,
                               especially LB. Try to keep him off the bases
                               because he will kill us as a runner. JB, bring your
                               fast ball down a little and they'll never see
                               it.....Okay Team, let's get this first one.

UMPIRE puts on his gear. SOUTHERN CATCHER and PITCHER are chatting on the
mound. The infielders are throwing the ball around the horn. WILEY BATTER is waiting
on deck for the UMPIRE to begin the game.

                                                           UMPIRE
                                          (steps behind the catcher)
                               Let's play ball, gentlemen!

WILEY BATTER digs in with his bat waving in the air. SOUTHERN PITCHER delivers
the first pitch.

                                                           UMPIRE
                               STRIKE!

Both benches are yelling. JB delivers. The BATTER swings and misses. JB winds up and
fires to home plate. The BATTER can't catch up with it. He swings out on strikes.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT.  SOUTHERN BASEBALL FIELD-BIG HUT BATTING-6TH INNING

BIG HUT steps to the plate. The game is tied 2-2. SOUTHERN PITCHER delivers a fast
ball right down the middle of he plate. BIG HUT swings and send a deep fly ball to left
field and over the fence. His teammates are jumping up and down as he crosses home plate.
The score is now 3-2 in favor of WILEY.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. SOUTHERN BASEBALL FIELD-7TH INNING-LB AT BAT.

The last inning is up. Two men out with LB at the bat for SOUTHERN. IKE, the first
baseman goes over and whispers something to JB. He trots back to first. LB digs in at the
plate. JB stares to home plate, winds up and delivers. LB smacks a single to right field. He
rounds first and slides into second before the outfielder picks up the ball. BIG HUT trots
out to the mound.

                                                           BIG HUT
                                          (whispers)
                               Watch third. I think he's going. We only need one
                               out. Concentrate on the hitter...We'll take care of
                               the runner.

JB steps back on the rubber. He winds up quickly. LB breaks for third base, the BATTER
swings and pops the ball up to third base. The THIRD BASEMAN squeezes it tightly in
his glove. WILEY wins 3-2 that ties them with SOUTHERN for the CHAMPIONSHIP.
WILEY TEAM run on the field to congratulate JB. JB points at HUNT.

                                                                                                                                          107.

                                                           JB
                                          (yells at Hunt)
                               The big one is yours. Let's see you shine and we
                               can go home as Champs, baby!

FADE TO

MUSIC-OLDIES

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. SOUTHERN BASEBALL FIELD-SECOND GAME-5TH INNING-4-3

HUNT has a one run lead, 4-3 in the 5th inning. His curve is not breaking as usual. He
wanders around on the mound rubbing the ball. Two men are out and LB at the plate. He
steps on the rubber and delivers a curve right down the middle of the plate. LB swings and
misses. HUNT is pitching carefully. He doesn't want to walk LB. HUNT fires another
sweeping curve ball. LB pops it up to First Base. IKE squeezes it tight and WILEY TEAM
runs off the field.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD-TOP OF 7TH INNING-SCORE-4-3

WILEY is still hanging onto a 4-3 lead in the top of the 7th inning. BIG HUT is at bat.
The pitcher delivers a fast ball on the outside corner. BIG HUT takes a big swing and hits
a deep fly ball over the fence. EVERYONE is jumping up and down as BIG HUT crosses
home plate.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD-LAST INNING-BOTTOM OF 7TH-SCORE-7-3

HUNT delivers to the plate with two men out. The BATTER pops up to First Base. IKE
squeezes it and runs over and picks HUNT up. WILEY TEAM storm the field to carry
HUNT off. They are one happy team. LITTLE WILEY are the CHAMPIONS OF THE
SOUTHWESTERN BLACK COLLEGE CONFERENCE.

FADE TO

MUSIC-WEDDING MARCH

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. SLOAN METHODIST CHURCH-ONE YEAR LATER-EVENING-7:00PM-
WEDDING

SUSAN and HUNT are standing at the church altar. The MINISTER unite them as man
and wife.

                                                           THE MINISTER
                                          (holding bible)
                               I now pronounce you man and wife under God's
                               law. You may kiss the bride.

                                                                                                                                          108.

SUSAN and HUNT kiss each other.

FADE TO

MUSIC-WEDDING MARCH

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. FENNIGAN PARK-BLEACHERS-NIGHT-FULL MOON-TEN YEARS LATER.

HUNT is staring out at the empty baseball field. He's explaining baseball to his son. His
SON, BLAKEY is seven years old. HUNT doesn't see black kids playing baseball anymore.
The baseball field he sees is a vacant space and only memories. HUNT puts a baseball in
BLAKEY'S left hand.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (explains)
                               You know Blakey, baseball is a nice game to play.
                               I want you to play this game. In my time, I had to
                               be three times better to make it to the Big leagues,
                               but for you, if you're good, scouts will be
                               knocking at your door......

                                                           BLAKEY
                                          (looks at the baseball)
                               Will you teach me how to play, Dad?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles as he takes the ball)
                               You bet I will. I will teach you much more than I
                               learned at a young age.

HUNT takes the ball, holds it up and run his fingers along the seams.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               An old man told me about the seams of a
                               baseball....Look, you see, every time you throw
                               the ball, you are throwing beyond the
                               seams.....And it does funny tricks...it's like magic,
                               Blakey.....By the time you get thirteen, you'll be
                               as good as I was. But the odds was against me.
                               Even so, that didn't stop me from loving the game.
                               It's gonna be different for you.

HUNT gets up, ready to go. He takes BLAKEY by the hand.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               Come on....I want to show you
                               something,,,anyway, your mom is probably
                               wondering what happened to us.

                                                                                                                                          109.

                                                           BLAKEY
                                          (smiles)
                               You right...She always worries about me.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               You are her only son. Mothers do worry about
                               their sons.

FADE TO

MUSIC-JAZZ

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. HUNT'S HOUSE-BACK DOOR TO KITCHEN-NIGHT

HUNT and BLAKEY walk in the back door. SUSAN hears them come in the house. She
walks in the kitchen.....

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (hugs Blakey)
                               Where have ya'll been? I've been worried stiff....

HUNT and BLAKEY look at each other

                                                           BOTH
                               She was worried....

SUSAN stands up, put her hands on her hips.

                                                           SUSAN
                               What? Ya'll gaining up on me.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (explains)
                               Susan...This is man's talk...Listen, don't worry all
                               the time, we were at the ball park....

                                                           BLAKEY
                                          (excited)
                               Yeah, Mom! Dad is going to teach me all about
                               the game of baseball.

                                                           SUSAN
                               Oh, brother, not another one in the house.

                                                           HUNT
                               Listen, Susan...Where did you put all my
                               autographs balls and clipping of baseball
                               articles?...Remember I sent all them to you when
                               I was in college.....

SUSAN pauses.

                                                                                                                                          110.

                                                           SUSAN
                               Honey...I haven't ever moved them. They are in
                               the Cedar Chest upstairs.

BLAKEY and HUNT run up the stairs. SUSAN just stands there shaking her head.

INT.  BEDROOM UPSTAIRS-CEDAR CHEST

HUNT opens the CEDAR CHEST. He takes out the shoe box.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (sits on the floor)
                               Come on Blakey....Sit down here.

BLAKEY sits on the floor next to HUNT. Hunt opens the shoe box. He takes five
autograph balls out first.

                                                           BLAKEY
                                          (excited)
                               These baseballs are old, Dad! You pitched with
                               all these balls.

HUNT laughs.

                                                           HUNT
                               Not all at one time, Blakey. Each ball is autograph
                               by all my teammates and represents the games I
                               won that year. See all these names....They kind of
                               hard to read now.

BLAKEY picks up one of the balls.

                                                           BLAKEY
                               You were pretty good, huh, Dad? Why didn't you
                               make it to the Big Leagues?

HUNT picks up some clippings of his write ups.

                                                           HUNT
                               It was harder for me than it's going to be for
                               you---Look, Blakey...When you grow up a little
                               bit more, you can come and read some of these
                               clippings. This one is about the championship
                               game at Southern University.....

SUSAN yells from down stairs.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (yells)
                               Hunt! Come down here! I got a big surprise for you!

HUNT gets up. He puts everything back in the Cedar Chest.

                                                                                                                                          111.

                                                           HUNT
                               Come on Blakey...We'll finish this some other time....

                                                                                                    CUT TO

INT. LIVING ROOM-HOUSE

HUNT and BLAKEY  walk into the living room. There stands BIG B. HUNT can't believe
his eyes.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (looks at Big B)
                               It can't be! Big B...Aw! Man! I must be dreaming!
                               Haven't seen you since high school prom.

They hug each other.

                                                           BIG B
                               I hope you didn't mind me coming unannounced.
                               Your sister told me where you lived. I saw her in
                               the Super Market yesterday.....

                                                           HUNT
                               Get out of here! We are like family!

HUNT introduces BLAKEY.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (continues)
                               This is Blakey....Blakey, this used to be my
                               catcher in teenage ball and high school....

BLAKEY walks up and shakes BIG B'S hand.

                                                           SUSAN
                                          (grabs Blakey hand)
                               Come on young man, it's bedtime.

                                                                                                    CUT TO

EXT. BACKYARD OF HUNT'S HOUSE-LATE NIGHT

BIG B and HUNT are sitting on the steps drinking beer.

                                                           HUNT
                               So you are a lawyer and agent for black
                               athletes...That's great!

                                                           BIG B
                               I thought you would be in the Big leagues by now.....

                                                           HUNT
                                          (sips some beer)
                                                           (more)

                                                                                                                                          112.

                                                           HUNT (CONTINUED)
                               Naw! Born too soon. Now is the time. It's gonna
                               be better for Blakey.

                                                           BIG B
                                          (sips some beer)
                               Out of all the good ball players in our day...I can't
                               remember one that made it.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               I can remember one.....

                                                           BIG B
                                          (curious)
                               Who?

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles)
                               LB...Lou Brock....

                                                           BIG B
                               You talking about the Lou Brock that stole bases
                               going and coming...You played---

HUNT sips a drink of beer..

                                                           HUNT
                                          (smiles and proud)
                               Pitched against that speedster for three
                               years...Could hit too. Man he was fast!

                                                           BIG B
                               Baseball is a dying art in our neighborhood. Our
                               kids nowadays love basketball and football...Ain't
                               like it used to be. Some black folks think that
                               baseball have always been a white man's game.....

                                                           HUNT
                               Uh...I know. That's why I'm teaching Blakey the
                               magic of the game. If you can't feel the magic,
                               how can you love the game. The smell of spring
                               grass will always remind me of baseball.

                                                           BIG B
                               Beyond the seams. huh?.....Well, we can say we
                               played the game for fun.....

BIG B stands up. He drinks the last swallow of beer and looks at his watch.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (laughs)
                               That's the magic. Big B.

                                                                                                                                          113.

                                                           BIG B
                               Listen. I gotta catch a flight.

HUNT puts his arm around Big B'S shoulder.

                                                           HUNT
                                          (stands up)
                               Come on big time lawyer, I'll see you to the door.

As they both enter the house, They both sings.

                                                           BOTH
                               'Take me out to the ball game. Take me out with
                               the crowd--Buy me some peanuts and cracker
                               jacks, I don't care if we never come back. Let me
                               root, root, root for the home team, if they don't
                               win, it's a shame,---for it's one, two, three strikes,
                               you're out, at the old ball game......

FADE TO

MUSIC-TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

                                                           THE END

                                                                                                                                         .