[thunder rumbling]
I gotta lock up, son.
You looking for faith, forgiveness?
I'm lookin' for the Bulls to cover the spread.
[chattering, laughing]
Conor, Duffy's here. You better have his money.
I got it. I'm gonna have it. What's the score?
You're into Duffy for at least five grand. Who gave you an account?
I laid six grand with the Barber to get me even.
Chicago's down by four.
I got Chicago gettin' eight. Less than a minute to go.
Hang on! Just hang on.
You didn't bet the Barber with my money, did you, O'Neill? You're not that stupid.
Shut up, Duffy. In 18 seconds, you'll have your money.
[announcer] Oh, and he gets hammered, and it goes!
Shit!
Okay, if he makes both, it's eight. I push. I'm even.
Flagrant foul. He shoots that first.
- That's bullshit! - If he makes all three, you're screwed.
[announcer continues, indistinct]
Grab him!
[grunts] Get off of me!
I'm first, O'Neill! You always pay me first!
You wanna kick my ass?
- [car alarm blaring] - [crowd murmurs]
No one can kick my ass better than I can.
[all gasp]
[siren approaching]
[man, faint] Hey, Conor, it's Ticky!
It's Ticky. It's Ticky!
Conor! Yeah. Hey.
Ticky. Did you bring money for the summons?
- What's that? - Did you bring money to get me out?
- Damn, you got "zactly's" breath. - "Zactly's breath"?
Your breath smells zactly like your ass. Damn, that's nasty.
- Did you pay them? They said it was 580. - I need the tickets.
- Which ones? - You got two pair on the floor for Bulls-Rockets.
- I'm gonna hawk those myself. The game's not till 7:00. - It's 5:00.
- What? - Just tell me where they are.
- [sighs] Shit. - Come on.
They're under the, uh, religious statue on my dresser.
Wait, Ticky! You gotta get 1,200.
- Ticky, you gotta pay to get me out! - I already did.
[water running]
[tap turns off]
[knock at door]
- Yeah? - It's Ticky. Let me in.
Ticky. Thank God. I really need that money.
How much did you get for the tickets?
- Jesus! [grunts] - Hey, O'Neill. Remember me?
He grabbed me outside the United Center.
- Yeah, you're the Barber's son. - Yeah.
O'Neill, do you even remember making that phone call from Michael Pistone's wedding?
- Get off of me. - You talked to me.
You said, "This is O'Neill, number 55. What's my limit?"
So I check 55, and I see you got six grand.
So you put that six grand down on Milwaukee, and, of course, they tank.
So now I gotta ask my old man about O'Neill on 55, and guess what he tells me.
He tells me that guy died four months ago.
- Look, tell the Barber-- - You bet six grand on your dead father's account.
I need some money right now! Here, I'll give you everything I got.
All right. That's a start.
- Relax. - Mm-hmm.
Forty-seven dollars.
[sighs]
All right, you owe 6,600.
You pay me a grand a week until I say stop.
- That's ridiculous. 500. - 750. Bring it to the barber shop.
You don want me to come back here.
[bat clatters to floor]
- [exhales] - [sighs, chuckles]
I'm s-- I--
They grabbed me outside the United Center!
Excuse me. I'm Conor O'Neill. I got an 11:30 with James Fleming.
Can you lend me... 12 grand?
- What, do you need to bury your father again? - What?
Did you dig the guy up or something?
- What are you, freakin' sick? - I'm sick?
Four months ago you come in here crying...
about how you need $5,000 to bury your old man.
I talked to Mahoney at Mikey's wedding.
- It seems he also gave you 5,000 to bury the guy. - And I'm gonna pay Mahoney back.
I don't give a shit how much you owe Mahoney.
Listen, Jimmy, I'm really up against it right now with Duffy--
And I really don't give a shit how much you owe the bookies.
Conor.
Come back in here.
You know, this... [door closes]
just might help you.
Jimmy, this is only 500 bucks. I know.
You're going to coach a kids' baseball team with me.
Jimmy, I don't think you understand how serious my situation is.
I'm gonna pay you $500 a week for the next ten weeks. That's week one.
Jimmy, I ain't no good with kids. You know, Conor,
I do this to give something back to the community.
You don't want to do it, give me the check back.
Uh, okay.
- So, I'll see you at the field tomorrow, 3:30. - Where is it?
Right behind that Baptist church where you used to buy reefer.
No, Jimmy, the only thing behind that church is those shitty housing projects.
I'll see you tomorrow.
* Right now
* I got a rhythm where I'm from *
* Know what I'm sayin'
* Yeah
* Ghetto
I'm from the ghetto *
* You know how we do Yeah *
* From my people down south with gold in they mouth *
* From my people out east where they can't even count *
* From my people out west they be bangin' it out *
* We ghetto [echoes]
* No matter how far I've come [continues, indistinct]
I'm gonna whack this shit to the gate. You ain't gonna mess with me.
Shit. * I'm ghetto
* From my people down south with gold in they mouth *
* From my people out east where they can't even count * [horn honks]
* From my people out west they be bangin' it out We ghetto *
- Yo, check out Coach Jimmy's whip! - Oh, damn, this shit is pimped.
Whoa, guys, don't touch the car.
Yo, Coach Jimmy. Here's my extra inhaler,
and here's my Sugar Babies for when my blood needs sugar.
- Mom says I do better when my blood's got sugar in it. - Whoa, what's your name again?
- Jefferson Albert Tibbs, Coach Jimmy, but-- - Everybody listen!
That gentleman behind you is Coach Conor.
He'll be taking over the day-to-day operations. What?
- That bum guy's our coach? - Coach Conor just stopped by...
- to give you the equipment. - Jimmy, I can't do this by myself.
Here's your roster, schedule, Sugar Babies, inhaler.
I gotta be in New York three weeks. Training seminar. Couldn't be avoided.
Hey, good luck.
- Hey, wait, Jimmy. Wait, Jimmy! Wait. - What's wrong with that man?
Wait, wait, wait! How am I gonna get my money?
Every Monday, Ellen will have a check for you. Gotta go.
- Five hundred, right? - Every Monday. - 500. - You bet.
Every Monday. I'll see ya.
- Andre Ray Peetes? - 'Sup, my brother!
[all laughing] What position do you play?
Big Willie. Whatever, man-- back catcher or center field.
- I got mad power. I pound the shit to the gate, yo! - Damn right.
Uh, Miles Pennfield II?
- This dude. - Him.
What position does he play?
He says he can pitch, Coach Conor, but I might pitch too.
- What's your name? - Jefferson Albert Tibbs. Mom says I can play anywhere.
My asthma and all, I should probably play first. I gotta keep my sugar up too.
You know, Mom said that some boys is plain big-boned.
And some boys just plain fat-assed. [all laughing]
Hi. Matt Hyland, head of the coaches' committee.
- You the Kekambas? - What?
- Are you the Kekambas? - Yeah, bitch, we the Kekambas.
- So, what's up? - [team mutters, laughs]
- Where's James Fleming from Smyth and Stevens Securities? - He's out of town on business.
- I'm assisting. - What do you got-- six or seven kids?
If you can't field a team, the league'll drop ya.
I'll, uh, tell Coach Fleming--
- This is Darryl Mackey. He's president of the league. - Last year was a mess.
We had to cancel games because we'd show up, and the other team would have five kids.
Waste of everybody's time.
We're just trying to save everyone a whole lot of trouble, okay?
If you can't field a nine-man team, why don't you and the Kekambas go home?
Talk to Jimmy Fleming at Smyth and Stevens Securities...
- and submit a roster by Friday. - Friday.
- All right?
[Jefferson] Yo, Coach. Kofi and Ray Ray want to play.
Is that Kofi Evans and, uh, Raymont Bennet?
Yeah, Coach, but Miss Wilkes ain't gonna let them play.
- [all chattering, protesting] - Wait, hey, hey! Who's Miss Wilkes?
She teaches Saint Malachy. She gets on my damn nerves, I swear to God!
- She is real mean, Coach. - She's an old nasty lady.
She tell your moms every little thing. Do you know she called my house every night last year?
- Every night! - She won't let these guys play?
- [in unison] Hell, no! - Coach,
she telled they moms that they couldn't play ball until they do these book reports.
- I can tell you anyway though, Kofi ain't doin' shit. - Ray Ray neither, yo.
Them little suckers is like, "Bitch, quit that noise." Hey, hey, hey!
Can we cool it with the "bitches"?
* [rap over radio, indistinct]
Aw, shit, man.
[Andre] Coach, it's gettin' kinda late. We gotta go soon. We practicin' today?
Not today. Thursday, 4:00 here.
Cool.
Miles, wait up!
Hey, my mom's meetin' me at Southside Pizza, and I ain't walkin' by myself.
I wanna go to Southside with you.
- Man, you wanna just cut up Ashland? - Whatever, man.
I don't wanna walk through folks' loop. Damn Disciples. [gunshots]
[in unison] Glock, nine millimeter.
Hey, you know about my "kah-rah-tay," right?
- Man, do you mean "karate"? - Nah, it's "kah-rah-tay."
Learned it from my cousin who was in Japan in the army.
Lightning quick! This is the tiger.
No man can defend himself from the fury of a well-trained karate tiger man.
- Yeah, Dre-- a tiger. - Okay.
I only use the tiger when I'm fightin', like, a dozen guys.
More than that, I use the bear.
What's the bear again? I can't show you!
Man, that's the secret code of the karate honor.
[scoffs dramatically]
Hey, wait up!
- [woman] Yes? - Sister Wilkes?
I'm Conor O'Neill. I wanted to talk to you about-- Oh!
I'm sorry.
It's okay. It's just my head.
Who are you here to see?
- Sister Wilkes. - I'm Miss Wilkes.
- Do you teach here? - Yes.
Oh, I'm sorry. I was just expecting, uh-- older woman.
Oh, well, I'm not a nun.
Thank God! [scoffs]
I mean, that's great.
[clears throat]
Is Kofi Evans and Raymont Bennet in your class?
Are they in my class.
- Yes, they're in my class. - I need them to play baseball for the Kekambas.
Oh, yeah. I think that's something you really should take up with their mothers.
- But the kids told me-- - Both mothers agreed the boys need to read one book...
before they start playing baseball in the spring.
Hey, I got no problem with that.
You know, I think reading's real good for kids.
- You work for Smyth and Stevens Securities? - Yes.
- What deal did you blow? - What?
Well, I'm sure you're not coaching this team by choice.
My associate, James Fleming, is in New York for three weeks,
so I, uh-- I volunteered to help out.
I-- I would have loved to have coached that team.
I was away on business-- Canada--
the day Mr Smyth and Mr Stevens chose the team, and--
Canada. That must have been nice.
Lovely.
I was in the, uh, business part the whole time. Mm-hmm.
Well, I think it's wonderful that you're teaching these boys to play baseball.
I just think it's a shame no one spends any time helping them to read.
Listen, I'm Conor.
Elizabeth.
I'm only helping out with the team for two weeks,
but I'm willing to get together with you and help the boys out.
- Why don't we exchange numbers? - I have a better idea. Why don't I give you...
a copy of the book the boys are supposed to be reading, and you can read it.
Then you can talk to Kofi and Raymont about their reports.
God. That would be great.
Conor O'Neill, coach of the crack babies.
I can't coach that team. I've got to get out. I'm serious. I'm bailin' out.
- How'd it go with the nuns? - God, she was beautiful.
- Wh-Wh-- You picked up a nun? - Ticky, shut up.
- You still want your half of the Blackhawks seats I got? - Yeah. Where are they?
I'm gettin' them tomorrow.
Bring 'em to the baseball field on Loomis tomorrow between 4:00 and 5:00.
- Loomis? That's the friggin' projects! - Hey.
Don't screw me, Ticky. I'm not in the mood right now, all right? I need that money.
I'll be there at 5:00. Before 5:00.
O'Neill. Easy, slugger.
All right? Relax.
You got some cabbage for me? Can we talk outside, without the bat?
Duffy, you knew my dad.
And I wouldn't be callin' in a favor if I wasn't completely racked.
- You smashed up my bar. - You know that I'll pay it all back. I just need time.
It ain't my money. Now, I can't carry you any more.
I'll help with the book. Take bets. I'll bring in business.
Nah. No, that's not gonna work.
Listen, I gave them your name because I couldn't carry you.
What?
Are you telling me that some jag-off goombah is gonna come and break my thumbs?
[exhales] Duffy, I'm desperate.
I'm coaching a kids' baseball team in the projects...
for a guy who's paying me 500 a week.
But I'm paying the Barber off. What should I do?
Should I tell the Barber to back off? Should I start paying you every week?
Keep payin' the Barber,
but don't come around here unless you got the money.
* Have you ever, ever, ever in your whole, whole life *
* Seen the things that I've seen or lived the life *
* People don't know what I go through *
* Oh, imagine what it's like bein' misunderstood *
I'm Pearla Evans, and this one's Kofi. This is my youngest, Jarius.
- Everybody call me G-Baby, so-- - Hey.
This is my sister's boy, Raymont.
I spoke with Miss Wilkes. She said you agreed to help with their assignments...
- so they could play ball. - Yeah, that was before I had this--
Miss Wilkes said she had a good feelin' about you,
- so I figured I'd give it a try. - Miss Wilkes said that?
No. Actually, she said she had a good feelin' about them all playin' ball.
- But I'll tell you now, Mr-- - O'Neill. Conor O'Neill. - O'Neill.
You don't help these boys, they don't do this work,
hell will be paid with your ass.
I trust I can reach you at Smyth and Stevens Securities to plan a tutoring session?
- Yes. Of course. Anytime. - Good.
- Go on, boys. - Yeah, come on!
- Yeah, come on, man. - I'll beat you up, man.
- No, man! - Come on. Yeah.
[all chattering]
What? This ain't no giddyap show.
No, like this. Like this.
Come on, Ticky. You're killin' me.
Coach Conor, we usually quit at 5:30.
Mom needs me home. We eat around 6:30. No, keep practicin'.
I'm waiting for somebody. We'll be done soon.
- I'll let you know, Albert. - I'm Jefferson.
Come on, man, pitch the ball!
Shut up! Hey.
- You wanna hit me, huh, bitch? - Oh, shit. And if I did, what you gonna do about it, you--
[all shouting] Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey, that's enough! That's enough, all right?
Shit, I wanna see some blood. [horn honks]
- Will you guys cool it? - [kids muttering]
Practice Saturday, 1:00, all right?
- Coach Conor. Coach Conor! - What?
- Can I walk with you? - No. I'm not goin' that way. Sorry.
But-But--
[sighs]
[chattering]
Yo, what's up, my B?
What's up, shorty, man? Hey, gimme that pizza, man.
[panting]
[panting harder]
[wheezing]
[panting]
[rider] Whoo!
- What up, boy? Open the bag. - Take it, just let me go!
[groaning]
- Let go the bag, punk. - You got it. - Let's go!
Thanks for the bag, fool!
I think it makes you look tough. [chuckles]
- Is he okay? - Who are you?
I'm the coach. Conor O'Neill.
Why did you keep them so late?
Fool, I called you at Smyth and Stevens,
and at first, some little girl didn't even know who you were.
Then some man named Fleming got on the phone and told me you were out of the office today.
- Please, take my home number. - You can't keep them boys out there after dark.
Thank Jesus for Jefferson's strength.
That smell? [sniffs] That might be a lawsuit.
Look at you. You don't even look like you're holdin' it together.
Jefferson, I'm sorry.
I shoulda called practice, you know, when it got dark.
I just came by because, uh,
as soon as you're ready we expect you back, huh?
And, uh,
I needed to know, uh, what number uniform you wanted.
You're never gonna stay being our coach.
[horn honks]
Enjoy the game.
Hey. Nice wheels, soccer mom.
Up yours. [chuckles] What's with the wagon?
The suits at Smyth and Stevens took shit from one of the kids got beat up after practice,
so they lent me this car to get 'em all home.
Ah, man. Who got beat up? Who needs tickets?
- Jefferson Tibbs. - That's the fat kid, right?
Yeah-- How'd you know?
You told me about every kid on the team.
Aw, shit. I hate it when people mess with kids. Jesus. It's so wrong.
- How can I help you fellas? - Mister, you just sold us tickets to last night's game.
Get outta here! Don't make me freakin' shoot you! When a man needs crack, a man needs crack!
- You're unbelievable, man. - Need seats? Need two?
- How we doin' tonight? - "We"?
We aren't doin' so good. San Jose's not such a hot ticket.
- Did the Bulls cover last night? - Yeah, they won by nine.
Shit. I couldn't get any action.
I need to find someone who'll take a big bet.
Fink's minimum bet's two grand.
- The guy at the cement plant? - Yeah, Fink the cement guy. Why?
- I wanna lay 12 G's. - 12 grand? On what?
Since Jordan left, the Bulls have never covered at home against Miami.
You serious about this? They play Miami on the 26th.
- You shouldn't do this. - I don't have a choice.
Take me to meet Fink.
- Come on. - [man] Programs here!
Okay. Okay. I'll take you to see Fink.
Sell some tickets.
Need tickets, folks? Who needs tickets? Who needs tickets?
- Pay up, bitch! - I'll kick your ass, bitch!
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Cool it! [all shouting]
Cool it! What's goin' on?
All right. Let me break it down to you right quick.
Andre say he can catch any pop-up ball anybody can throw.
Kofi say, "That's bullshit. You a busta."
Andre say, "Roll up, bitch." Kofi say, "I'll give you all my gum if you catch this ball."
He threw the ball. Andre caught it. Andre say, "Pay me my money."
Kofi say, "You a cheatin' bitch." No, wait.
- Kofi say, "You a motherf--" - Okay, I got it. Thanks.
Okay, I want everybody to take a position. Let's go.
Let's go. Let's go. Let's practice.
[rap] * Take me out to the ball game *
* Spend no small change Damn, man, you suck, just like my girlfriend.
* People in the crowd Man, I like big things *
* Take me out to the ball game *
* Spend no small change Now show me * [Kofi] Nice catch, Andre.
Jackass!
- Keep chasin', punk. - Give me the ball.
* Spend no small change Now show me *
- Damn! - What happened?
- Kofi just jumped out of the way like a baby! - What's your problem?
Why is everyone so quiet?
What's up, Kofi? You scared of the ball?
[chuckling]
New rule! No one can say anything bad to anyone else on the field!
Got it?
What? You can't talk shit you got nothin' to say?
- Let's hear it. - Got it. - I got it.
- [grunts] - [kids laugh]
Way to use your head, Jamal.
It's cool, Jamal, man. Don't worry about it.
Aah!
"Four Spanish men with hiking boots had surrounded me close.
"I could tell they were banditos because they had taco breath and they called me 'hombre.'
"I spun around and hit the biggest one. I punched him in the gut.
"And as he was falling, he grabbed my backpack.
"I said, 'Stop, you banditos! I don't want to have to hit anyone else.'
"But because they were Spanish, they didn't understand me.
"Two more jumped me, and I hit one of them in his--" Between his legs.
"My mouth banged on his head, and that was where I got my fat lip. The end."
So where'd you get your fat butt?
Andre, that's enough. That was very nice, Jefferson.
Excellent use of the first-person narrative. I was scared of the banditos.
It was good. Okay, sit down.
- Miss Wilkes. - Mr O'Neill. Fresh from the office?
Yo, Coach. Why don't you invite your pants down to your shoes so they can party?
[kids laugh] Everyone, this is Mr O'Neill,
who coaches a baseball team that some of our young men play on.
He's taken the time out of his busy day to give us a hand.
So give him your attention.
A Wrinkle in Time is an important book.
- I liked it very much. - [kids laugh]
I'm just sayin' it ain't like that.
Fantasy ain't reality. I like to read stuff that's real.
- Give me an example. - Michael Jordan's book.
- Nice book, man. - Excellent choice.
A strong piece of literature, a great read.
- Yeah. - That's a biography. That's the real story of his life.
This is fiction. The story's made up.
It's meant to entertain you and make you think.
Kofi, you've been silent this whole time. All you've said is you didn't like it.
That's right.
Well, if you can't say more, I'm going to have to assume that you didn't really read it,
and your mother's gonna want me to call her.
- Did you read the book? - Yeah.
- Tell me something about it. - It was booty.
[kids laugh]
Okay. I'm gonna call your mom tonight.
That girl Meg is dumb.
She think her father comin' back from wherever.
That's stupid to believe in.
That girl and her mom is both trippin'.
'Cause where I'm from, don't nobody's father come back.
[bat hitting ball] [boy] Come on, right here, right here!
Yo, let's do this! I'm ready to beat 'em!
Come on! Hurry up!
- Maybe this year you could turn a double play. - Got the uniforms, Coach,
and... your check.
I take it you're not staying. Sorry. Can't.
Next time. Good luck today.
Thanks. Thanks for giving back to the community,
dickhead.
- I want number seven like last time. - I want number four!
Find a shirt that fits and put it on, okay?
- This shirt smells like my grandma. - [chuckles]
[all chattering]
- Coach. - Good to see you, Jefferson.
Who's got number 11? Coach, I got it here.
Thanks. Jefferson, this is the biggest shirt we got, all right?
Everyone, the shirts go up in sizes from two to 11, okay? Coach, I need a shirt.
- Who's got number ten? - I got it.
- Give it to Jamal. - Where's my shirt?
Hey, guys. Guys? Why don't you guys play catch in the outfield?
Okay? Warm up. G, hang on. Hang on. I wanna talk to you.
How old are you? I'll be nine in October.
Well, you're supposed to be nine before August to, uh, play in this league.
But-But I wanna play. [sniffling]
G-- G,
there's only ten uniforms, 11 players.
So I gotta give the guys who are old enough first pick.
- But I'm on the team, right? - Hell, yeah!
[chuckles]
[umpire] Play ball! * Throw me the ball and watch what I do with it *
[yelling, indistinct]
* We got Bow Wow in the house Whoo! We got game!
* My man, Lil' Zane and Lil' Wayne *
* Sammie, sing to me * Strike one caught you by surprise *
- * Strike two right before your eyes * - Ooh!
* Pitch three This one's to the wall *
- He's out! - * Ain't no fun like a game of hardball *
- * When I step to the plate the outfield gets back * - Strike!
- It's all right, Ray Ray. - * They call me Little Sammy Sosa *
* Bubble gum cards or on the posters *
- * [continues, indistinct] - Strike!
Strike!
* Right before your eyes Strike three *
* Ooh, I got you out without a doubt I got you out *
* Strike one caught you by surprise * Strike!
- Out! - * Strike two right before your eyes *
* Pitch three This one's to the wall *
* Ain't no fun like a game of hardball *
* [continues, indistinct]
- [coach shouting] - Throw it!
- Damn! - [all shouting]
- Come on, come on, come on! Get down! Get down now! - Safe!
[cheering]
Oh, my God, he caught it. Throw it!
What the hell-- Damn it!
- Hey! - Okay, I'm gonna kick your ass!
What the hell is wrong with you? [all shouting]
* Strike one caught you by surprise *
* Strike two right before your eyes *
* Strike three Ooh, I got you out *
* Without a doubt I got you out *
-* Strike one caught you by surprise * -Come on, baby, you can do this.
* Strike two right before your eyes *
* Pitch three This one's to the wall *
- * Ain't no fun like a game of hardball * - [all shouting]
[Conor] Keep goin', Kofi!
Go! Come on, Kofi!
Keep going!
- Safe! - [cheering]
- Yes! - Yeah!
* Ain't no fun like a game of hardball *
- Good job. - [cheering]
Strike! Out!
That's all right. That's the way to take your cuts. Good job.
Coach! Coach.
Yeah? Coach, I guess that's it.
I mean, the league says we can't start another inning after 6:30.
Really? Well, yeah. It's 6:37 now,
and we're up 16 to 1.
That's cool. Thanks. Good luck the rest of the way.
Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate? Kekambas!
Damn, Miles, you don't even know how to throw the ball!
Shut up, Ray Ray. At least he ran after it when it went by.
- Shit went through your legs like five damn times. - You a little punk, Dre.
- Least you throw like one. - I'm tired of your shit, bitch.
[boys, shouting] Kick his ass! Hey, that's it! That's it!
That's it. That's it! I'm gonna kill you!
Hey, Kofi, you're close to being done, okay? I quit!
This team sucks, man! Oh, hell, no. Damn it!
[boys, overlapping] Shit! This is you, Dre. This is all your fault, Dre.
Anybody hungry? How 'bout pizza?
I'm down with that shit, my brother.
You got three large pies, 11 pops.
It's 44.65.
You like hockey? Blackhawks fans?
Yeah. Yeah. I take the wife and kids every year to the Negro Hockey Hall of Fame.
[both laugh]
Man, the only thing black at a Blackhawk game is the puck.
I'll give you two loge seats for the Bulls/Mavericks on Sunday.
- For the pizza? - For the pizza.
Done deal.
Yo, Coach! If I get a home run next game, you gotta buy me pizza again, man.
Every run I score, I get one slice.
[all chattering]
You bustas is trippin'. Only me gettin' pizza every game.
M.V.P.-- Most Valuable Pizza eater.
Yo, Coach, I should be pitching.
- You wanna pitch, Miles? - Yes, sir.
- Yeah. - You can pitch on Wednesday. - Yes!
Coach, is there any chance that we'll get trophies this year?
Let's see.
There are eight teams in the league, play everyone twice--
Yeah. We gotta win more games than we lose.
Yes! So we go the 'ship, right?
- Yeah, we could. - Man, we goin' to the 'ship.
[chanting] We goin' to the 'ship, whoa. We goin' to the 'ship.
Whoa, whoa. We goin' to the 'ship.
We goin' to the 'ship. Whoa, whoa.
We goin' to the 'ship.
All right, Andre.
This is it, right?
Don't you wanna see my house?
Sure.
- What? - Everyone's sitting on the floor.
You stay below the window.
- What? - Bullets.
What do you do around here for fun?
Play baseball with you.
See ya on Wednesday. Okay.
* [funk-rap, indistinct]
Safe! [cheering]
You ready, Miles?
Want me to hold your Walkman?
[boy] Come on, Miles. You do your stuff now.
Let's go, pitcher! Come on, Miles!
[jeering, laughing]
- Strike! - Damn.
Strike!
- Strike! Out! - Shit.
- What's he listenin' to? - Same song, over and over.
What is it? "Big Poppa" by Notorious B.I.G.
Want one of his tapes? He made five of 'em.
- How's it go? - * I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
* He waves his hands in the air if you a true player *
* I see some ladies tonight that should be havin' my baby, baby *
Strike!
* I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
* Throw your hands in the air if you's a true player *
- Strike! - * I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
- * [continues, indistinct] - Out!
* I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
* You got a gun up in your waist, please don't shoot up the place *
* 'Cause I see some ladies tonight that should be havin' my baby, baby *
[bell rings] * [continues, indistinct]
We won our last game. Miles is an amazing pitcher.
- Oh, I heard. Nine to three over the Gandas. - Yeah.
I'm just tryin' to help out till my colleague returns from New York.
- It's great of you to take the time out. - Hey, listen,
why don't we have dinner tonight?
I mean, what good is an expense account if you don't get to pad it once in a while?
- I can't. It's a school night, and-- - Maybe some other time.
What about after the game on Saturday?
- Saturday. - The boys would love to see you there.
- Mm, maybe. - Maybe.
- Okay? - Okay.
Yo, Coach. You're not really tryin' to get Miss Wilkes, are you?
- No. Why? - Good. 'Cause I already tried, and she ain't havin' it.
[starts engine]
- Do it, Jamal! - [shouting, indistinct]
Kofi wanna come back,
but first I have to "regotiate" his contract.
- [umpire] Ball one! - Okay.
- What are the terms? - One, Kofi wants you to tell Andre
that Kofi's the best player.
Two, only Kofi gets pizza when he hits a home run.
Three, if he whacks it over the gate, he gets a whole pizza to take home.
One, when the season's over, the team'll vote on who's the best player.
Two, Kofi can have the same pizza bonuses as everyone else.
Three, if he hits it over the fence,
I'll buy him a pizza.
Okay. Let me discuss the negotiations with my client.
[man] Put your back into it, Jefferson!
[crowd whoops]
Here! Light this sucker!
[crowd applauds]
Go, baby! One more run!
What's up, Coach?
Kofi Evans.
- I spoke to your agent. - I can come back?
If it's cool with the rest of the team. But you start shit with Andre,
and you're done-- okay?
Yeah.
[crowd cheering] [woman] Ooh, run!
[umpire] You're out!
[cheering]
Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate?
The Kintus! The Kintus! Yea, Kintus!
- [cheering] - Conor. Hi.
Hi. You're great with them.
Thanks. Are we on for tonight?
- Tonight? I don't know. - It's not a school night.
Come on-- just for dinner.
Look, if you're worried, the place is well-lit, people can hear your screams.
[chuckling] I'm not sure. Where?
It's on the corner of Clark and Addison-- Slugger's.
How 'bout, uh, 9:00?
9:00. Clark and Addison. Clark and Addison.
All right. All right?
Yeah.
Did you miss a payment with the Barber?
Yeah. I shined him this week. Why?
That goofy dork Gino came into Duffy's asking for you.
Oh, Jesus.
Fink.
Ticky, this is Ed. Ed.
- How you doin'? - Pleasure.
This is Conor O'Neill. He wanted to meet you.
What do you do for money?
I'm a trader at Smyth and Stevens.
Bullshit. First lie.
You gonna try to beat me one time so you can pay off whoever else you owe?
- I wanna make a big bet. - How big?
- Twelve grand. - And?
And, if I win, I wanna get paid.
No bullshit to keep betting.
This guy's too serious.
I got a handful of clients, they lay a hundred grand a week, and they're not emotional.
I can cover it. You seem too emotional about this 12 grand. Desperate.
What are you, a psychiatrist or a bookie?
Don't you want your number?
You gonna take my bet?
Ed, what's the next number?
- Twenty-seven. - You're account 27 when you call in. And your handle is?
Kekambas.
What? Kekambas?
- Kekambas. - Ed, you got it?
- Got it. - You're a strange kid, Kekambas.
I'm interested to see what happens with you.
O'Neill! Gino, get him.
Aw, fuck this.
Account 27. Kekambas.
Yeah. What's the line on Chicago tomorrow night against Miami?
Gimme Miami minus six. Twelve grand.
Wait. Wait.
I'll take Chicago and the six points.
Yeah. Twelve thousand.
- Conor, hi. - Hey.
- Let's eat. - Okay.
Why don't we sit?
So... I wanted to talk to you.
Yeah, I wanted to talk to you too.
So, uh, do you want a drink?
No.
What's wrong?
I come here all the time with the guys I work with.
Look, I know you don't work at Smyth and Stevens.
Look at you. I could tell right away you weren't a broker.
What's that mean?
Nothing. You just don't look like someone that works at Smyth and Stevens.
You look like a freakin' boring schoolteacher.
[sighs]
Hey. Elizabeth!
Elizabeth. Hey. Why'd you come here?
To bust me in the lie about where I work? You win.
You coach my kids. I thought we had a common interest.
Elizabeth, I get paid under the table to coach that team.
And I only do that because I'm in a big hole with two bookies
- who are lookin' to kill me. - Yeah.
- What? - Nothing.
You know all this.
I spoke to Jimmy Fleming after Jefferson got beat up. He told me.
- You just think I'm a big joke. - No.
It's people like me that make people like you feel better about your tiny life.
This is unbelievable. I can't believe I came down here for this.
Yeah? Then why did you come if you know I'm a liar?
Because those kids trust you. And they don't trust anybody.
I told you, I coach for money.
Well, I teach for money. I've had some of the best fifth-graders in the world,
but some of them don't make it because they don't have anybody besides their mother or me...
telling them what to do.
So what?
I'm done with all that.
Well, I just came down here...
to see what they see, because they're never wrong.
Take a good look. See what they see.
- I came to talk to you about a job. - Yeah?
Well, unless it pays 12 grand an hour,
I'm not interested.
Conor.
Hey. Did you play it?
Yeah. Twelve grand. Twelve grand? Yes!
Coach! Can we have a word?
How many points you givin'?
I'm getting six.
You took Chicago?
Are you on crack? You laid 12 grand on those--
Shut up, Ticky. I'm under a lot of pressure right now.
- I said now! - Win or lose, I'm outta here.
- Darryl Mackey, league's president. - We met.
Coach, we're concerned about the age of some of the boys on your team.
Can you produce birth certificates for your players?
All I got is what Coach Fleming from Smyth and Stevens gave me.
- Here they are. - What are the names of those two boys at second base?
- Andre and Jamal. - Which one's Jamal?
The taller one.
This birth certificate's been altered.
What?
The eight's been turned into a nine.
You have to be born after September of '88.
Well, the kid is out of the league, and the Kekambas are on probation.
Look, what are you guys? The cops?
What's the point of the league, Coach?
To teach kids it's okay to lie, as long as they can get away with it?
It should be about these kids playing ball,
not the trophy you bring to work.
Look, the kid goes now.
Okay?
Jefferson bats seventh, plays first base.
Miles pitches and bats eighth, and Clarence, you play third and bat ninth.
Cool. Okay, let's go.
[kids chattering]
Why I not playin'? You mad at me?
Jamal, the other coach-- 'Cause I'm sorry about pushing Ray Ray.
I just want to play.
Listen, they know that you changed your birth certificate. I can't let you play.
But my mom said it was okay.
She said that she would tell them if they asked if I was born later. She said it was okay.
- I just wanna play. - There's nothin' I can do, Jamal.
Look, why don't you just sit--
Jamal!
[boy] Miles, do your stuff now.
Strike.
Strike! Out.
- Yeah, baby. That's what I'm talkin' about. - [sighs]
Time, Blue.
I can't have this kid out here with these things on.
- What now? - Coach, we're just all in agreement.
The kid can't wear headphones while he pitches.
Matt makes a good point about safety.
- Come on. You're kidding me, right? - Think about it.
What if he gets hurt because he can't hear in a dangerous situation?
- There's liability issues. - Bring it in, fellas.
- Come on, bring it in. Bring it in. - What are you doing?
I want you guys to explain to them why they lost Jamal...
and why Miles can't wear headphones,
and why the Bua Was and the Waatas have nice uniforms,
and we have shitty T-shirts.
Easy, Coach. You're already on a warning.
Kekambas. This is the president...
and that is the coach of the goofiest team in the league.
And they kicked Jamal off the team because he was born two weeks early,
and now they're makin' Miles take his headphones off...
'cause he's pitching too good.
It's a safety issue. Look, fellas.
Fellas, you have to understand that everyone has to follow the same rules.
That's some weak-ass bullshit, you bitch-ass, mother-freakin' bustas.
[Kekambas complaining] What did you say?
I believe he said, "That is some weak-ass bullshit."
- Was that it, G-Baby? - Yeah, that's it.
You are on thin ice, pal! I could have you removed from this league.
- This is my last game. - What?
- I quit. - What?
I'm out.
I got business out of town. All right, listen up.
Kekambas, back on the field. Son, no headphones.
Coaches, get back to the dugouts.
Come on, let's go. Get out there.
Come on! Let's go!
What'd you expect? I was gonna coach this team the whole year?
[muttering]
[boys chanting] Baddy, Baddy, the pitcher's name is Baddy!
Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof!
[chanting continues]
All right, Calvin. Big stick now. Let's go.
What have you got, son? What have you got?
Bua Was!
Hang on. You guys suck.
- Whatever. I just quit. - Finally.
- I'll see you at the game. - Yeah.
- Sluggers. - Yeah.
Next practice is Saturday, right?
- 11:00. - Someone's gonna be here. Right?
I'll make sure someone's here on Saturday for practice.
Coach, can't you at least give us a ride?
I mean-- It's early. You can walk.
You think you could drop us off? Don't you think...
I might have something more important to do than worry about you guys...
and your stupid little baseball team?
[TV sports announcer, nearby] Can we please go in now? I gotta take a piss.
- We're gonna watch the whole game through the glass? - I feel better out here.
All right.
[announcer] Jones fires. Oh!
Shit! Shit!
Jones is ice-cold! It's all right.
Fourth quarter, we're up by two points, you're getting six.
I don't know what I'm gonna do, Ticky. Come on. Hey.
You're up right now. Ride it out. Ride it out.
[announcer] Nice play by Tillman. He's got it.
Come on, come on. Here we go.
Smith throws up a prayer. It's good! Holy shit!
- Should I look? - No, no!
You're not looking. It's working. Keep not looking.
Oh, God, Ticky.
Ticky, am I out of the woods? Here we go.
Miami in-bounds. Don't foul! Don't foul!
- Shit! They fouled him! - [moans] Williams will shoot two!
Oh, God, Ticky. Never again. Never again.
Shit! What's happening?
Talk to me! What's happening?
Williams at the line.
- Williams makes the first. - Shit, shit!
- If he makes the second, it's over, you're dead. - Williams shoots 80%.
Williams shoots. It's in.
Shit.
What am I gonna do, Tick? Miami by seven.
What am I gonna do?
Oh, my God, Ticky.
I was down 11 grand before I made this bet.
Smith dribbles inside, half-court. Heaves a 30-footer!
It's in!
- You covered! Yes, it's good! - Are you sure?
- What's the final score? - Miami by four!
- You covered! You covered 12 G's! - I covered!
Yes!
[whooping]
* I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
* Throw your hands in the air if you's a true player *
* I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
* Gun up in your waist Don't shoot up the place *
* What? 'Cause I see some ladies tonight *
* That should be havin' my baby * * Baby
Hey! Hey! You take this party somewhere else.
Kiss our ass, Duffy. He beat Fink tonight for 12 grand!
- You got my six grand? - Tomorrow.
Hey, no neck, play this. Make yourself useful, huh?
Huh?
* ["Big Poppa"]
- So you took Fink for 12 large. - Yeah.
Now what?
- I don't know. - What do you mean, you don't know?
We're rolling it on the Bulls Saturday night.
Yeah? I'll take that action on Ticky's number if you wanna play it.
We'll bet it with Fink. We covered tonight.
We got Vancouver Saturday night. We'll cover again. Twenty-four grand.
Yeah. Twenty-four grand.
Then what? Hey, you think you just won the game of life? What next?
I don't know.
[cassette tape ejects]
If you win that, what are you gonna do with your life, huh?
You gonna coach baseball for black kids?
I don't know.
I don't know, Duffy.
Maybe I'm just a loser, right? Not like you.
Mr Big Time, huh?
I'm just a loser.
O'Neill, I want my money tomorrow.
Night-night. Time for beddy-bye, Coach.
Don't talk down to me!
You don't know shit about those kids! You don't know shit.
Come on.
Let's go, let's go, let's go.
[radio announcer] Chicago landers brace for the long awaited inter-league,
cross-town match-up between the Sox and the Cubbies tonight at Comiskey.
In a battle between two of the brightest young hurlers in the game today,
21-year-old Jon Garland will face off--
[knocking] It's Ticky.
[radio clicks off]
- Yeah? - I'm alone, I promise.
I'll take off my crusty underwear and stand naked in your hallway to prove it.
I'm naked now. Beautiful.
Come on. I'm gonna lay on the ground and slide my nuts under your door until you let me in.
What's up?
I paid Duffy. We're square.
Did you call Fink? Are we down on the Bulls? How many points we gettin'?
Fink wants to see that I've still got his money.
Great. Let's go by there, flash him a little cash and bet the 12 grand like we said.
What's with you? We're gonna do this, right?
Yeah, okay. I just gotta go by the baseball field.
Jesus Christ. I thought you quit.
I did quit!
I gotta drop the equipment off, right? I don't know.
[radio announcer] ...match-up between the Sox tonight at Comiskey.
Sammy Sosa will attempt to go yard for his fifth consecutive game...
and the big Hurt will attempt to break out of his dreadful 11-game hitting slump.
We're just over an hour away from game time.
We'll be back to take your calls.
All right. See ya. Hurry up, okay?
- You here to tell us you quit? - That's old news.
I left a message for Coach Jimmy that I was just gonna drop off the equipment today.
He should be here any minute.
[car horn honks]
- Yeah. Keep goin', sucker. - We goin' to the 'ship by ourselves.
[boys muttering agreement] I can't bet the 12 grand.
Fine. I understand. We should just bet six grand and wait till we got a little breathing room--
No, I can't.
You get your bummy ass outta here, 'cause we a better team without you anyway.
Ha! Ha! Ha-ha!
I'm not listening to any of you. I'm not listening to you.
I'm not listening to you or any of you!
So good luck. Good luck on your own.
- Call me when you get to the 'ship without me. - Cold.
Good luck. I'm so glad I'm done with this.
Can we please go? If Fink thinks we're coming, we should at least stop by.
If we don't want to bet it, we don't count. Technically--
How many of you guys been to a big league park and seen a baseball game?
[boy] No. Uh-uh.
Ha! Ha, ha, ha!
That's what I thought.
You guys will never be a team until you see it played right. Never!
Gimme that.
Listen, you're stressed out. Let's grab a bite.
- We can call Fink and lay the bet. Head for-- - I'm out, Ticky!
You hear me? I'm out! I'm out, I'm out, I'm out!
- Okay? I'm out! - Okay. Okay. You're out.
I'm done.
I'm done with all that.
Well... you gotta call Fink for me.
You can't just dissolve a partnership like that.
I-I-I'm flapping in the breeze here.
Seriously. I got nothin' now. I'm flappin' in the breeze here.
Kekambas. Come on. Let's go. Get in the car.
Game starts in an hour. Come on. Let's go.
What's this? What are we doing? What is happening here?
Hey, let's-- Let's bet three grand.
Three grand will be fine. I mean, what's goin' on?
Where are we-- What are we doing? Come on, wait.
Come on. Now wait, wait, wait!
This is against everything that's right! Hey!
Hot dogs! Get your hot dogs!
Second row! Big league right now.
We got second row!
Coach, thanks for the seats. They hot, yo.
Yo, check it out! That's Sammy Sosa over there!
Where? Where? Right there!
[all shouting] Hey, Sammy! Sammy!
Sammy!
Man, that ain't no Sammy Sosa.
Shut up, man! Shut up! Sammy!
Look, y'all, look! There's Sammy Sosa right there!
Look! Right there! Hey, Sammy!
[boys all shouting] Sammy! Sammy!
[woman] Yes?
- Missed me. - Conor O'Neill.
I wanted to apologize for the other night.
- Well, I have had better dates. - Yeah. I'm sorry.
I heard about the baseball game. The boys loved it.
Yeah. It worked. We've won three in a row since then.
Do you have any idea how much that meant to them?
I was thinking...
how the other night you knew that I wasn't really a stock trader...
and that I had a big gambling debt.
And if you were there to offer me a job,
it might still stand.
So you're not here to ask me out?
Uh, no.
Okay.
Am I supposed to be?
Uh--
- We need a physical activities coordinator. - You and me?
[chuckles] The school.
You know, someone to supervise after school recess,
organize games and sports.
- We'd really like to get a guy because-- - I think you like me.
- What? - I just got this gut feeling that when you were laughing at me,
that you like me.
Are you interested?
In the job? What are we talking about here?
I'm, uh, interested.
I'm interested-- I'm interested in anything I'm supposed to be interested in.
- Okay. - Okay.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Bua Was!
[chanting continues]
What's everybody lookin' at?
Why we gotta play them damn boo woos again, man?
They kicked our ass.
'Cause the two best records in Division A play to see who goes to the 'ship.
If we win this, we go to the 'ship.
[boy] If we win.
Everybody sit down.
Take a seat. Come on, Dre.
No matter what happens today,
you guys should be really proud of the season you've had,
'cause you played like a team.
And because you played like a team,
I thought you should look like a team.
Jefferson Albert Tibbs, [gasps]
I believe this is yours.
Man, that shit is tight! Look at that, boy!
[all exclaiming]
Fellas.
There's no more shirts in the box.
Nope.
G-Baby.
Yeah! [boys cheering]
What is destiny? Destiny is you're supposed to win.
Since you're supposed to win, since I expect you to win,
I don't want any celebrating when you strike out one of these ridiculous--
[Kekambas shouting]
Hey, dogs, hats! [all cheering]
What are you doing? Sit down! Hey. Sit down and act like champions.
Come on!
[umpire] Safe!
* Y'all gon' make me lose my mind *
* Up in here Up in here *
* Y'all gon' make me go all out *
* Up in here Up in here *
* Y'all gon' make me act a fool *
* Up in here Up in here *
* Y'all gon' make me lose my cool Up in here, up in here *
* I gots to bring it to you cowards Then it's gonna be quick *
* All your men's up in the jail before *
* Them other cats you run with get done with, dumb quick *
* You gonna cross the dog with some bum *
* Click, nine, one, one What, over some dumb Ain't that some *
* Remind me of a strip club 'cause every time you come around it's like, what *
* I just gotta get my
* Y'all gon' make me act a fool Up in here Up in here *
* Y'all gon' make me lose my cool Up in here, up in here *
* I bring down rains so heavy it curse the head *
* No more talkin' Put him in the dirt instead *
* You keep walkin' lest you tryin' to end up red *
- * 'Cause if I end up fed you're all dead * - [umpire] You're out!
* 'Cause you's a soft type Fake up North type *
* Like a soft white Dog is a dog Blood's thicker than water *
* We done been through the mud The hands with them, man *
* Y'all gon' make me lose my mind Up in here, up in here *
* Y'all gon' make me go all out *
- * Up in here, up in here - Safe!
[chanting] Bua Was! Bua Was!
Blue.
Miles.
[softly] No, come on.
- Good job, Clarence. - Thanks, Coach.
Good job. Miles. Come on.
Listen, we're tied two-two. We just need to get one guy out.
Coach, I can't pitch. These guys are really going to swerve me.
They're gonna yell, and then I can't think.
This guy is one of the best hitters in the league. Miles.
You're in charge out here. Okay? Don't rush.
Hey, you can hear "Big Poppa" in your head, right? Yeah.
- Just sometimes I lose the rhythm. - Miles.
You're great.
I'm not worried.
[crowd chanting] Baddy, Baddy, the pitcher's name is Baddy!
Woof, woof, woof, woof!
Miles!
[mouthing words]
* 'Cause I see some ladies tonight *
* That should be havin' my baby, baby *
* I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
* Throw your hands in the air if you's a true player *
* 'Cause I see some ladies tonight that should be havin' my baby *
* Baby
* I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
[all the team] * Throw your hands in the air
* If you's a true player 'Cause I see some ladies tonight *
* Should be havin' my baby
- * Baby - Strike one.
* I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
* Throw your hands in the air if you's a true player *
Hey. * 'Cause I see some ladies tonight *
- * That should be havin' my baby * - [umpire] Two!
* I love it when you call me Big Poppa *
* Throw your hands in the air if you's a true player *
* 'Cause I see some ladies tonight that should be havin' my baby *
- * Baby - Strike three!
Out!
Good going, Miles. Yeah.
All right. We're tied two-two.
Yeah! This is it. Last licks.
We pull this out, we're goin' to the 'ship.
[cheering] Leading off.
Leading off, we've got Andre, we've got Ray Ray, we've got Clarence.
After that-- After that, it's you, Kofi, and then we've got Jefferson.
[boy] Yeah, Jefferson.
Let's go to the 'ship. Yeah!
* When it comes to this game they call me Zane McGuire *
* That other kid was just a mark so I made him retire *
* See, we all got a base Way to go, Dre! Good job.
* When I come up to bat We all gon' come home Strike one *
* Got you by surprise Strike one!
Two!
Strike three!
* Without a doubt I got you out *
* Strike one Got you by surprise *
* Strike two Right before your eyes *
* Pitch three This one's to the wall *
* Ain't no game like a game of hardball *
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nice job, Ray Ray.
- Damn! - [Conor] Let's go, Kofi!
- Yeah, Kofi! - Come on, Kofi.
* If your team's better than mine you really gotta show me *
* Really gotta beat me Really gotta trash talk mistreat me *
* And send my squad back home
* 'Cause I don't lose too much I ain't never lost at all *
* When I'm playin' hardball
Yeah, yeah. Almost, Kofi. Almost.
Okay, two down. Jefferson, how're you doin'?
[crowd chanting] Let's go. Let's go, Bua Was, let's go!
- Let's go Bua Was! Let's go! - G-Baby.
- You're up. - Yeah!
Time, Blue.
I've got Jarius Evans batting for Jefferson Tibbs.
All right. Wednesday night practice.
Thanks for the uniform, Coach.
Thanks, Coach. Right. See you guys later.
Hey, kid. You can't come in there right now.
How long is it gonna be? Don't know.
Jamal, what's up?
Why can't we go in right now?
They're waitin' to cap somebody inside. What're we gonna do?
Come on.
- [kid shouting] - Shit! Come on.
Move! Come on, man!
[tires squealing] Get in the car, man!
Quiet. They'll pass by. Come here!
What's up?
Oh, shit!
[all shouting]
Get outta here! Come on! It's all right. We're okay.
G, we're okay.
G, come on, get up. Come on. Come on, G.
[crying] Come on.
It's okay. We'll just wait for somebody to come.
It'll be okay.
[sirens wailing]
It'll be okay.
[phone ringing]
Yeah?
Yeah, Elizabeth?
What?
Oh, Jesus.
* [choir]
* I must
* Tell Jesus
* Jesus can
* Help
* Me
* Jesus
* Alone
We've heard testimony from those very close to our community.
[congregation] Praise Jesus.
I wanted to give a few more people the opportunity to say something on--
on Jarius' behalf.
Please, Mr O'Neill. Come on up.
Good morning.
[clears throat]
Jarius was a player...
on the Kekambas baseball team that I coach.
Honestly, he, uh-- he was too young to play.
But he wanted to be a part of the team so badly that, uh...
I couldn't say no.
G-Baby. You're up.
He had a great smile too.
I know I'm not telling you anything you don't know.
I've got Jarius Evans batting for Jefferson Tibbs.
He was a really tough guy.
Just a boy, really, who, uh...
wanted to be around his older brother.
Hang on, Coach. I don't have Jarius Evans on this roster anywhere.
Oh, you know what? There he is. He's okay.
The other day...
we played a really important game against a good team.
And, two outs in the last inning...
G-Baby.
... I had no choice but to let Jarius bat.
You can swing if you want, but you don't have to.
Okay. If you go down looking, none of us care.
But if you want to swing, swing.
- Get back in there. Do what you feel. - Okay.
He was fearless as he stepped to the plate.
I was terrified for him.
With two strikes and our hopes dwindling...
he hit a shot down the first baseline.
We won the game.
And watching him...
raise his arms in triumph...
as he ran to first base,
I swear...
I was lifted in that moment to a better place.
I swear he, uh--
He lifted the world in that moment.
He made me a... better person...
even if just for that moment.
I am, uh...
forever grateful to Jarius for that.
That was nice, what you said.
His mother was very moved. Thank you.
Wait.
There's some people who want to talk to you about the baseball team.
- The team is done. - That's what they want to talk to you about.
They're in the auditorium.
We know the league wants to cancel the championship game.
Mom said it was all up to us 'cause of G-Baby.
Yeah. It's over. You guys don't have to play.
You guys had a great year.
You can keep the uniforms.
- Wait. You're quitting again? - What do you mean?
- We wanna play, bitch. - Yeah, man.
[all agreeing]
- You guys wanna play? - [all] Hell, yeah!
[Andre] For G-Baby.
I'll see you tomorrow at 11:00.
- Hey. - I came to make sure you guys win.
[laughs] I even made a bet with your friend, Ticky.
Knowing Ticky bet against us improves our chances.
Did you really fill out an application to work at the school?
Yeah.
Good luck today.
Thank you.
- Andre and Ray Ray. - What's up, Coach?
Why don't you bring everybody in?
Hey, y'all, bring it in. Bring it in!
Y'all, let's go.
I want you guys to take a good look at yourselves today and feel proud.
You made it here. We're here.
What I've learned from you is that...
really, one of the most important things in life...
is showing up.
I'm blown away by your ability to show up...
through everything that's gone on.
The league never wanted you to play this game.
But you showed up.
But, uh, we only have eight players,
so... God.
...we can't play.
He was my brother.
He loved to watch us play.
He's watching us right now.
We gon' play today.
Here you go, Kofi.
- Okay, this is for G-Baby. - [all] G-Baby.
G. For G.
G.
Play ball!
[cheering]
Go G!
* I was in a tunnel
* And couldn't see the light
* And whenever I'd look up I couldn't see the sky *
* But then I climbed the hills and saw the mountains *
* I hollered help 'cause I was lost *
* Then I felt the strong wind *
* Heard a small voice sayin'
* The storm is over * The storm is over now
* And I can see the sunshine *
* Somewhere beyond the clouds *
* I feel heaven, yeah * Heaven is over me
* Come on and set me free
* Oh
* Now in the midst of my battle *
* All hope was gone
* Downtown in a rushed crowd and felt all alone *
* Every now and than I felt like I would lose my mind *
* I've been racin' for years
* And still no finish line
* Oh, but then I climbed the hills *
* And saw the mountains * Mountains
* I hollered help 'cause I was lost *
* Then I felt the strong wind
* And then a small voice sayin' the storm is over *
* The storm is over now
* I can see the sunshine
* Somewhere beyond the clouds *
* I can feel heaven, yeah * Heaven is over me
* Come on and set me free * Free, ah
* Oh * Ah
* Somehow my beginning stepped right in * * Right in
* Then faith became my friend * * My friend
* And now I can depend
* On the voices of the wind
* When it's saying * Saying
* The storm is over * The storm is over now
* And I can see the sunshine
* Somewhere beyond the clouds *
* I can feel heaven, yeah * Heaven is over me
* Won't you come and set me free *
* Won't you set me free
* The storm is over, yeah * The storm is over now
* And I can see the sunshine
* Somewhere beyond the clouds *
* I can feel heaven, yeah * Heaven is over me
* Won't you come and set me free * * Hey, hey
* Won't you come and set me free * * Hey, hey, hey
* Hey, there's light * Looks like I can see the light *
* Shinin'
* Somewhere beyond the clouds * Looks like I can see the light *
* Hey * Shinin'
* Down * Down on me
* Looks like I can see the light *
* The world's turnin' The cloud's movin' * * Shinin'
* The sun's shinin' * Looks like I can see the light *
* I'm headed home * Shinin' Hold on *
* The storm is over * The storm is over now
* I tell you I can see the light *
* Hey * Somewhere beyond the clouds *
* I can feel heaven over me, yeah *
* Hey * Heaven is over me
* Won't you come and set me free * * Hey, hey
* Won't you come and set me free * * Hey, hey, hey
* Hey Looks like *
* Looks like I can see the light shinin' * * Oh
* Somewhere beyond the clouds * Looks like I can see the light *
* Hey * Shinin'
* Down * Down on me, looks like I can see the light *
* The world's turnin' The cloud's movin' * * Shinin'
* The sun's shinin' * Looks like I can see the light *
* Painted gold I'm headed home * * Shinin'
* Rainbow Pot of gold *
* The storm is over * The storm is over now
* I'm tellin' you I can see the light *
* Hey * Somewhere beyond the clouds *
* I can feel heaven over me Yeah *
* Heaven is over me
* Come and set me free * Hey, hey
* Come and set me free * Hey, hey, hey
* Won't you come and set me free *