American Summer (2026) Movie Script
1
[AUDIO LOGO]
[OWL HOOTING]
[AUDIO LOGO]
[MARGARET LEWIS, "YEA YEA BABY"]
You got me
walking in circles
talking all out of my head
Out of my head,
out of my head
You got me
walking in circles
Talking all out of my head
Out of my head,
out of my head
Yeah, yeah,
baby, I love you
I'd do anything
that you want me to
Yea, yea, yea, yea,
baby, I love you
Yea, yea, yea, yea
[VOCALIZING]
[LIGHT MUSIC]
Some days get you nostalgic
for the past, don't they?
Take today, for instance.
Got me thinking about this
special summer a long time ago.
It was a summer of firsts.
It was definitely the best.
My friends, pool-hopping,
backyard barbecues,
trying new things, baseball.
And girls... well, the girl.
The thing about baseball is
you can have all the talent
in the world, but if you
throw the towel in too soon
or you don't try your
hardest, you get crushed.
At the end of the
day, it's hard to beat
the guy that doesn't give up.
It's true, in
baseball and in life.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Noodle.
[NOODLE BARKS]
Come on, Noodle, you
can't be on the field
while we're playing.
Puff, can you take
care of Noodle?
Hey, Noodle!
Go get it.
ADULT MIKEY: Man,
we loved Field X.
Parents didn't know about it.
Hardly any kids played there.
We felt like it was
our own Yankee stadium.
Yeah, I don't
look fast, I get it.
But I don't have to
run the ball at first.
I have to throw it.
My arm is solid.
Come on, Paulie.
Watch this.
I'm gonna hit this ball so hard,
my name's gonna be
tattooed on it forever.
Let's see about that.
[LAUGHS]
[BAT HITS BALL]
Hot sauce.
He crushed it!
NARRATOR: American hot sauce.
Yes, I know.
Obvious brand promotion.
[LAUGHS] Yes!
Home run!
You guys look like
the Bad News Bears.
[LAUGHS]
Guys, come see this!
PUFF: I'm not going
anywhere near that.
Guys, you know what's
in there, right?
The ball?
A treasure!
Gold.
[SCOFFS] Yeah, right.
We all know you just want
some of these berries, Puff.
Those berries are
obviously poisonous,
but we should send
someone in to check.
LEADHEAD: No way.
I'm giving myself hives
just thinking about going
to that poisoned mess.
Come on, guys, let's just
get back to practicing.
Puff, if you find gold,
you can be the first one
-of us to buy a car.
-[LAUGHS]
There's a treasure in there.
I know it.
We can see it.
Maybe actual gold.
[LAUGHTER]
You guys, can we get out of here?
Guys, I don't think Puff
will eat those berries.
They're a little
too healthy for him.
[LAUGHTER]
Hey, guys, look.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
What's up, Buck?
Not much.
Just gonna play some ball.
Do we know each
other or something?
MIKEY: Yeah.
Well, I know you.
You're Buck Mulvaney.
You play for the
senior travel team.
You got a killer fastball.
What is it, like,
80 miles an hour?
Hey, you guys wanna play with us?
BOY: Yeah.
Why would we wanna play
with a bunch of little kids?
Little kids?
What are you guys doing
here in the first place?
This is a secret field.
We all wanna play, and we
have enough to fill the field.
No.
Come on, Mikey.
These guys can't be as
good as you say they are.
They're obviously
scared to play us.
Scared?
I'll show you scared.
Hey!
Now take a hike.
Dude, what...
You don't have to
be jerks about it.
You don't get it.
When we come to
Field X, it's ours.
All you babies have to leave.
We're going into high
school after the summer,
and we were here first.
Tell it to someone who cares.
We stay, you go.
You losers got that
gross cheesecake-looking
wax growing out of your ears?
Get lost!
You don't own Field X.
Mikey, let's just go home and
play video games, all right?
They're gonna maul us.
They're gonna maul me.
No, Leadhead.
It's not right.
We can share the field.
Yeah.
We always felt like
this Buck kid looked
like he was 30 years old.
I mean, he was huge.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
DERRICK: Hey, come on, Buck.
You sticking up for
these embryos, Derrick?
No, there's just no point.
Come on.
Hey, hey, hey.
What's ours is ours.
Kind of like the Roman Empire.
The Romans crashed and burned!
Aahhh!
[CHUCKLES]
All right, let's get 'em.
Powerbomb, choke slam,
suplex, pile driver,
I'm gonna do them all!
DERRICK: This isn't
gonna solve anything.
Let's just get out of here, guys.
You little smart-mouthed,
petulant babies.
LEADHEAD: Look, all I want
is to get our blue bat,
and he's using big words, so
let's just get out of here.
Yeah, the kids are talking
about getting his bat,
let's get ours.
Come on, guys, they're gonna
get their bats to kill us.
Let's go, come on.
Come on!
-Let's go!
-Come on!
Guys, we can go
to Leadhead's house.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
[MIKEY WHISTLES]
[DOG BARKS]
[SIGHS] Forget it.
I can't believe we
made it here alive.
And by the skin of our teeth.
It's just a stupid saying.
Teeth don't even have skin.
Speaking of teeth, maybe
you should consider brushing
yours once in a while, Puff.
[ALL LAUGH]
Do you guys think Buck and
those morons know where I live?
They don't know where you live.
But, Mikey, they
might come to yours.
You got Buck pretty mad
when you stood up to him.
Hey, why were you so
friendly to them earlier?
I thought they'd be cool.
Figure we can get along,
maybe I could get a few swings
off their pitches.
Everyone knows Buck has...
-issues.
-Yeah.
Yeah, it's true.
And... I just got you!
Oh, you're out.
My turn.
[SIGHS]
GRANDMA: Larry, would you
and your cute little friends
like some brownies?
We're OK, Grandma.
This little friend would
like some carrots and tuna.
I can almost see my abs.
GRANDMA: Or I
could make you boys
some salmon salad sandwiches!
[QUIRKY MUSIC]
OK, Grandma, we'll...
we'll have the brownies.
Puff's trying to
watch his figure,
-so he'll just have the salmon.
-Puff, enjoy your salmon.
Your breath's gonna
stink like Miss Donker.
Donk!
Donk!
Donk!
GRANDMA: Then come
and get the brownies.
I'm not your delivery
service, Larry.
MIKEY: [LAUGHS]
LARRY: Don't start anything.
And don't pick boogers
out your nose, Larry.
And clean up your
dirty diaper, Larry.
And comb your hair
just right, Larry.
[LAUGHTER]
Dude, Paulie's been
spamming this move all game.
OK, but can I beat it?
-You gotta stop.
-I got this.
-Thanks, Grandma.
-Thanks, Grandma.
Thanks, Grandma.
So, Mikey, are you going
to the barbecue this weekend?
Are you kidding?
Kelly's gonna be there.
Oh, god.
You guys are crazy.
All right, I better get home.
PAULIE: All right.
See you, lover boy.
[KISSING NOISES] Kelly!
SMACKS: Hey!
Hey, hey, hey,
you're blocking me.
Get out of here.
All right, see you, man.
Come on.
Grandmas are great, aren't they?
I mean, who makes brownies for
everyone else but themselves?
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Hey!
Mikey, come here.
I have some news.
I know, Ma, I can't
get those new cleats.
-You already told me.
-Mikey, come over here by me.
Please.
The... the Army
guys called today.
Dad is definitely not
coming home next week.
What do you mean?
He was supposed to be back to
help me get ready for summer
travel baseball tryouts.
-Yeah...
-What's going on?
Grandpa's gonna help
you with your baseball.
We're not sure, but his
communications went dark.
They think he may
be temporarily lost.
[SIGHS]
Come on, you sit down.
[JUSTIN MOORE, "THE ONES THADIDN'T MAKE IT BACK HOME"]
The tour was up in
the middle of June
She was planning a
welcome home barbecue
Green bean casserole,
grandma's recipe
There was a knock on the
door around 2 o'clock
Two uniforms and
her heart stopped
Yellow ribbon round an oak
tree blowing in the breeze
Here's to the ones that
didn't make it back home
The ones we ain't
seen so long
[SIGHS] Your dad
is one tough hombre.
He's on a mission,
and he's missing,
but he will get himself to
safety and get out of there.
We will have him back.
Trust me.
I've... I've dealt
with this situation
many times in my service.
OK, Grandpa.
Thanks.
You're probably right, as usual.
Yeah.
Hey, Mikey, you know how strong
our family bond is, right?
Your dad has all of that
love in his heart right now.
He'll be with us
home soon, I know it.
I know, Mom.
When will we get an update again?
I'll reach out to Dad's base.
In the meantime, we are
gonna live our lives
just as if he was
here, because that's
what he'd want us to be doing.
OK?
So you are gonna get
ready for baseball.
By the time he gets
back, you can show him
how much progress you've made.
Back to that front porch
Back through
that front door
To the life they
were fighting for
Here's to the ones that
didn't make it back home
The ones we ain't
seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones
A wish they were here ones
[CHATTER]
Speaking of thirst,
anybody need a drink?
Anybody need anything
from the bar?
Oh, sorry, Mr. Young.
You know, accident.
Hey, no worries.
But, you know, there
are no accidents.
Yeah.
Because we're all connected.
The universe is one.
OK.
Yeah, Yeah.
Cool.
So why did we bump
into each other?
Well, that part, I don't know.
But the next time you spill
some milk, ask yourself...
why did I spill this milk?
What does it mean, man?
Yeah...
Is this making sense?
Anytime you have a question
about the universe,
you call me.
-OK.
-I love this stuff.
Yeah.
I also believe in aliens.
I'm gonna...
Bump it out.
You know.
Good talk, Mikey.
Yes.
Hey, guys.
Where's... where's Leadhead?
His mommy went in to clean
his room and his pants.
ALL: Clean your
underpants, Larry!
[LAUGHS]
Paulie, your dad is
a... is a funny dude.
Did he get all
"head-ma-sophical" on you?
Not sure what that
means, so, yeah, probably.
Hey, Mikey, you should
grab yourself a hot dog
before they run out.
Yeah, if you wanna eat
ground up animal bones,
[SLOWMO] toenails, and brains.
You forgot eyeballs.
[SCOFFS] Um!
[MUFFLED] Eyeball
goo is delicious.
It's amazing.
Disgusting.
I kinda get it.
Eat with your whole face.
-Oh, my god!
-[MUFFLED] Grandma!
All right!
I got it.
I swear, Paulie, you
fart with your whole butt.
[FARTS]
Ugh!
Mm!
Man, Puff!
That's fishy butt,
it's totally gross!
I told you guys,
that salmon is nasty,
and it smells like
Miss Donker's bread.
Donk!
Donk!
Donk!
[LAUGHTER]
PAULIE: Mikey!
What?
Just go over there
and talk to her.
MIKEY: She's...
she's older than me.
I don't think she knows I exist
or even care if she did know.
She'd probably
ignore me... until I'm
on the Yankees, that is.
Dude, she's 15, soon to be 16.
You're 14, soon to be 15.
You're the most developed
out of all of us.
So, Kel, Mikey and his
friends keep looking over here.
Oh, yeah?
I'm thirsty.
How about you?
Wait, like, you don't even care
if those guys keep staring?
Nah.
The way I see it, they
probably just wanna be friends
and are too nervous.
Well, that kid Mikey's
younger, but he's kind of cute.
Mm, come on, let's
get some drinks.
[CHATTER]
Mikey, now's your chance.
I don't know, guys.
One grade in teen years is like
a 5- or 10-year difference.
Oh, come on, man,
you're our Danny Zuko!
Sometimes you're about to
have a moment in life, which
is, well, life-changing...
[SIGHS] you don't
even realize it.
BOY: Mikey...
Hey.
Hey.
I'm just getting a drink.
Me, too.
You know Stephanie, right?
Hey, Mikey.
Hey, Stephanie.
Uh, I'm gonna get some food.
Burger or dog?
I'd watch out for the hot dogs.
I hear they're made
with eyeballs and...
and stuff.
I guess it's gonna be a burger.
So it's nice out today, right?
Not as muggy as it was.
When it's hot like the other
night, I put a fan on my bed
stand and point it
right at my face.
Feels so good.
If I can't sleep, I just make
stupid noises into the fan.
Waa-waa-waa-waah!
MIKEY: That was so random,
but I totally get it.
Well, anyways, I
sometimes do that to my fan.
I know.
I'm weird.
No, no.
No.
Not weird at all.
My friend Puff actually
burps and farts into his fan.
[BURPS]
[SOFT LAUGH] Oh, hey, I'm
so sorry about your dad.
He's so nice.
I hope he comes home soon.
It's so cool he's
in the Army and all.
Oh, and my brother told me
about your fight with Buck.
Yeah, my dad is pretty awesome.
Wait, what did your...
what did your brother say?
I think it's really cool.
You stuck up for your friends.
Oh.
Buck's kind of a jerk.
He likes to pick on younger kids.
Younger kids?
Yeah.
Well, uh... I better get going.
What about your drink?
Oh.
[LAUGHS] Right now...
my drink.
All right.
-Yo, Mike.
-Oh!
Mikey!
Mikey!
- How's your little girlfriend:
- Get out of here, man.
Oh!
Mikey!
Mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah!
I don't know, I think we lost
them, but this one hit three.
Oh, well.
Oh, look at this card.
That's a nice card.
You guys better get to bed
a little bit earlier tonight.
I've been saying
that for an hour.
But we think we have
a rare card here.
It's summer now, dork.
You're supposed to stay up late.
And maybe we'll get some
money from that card.
Well, it is going to be late,
so please start planning on how
you're gonna wrap this up.
Mom...
You heard me.
No, I... I just wanna
say, I really wanna try out
for the summer travel team.
There's only a few spots left,
and that's why they're having
the try in the first place.
I really wanna go.
No.
Mikey, we've talked about this.
It's a lot of money.
And with your dad's
situation, I don't know...
I'll get a job, and I
can pay you back for it.
Right.
Come on, Ma, I've been
practicing every day.
You should see my fastball.
I wanna do it for Dad.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Let me talk to Grandpa.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Now, I need you to
do something for me.
I want you to keep an eye on Jake
the days that Grandpa
goes to the track.
It's the beginning of summer.
Exactly.
He's a baby.
Look at him.
I'm actually 10.
Waah!
Waah!
Baby enough for you?
Yeah.
Look, it's not fair that he has
to spend all day at the track
with a bunch of old men.
You see, it's affecting
his mental health.
Down the stretch, they come!
See?
He likes the track.
Well, I don't.
So you're gonna do
this for me, OK?
Fine.
Thank you.
Start wrapping it up.
Finish those dishes.
You see that?
-Come on.
-Where'd he go?
You lost him?
Mike asked about the
travel baseball team again.
Well, you let him
play last summer.
That team didn't cause
anywhere close to what
this team charges.
Well, he's preparing himself
for high school baseball,
which starts next season.
But if it's help.
Hey, I got a couple
of sure things
coming up this week at the track.
Yeah, you and your sure things.
[CHUCKLES] I know
a guy that knows
a guy who knows what's up.
Speaking of which, I asked
Mikey to look after Jake
the days you go to the track.
Hey.
Hey, Jake is my lucky charm!
No, I don't like
him hanging out there.
And he's a little boy, Dad,
not a lucky rabbit's foot.
Hey, hey, it's good for
him to be around the animals.
You're talking about the
horses or your buddies?
Ha ha!
Actually, that was
a pretty good one.
She must have met Herbie.
Grandpas are pretty awesome, too.
I remember mine.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
That's it.
Get nice and loose.
My buddy Luis will
be here any minute.
All right.
There you go.
Hey!
Luis!
Hey!
Hey!
What's up?
How you doing?
Hey, man, it is good to see you.
Good to see you.
Hey, Jakey, Mikey...
Hey, Mikey.
This is my old pal Luis.
We used to play ball together.
He was a hot, young rookie
when I was wrapping things
-up and starting to coach.
-Right.
Your grandfather told me I can
show you a few things today.
-Yeah.
-Are you ready?
So, listen to everything he says.
Best clutch hitter
I've ever seen.
And don't tell your
mother I had a cigar.
Oh I won't.
Well, I used to
be a strong hitter.
Yeah.
Look, Mikey, you're young,
you're strong, you're athletic.
Hitting comes down
to three things.
Confidence.
Mechanics.
Timing.
You got to load up.
And unleash.
And your eyes have
to be on your hands,
which are connecting
to the bat, which
is connecting to the ball.
And be in a strong position
when you make contact.
That's all it is.
Easy.
All right.
-Easy peasy.
-I think I got it.
-[CHUCKLES]
-There you go.
Bat.
Here we go.
Follow through, and keep your
eyes there, and you swing.
And then, you follow through.
You wanna hit the ball.
Way you wanna hit this, Poom!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Ah!
Supposed to be that way.
There we go, right there.
Take that, boom, and then follow.
Yeah!
Well, well, this is a good drill.
Don't get me wrong, but
I still feel like Mike
is loading up his work.
Ah.
Well, you keep working
on it, feel confident.
It always take a
couple of practice...
Yeah, well, I need a break.
No, you don't need a break.
Come on, Mike.
Come back, man.
Listen, taking a break is not
gonna make you a better hitter.
Oh, I'm sorry, Luis, but
he has a certain somebody
on his mind.
Gets distracted.
[CHUCKLES] We've been
through that before.
[BOTH LAUGH]
BOY 1: Yo.
You're crazy.
BOY 2: Picking up lunch?
[CHUCKLES]
What's up, Roy?
-Hey, dudes!
-What's up?
What's up?
Let's get you boys fed, huh?
How's summer treating you?
Oh, you know, figuring it
out one day at a time, Roy.
Oh, I get it.
You know, I remember
when I was your age,
I used to make my
own comic books,
and I'd be one of
the superheroes.
What was your superpower?
Well, one was that I could
turn myself into a horse...
just like that.
[LAUGHS]
Yeah.
Now that I think about it...
[CLEARS THROAT]
So, Roy, the
Natural, let's order.
Yeah.
Let me get your orders.
Just the usual.
Reggie!
I need five of cheese,
four fries, four lemonades,
extra onions on all.
Onions?
Their breath is gonna
stink like old lady Donker!
-[CHUCKLES]
-Donk!
Donk!
Donk!
ALL: Donk!
Donk!
Donk!
So how are you guys
hitting the ball these days?
Eh!
Shoot.
It's Buck Mulvaney and his dad.
[SNORTS] Here we go again.
They're bad news.
Hey, Reggie.
REGGIE: Oh, crap.
Speaking of hitting, I think
he's gonna start something.
No way.
Not with his dad here with him.
No one's starting
anything while I'm here.
OK?
Don't worry, guys.
Thanks, Roy.
I heard his dad's
pretty tough on him.
You mean like spankings?
No, high school kids
don't get spankings.
Well, I hope not.
Don't worry, Smacks,
your pants will be fine.
Well, it is my
favorite delinquents.
Good to see you, fellas.
How's the game coming?
MIKEY: Baseball is OK.
But, if you didn't hear, my...
my dad's missing overseas.
Yeah.
Army guys are gonna locate him,
but he's supposed to
help me with tryouts.
I'm sorry you guys
are going through that,
but I'm sure everything
will work out.
In the meantime, I know a thing
or two about a thing or two.
Let me know if there's
anything I can do to help.
Yeah.
Well, I need a job.
I got to make some
money to help pay
for the travel baseball team...
if I make it, that is.
There's only a few spots left.
I know.
Yeah, those fees can be a beast.
I'm sure I can think of
something for you, Mikey.
Do you know anything
about topiary sculpture?
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC]
-MIKEY: Um...
-[WHISPERS] What's a topiary?
[LAUGHS] Can... can
you sweep and mop?
Er...
PUFF: He's the best, Eddie.
Mikey's ready to clean and
play on the travel team.
You're enthusiastic.
-Clean?
-Yes, clean.
It's something the health
department makes us do
around here from time to time.
Hey, how about this?
We'll work out a deal.
You come in, you sweep and
mop the bathrooms, I pay you.
That's how that works.
And I don't know, if there's
anything else I can think of,
I'll let you know.
-Please say yes.
-Hey...
Or you can help
Reggie in the back.
Yeah.
I got to run.
Make sure you tip horse boy here.
OK?
Hey, uh, how can I help you guys?
Our fries were cold, and
our burgers were underdone.
Really?
BUCK'S DAD: You call me a liar?
ROY: No.
I just...
Look, just get me my money back,
and we'll be out of your hair.
OK, but you just
walked in, so what fries
and burger are you talking about?
You have a receipt?
BUCK'S DAD: Receipt?
We were here just a
couple of minutes ago.
Look, you know what?
Forget it.
Buck, let's get out of here.
I told you not
to worry, you guys.
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC]
EDDIE: Mikey.
So how'd I do?
Uh, not bad, son.
Not bad.
-Thanks, Eddie.
-Yeah.
Yeah, so you love baseball, huh?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, I can tell.
Yeah, I... I played down
south when I was growing up,
and I almost made
the big leagues.
-Really?
-Yeah.
Yeah, almost.
I'm telling you, man,
you work hard at this,
you might actually
have a shot at it.
I mean, a lot of things have to
line up for things to work out,
but, yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I just wanna be ready for
next season in high school.
It's all right.
I really wanna play in this team.
I just need... I need to
focus more and just relax.
Yeah.
Yeah, you got to focus,
you got to relax,
and you got to believe in
yourself, Mikey, because if you
don't, no one else will.
So what's taking your focus?
Well, my dad missing, of course.
Mm-hmm.
And, uh, a girl.
Mm.
[LAUGHS]
This girl, Kelly, she sort
of has some of my focus.
Sort of has some of your focus.
Yeah, girls will do that.
They sure will.
Well, good luck with
Kelly, and keep sweeping.
All right.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Buck?
Hey.
What's going on, man?
Nothing much.
I was gonna pop into Eddie's
to tell Roy I'm sorry for what
happened earlier but decided
to come here to think
about a few things first.
Man, well, I think
Roy's all good.
But, um, you know,
things got pretty crazy
here the other day.
Yeah, they did.
You guys stood up for yourselves.
Impressive.
Yeah, well, we all love baseball.
Don't worry.
I'm not gonna pound you.
We can figure out a
way to share Field X.
Yeah.
Yeah, cool.
Me and my friends can be
a little harsh sometimes.
I guess we have more
in common with you guys
than we like to admit, you know.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
You wanna see something cool?
Er...
Come here.
It's kind of my secret weapon.
This is what I wanna show you.
Yeah, I... I hear these things
make your hands and wrists,
-like, super powerful.
-Definitely, man.
It's great for hitting,
throwing, and just
being all around tough.
[BOTH LAUGH]
My dad calls it a hand gimper.
I don't care.
I think it's great.
I mean, I picked it up at a
junk sale a few months ago.
I've been working out
with it ever since.
My hands are like vice grips.
Yeah, yeah.
-It's pretty heavy.
-Definitely.
I mean, it works.
It's good.
You should get one.
But, uh, you can use
mine whenever you want.
Bro, that'd be awesome.
Hey, so your dad, he's...
Mean?
And a jerk?
Yeah, usually.
He never made it big, so
he's always pissed off.
What about you?
What's your old man like?
He's in the Army.
You know, someplace far
away, and now he's missing.
That sucks, man.
Yeah, we're just
waiting for an update,
and he'll be back soon.
Guess you like him a lot, huh?
I'll bet he's home soon.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Hey, at least your
dad's still here, right?
Might as well do something
fun with him while he is.
You know what?
You're smarter than you look.
[GUITAR MUSIC]
I'll, uh...
I'll see you later.
I'll see you, man.
Not the bone?
Jake, why don't you get candy?
Let me go to him.
Hey.
Get one, too.
[CHATTER]
Here you go, Ma, some
details about the tryouts.
Look, apparently, it's...
it's right down the street.
It's pretty convenient.
Right.
Hey, Darcy family.
Hey, girls.
-Hey, Kelly, how's your family.
-They're good.
Mom's baking pies for
the church fundraiser,
and Dad's out on a business trip.
Oh, and Derrick's messing
around over there.
Great, of course.
Stephanie, what's new with you?
STEPHANIE: I'm thinking about
trying not to sing for opening
day, but I'm a little nervous.
You'll be fine.
I'll help you.
Oh, see, you have each other.
That's perfect.
Want some candy.
No, thanks, Jakers.
You know, someday you're gonna
be a heart breaker, Jakers.
Someday?
Oh, yeah.
Like your big brother.
JAKE: You mean older brother?
Size isn't all that relative.
You know, um, I'm gonna be at
that travel table next summer.
I believe that, Mikey.
You know I love
this kind of event.
It's kind of nice seeing
all the families having fun.
And that music is awesome.
Yeah, he's actually pretty good.
Hey, your... your voice
sounds kind of scratchy.
-You OK?
-Oh, yeah.
I was just practicing singing
and lost my voice, kind of.
Wow.
Singing, that's...
that's really cool.
Maybe you'll be, uh, famous,
like I'm gonna be one day.
[CHUCKLES]
Um, maybe we see
each other later?
Yeah, that'd be cool.
Cool.
All right, I better...
Right.
See you later, I hope?
Yeah.
All right.
See you, guys.
Bye.
OK, Mr. Hotshot.
Just remember that
girls like boys who
are really nice to their moms.
Yeah.
They notice.
So then I told him to take his
shoebox full of receipts
and stick 'em where
the sun doesn't shine.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Mom...
Not now, Frederick.
And... and what did he do?
I assume he put them in a
closet or lit on fire, right?
[BOTH LAUGH]
Because, you know, I mean, the
sun doesn't shine in a closet.
Yeah, yeah, that's a good one!
[BOTH LAUGH]
Mom...
What is it, Frederick?
Can I go find my friends?
Sure, go on.
Thank you.
Oh, and Mom, this guy?
Really?
[LAUGHS]
Yeah, cute kid.
Yeah.
You want him?
Uh, no.
I'm... I'm OK... I'm all set.
Yeah, I got a dog.
A kid would be a lot,
I think, you know.
They're kind of
like the same thing.
Are they?
Yeah.
OK.
This guy is officially not funny.
I mean, look at his shorts.
He has chicken legs.
[HENS CLUCKING]
Mikey!
Puff, what's going on?
Just... just my mom.
She's about to hook up
with another weirdo.
Oh.
Sorry, man.
It's all right.
I gotta get in shape and
gotta scare these guys.
Right.
Let's go get something to eat.
[GUITAR PLAYING]
I've been working hard
MIKEY: I'm telling you
guys, Buck's not that bad.
SMACKS: Give it time.
You'll see, he's messed up.
Yeah.
Smacks is right.
I don't know.
What did they say?
The apple doesn't fall off
the tree unless you pick it.
I don't... I don't
think that's it.
The same as an apple
doesn't fall far from a tree.
That doesn't make any sense.
How's an apple gonna
fall far from the tree?
Yeah.
Maybe in a storm.
That's true.
You guys are crazy.
Oy vey.
Hey, Mikey... look.
Go talk to her.
Come on.
Come on, I just talked to her.
She's with her friends now.
Chicken.
No.
[WHISPERS] Watch this.
[SHOUTS] Hey, Kelly!
Kelly!
Kelly!
She's coming over
here with Stephanie.
Hey, guys.
BOYS: Hey.
It's a nice day, huh, boys?
BOYS: Yeah.
Why do you have a carrot?
It's a... it's a long story.
But we just bet Mikey that you
wouldn't win a staring contest.
-What...
-Would you now?
Oh, yeah?
Well, I wouldn't wanna be
the reason you lost a bet.
You guys mind hangin'
with Stephanie for a bit?
Yeah, OK.
Hangin' with Stephanie,
that's no huge problem to us.
Women love to laugh, so...
How about we all just
hang out like a team?
-How's that sound?
-Yeah.
Yeah.
OK.
You ready, Mikey?
Ah, yeah.
Sure, let's go.
Have fun, you two.
This should be good.
There's no way I'm losing.
I honestly don't even
know what to expect here.
Just make me laugh and feel safe.
What do you say, guys?
[MIDWAVE BREAKS, "ALL SHE WAS"]
Into your arms again
We are the storm
We could turn it
down just a little
Just give me
just one more day
'Cause I'm falling
asleep again
You are the vespertine,
the sophrosyne
And I could catch you
in the tallest tower
Just to see you again
And all she was was the
best thing I ever knew
Like a tidal
wave of the sun
And she never was anything
but the best to you
This ember light
We can make it home,
just me and you
You and me
Coming over the horizon
With the memories
slipping back
I don't know.
I just think baseball is
like the perfect game.
You got to have skills,
strategy, offense, defense.
You play on fresh cut grass
under the bright blue skies,
or... or at night under the
stars with the lights on.
I mean, it's...
it's hard to beat.
It brings people together.
I guess that's why I wanna try
out for the travel team so bad
and... and play in high school.
It's like, all I think about.
Really?
All you think about?
Well, maybe not
all I think about.
[BURPS] Yikes, I'm so sorry.
That was so gross.
God, you must think
that I'm like this...
[LOUD BURP]
[BOTH LAUGH]
BUCK: What's so funny?
MIKEY: We just...
I mean, I just...
I mean, I... I just burped.
Got a good joke?
I burped.
Hilarious So where's Derrick?
I don't know.
It's not my turn to watch him.
[LAUGHS]
See, now, that's funny.
Is it past your bedtime, Mikey?
Got to get going soon?
Sun's on its way down.
We should probably get home soon.
OK.
Yeah.
[LIVE, "HOLD ME UP"]
All right.
Hey, don't you
worry, my young friend.
I'll make sure Kelly
gets home safe and sound.
See you around.
Is a river of sin
Your metaphors,
you're silent calls
Your feelings are too real
Let them spew, a
fall from grace
Would do us good today
I'll lift you up,
we can love or cry
Hey, I'm in love I'll
take you up again
Oh, oh
All that to you in
a church by the sea
We're late, but
not in the same way
We're older today
So there you have it.
One small action can make
a lifetime of difference.
And, sometimes, if you let
things in life just happen,
sometimes, they go your way.
MIKEY: You guys are
right about Buck.
See?
I told you.
-What happened?
-Yeah, spill it.
Well, me and Kelly were
having a great time, right?
And I was just about
to make my move.
-What move?
-You got moves?
Maybe.
I mean, we need moves.
We're about to be in
high school in September.
Leadhead's move is
brushing his teeth
with salmon salad toothpaste.
[ALL LAUGH]
Ah, it's simple, really.
I'm just gonna lean over, look
into her eyes, and kiss her.
Or, you know, at least try to.
[CLAPPING]
Perfect!
Hypnotize her with your eyes,
then plant your lips on.
Oh!
Come on, man.
Simplicity, fellas.
Anyway, before I could
do it, Buck showed up
-and things got weird.
-Dang.
Actually, we tried to go home,
and he tried walking Kelly back.
Wait, wait?
Tried?
Yeah, what do you mean, tried?
Well, he pulled
Kelly to walk with him,
and then she pulled
away to walk with me.
My boy's got the moves!
Hey.
But sounds like we got to get
some revenge for Mikey, fellas.
Oh, Mikey's got
the moves, all right!
OK, any ideas for revenge?
I like me some drama.
Kelly came running back to me,
so I think the embarrassment
Buck felt is enough revenge.
Mikey, as my dad
would say, the universe
is falling in your favor.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
Oh I feel tired
I could push you through it
Toughen up just a little
KELLY: Mikey?
Oh.
Hey, Kelly.
What are you doing here?
Mom's grabbing Derrick some
burgers, and I came along.
Do you work here?
Yeah.
Well, I, uh... I help
Eddie run the place.
Really?
That's pretty cool.
It is?
Well, OK, I... I don't run it,
but, you know, I help out.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, you really
got things together.
You're, like, basically ahead
of most grown-ups. Oh, hey,
did you hear about
Derrick's party?
Mm...
He's throwing a
pool party Saturday.
You and your friends
should totally come by.
Oh.
Cool.
Yeah.
Yeah, totally.
So is it safe to go in there?
I guess so.
I've never been in that one.
Well, if you hear a
scream followed by a splash,
it means I slipped and
fell in the toilet.
-[CHUCKLES]
-See ya.
See ya.
KELLY: O beautiful
for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple
mountain majesties
[HUMMING]
And crown thy good
with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
[ZHORA, "LIGHT"]
When the lights go down
And you hold me close
You make me, oh
When the lights go down
My world explodes
Put me on, put me on
Got my heart
between your fingers
I'm holding on
EDDIE: Mikey.
[LAUGHS] What, are you
gonna marry that broom?
Just take a break.
Cleaning fluids are
making you loopy.
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
This is nuts.
You think there's, you
know, stuff we ain't supposed
to have in those cups?
BOY: Yeah!
I'd say that's a yes.
I never had that stuff before.
You don't have to drink it.
Just hold your cup and pretend.
So what do you think, guys?
Should we go?
If I see pizza boxes, I'm a yes.
Smacks?
Paulie?
Oh, and Puff, remember,
no cheat days, man.
Come on.
BOY: Let's flip!
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
Holy carbohydrates.
I see it.
Bras.
And other things.
Holy carbs is right.
Well, and they're bikinis,
not bras, you idiots.
You got to figure this stuff out.
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
So what are we gonna do?
MIKEY: All right, guys,
we can still go in,
but I definitely don't feel
like we're gonna fit in there.
But what if Buck and the
others make us flex and stuff?
-No, no, no.
-No, no, I can't do that.
Definitely not.
OK, we should go then.
Phew!
I'm not sure of this
flexing shape yet.
Have you ever been?
What do you mean?
You're a little...
puffy, Puff.
I prefer the term husky.
If I'm gonna see
Kelly in a bikini,
I wanna let her know that
I'm there and not a spy.
So I got to get out of here.
-All right?
-All right.
You remember to wear a cup?
Got to protect these bad boys.
Don't wanna lose them
before you use them.
Hey, guys.
Guess who's a coach
of our age group?
It'd be funny if it
was Coach Buttermaker.
Yep.
Paying respect to the Bears.
No, butt crack.
Look.
Oh, here they come.
Eddie?
Oh, I don't think my throwing
is good enough for this guy.
I don't think it is either.
[LAUGHS]
This means you're a sure thing.
Yeah, I don't know about that.
You know, my grandpa says
there are no sure things,
even though he tells my mom
that when he's at the track.
All right, boys.
Look at you looking at me.
You almost look ready for this.
What are you smirking at?
Wipe that face off your head.
We all know you wanna wear
the summer travel uniform.
OK, so here's the secret sauce.
There's no secret sauce!
It's you!
So don't let off
the gas right now.
When we see it, we'll know it.
So show us something.
Are you ready?
OK, there are only
three spots open.
You wanna be one of the spots?
So get out there, do what you do.
-We'll let you know.
-Yes, Coach.
ALL: Yes, Coach!
OK, go warm up!
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Go!
Next!
Go!
[BAT HITTING BALLS]
Mom...
[DOOR CLOSES]
Who are those... those guys?
Hey.
How are tryouts?
What's going on?
Um, those men were
here because they
-still haven't found your dad.
-Yet.
They haven't found him yet.
That's what they came to tell us.
Look, they're doing their best.
And what did I tell you
about the Army, huh?
They never leave anyone behind?
That's right.
And your dad...
He's smart, and he's strong.
That's right.
So they're gonna find him,
and he's gonna come back.
He's gonna see you play baseball.
And... and... so what
happened at tryouts?
It went all right.
Coach Eddie gave us a great talk.
Of course, he did.
Of course, he did.
The man has a good
head on his shoulders.
Yeah, it's really great.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
You hungry?
Yeah.
I'll make us some lunch.
Go get cleaned up.
If you don't eat
it, you'll lose it.
Are you going to
eat that one, too...
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Thanks.
[CHUCKLES]
Hey.
Hey, Erica.
Sorry to bother you
guys, but I just
wanted to come and see if
Frederick was here with Mikey.
Oh.
SKYLAR: He hasn't come
home after tryouts,
so I thought maybe he was here.
Mikey, hey, sweetie.
Is Frederick here with you?
No.
Puff wasn't at tryouts.
We thought he decided
not to go for it.
Oh, god, he was so
excited about trying out.
Oh, my god.
Do you have any idea
where he could be?
Uh, no.
Oh, my god.
Oh, OK.
OK.
Skylar, listen.
Why don't we drive into town?
We'll go to Eddie's.
We can just drive up
and down Main Street.
I'm sure he's just in town.
-If we need to...
-You think?
We can fill out a
report, but we don't need to.
-Let me drive.
-OK.
I'll grab the guys,
and we can go find him.
No, Mikey, you stay here.
Mom, I can help.
Stay here, all right?
We got it.
But, Mom, it's my friend...
Michael Darcy,
stay in this house!
I do not have the time or
energy for this right now.
You'll stay here.
Let the grown-ups handle it.
[DOOR SLAMS CLOSE]
GRANDPA: Mikey,
she's just scared,
you know, 'cause your dad...
And so am I. And it's
my friend who's missing.
It's my dad who's missing.
I can't just sit around
here and do nothing.
I'm not a little kid anymore.
Mikey...
ADULT MIKEY: As
you can imagine,
I was thinking,
why does this feel
like this is not a good idea?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
MIKEY: Puff!
BOYS: Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
-Puff!
-Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
[NOODLE BARKING]
Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
-Puff!
-Puff!
-Puff!
-Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
Maybe we should try
to think like Puff.
That's easy.
His life was all about food.
Is.
What?
You said was.
PAULIE: Oh, snap.
Sorry.
[NOODLE BARKS]
We should probably go to Field X.
Puff!
He's got to be here.
He's here, he's here.
Puff!
Guys, let's go.
[NOODLE BARKING]
Go where?
Where's Noodle going.
MIKEY: Puff!
Where are you?
Guys, look.
This is Puff's bike?
Is it?
Do you think he crashed?
Maybe.
-Puff!
-Puff!
Puff, come on!
Come on, Puff!
[NOODLE BARKS]
We're scared, man.
Come on.
-Puff!
-Puff!
SMACKS: Guys,
guys, it's Noodle.
Look.
-Puff!
-We're getting scared.
-Come on.
-Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
We were so scared.
Puff, are you OK?
Are you dizzy or something?
I was trying to go get the
gold, and I just passed out.
I guess I didn't
eat enough carbs.
[LAUGHS]
Tell me you got a
granola bar in that pocket.
Yeah.
We gotta get him up and around.
Right.
Puff, are you hurt
or just exhausted?
No, not bad, but I'm...
I'm really hungry.
-Today's my cheat day.
-[LAUGHS]
All right, Puff,
I'll help you out.
Grab my arm.
He looks too weak
to hold anything.
SMACKS: And he's kind of heavy.
Yeah.
All right, I'll grab his
back, you guys grab his arms,
-and we'll lift him up.
-All right.
-All right.
-3...
ALL: 2, 1!
[ALL GRUNTS]
Watch out.
You good?
Yeah.
I'm starving.
Teamwork, that's what makes
human beings so special.
How else would we have
found Puff that day?
Hah!
And even little Noodle
helped save the day.
Did you find that block of gold?
I was trying to go get the gold
to help out Mikey and buy some
meat, but I did find something.
A ball?
I'm gonna hit this ball
so hard, my name's gonna
be tattooed on it forever.
What is it?
It's my tattooed
home run ball, baby!
-Get out of here!
-Come on!
Let me see that.
I told you I hit that thing.
-Thank you, man.
-Yeah.
Good job, Puff.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
We found Puff.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Yeah, I heard.
That doesn't make up for the fact
that you directly disobeyed me.
I get back from driving a
"scared out of her mind"
Skylar all over town
looking for her lost son,
and you're not here.
I explicitly told you
not to leave this house.
-Mom, I know...
-No!
No buts.
If I tell you to stay
home, you stay home.
I am hanging on by a thread here.
The last thing I need
is you off somewhere
-getting into trouble.
-I wasn't gonna get lost, Mom.
Puff's my friend.
ERICA: Just stop talking.
Just... you're grounded...
for the rest of the summer.
No bikes, no sleepovers with
your buddies, no baseball.
-Mom, that's not fair.
-Yeah.
Too bad.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
-Hey, Mikey.
-Hey, Coach.
Mind if I come in?
Not at all.
Hey, Erica.
Hey, Eddie.
Hello.
So I just thought I
would come by and deliver
the good news in person.
You made the team, son.
Life is roses and thorns.
Roses... we found
Puff, I made the team,
and I think a great
girl likes me.
Thorns... my dad's not
home, I'm grounded,
and my mom won't let me play.
To say the least, I wasn't happy.
What's the matter, kid?
We're not sure Mikey's gonna
be able to play this summer.
Oh.
OK.
Why not?
Er, aside from the
fact that I'm not
sure I can afford
the fees, I don't
think he's ready for that
kind of responsibility.
Mom...
ERICA: No.
I explicitly told Mikey to
stay home this afternoon,
and he disobeyed me.
Yeah, it's a kid
being a kid, right?
You... but, no.
Absolutely not.
No, they shouldn't be.
No.
And it should not be rewarded.
Is that true, what
your mom's saying?
Well, yeah, but it was because...
But... but... you listen
to your mom, all right?
That's... that's it.
I listen to my mom still
at this age... to an extent.
But tell me you
understand that concept.
Yeah.
Yeah?
Yes, of course.
OK. 'Cause if you're not
listening to your mom at home,
how do I know you're gonna
listen to me on the field?
All right, you wanna
be a man, great.
What kind of man do you wanna be?
You wanna be on my team?
What kind of teammate
are you gonna be?
-You're right.
-Mm.
I'm really sorry.
I just... you know, I
wanted to make an impact.
I wanted to help find my friend.
But yes, but I should
have listened to my mom.
I'm really sorry.
Are you sorry to me?
I'm really sorry, Mom.
I need you on my side.
I needed you here.
You hear that?
Look, he went
looking for a friend.
I mean, there are worse
qualities in a young
man, right?
And... and he wants a
little more independence,
so that's natural.
Give it to him.
And then you got to prove
that you deserve it.
Here's my idea.
You let him on the
team, and he keeps
working at the restaurant.
He's doing a great job.
By the way, you're
raising a great boy.
And that's how he pays the fees
off by the end of the summer.
And as far as the responsibility,
I guarantee you, between
the restaurant and the team,
we're gonna breed that
responsibility in him.
And it's up to you
to bring it home.
And if I hear about
you running off or not
listening to your mom again,
I'm gonna cut you from the
team myself.
And he meant it.
But, boy, did he save my summer.
You got to love Coach Eddie.
He taught me a lot.
[SIGHS]
So how about it?
[SIGHS]
Your life is
baseball, work, home.
That's it.
You are still grounded.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Oh.
All right.
Practice is at
2:00 tomorrow, kid.
I'll see you in the
morning for work.
Yes, Coach.
Thanks, Erica.
Thank you.
I would have cleaned
that burger joint for life
if it meant playing on the team.
I was motivated.
Yes.
So now, I'm grounded
for the whole summer.
-The whole summer?
-What's for the whole summer?
Mikey's prison sentence.
You got grounded, dude?
-[CHUCKLES]
-Oh, man.
I used to get
grounded all the time.
[LAUGHS] One time, I set off a
bottle rocket in the basement.
I thought I could aim it to go
out the window, but I missed.
My dad was pissed off.
[LAUGHS] I hit some of his
old magazines... magazines
I wasn't supposed to know
about, if you know what I mean.
Puff!
-Puff.
-Puff.
ROY: Hey!
How you feeling?
Hungry.
-And ready to hit some balls.
-Oh!
Living life.
I love it!
So, I heard you got put
on lockdown 'cause you
-came and tried to find me.
-Yeah.
Worth it.
I guess you got a great story
to tell your kids, eh, Puff?
Kids?
What kids?
I ain't having kids.
They're too much trouble.
Who are you gonna
tell your story to,
about the time you passed
out from hunger in the woods?
And how your friends
showed up to save your life.
And how you thanked him by doing
-their homework for a year.
-Ha ha.
You know, when I was your age,
I used to wish I could
face a challenge like that.
Only I wanted to fight
a bear... or a lion.
Well, not a fight, really.
Maybe a wrestling match.
Anyone here a wrestler?
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
MIKEY: Kelly!
Hey.
You made the team, congrats.
Yeah, thanks.
So how come you didn't
come to Derrick's party?
Oh, yeah, I, uh...
I had to babysit
my little brother.
Oh.
I heard it got
pretty crazy, though.
Yeah.
There was red cups and stuff.
I left when some of them started
being idiotic and flexing and
acting like they're all models.
Me, too.
I mean, I would have left if
I was there and that happened.
Oh.
Yeah.
So you're here to watch practice?
No.
They're actually holding
auditions for people to sing
the national anthem and
"America the Beautiful"
in opening day.
Oh.
Sweet.
I'm here to support Stephanie.
Wait... you're
not gonna audition?
No.
Why?
Because you're...
you're really good.
What do you mean?
After I ran into you that
day at Eddie's, I heard
you singing in the bathroom.
It's OK.
You were great.
I've never sung in
front of anyone before.
Just, like, in the
shower and stuff.
Well, promise me you'll audition.
You're really good.
I gotta... I gotta go.
You can do it, Kelly.
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC]
There you go.
You ready?
Nice!
That's what I'm talking about.
You see what he did?
That!
Nice and sharp, like the laser.
Darcy, what are you
holding back for?
Darcy!
What the hell was that?
All right, give me some
laps for that lazy effort.
It's the whole team.
All right, we win
together, we lose together,
we work together!
One of you slacks off,
we all pay the price.
BOY: Let's go.
Come on.
Now get home safe.
You wanna ice that elbow.
Hey, Coach.
Hey, hold up, Mikey.
Good practice today.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
Yeah, I know it was a little
hard on you out there,
but you know why, right?
I... I watched my hit instead
of running hard at first?
Yeah.
Yeah, for one.
And you were slacking off.
You were... you were letting
things shake you, OK?
And you're really talented.
But what I'm trying to tell all
you kids is you can be the most
talented guy in the world, but
if you don't try your hardest
and you give up too easy, you're
gonna get crushed out there.
That's baseball and life.
I get it, Coach.
All right.
Yeah.
So you keep hustling.
All right, go home,
stretch, 'cause
I don't want you hobbling
around work in the morning.
We start early.
-See you tomorrow.
-Yep.
ADULT MIKEY: He was
a great coach, Eddie.
And I wasn't gonna let him down.
I decided right then and there, I
was gonna work harder and push
myself more than anyone else.
I had something to prove...
to myself.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
I started young when
I was foolish then
Breaking all the rules,
I'd do it all again
To feel the blood run
Low, low.
Keep your head in.
Go.
You got it.
Well, they spat at me and
threw me up against the wall
My brother told me I'd
have to take them all
A self-made man
must break his hand
fighting for the cause
Looking good out there, Darcy.
I'm good.
All right, let's all bring it in.
Take a knee.
Good job out there.
I, er, I'm about
convinced you're ready.
So this weekend, we're
gonna show those guys
just how ready you are, right?
ALL: Right!
Right?
ALL: Right!
Right?
ALL: Right!
All right.
How'd you feel about today?
I felt good.
Mom?
Mom, what's wrong?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[SNIFFLES]
Mom?
They found him, Mikey.
Your dad's coming home.
It might have been the
best moment of my life...
at least, until opening day.
Opening day.
Hey.
Nice digs.
Oh, yeah, thanks.
Look... I even got number 7.
Awesome, Mikey.
All right, wish me luck.
Good luck.
["ENDLESS LOVE" PLAYING]
I'm free fallin'
Straight down to
an endless love
I'm free fallin',
river rollin'
Straight down to
an endless love
Straight down to
an endless love
[INDISTINCT CHATTER, SHOUTING]
Dad.
Mikey.
You have no idea how happy
I am to see you right now.
Focus in.
Do your thing.
I believe in you.
And I know you
believe in yourself.
Go get 'em.
You got it, Dad.
I will.
I love you, bud.
Love you, Dad.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
I knew he'd come
home, but I can't
believe he's actually here.
I'm so happy he's back.
All right, everybody,
welcome to opening day!
Let's go!
[ALL CHEERING, CLAPPING]
All right, I'm glad to be here,
and I'm glad to see everybody.
It's families that
makes up community.
It's community that
builds a country.
And in that spirit, I'm so
excited to welcome young ladies
from our community
here sing a great song
for us to open up the season.
Let's welcome Stephanie Gray
and Kelly Parker, everybody.
CROWD: Woo!
[ALL CHEERING, CLAPPING]
KELLY AND STEPHANIE: O
beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple
mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
America!
America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good
with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
[CROWD CHEERS]
Play ball!
I'll be right back.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Hey, gramps.
What's up, buddy?
I'll give you gramps.
[LAUGHS]
I got American Hot
Sauce in the third.
Oh, you know what?
Give me the 3-2-5 trifecta.
Trifecta?
-Yeah, trifecta.
-How much.
What do you mean, how much?
I'm coaching 14-year-olds.
-$2.
-Yeah.
Hey, I've been a
little hard on Mikey.
I just... you know, I just
don't want the boys to like me.
You know what I mean.
I know what you mean.
I think you're a little late.
They already like you.
Yeah.
I know.
But don't tell 'em I
like 'em too, all right?
-[LAUGHS]
-OK.
-Good luck, Coach.
-All right.
Thanks.
ANNOUNCER: It's the
bottom of the last inning.
Highlands lead Allendale, 5 to 4.
This is it, pal.
Yeah.
Last inning.
Come on, man, look alive.
We're gonna win our first game.
What are you talking about?
We're down by a run.
We haven't had a hit
in like, four innings.
Yeah, but I've got a
good feeling about this.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
UMPIRE: You're out!
Listen, I'm up next to bat.
Look alive, man.
[LAUGHS]
Good luck.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
UMPIRE: Two outs!
Hey, Mikey.
Helmet on.
You're on deck.
MAN: Go, Mikey.
[CLAPS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
All right, Paulie,
show 'em what you got.
MAN: Go, Paulie!
UMPIRE: Strike one.
Get him on the next one.
[CROWD CHEERS]
[CHEERING, CLAPPING]
Time.
[WHISTLES] Mike.
Mike, come here.
[SIGHS] Hey, look at me.
Look at me.
I believe in you.
You can do this, all right?
The whole town believes in you.
That pitcher cannot get you out.
You got this, all right?
Let's go.
Come on.
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING, CHEERING]
Come on.
Mikey!
MIKEY'S DAD: Visualize, Mikey.
See it, and then feel it.
Come on, Mikey!
Come on, man, just like Field X!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[SCREAMING]
MAN: Go get it!
Go get it!
Hit the cutoff!
Come on.
Mikey!
Come on!
Come on!
Come on!
I bet you're dying to know...
was I out or was I safe?
I was safe.
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC]
You don't believe me?
OK.
Take a look.
Safe.
[CHUCKLES] That was the
summer I'll never forget.
I made the team, got
the game winning hit.
We found Puff.
I got my very first job.
My dad... my dad came home.
Talk about memorable.
I learned some very
important life lessons.
I fell in love...
for the first and
only time in my life.
WOMAN: Hey, darling.
Hey, Kel.
So, what's Noodle's urn
doing out here on my chair?
I don't know.
It's lake day, and I just
thought the little hero
could use some fresh air.
You're a funny
man, Michael Darcy.
Yeah, I'm a funny guy.
[LAUGHS]
Hey, speaking about funny,
was that Puff on the phone?
Yeah.
He's gonna meet
us up at the lake.
Oh, good.
Oh, and he said to say
he is bringing snacks.
Smacks?
No, no, wait, wait a minute.
Leadhead is bringing
Smacks, right?
Not Smacks, snacks.
Oh, snacks!
Yeah.
Snacks.
Yeah, it makes a lot more sense.
Hey, are you OK?
You've got that look.
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm OK.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
I'm just remembering that first
time I was alone with my dad
that summer, and...
Well, it's summer
for you, huh, buddy?
Yeah, it really was.
But with all the drama, you know,
I only remember the good
things that happened.
Well, that's the sign of a
really good person right there.
See the best in things,
and take your shot.
That's what life is all about.
[SIGHS] All right.
All right, buddy, right here.
Straight in the mitt.
You better not miss
me, though, all right?
You gotta run and get it.
I'm not too mobile yet.
-All right?
-All right.
Let's do it.
Into your arms again
We are the storm
Got some heat on that one.
You can turn it
down just a little
Just give me
just one more day
'Cause I'm falling
asleep again
You are the vespertine,
the sophrosyne
And I could catch you
I'm OK.
Thanks.
We'll get going, yeah?
Yeah.
Sure?
Yeah.
So Paulie's singing
this year, right?
Well, he is the mayor, honey.
Yeah, I know.
But can he sing?
Well, I guess we'll find out.
Yeah.
I just hope he isn't better
than I was back in the day.
[LAUGHS] No way.
What was that for?
I'm just remembering the
first time I kissed you.
You mean, when I kissed you?
Yeah.
Best day of my life.
So what kind of food
do you wanna pick
up when we get to the lake?
I don't know.
Ice cream.
Ice cream?
ADULT KELLY:
That's my favorite.
ADULTY MIKEY: Yeah,
it's a good food.
And I won't even
take it back
And the way home is
pulling me, pulling me back
And I don't even
know where I am
But I can feel, I can feel
the pull of the sun and moon
With the gravity,
gravity at my back
And all she was, was the
best thing I ever knew
Like a tidal
wave of the sun
And she never was anything
but the best to you
This ember light
We can make it
home just me and you
You and me
We can make it
home just me and
you
You and me
We can make it home
just me and you
You and me
We can make it home
just me and you
You and me
We can make it
home me and you
You and me
We can make it home
just me and you
You and me
We can make it home
just me and you
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
[LIGHT MUSIC]
[AUDIO LOGO]
[OWL HOOTING]
[AUDIO LOGO]
[MARGARET LEWIS, "YEA YEA BABY"]
You got me
walking in circles
talking all out of my head
Out of my head,
out of my head
You got me
walking in circles
Talking all out of my head
Out of my head,
out of my head
Yeah, yeah,
baby, I love you
I'd do anything
that you want me to
Yea, yea, yea, yea,
baby, I love you
Yea, yea, yea, yea
[VOCALIZING]
[LIGHT MUSIC]
Some days get you nostalgic
for the past, don't they?
Take today, for instance.
Got me thinking about this
special summer a long time ago.
It was a summer of firsts.
It was definitely the best.
My friends, pool-hopping,
backyard barbecues,
trying new things, baseball.
And girls... well, the girl.
The thing about baseball is
you can have all the talent
in the world, but if you
throw the towel in too soon
or you don't try your
hardest, you get crushed.
At the end of the
day, it's hard to beat
the guy that doesn't give up.
It's true, in
baseball and in life.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Noodle.
[NOODLE BARKS]
Come on, Noodle, you
can't be on the field
while we're playing.
Puff, can you take
care of Noodle?
Hey, Noodle!
Go get it.
ADULT MIKEY: Man,
we loved Field X.
Parents didn't know about it.
Hardly any kids played there.
We felt like it was
our own Yankee stadium.
Yeah, I don't
look fast, I get it.
But I don't have to
run the ball at first.
I have to throw it.
My arm is solid.
Come on, Paulie.
Watch this.
I'm gonna hit this ball so hard,
my name's gonna be
tattooed on it forever.
Let's see about that.
[LAUGHS]
[BAT HITS BALL]
Hot sauce.
He crushed it!
NARRATOR: American hot sauce.
Yes, I know.
Obvious brand promotion.
[LAUGHS] Yes!
Home run!
You guys look like
the Bad News Bears.
[LAUGHS]
Guys, come see this!
PUFF: I'm not going
anywhere near that.
Guys, you know what's
in there, right?
The ball?
A treasure!
Gold.
[SCOFFS] Yeah, right.
We all know you just want
some of these berries, Puff.
Those berries are
obviously poisonous,
but we should send
someone in to check.
LEADHEAD: No way.
I'm giving myself hives
just thinking about going
to that poisoned mess.
Come on, guys, let's just
get back to practicing.
Puff, if you find gold,
you can be the first one
-of us to buy a car.
-[LAUGHS]
There's a treasure in there.
I know it.
We can see it.
Maybe actual gold.
[LAUGHTER]
You guys, can we get out of here?
Guys, I don't think Puff
will eat those berries.
They're a little
too healthy for him.
[LAUGHTER]
Hey, guys, look.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
What's up, Buck?
Not much.
Just gonna play some ball.
Do we know each
other or something?
MIKEY: Yeah.
Well, I know you.
You're Buck Mulvaney.
You play for the
senior travel team.
You got a killer fastball.
What is it, like,
80 miles an hour?
Hey, you guys wanna play with us?
BOY: Yeah.
Why would we wanna play
with a bunch of little kids?
Little kids?
What are you guys doing
here in the first place?
This is a secret field.
We all wanna play, and we
have enough to fill the field.
No.
Come on, Mikey.
These guys can't be as
good as you say they are.
They're obviously
scared to play us.
Scared?
I'll show you scared.
Hey!
Now take a hike.
Dude, what...
You don't have to
be jerks about it.
You don't get it.
When we come to
Field X, it's ours.
All you babies have to leave.
We're going into high
school after the summer,
and we were here first.
Tell it to someone who cares.
We stay, you go.
You losers got that
gross cheesecake-looking
wax growing out of your ears?
Get lost!
You don't own Field X.
Mikey, let's just go home and
play video games, all right?
They're gonna maul us.
They're gonna maul me.
No, Leadhead.
It's not right.
We can share the field.
Yeah.
We always felt like
this Buck kid looked
like he was 30 years old.
I mean, he was huge.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
DERRICK: Hey, come on, Buck.
You sticking up for
these embryos, Derrick?
No, there's just no point.
Come on.
Hey, hey, hey.
What's ours is ours.
Kind of like the Roman Empire.
The Romans crashed and burned!
Aahhh!
[CHUCKLES]
All right, let's get 'em.
Powerbomb, choke slam,
suplex, pile driver,
I'm gonna do them all!
DERRICK: This isn't
gonna solve anything.
Let's just get out of here, guys.
You little smart-mouthed,
petulant babies.
LEADHEAD: Look, all I want
is to get our blue bat,
and he's using big words, so
let's just get out of here.
Yeah, the kids are talking
about getting his bat,
let's get ours.
Come on, guys, they're gonna
get their bats to kill us.
Let's go, come on.
Come on!
-Let's go!
-Come on!
Guys, we can go
to Leadhead's house.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
[MIKEY WHISTLES]
[DOG BARKS]
[SIGHS] Forget it.
I can't believe we
made it here alive.
And by the skin of our teeth.
It's just a stupid saying.
Teeth don't even have skin.
Speaking of teeth, maybe
you should consider brushing
yours once in a while, Puff.
[ALL LAUGH]
Do you guys think Buck and
those morons know where I live?
They don't know where you live.
But, Mikey, they
might come to yours.
You got Buck pretty mad
when you stood up to him.
Hey, why were you so
friendly to them earlier?
I thought they'd be cool.
Figure we can get along,
maybe I could get a few swings
off their pitches.
Everyone knows Buck has...
-issues.
-Yeah.
Yeah, it's true.
And... I just got you!
Oh, you're out.
My turn.
[SIGHS]
GRANDMA: Larry, would you
and your cute little friends
like some brownies?
We're OK, Grandma.
This little friend would
like some carrots and tuna.
I can almost see my abs.
GRANDMA: Or I
could make you boys
some salmon salad sandwiches!
[QUIRKY MUSIC]
OK, Grandma, we'll...
we'll have the brownies.
Puff's trying to
watch his figure,
-so he'll just have the salmon.
-Puff, enjoy your salmon.
Your breath's gonna
stink like Miss Donker.
Donk!
Donk!
Donk!
GRANDMA: Then come
and get the brownies.
I'm not your delivery
service, Larry.
MIKEY: [LAUGHS]
LARRY: Don't start anything.
And don't pick boogers
out your nose, Larry.
And clean up your
dirty diaper, Larry.
And comb your hair
just right, Larry.
[LAUGHTER]
Dude, Paulie's been
spamming this move all game.
OK, but can I beat it?
-You gotta stop.
-I got this.
-Thanks, Grandma.
-Thanks, Grandma.
Thanks, Grandma.
So, Mikey, are you going
to the barbecue this weekend?
Are you kidding?
Kelly's gonna be there.
Oh, god.
You guys are crazy.
All right, I better get home.
PAULIE: All right.
See you, lover boy.
[KISSING NOISES] Kelly!
SMACKS: Hey!
Hey, hey, hey,
you're blocking me.
Get out of here.
All right, see you, man.
Come on.
Grandmas are great, aren't they?
I mean, who makes brownies for
everyone else but themselves?
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Hey!
Mikey, come here.
I have some news.
I know, Ma, I can't
get those new cleats.
-You already told me.
-Mikey, come over here by me.
Please.
The... the Army
guys called today.
Dad is definitely not
coming home next week.
What do you mean?
He was supposed to be back to
help me get ready for summer
travel baseball tryouts.
-Yeah...
-What's going on?
Grandpa's gonna help
you with your baseball.
We're not sure, but his
communications went dark.
They think he may
be temporarily lost.
[SIGHS]
Come on, you sit down.
[JUSTIN MOORE, "THE ONES THADIDN'T MAKE IT BACK HOME"]
The tour was up in
the middle of June
She was planning a
welcome home barbecue
Green bean casserole,
grandma's recipe
There was a knock on the
door around 2 o'clock
Two uniforms and
her heart stopped
Yellow ribbon round an oak
tree blowing in the breeze
Here's to the ones that
didn't make it back home
The ones we ain't
seen so long
[SIGHS] Your dad
is one tough hombre.
He's on a mission,
and he's missing,
but he will get himself to
safety and get out of there.
We will have him back.
Trust me.
I've... I've dealt
with this situation
many times in my service.
OK, Grandpa.
Thanks.
You're probably right, as usual.
Yeah.
Hey, Mikey, you know how strong
our family bond is, right?
Your dad has all of that
love in his heart right now.
He'll be with us
home soon, I know it.
I know, Mom.
When will we get an update again?
I'll reach out to Dad's base.
In the meantime, we are
gonna live our lives
just as if he was
here, because that's
what he'd want us to be doing.
OK?
So you are gonna get
ready for baseball.
By the time he gets
back, you can show him
how much progress you've made.
Back to that front porch
Back through
that front door
To the life they
were fighting for
Here's to the ones that
didn't make it back home
The ones we ain't
seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones
A wish they were here ones
[CHATTER]
Speaking of thirst,
anybody need a drink?
Anybody need anything
from the bar?
Oh, sorry, Mr. Young.
You know, accident.
Hey, no worries.
But, you know, there
are no accidents.
Yeah.
Because we're all connected.
The universe is one.
OK.
Yeah, Yeah.
Cool.
So why did we bump
into each other?
Well, that part, I don't know.
But the next time you spill
some milk, ask yourself...
why did I spill this milk?
What does it mean, man?
Yeah...
Is this making sense?
Anytime you have a question
about the universe,
you call me.
-OK.
-I love this stuff.
Yeah.
I also believe in aliens.
I'm gonna...
Bump it out.
You know.
Good talk, Mikey.
Yes.
Hey, guys.
Where's... where's Leadhead?
His mommy went in to clean
his room and his pants.
ALL: Clean your
underpants, Larry!
[LAUGHS]
Paulie, your dad is
a... is a funny dude.
Did he get all
"head-ma-sophical" on you?
Not sure what that
means, so, yeah, probably.
Hey, Mikey, you should
grab yourself a hot dog
before they run out.
Yeah, if you wanna eat
ground up animal bones,
[SLOWMO] toenails, and brains.
You forgot eyeballs.
[SCOFFS] Um!
[MUFFLED] Eyeball
goo is delicious.
It's amazing.
Disgusting.
I kinda get it.
Eat with your whole face.
-Oh, my god!
-[MUFFLED] Grandma!
All right!
I got it.
I swear, Paulie, you
fart with your whole butt.
[FARTS]
Ugh!
Mm!
Man, Puff!
That's fishy butt,
it's totally gross!
I told you guys,
that salmon is nasty,
and it smells like
Miss Donker's bread.
Donk!
Donk!
Donk!
[LAUGHTER]
PAULIE: Mikey!
What?
Just go over there
and talk to her.
MIKEY: She's...
she's older than me.
I don't think she knows I exist
or even care if she did know.
She'd probably
ignore me... until I'm
on the Yankees, that is.
Dude, she's 15, soon to be 16.
You're 14, soon to be 15.
You're the most developed
out of all of us.
So, Kel, Mikey and his
friends keep looking over here.
Oh, yeah?
I'm thirsty.
How about you?
Wait, like, you don't even care
if those guys keep staring?
Nah.
The way I see it, they
probably just wanna be friends
and are too nervous.
Well, that kid Mikey's
younger, but he's kind of cute.
Mm, come on, let's
get some drinks.
[CHATTER]
Mikey, now's your chance.
I don't know, guys.
One grade in teen years is like
a 5- or 10-year difference.
Oh, come on, man,
you're our Danny Zuko!
Sometimes you're about to
have a moment in life, which
is, well, life-changing...
[SIGHS] you don't
even realize it.
BOY: Mikey...
Hey.
Hey.
I'm just getting a drink.
Me, too.
You know Stephanie, right?
Hey, Mikey.
Hey, Stephanie.
Uh, I'm gonna get some food.
Burger or dog?
I'd watch out for the hot dogs.
I hear they're made
with eyeballs and...
and stuff.
I guess it's gonna be a burger.
So it's nice out today, right?
Not as muggy as it was.
When it's hot like the other
night, I put a fan on my bed
stand and point it
right at my face.
Feels so good.
If I can't sleep, I just make
stupid noises into the fan.
Waa-waa-waa-waah!
MIKEY: That was so random,
but I totally get it.
Well, anyways, I
sometimes do that to my fan.
I know.
I'm weird.
No, no.
No.
Not weird at all.
My friend Puff actually
burps and farts into his fan.
[BURPS]
[SOFT LAUGH] Oh, hey, I'm
so sorry about your dad.
He's so nice.
I hope he comes home soon.
It's so cool he's
in the Army and all.
Oh, and my brother told me
about your fight with Buck.
Yeah, my dad is pretty awesome.
Wait, what did your...
what did your brother say?
I think it's really cool.
You stuck up for your friends.
Oh.
Buck's kind of a jerk.
He likes to pick on younger kids.
Younger kids?
Yeah.
Well, uh... I better get going.
What about your drink?
Oh.
[LAUGHS] Right now...
my drink.
All right.
-Yo, Mike.
-Oh!
Mikey!
Mikey!
- How's your little girlfriend:
- Get out of here, man.
Oh!
Mikey!
Mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah!
I don't know, I think we lost
them, but this one hit three.
Oh, well.
Oh, look at this card.
That's a nice card.
You guys better get to bed
a little bit earlier tonight.
I've been saying
that for an hour.
But we think we have
a rare card here.
It's summer now, dork.
You're supposed to stay up late.
And maybe we'll get some
money from that card.
Well, it is going to be late,
so please start planning on how
you're gonna wrap this up.
Mom...
You heard me.
No, I... I just wanna
say, I really wanna try out
for the summer travel team.
There's only a few spots left,
and that's why they're having
the try in the first place.
I really wanna go.
No.
Mikey, we've talked about this.
It's a lot of money.
And with your dad's
situation, I don't know...
I'll get a job, and I
can pay you back for it.
Right.
Come on, Ma, I've been
practicing every day.
You should see my fastball.
I wanna do it for Dad.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Let me talk to Grandpa.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Now, I need you to
do something for me.
I want you to keep an eye on Jake
the days that Grandpa
goes to the track.
It's the beginning of summer.
Exactly.
He's a baby.
Look at him.
I'm actually 10.
Waah!
Waah!
Baby enough for you?
Yeah.
Look, it's not fair that he has
to spend all day at the track
with a bunch of old men.
You see, it's affecting
his mental health.
Down the stretch, they come!
See?
He likes the track.
Well, I don't.
So you're gonna do
this for me, OK?
Fine.
Thank you.
Start wrapping it up.
Finish those dishes.
You see that?
-Come on.
-Where'd he go?
You lost him?
Mike asked about the
travel baseball team again.
Well, you let him
play last summer.
That team didn't cause
anywhere close to what
this team charges.
Well, he's preparing himself
for high school baseball,
which starts next season.
But if it's help.
Hey, I got a couple
of sure things
coming up this week at the track.
Yeah, you and your sure things.
[CHUCKLES] I know
a guy that knows
a guy who knows what's up.
Speaking of which, I asked
Mikey to look after Jake
the days you go to the track.
Hey.
Hey, Jake is my lucky charm!
No, I don't like
him hanging out there.
And he's a little boy, Dad,
not a lucky rabbit's foot.
Hey, hey, it's good for
him to be around the animals.
You're talking about the
horses or your buddies?
Ha ha!
Actually, that was
a pretty good one.
She must have met Herbie.
Grandpas are pretty awesome, too.
I remember mine.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
That's it.
Get nice and loose.
My buddy Luis will
be here any minute.
All right.
There you go.
Hey!
Luis!
Hey!
Hey!
What's up?
How you doing?
Hey, man, it is good to see you.
Good to see you.
Hey, Jakey, Mikey...
Hey, Mikey.
This is my old pal Luis.
We used to play ball together.
He was a hot, young rookie
when I was wrapping things
-up and starting to coach.
-Right.
Your grandfather told me I can
show you a few things today.
-Yeah.
-Are you ready?
So, listen to everything he says.
Best clutch hitter
I've ever seen.
And don't tell your
mother I had a cigar.
Oh I won't.
Well, I used to
be a strong hitter.
Yeah.
Look, Mikey, you're young,
you're strong, you're athletic.
Hitting comes down
to three things.
Confidence.
Mechanics.
Timing.
You got to load up.
And unleash.
And your eyes have
to be on your hands,
which are connecting
to the bat, which
is connecting to the ball.
And be in a strong position
when you make contact.
That's all it is.
Easy.
All right.
-Easy peasy.
-I think I got it.
-[CHUCKLES]
-There you go.
Bat.
Here we go.
Follow through, and keep your
eyes there, and you swing.
And then, you follow through.
You wanna hit the ball.
Way you wanna hit this, Poom!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Ah!
Supposed to be that way.
There we go, right there.
Take that, boom, and then follow.
Yeah!
Well, well, this is a good drill.
Don't get me wrong, but
I still feel like Mike
is loading up his work.
Ah.
Well, you keep working
on it, feel confident.
It always take a
couple of practice...
Yeah, well, I need a break.
No, you don't need a break.
Come on, Mike.
Come back, man.
Listen, taking a break is not
gonna make you a better hitter.
Oh, I'm sorry, Luis, but
he has a certain somebody
on his mind.
Gets distracted.
[CHUCKLES] We've been
through that before.
[BOTH LAUGH]
BOY 1: Yo.
You're crazy.
BOY 2: Picking up lunch?
[CHUCKLES]
What's up, Roy?
-Hey, dudes!
-What's up?
What's up?
Let's get you boys fed, huh?
How's summer treating you?
Oh, you know, figuring it
out one day at a time, Roy.
Oh, I get it.
You know, I remember
when I was your age,
I used to make my
own comic books,
and I'd be one of
the superheroes.
What was your superpower?
Well, one was that I could
turn myself into a horse...
just like that.
[LAUGHS]
Yeah.
Now that I think about it...
[CLEARS THROAT]
So, Roy, the
Natural, let's order.
Yeah.
Let me get your orders.
Just the usual.
Reggie!
I need five of cheese,
four fries, four lemonades,
extra onions on all.
Onions?
Their breath is gonna
stink like old lady Donker!
-[CHUCKLES]
-Donk!
Donk!
Donk!
ALL: Donk!
Donk!
Donk!
So how are you guys
hitting the ball these days?
Eh!
Shoot.
It's Buck Mulvaney and his dad.
[SNORTS] Here we go again.
They're bad news.
Hey, Reggie.
REGGIE: Oh, crap.
Speaking of hitting, I think
he's gonna start something.
No way.
Not with his dad here with him.
No one's starting
anything while I'm here.
OK?
Don't worry, guys.
Thanks, Roy.
I heard his dad's
pretty tough on him.
You mean like spankings?
No, high school kids
don't get spankings.
Well, I hope not.
Don't worry, Smacks,
your pants will be fine.
Well, it is my
favorite delinquents.
Good to see you, fellas.
How's the game coming?
MIKEY: Baseball is OK.
But, if you didn't hear, my...
my dad's missing overseas.
Yeah.
Army guys are gonna locate him,
but he's supposed to
help me with tryouts.
I'm sorry you guys
are going through that,
but I'm sure everything
will work out.
In the meantime, I know a thing
or two about a thing or two.
Let me know if there's
anything I can do to help.
Yeah.
Well, I need a job.
I got to make some
money to help pay
for the travel baseball team...
if I make it, that is.
There's only a few spots left.
I know.
Yeah, those fees can be a beast.
I'm sure I can think of
something for you, Mikey.
Do you know anything
about topiary sculpture?
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC]
-MIKEY: Um...
-[WHISPERS] What's a topiary?
[LAUGHS] Can... can
you sweep and mop?
Er...
PUFF: He's the best, Eddie.
Mikey's ready to clean and
play on the travel team.
You're enthusiastic.
-Clean?
-Yes, clean.
It's something the health
department makes us do
around here from time to time.
Hey, how about this?
We'll work out a deal.
You come in, you sweep and
mop the bathrooms, I pay you.
That's how that works.
And I don't know, if there's
anything else I can think of,
I'll let you know.
-Please say yes.
-Hey...
Or you can help
Reggie in the back.
Yeah.
I got to run.
Make sure you tip horse boy here.
OK?
Hey, uh, how can I help you guys?
Our fries were cold, and
our burgers were underdone.
Really?
BUCK'S DAD: You call me a liar?
ROY: No.
I just...
Look, just get me my money back,
and we'll be out of your hair.
OK, but you just
walked in, so what fries
and burger are you talking about?
You have a receipt?
BUCK'S DAD: Receipt?
We were here just a
couple of minutes ago.
Look, you know what?
Forget it.
Buck, let's get out of here.
I told you not
to worry, you guys.
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC]
EDDIE: Mikey.
So how'd I do?
Uh, not bad, son.
Not bad.
-Thanks, Eddie.
-Yeah.
Yeah, so you love baseball, huh?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, I can tell.
Yeah, I... I played down
south when I was growing up,
and I almost made
the big leagues.
-Really?
-Yeah.
Yeah, almost.
I'm telling you, man,
you work hard at this,
you might actually
have a shot at it.
I mean, a lot of things have to
line up for things to work out,
but, yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I just wanna be ready for
next season in high school.
It's all right.
I really wanna play in this team.
I just need... I need to
focus more and just relax.
Yeah.
Yeah, you got to focus,
you got to relax,
and you got to believe in
yourself, Mikey, because if you
don't, no one else will.
So what's taking your focus?
Well, my dad missing, of course.
Mm-hmm.
And, uh, a girl.
Mm.
[LAUGHS]
This girl, Kelly, she sort
of has some of my focus.
Sort of has some of your focus.
Yeah, girls will do that.
They sure will.
Well, good luck with
Kelly, and keep sweeping.
All right.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Buck?
Hey.
What's going on, man?
Nothing much.
I was gonna pop into Eddie's
to tell Roy I'm sorry for what
happened earlier but decided
to come here to think
about a few things first.
Man, well, I think
Roy's all good.
But, um, you know,
things got pretty crazy
here the other day.
Yeah, they did.
You guys stood up for yourselves.
Impressive.
Yeah, well, we all love baseball.
Don't worry.
I'm not gonna pound you.
We can figure out a
way to share Field X.
Yeah.
Yeah, cool.
Me and my friends can be
a little harsh sometimes.
I guess we have more
in common with you guys
than we like to admit, you know.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
You wanna see something cool?
Er...
Come here.
It's kind of my secret weapon.
This is what I wanna show you.
Yeah, I... I hear these things
make your hands and wrists,
-like, super powerful.
-Definitely, man.
It's great for hitting,
throwing, and just
being all around tough.
[BOTH LAUGH]
My dad calls it a hand gimper.
I don't care.
I think it's great.
I mean, I picked it up at a
junk sale a few months ago.
I've been working out
with it ever since.
My hands are like vice grips.
Yeah, yeah.
-It's pretty heavy.
-Definitely.
I mean, it works.
It's good.
You should get one.
But, uh, you can use
mine whenever you want.
Bro, that'd be awesome.
Hey, so your dad, he's...
Mean?
And a jerk?
Yeah, usually.
He never made it big, so
he's always pissed off.
What about you?
What's your old man like?
He's in the Army.
You know, someplace far
away, and now he's missing.
That sucks, man.
Yeah, we're just
waiting for an update,
and he'll be back soon.
Guess you like him a lot, huh?
I'll bet he's home soon.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Hey, at least your
dad's still here, right?
Might as well do something
fun with him while he is.
You know what?
You're smarter than you look.
[GUITAR MUSIC]
I'll, uh...
I'll see you later.
I'll see you, man.
Not the bone?
Jake, why don't you get candy?
Let me go to him.
Hey.
Get one, too.
[CHATTER]
Here you go, Ma, some
details about the tryouts.
Look, apparently, it's...
it's right down the street.
It's pretty convenient.
Right.
Hey, Darcy family.
Hey, girls.
-Hey, Kelly, how's your family.
-They're good.
Mom's baking pies for
the church fundraiser,
and Dad's out on a business trip.
Oh, and Derrick's messing
around over there.
Great, of course.
Stephanie, what's new with you?
STEPHANIE: I'm thinking about
trying not to sing for opening
day, but I'm a little nervous.
You'll be fine.
I'll help you.
Oh, see, you have each other.
That's perfect.
Want some candy.
No, thanks, Jakers.
You know, someday you're gonna
be a heart breaker, Jakers.
Someday?
Oh, yeah.
Like your big brother.
JAKE: You mean older brother?
Size isn't all that relative.
You know, um, I'm gonna be at
that travel table next summer.
I believe that, Mikey.
You know I love
this kind of event.
It's kind of nice seeing
all the families having fun.
And that music is awesome.
Yeah, he's actually pretty good.
Hey, your... your voice
sounds kind of scratchy.
-You OK?
-Oh, yeah.
I was just practicing singing
and lost my voice, kind of.
Wow.
Singing, that's...
that's really cool.
Maybe you'll be, uh, famous,
like I'm gonna be one day.
[CHUCKLES]
Um, maybe we see
each other later?
Yeah, that'd be cool.
Cool.
All right, I better...
Right.
See you later, I hope?
Yeah.
All right.
See you, guys.
Bye.
OK, Mr. Hotshot.
Just remember that
girls like boys who
are really nice to their moms.
Yeah.
They notice.
So then I told him to take his
shoebox full of receipts
and stick 'em where
the sun doesn't shine.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Mom...
Not now, Frederick.
And... and what did he do?
I assume he put them in a
closet or lit on fire, right?
[BOTH LAUGH]
Because, you know, I mean, the
sun doesn't shine in a closet.
Yeah, yeah, that's a good one!
[BOTH LAUGH]
Mom...
What is it, Frederick?
Can I go find my friends?
Sure, go on.
Thank you.
Oh, and Mom, this guy?
Really?
[LAUGHS]
Yeah, cute kid.
Yeah.
You want him?
Uh, no.
I'm... I'm OK... I'm all set.
Yeah, I got a dog.
A kid would be a lot,
I think, you know.
They're kind of
like the same thing.
Are they?
Yeah.
OK.
This guy is officially not funny.
I mean, look at his shorts.
He has chicken legs.
[HENS CLUCKING]
Mikey!
Puff, what's going on?
Just... just my mom.
She's about to hook up
with another weirdo.
Oh.
Sorry, man.
It's all right.
I gotta get in shape and
gotta scare these guys.
Right.
Let's go get something to eat.
[GUITAR PLAYING]
I've been working hard
MIKEY: I'm telling you
guys, Buck's not that bad.
SMACKS: Give it time.
You'll see, he's messed up.
Yeah.
Smacks is right.
I don't know.
What did they say?
The apple doesn't fall off
the tree unless you pick it.
I don't... I don't
think that's it.
The same as an apple
doesn't fall far from a tree.
That doesn't make any sense.
How's an apple gonna
fall far from the tree?
Yeah.
Maybe in a storm.
That's true.
You guys are crazy.
Oy vey.
Hey, Mikey... look.
Go talk to her.
Come on.
Come on, I just talked to her.
She's with her friends now.
Chicken.
No.
[WHISPERS] Watch this.
[SHOUTS] Hey, Kelly!
Kelly!
Kelly!
She's coming over
here with Stephanie.
Hey, guys.
BOYS: Hey.
It's a nice day, huh, boys?
BOYS: Yeah.
Why do you have a carrot?
It's a... it's a long story.
But we just bet Mikey that you
wouldn't win a staring contest.
-What...
-Would you now?
Oh, yeah?
Well, I wouldn't wanna be
the reason you lost a bet.
You guys mind hangin'
with Stephanie for a bit?
Yeah, OK.
Hangin' with Stephanie,
that's no huge problem to us.
Women love to laugh, so...
How about we all just
hang out like a team?
-How's that sound?
-Yeah.
Yeah.
OK.
You ready, Mikey?
Ah, yeah.
Sure, let's go.
Have fun, you two.
This should be good.
There's no way I'm losing.
I honestly don't even
know what to expect here.
Just make me laugh and feel safe.
What do you say, guys?
[MIDWAVE BREAKS, "ALL SHE WAS"]
Into your arms again
We are the storm
We could turn it
down just a little
Just give me
just one more day
'Cause I'm falling
asleep again
You are the vespertine,
the sophrosyne
And I could catch you
in the tallest tower
Just to see you again
And all she was was the
best thing I ever knew
Like a tidal
wave of the sun
And she never was anything
but the best to you
This ember light
We can make it home,
just me and you
You and me
Coming over the horizon
With the memories
slipping back
I don't know.
I just think baseball is
like the perfect game.
You got to have skills,
strategy, offense, defense.
You play on fresh cut grass
under the bright blue skies,
or... or at night under the
stars with the lights on.
I mean, it's...
it's hard to beat.
It brings people together.
I guess that's why I wanna try
out for the travel team so bad
and... and play in high school.
It's like, all I think about.
Really?
All you think about?
Well, maybe not
all I think about.
[BURPS] Yikes, I'm so sorry.
That was so gross.
God, you must think
that I'm like this...
[LOUD BURP]
[BOTH LAUGH]
BUCK: What's so funny?
MIKEY: We just...
I mean, I just...
I mean, I... I just burped.
Got a good joke?
I burped.
Hilarious So where's Derrick?
I don't know.
It's not my turn to watch him.
[LAUGHS]
See, now, that's funny.
Is it past your bedtime, Mikey?
Got to get going soon?
Sun's on its way down.
We should probably get home soon.
OK.
Yeah.
[LIVE, "HOLD ME UP"]
All right.
Hey, don't you
worry, my young friend.
I'll make sure Kelly
gets home safe and sound.
See you around.
Is a river of sin
Your metaphors,
you're silent calls
Your feelings are too real
Let them spew, a
fall from grace
Would do us good today
I'll lift you up,
we can love or cry
Hey, I'm in love I'll
take you up again
Oh, oh
All that to you in
a church by the sea
We're late, but
not in the same way
We're older today
So there you have it.
One small action can make
a lifetime of difference.
And, sometimes, if you let
things in life just happen,
sometimes, they go your way.
MIKEY: You guys are
right about Buck.
See?
I told you.
-What happened?
-Yeah, spill it.
Well, me and Kelly were
having a great time, right?
And I was just about
to make my move.
-What move?
-You got moves?
Maybe.
I mean, we need moves.
We're about to be in
high school in September.
Leadhead's move is
brushing his teeth
with salmon salad toothpaste.
[ALL LAUGH]
Ah, it's simple, really.
I'm just gonna lean over, look
into her eyes, and kiss her.
Or, you know, at least try to.
[CLAPPING]
Perfect!
Hypnotize her with your eyes,
then plant your lips on.
Oh!
Come on, man.
Simplicity, fellas.
Anyway, before I could
do it, Buck showed up
-and things got weird.
-Dang.
Actually, we tried to go home,
and he tried walking Kelly back.
Wait, wait?
Tried?
Yeah, what do you mean, tried?
Well, he pulled
Kelly to walk with him,
and then she pulled
away to walk with me.
My boy's got the moves!
Hey.
But sounds like we got to get
some revenge for Mikey, fellas.
Oh, Mikey's got
the moves, all right!
OK, any ideas for revenge?
I like me some drama.
Kelly came running back to me,
so I think the embarrassment
Buck felt is enough revenge.
Mikey, as my dad
would say, the universe
is falling in your favor.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
Oh I feel tired
I could push you through it
Toughen up just a little
KELLY: Mikey?
Oh.
Hey, Kelly.
What are you doing here?
Mom's grabbing Derrick some
burgers, and I came along.
Do you work here?
Yeah.
Well, I, uh... I help
Eddie run the place.
Really?
That's pretty cool.
It is?
Well, OK, I... I don't run it,
but, you know, I help out.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, you really
got things together.
You're, like, basically ahead
of most grown-ups. Oh, hey,
did you hear about
Derrick's party?
Mm...
He's throwing a
pool party Saturday.
You and your friends
should totally come by.
Oh.
Cool.
Yeah.
Yeah, totally.
So is it safe to go in there?
I guess so.
I've never been in that one.
Well, if you hear a
scream followed by a splash,
it means I slipped and
fell in the toilet.
-[CHUCKLES]
-See ya.
See ya.
KELLY: O beautiful
for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple
mountain majesties
[HUMMING]
And crown thy good
with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
[ZHORA, "LIGHT"]
When the lights go down
And you hold me close
You make me, oh
When the lights go down
My world explodes
Put me on, put me on
Got my heart
between your fingers
I'm holding on
EDDIE: Mikey.
[LAUGHS] What, are you
gonna marry that broom?
Just take a break.
Cleaning fluids are
making you loopy.
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
This is nuts.
You think there's, you
know, stuff we ain't supposed
to have in those cups?
BOY: Yeah!
I'd say that's a yes.
I never had that stuff before.
You don't have to drink it.
Just hold your cup and pretend.
So what do you think, guys?
Should we go?
If I see pizza boxes, I'm a yes.
Smacks?
Paulie?
Oh, and Puff, remember,
no cheat days, man.
Come on.
BOY: Let's flip!
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
Holy carbohydrates.
I see it.
Bras.
And other things.
Holy carbs is right.
Well, and they're bikinis,
not bras, you idiots.
You got to figure this stuff out.
[CHATTER, LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
So what are we gonna do?
MIKEY: All right, guys,
we can still go in,
but I definitely don't feel
like we're gonna fit in there.
But what if Buck and the
others make us flex and stuff?
-No, no, no.
-No, no, I can't do that.
Definitely not.
OK, we should go then.
Phew!
I'm not sure of this
flexing shape yet.
Have you ever been?
What do you mean?
You're a little...
puffy, Puff.
I prefer the term husky.
If I'm gonna see
Kelly in a bikini,
I wanna let her know that
I'm there and not a spy.
So I got to get out of here.
-All right?
-All right.
You remember to wear a cup?
Got to protect these bad boys.
Don't wanna lose them
before you use them.
Hey, guys.
Guess who's a coach
of our age group?
It'd be funny if it
was Coach Buttermaker.
Yep.
Paying respect to the Bears.
No, butt crack.
Look.
Oh, here they come.
Eddie?
Oh, I don't think my throwing
is good enough for this guy.
I don't think it is either.
[LAUGHS]
This means you're a sure thing.
Yeah, I don't know about that.
You know, my grandpa says
there are no sure things,
even though he tells my mom
that when he's at the track.
All right, boys.
Look at you looking at me.
You almost look ready for this.
What are you smirking at?
Wipe that face off your head.
We all know you wanna wear
the summer travel uniform.
OK, so here's the secret sauce.
There's no secret sauce!
It's you!
So don't let off
the gas right now.
When we see it, we'll know it.
So show us something.
Are you ready?
OK, there are only
three spots open.
You wanna be one of the spots?
So get out there, do what you do.
-We'll let you know.
-Yes, Coach.
ALL: Yes, Coach!
OK, go warm up!
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Go!
Next!
Go!
[BAT HITTING BALLS]
Mom...
[DOOR CLOSES]
Who are those... those guys?
Hey.
How are tryouts?
What's going on?
Um, those men were
here because they
-still haven't found your dad.
-Yet.
They haven't found him yet.
That's what they came to tell us.
Look, they're doing their best.
And what did I tell you
about the Army, huh?
They never leave anyone behind?
That's right.
And your dad...
He's smart, and he's strong.
That's right.
So they're gonna find him,
and he's gonna come back.
He's gonna see you play baseball.
And... and... so what
happened at tryouts?
It went all right.
Coach Eddie gave us a great talk.
Of course, he did.
Of course, he did.
The man has a good
head on his shoulders.
Yeah, it's really great.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
You hungry?
Yeah.
I'll make us some lunch.
Go get cleaned up.
If you don't eat
it, you'll lose it.
Are you going to
eat that one, too...
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Thanks.
[CHUCKLES]
Hey.
Hey, Erica.
Sorry to bother you
guys, but I just
wanted to come and see if
Frederick was here with Mikey.
Oh.
SKYLAR: He hasn't come
home after tryouts,
so I thought maybe he was here.
Mikey, hey, sweetie.
Is Frederick here with you?
No.
Puff wasn't at tryouts.
We thought he decided
not to go for it.
Oh, god, he was so
excited about trying out.
Oh, my god.
Do you have any idea
where he could be?
Uh, no.
Oh, my god.
Oh, OK.
OK.
Skylar, listen.
Why don't we drive into town?
We'll go to Eddie's.
We can just drive up
and down Main Street.
I'm sure he's just in town.
-If we need to...
-You think?
We can fill out a
report, but we don't need to.
-Let me drive.
-OK.
I'll grab the guys,
and we can go find him.
No, Mikey, you stay here.
Mom, I can help.
Stay here, all right?
We got it.
But, Mom, it's my friend...
Michael Darcy,
stay in this house!
I do not have the time or
energy for this right now.
You'll stay here.
Let the grown-ups handle it.
[DOOR SLAMS CLOSE]
GRANDPA: Mikey,
she's just scared,
you know, 'cause your dad...
And so am I. And it's
my friend who's missing.
It's my dad who's missing.
I can't just sit around
here and do nothing.
I'm not a little kid anymore.
Mikey...
ADULT MIKEY: As
you can imagine,
I was thinking,
why does this feel
like this is not a good idea?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
MIKEY: Puff!
BOYS: Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
-Puff!
-Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
[NOODLE BARKING]
Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
-Puff!
-Puff!
-Puff!
-Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
Maybe we should try
to think like Puff.
That's easy.
His life was all about food.
Is.
What?
You said was.
PAULIE: Oh, snap.
Sorry.
[NOODLE BARKS]
We should probably go to Field X.
Puff!
He's got to be here.
He's here, he's here.
Puff!
Guys, let's go.
[NOODLE BARKING]
Go where?
Where's Noodle going.
MIKEY: Puff!
Where are you?
Guys, look.
This is Puff's bike?
Is it?
Do you think he crashed?
Maybe.
-Puff!
-Puff!
Puff, come on!
Come on, Puff!
[NOODLE BARKS]
We're scared, man.
Come on.
-Puff!
-Puff!
SMACKS: Guys,
guys, it's Noodle.
Look.
-Puff!
-We're getting scared.
-Come on.
-Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
We were so scared.
Puff, are you OK?
Are you dizzy or something?
I was trying to go get the
gold, and I just passed out.
I guess I didn't
eat enough carbs.
[LAUGHS]
Tell me you got a
granola bar in that pocket.
Yeah.
We gotta get him up and around.
Right.
Puff, are you hurt
or just exhausted?
No, not bad, but I'm...
I'm really hungry.
-Today's my cheat day.
-[LAUGHS]
All right, Puff,
I'll help you out.
Grab my arm.
He looks too weak
to hold anything.
SMACKS: And he's kind of heavy.
Yeah.
All right, I'll grab his
back, you guys grab his arms,
-and we'll lift him up.
-All right.
-All right.
-3...
ALL: 2, 1!
[ALL GRUNTS]
Watch out.
You good?
Yeah.
I'm starving.
Teamwork, that's what makes
human beings so special.
How else would we have
found Puff that day?
Hah!
And even little Noodle
helped save the day.
Did you find that block of gold?
I was trying to go get the gold
to help out Mikey and buy some
meat, but I did find something.
A ball?
I'm gonna hit this ball
so hard, my name's gonna
be tattooed on it forever.
What is it?
It's my tattooed
home run ball, baby!
-Get out of here!
-Come on!
Let me see that.
I told you I hit that thing.
-Thank you, man.
-Yeah.
Good job, Puff.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
We found Puff.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Yeah, I heard.
That doesn't make up for the fact
that you directly disobeyed me.
I get back from driving a
"scared out of her mind"
Skylar all over town
looking for her lost son,
and you're not here.
I explicitly told you
not to leave this house.
-Mom, I know...
-No!
No buts.
If I tell you to stay
home, you stay home.
I am hanging on by a thread here.
The last thing I need
is you off somewhere
-getting into trouble.
-I wasn't gonna get lost, Mom.
Puff's my friend.
ERICA: Just stop talking.
Just... you're grounded...
for the rest of the summer.
No bikes, no sleepovers with
your buddies, no baseball.
-Mom, that's not fair.
-Yeah.
Too bad.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
-Hey, Mikey.
-Hey, Coach.
Mind if I come in?
Not at all.
Hey, Erica.
Hey, Eddie.
Hello.
So I just thought I
would come by and deliver
the good news in person.
You made the team, son.
Life is roses and thorns.
Roses... we found
Puff, I made the team,
and I think a great
girl likes me.
Thorns... my dad's not
home, I'm grounded,
and my mom won't let me play.
To say the least, I wasn't happy.
What's the matter, kid?
We're not sure Mikey's gonna
be able to play this summer.
Oh.
OK.
Why not?
Er, aside from the
fact that I'm not
sure I can afford
the fees, I don't
think he's ready for that
kind of responsibility.
Mom...
ERICA: No.
I explicitly told Mikey to
stay home this afternoon,
and he disobeyed me.
Yeah, it's a kid
being a kid, right?
You... but, no.
Absolutely not.
No, they shouldn't be.
No.
And it should not be rewarded.
Is that true, what
your mom's saying?
Well, yeah, but it was because...
But... but... you listen
to your mom, all right?
That's... that's it.
I listen to my mom still
at this age... to an extent.
But tell me you
understand that concept.
Yeah.
Yeah?
Yes, of course.
OK. 'Cause if you're not
listening to your mom at home,
how do I know you're gonna
listen to me on the field?
All right, you wanna
be a man, great.
What kind of man do you wanna be?
You wanna be on my team?
What kind of teammate
are you gonna be?
-You're right.
-Mm.
I'm really sorry.
I just... you know, I
wanted to make an impact.
I wanted to help find my friend.
But yes, but I should
have listened to my mom.
I'm really sorry.
Are you sorry to me?
I'm really sorry, Mom.
I need you on my side.
I needed you here.
You hear that?
Look, he went
looking for a friend.
I mean, there are worse
qualities in a young
man, right?
And... and he wants a
little more independence,
so that's natural.
Give it to him.
And then you got to prove
that you deserve it.
Here's my idea.
You let him on the
team, and he keeps
working at the restaurant.
He's doing a great job.
By the way, you're
raising a great boy.
And that's how he pays the fees
off by the end of the summer.
And as far as the responsibility,
I guarantee you, between
the restaurant and the team,
we're gonna breed that
responsibility in him.
And it's up to you
to bring it home.
And if I hear about
you running off or not
listening to your mom again,
I'm gonna cut you from the
team myself.
And he meant it.
But, boy, did he save my summer.
You got to love Coach Eddie.
He taught me a lot.
[SIGHS]
So how about it?
[SIGHS]
Your life is
baseball, work, home.
That's it.
You are still grounded.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Oh.
All right.
Practice is at
2:00 tomorrow, kid.
I'll see you in the
morning for work.
Yes, Coach.
Thanks, Erica.
Thank you.
I would have cleaned
that burger joint for life
if it meant playing on the team.
I was motivated.
Yes.
So now, I'm grounded
for the whole summer.
-The whole summer?
-What's for the whole summer?
Mikey's prison sentence.
You got grounded, dude?
-[CHUCKLES]
-Oh, man.
I used to get
grounded all the time.
[LAUGHS] One time, I set off a
bottle rocket in the basement.
I thought I could aim it to go
out the window, but I missed.
My dad was pissed off.
[LAUGHS] I hit some of his
old magazines... magazines
I wasn't supposed to know
about, if you know what I mean.
Puff!
-Puff.
-Puff.
ROY: Hey!
How you feeling?
Hungry.
-And ready to hit some balls.
-Oh!
Living life.
I love it!
So, I heard you got put
on lockdown 'cause you
-came and tried to find me.
-Yeah.
Worth it.
I guess you got a great story
to tell your kids, eh, Puff?
Kids?
What kids?
I ain't having kids.
They're too much trouble.
Who are you gonna
tell your story to,
about the time you passed
out from hunger in the woods?
And how your friends
showed up to save your life.
And how you thanked him by doing
-their homework for a year.
-Ha ha.
You know, when I was your age,
I used to wish I could
face a challenge like that.
Only I wanted to fight
a bear... or a lion.
Well, not a fight, really.
Maybe a wrestling match.
Anyone here a wrestler?
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
MIKEY: Kelly!
Hey.
You made the team, congrats.
Yeah, thanks.
So how come you didn't
come to Derrick's party?
Oh, yeah, I, uh...
I had to babysit
my little brother.
Oh.
I heard it got
pretty crazy, though.
Yeah.
There was red cups and stuff.
I left when some of them started
being idiotic and flexing and
acting like they're all models.
Me, too.
I mean, I would have left if
I was there and that happened.
Oh.
Yeah.
So you're here to watch practice?
No.
They're actually holding
auditions for people to sing
the national anthem and
"America the Beautiful"
in opening day.
Oh.
Sweet.
I'm here to support Stephanie.
Wait... you're
not gonna audition?
No.
Why?
Because you're...
you're really good.
What do you mean?
After I ran into you that
day at Eddie's, I heard
you singing in the bathroom.
It's OK.
You were great.
I've never sung in
front of anyone before.
Just, like, in the
shower and stuff.
Well, promise me you'll audition.
You're really good.
I gotta... I gotta go.
You can do it, Kelly.
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC]
There you go.
You ready?
Nice!
That's what I'm talking about.
You see what he did?
That!
Nice and sharp, like the laser.
Darcy, what are you
holding back for?
Darcy!
What the hell was that?
All right, give me some
laps for that lazy effort.
It's the whole team.
All right, we win
together, we lose together,
we work together!
One of you slacks off,
we all pay the price.
BOY: Let's go.
Come on.
Now get home safe.
You wanna ice that elbow.
Hey, Coach.
Hey, hold up, Mikey.
Good practice today.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
Yeah, I know it was a little
hard on you out there,
but you know why, right?
I... I watched my hit instead
of running hard at first?
Yeah.
Yeah, for one.
And you were slacking off.
You were... you were letting
things shake you, OK?
And you're really talented.
But what I'm trying to tell all
you kids is you can be the most
talented guy in the world, but
if you don't try your hardest
and you give up too easy, you're
gonna get crushed out there.
That's baseball and life.
I get it, Coach.
All right.
Yeah.
So you keep hustling.
All right, go home,
stretch, 'cause
I don't want you hobbling
around work in the morning.
We start early.
-See you tomorrow.
-Yep.
ADULT MIKEY: He was
a great coach, Eddie.
And I wasn't gonna let him down.
I decided right then and there, I
was gonna work harder and push
myself more than anyone else.
I had something to prove...
to myself.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
I started young when
I was foolish then
Breaking all the rules,
I'd do it all again
To feel the blood run
Low, low.
Keep your head in.
Go.
You got it.
Well, they spat at me and
threw me up against the wall
My brother told me I'd
have to take them all
A self-made man
must break his hand
fighting for the cause
Looking good out there, Darcy.
I'm good.
All right, let's all bring it in.
Take a knee.
Good job out there.
I, er, I'm about
convinced you're ready.
So this weekend, we're
gonna show those guys
just how ready you are, right?
ALL: Right!
Right?
ALL: Right!
Right?
ALL: Right!
All right.
How'd you feel about today?
I felt good.
Mom?
Mom, what's wrong?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[SNIFFLES]
Mom?
They found him, Mikey.
Your dad's coming home.
It might have been the
best moment of my life...
at least, until opening day.
Opening day.
Hey.
Nice digs.
Oh, yeah, thanks.
Look... I even got number 7.
Awesome, Mikey.
All right, wish me luck.
Good luck.
["ENDLESS LOVE" PLAYING]
I'm free fallin'
Straight down to
an endless love
I'm free fallin',
river rollin'
Straight down to
an endless love
Straight down to
an endless love
[INDISTINCT CHATTER, SHOUTING]
Dad.
Mikey.
You have no idea how happy
I am to see you right now.
Focus in.
Do your thing.
I believe in you.
And I know you
believe in yourself.
Go get 'em.
You got it, Dad.
I will.
I love you, bud.
Love you, Dad.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
I knew he'd come
home, but I can't
believe he's actually here.
I'm so happy he's back.
All right, everybody,
welcome to opening day!
Let's go!
[ALL CHEERING, CLAPPING]
All right, I'm glad to be here,
and I'm glad to see everybody.
It's families that
makes up community.
It's community that
builds a country.
And in that spirit, I'm so
excited to welcome young ladies
from our community
here sing a great song
for us to open up the season.
Let's welcome Stephanie Gray
and Kelly Parker, everybody.
CROWD: Woo!
[ALL CHEERING, CLAPPING]
KELLY AND STEPHANIE: O
beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple
mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
America!
America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good
with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
[CROWD CHEERS]
Play ball!
I'll be right back.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Hey, gramps.
What's up, buddy?
I'll give you gramps.
[LAUGHS]
I got American Hot
Sauce in the third.
Oh, you know what?
Give me the 3-2-5 trifecta.
Trifecta?
-Yeah, trifecta.
-How much.
What do you mean, how much?
I'm coaching 14-year-olds.
-$2.
-Yeah.
Hey, I've been a
little hard on Mikey.
I just... you know, I just
don't want the boys to like me.
You know what I mean.
I know what you mean.
I think you're a little late.
They already like you.
Yeah.
I know.
But don't tell 'em I
like 'em too, all right?
-[LAUGHS]
-OK.
-Good luck, Coach.
-All right.
Thanks.
ANNOUNCER: It's the
bottom of the last inning.
Highlands lead Allendale, 5 to 4.
This is it, pal.
Yeah.
Last inning.
Come on, man, look alive.
We're gonna win our first game.
What are you talking about?
We're down by a run.
We haven't had a hit
in like, four innings.
Yeah, but I've got a
good feeling about this.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
UMPIRE: You're out!
Listen, I'm up next to bat.
Look alive, man.
[LAUGHS]
Good luck.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
UMPIRE: Two outs!
Hey, Mikey.
Helmet on.
You're on deck.
MAN: Go, Mikey.
[CLAPS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
All right, Paulie,
show 'em what you got.
MAN: Go, Paulie!
UMPIRE: Strike one.
Get him on the next one.
[CROWD CHEERS]
[CHEERING, CLAPPING]
Time.
[WHISTLES] Mike.
Mike, come here.
[SIGHS] Hey, look at me.
Look at me.
I believe in you.
You can do this, all right?
The whole town believes in you.
That pitcher cannot get you out.
You got this, all right?
Let's go.
Come on.
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING, CHEERING]
Come on.
Mikey!
MIKEY'S DAD: Visualize, Mikey.
See it, and then feel it.
Come on, Mikey!
Come on, man, just like Field X!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[SCREAMING]
MAN: Go get it!
Go get it!
Hit the cutoff!
Come on.
Mikey!
Come on!
Come on!
Come on!
I bet you're dying to know...
was I out or was I safe?
I was safe.
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC]
You don't believe me?
OK.
Take a look.
Safe.
[CHUCKLES] That was the
summer I'll never forget.
I made the team, got
the game winning hit.
We found Puff.
I got my very first job.
My dad... my dad came home.
Talk about memorable.
I learned some very
important life lessons.
I fell in love...
for the first and
only time in my life.
WOMAN: Hey, darling.
Hey, Kel.
So, what's Noodle's urn
doing out here on my chair?
I don't know.
It's lake day, and I just
thought the little hero
could use some fresh air.
You're a funny
man, Michael Darcy.
Yeah, I'm a funny guy.
[LAUGHS]
Hey, speaking about funny,
was that Puff on the phone?
Yeah.
He's gonna meet
us up at the lake.
Oh, good.
Oh, and he said to say
he is bringing snacks.
Smacks?
No, no, wait, wait a minute.
Leadhead is bringing
Smacks, right?
Not Smacks, snacks.
Oh, snacks!
Yeah.
Snacks.
Yeah, it makes a lot more sense.
Hey, are you OK?
You've got that look.
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm OK.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
I'm just remembering that first
time I was alone with my dad
that summer, and...
Well, it's summer
for you, huh, buddy?
Yeah, it really was.
But with all the drama, you know,
I only remember the good
things that happened.
Well, that's the sign of a
really good person right there.
See the best in things,
and take your shot.
That's what life is all about.
[SIGHS] All right.
All right, buddy, right here.
Straight in the mitt.
You better not miss
me, though, all right?
You gotta run and get it.
I'm not too mobile yet.
-All right?
-All right.
Let's do it.
Into your arms again
We are the storm
Got some heat on that one.
You can turn it
down just a little
Just give me
just one more day
'Cause I'm falling
asleep again
You are the vespertine,
the sophrosyne
And I could catch you
I'm OK.
Thanks.
We'll get going, yeah?
Yeah.
Sure?
Yeah.
So Paulie's singing
this year, right?
Well, he is the mayor, honey.
Yeah, I know.
But can he sing?
Well, I guess we'll find out.
Yeah.
I just hope he isn't better
than I was back in the day.
[LAUGHS] No way.
What was that for?
I'm just remembering the
first time I kissed you.
You mean, when I kissed you?
Yeah.
Best day of my life.
So what kind of food
do you wanna pick
up when we get to the lake?
I don't know.
Ice cream.
Ice cream?
ADULT KELLY:
That's my favorite.
ADULTY MIKEY: Yeah,
it's a good food.
And I won't even
take it back
And the way home is
pulling me, pulling me back
And I don't even
know where I am
But I can feel, I can feel
the pull of the sun and moon
With the gravity,
gravity at my back
And all she was, was the
best thing I ever knew
Like a tidal
wave of the sun
And she never was anything
but the best to you
This ember light
We can make it
home just me and you
You and me
We can make it
home just me and
you
You and me
We can make it home
just me and you
You and me
We can make it home
just me and you
You and me
We can make it
home me and you
You and me
We can make it home
just me and you
You and me
We can make it home
just me and you
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
[LIGHT MUSIC]