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You're cheating.

Girls don't know spit about baseball.

Crippled as you are, you can't make no full-body rotation.

-If you ain't cheating, then how--? -I just can.

That's a homer.

Boy, I know what a homer looks like.

It don't count unless you're batting in the majors.

Majors?

Boy, you're never gonna play one inning in the majors.

Never say never.

You really believe?

-Cross your heart and hope to die? -That's a heathen vow.

Still think I'm cheating?

I think you're crazy.

But you are my boyfriend.

See you later, alligator.

Don't even think of getting sweet on her.

She's Earl Shanz's.

Man drinks like a steer on a tank at noon,

and is mean enough to steal the pennies off a dead man's eyes.

Connie?

Come here.

We don't speak ill of our neighbors.

I'm just looking out for Rickey.

Well, Rickey's got to learn to look out for himself.

He's playing the game of love.

That's run by women and lost by men.

So I want you both to interpret Ephesians 4:25 tonight.

You know that?

"Speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor,

for we are members of one another."

That's really good.

Go on and get in the car.

Come on.

Connie, you can help me lock up, okay?

How does he do that?

Honey, Rickey's got a gift.

So I'll cherish

The old rugged cross

Till my trophies

At last I lay down

I will cling

To the old rugged cross

And exchange it

One day for a crown

"Give me a man that we may fight together."

Amen.

Those are the words of the giant Philistine Goliath,

taunting the armies of Israel,

and no one would come out and fight him.

No one but David.

And how did David smite Goliath?

-A stone! -Amen, Brother Hill.

A stone.

A stone, it says right here in Verse 40, 1 Samuel.

"And so David stopped by a brook and chose him five smooth stones."

Well, why didn't David gather the largest stone,

or the most jagged stone?

David knew jagged rocks got a will of their own.

Things can veer off and shimmy all over creation.

He made a savvy bet!

Savvy indeed.

But maybe we ought to let some other members of the congregation

voice their response.

So I say this. What shapes a stone?

God's water shapes a stone.

And we, as Christians, as children of God,

we are being constantly shaped,

and after we're baptized, we are sent out into the world as His messengers,

and we fly straight and true to the very snout of Satan, so that we...

can fight our own Goliath, and...

You know, I, myself, have been afraid to say this,

but I'm just gonna say it.

Sister Babbit, Brother Shanz,

you uplift me with your presence here today, you do.

May I kindly ask you to refrain from smoking

and from chewing and dipping during Sunday services?

I work six days on a live well

ready to burst into fire and brimstone at any time.

Now, if you knew a thing about wildcatting,

you'd appreciate that I get exactly zero smoke breaks.

But can't you see how you and Sister Babbit

are defiling His glorious sanctuary

with your spit and with your ashes all over His floor?

It's a weakness born of man.

Oh, I see the weakness.

High and mighty man collects $50 a month

to preach to some decent, hardscrabble folk

he's never even stepped off the pulpit to get to know.

We hardly got a pleasure in life.

I expect the Almighty can see His way around our frailties.

I am your pastor,

so it is my place, in fact, it's my duty,

to preserve the sanctity of God's house.

Ain't about to allow some holier-than-thou preacher

toss me a few crumbs over a damn smoke.

And I am not gonna let the Lord's house look and smell like Satan's saloon.

Mrs. Babbit.

Wouldn't they ask you to pour oil on troubled waters?

Do you wanna clean tobacco juice

-off the church floor? -No.

-I'm gonna close up. -Okay.

-We missing it? -Not if we get there in three minutes.

Let's go.

You're his wife. You should talk some sense to him.

I'm trying, Mama.

Where are them three off to?

They're just being children.

Seems unfair. We're paying admission for peace and quiet.

They're the preacher's kids, ain't got a nickel to rub together.

Meanwhile, Richardson scores.

...gets one strike on Mantle,

and there it goes, over the right-field fence...

Gonna feel so charitable when they bust your window?

That's gonna be you one day.

Thanks.

Come on!

Doc says you get those braces off next year.

They were supposed to take them off last year.

Bring it on.

I'll knock it out just like Mantle.

Greetings out there in TV land.

We're back at the 50-yard line.

-The what? -Well, I hate baseball.

Nobody takes it easy on you in the majors.

Put some fire on it.

Koufax warms his arm here at the Yankee Stadium.

Tie game, bottom of the ninth.

At bat, Rickey Hill.

Koufax hurls a surprise slider.

Hill swings, swats a long fly ball!

Might be-- Could be-- It is!

Hill's third moonshot tonight.

The faster it comes in...

the faster it goes out.

Oh, my gosh! What did you do?

Let's go!

Let's get out of here.

-What are you doing? -What Daddy taught.

Whatever you done, take responsibility for it.

You hit this rock?

Sorry, mister.

I'll get a job to pay for it.

Now, hold up. You telling me...

that you hit this rock over them trees and into my windshield

with that lousy stick?

That's a couple hundred feet, easy. And you done it wearing them things?

Imagine that.

You know what a prodigy is?

No, sir.

Well, look it up.

When you get them legs healed up,

I'm gonna be the first guy at the gate to buy a ticket.

But I owe you.

Forget the windshield.

I got two yards across the state

full of more old windshields than I can ever pawn off in a lifetime.

But miracles...

them I'm a little shy on.

I want you to do it again.

Show me.

Now, go on.

Well, I'll be.

We receive your bounty, Lord,

to better fortify our bodies and minds so that we may serve you.

We pray in the name of your son Jesus. Amen.

Amen.

It's a mite hard to muster when he provideth so little.

Y'all see Daddy peg down that old crow spit-and-chew this morning?

Along with some ticked-off church folk,

grousing how your daddy has a bent for biting the hand

that barely feeds his family.

Fifty dollars a month.

Your children are starving.

You know, sometimes, Lilian,

doing God's work takes the sacrifice of the apostles.

None of the apostles had bad bones.

That's enough. You hear me?

Enough.

You can shut me down.

How you gonna quiet the voice in your head

saying that you starved that boy down to nothing and put him in a wheelchair?

Most devout man I know.

Your eyes are so busy studying Heaven,

you don't see the misery you're putting your family through.

I am not going to apologize for my devotion to God.

Mama, stop.

You see that woman? That's your daughter.

She's got faith. You never hear one complaint out of her.

She's got faith.

-You? -It's all I got.

And it sustains me.

But I live here on Earth.

And your son needs doctoring, and that takes money.

You can see he's already outgrown them braces.

He ain't gonna get no better without new ones.

New ones?

Rickey, the doctor believes that--

Can I be excused?

Yes, son.

Satisfied, Lilian?

Here, son, have my cornbread.

"...very great."

Fourteen.

"For he had possession..."

You know what?

I got a little something for you.

How'd you get these?

Saved up. Three months.

Mickey Mantle!

What's going on in here?

You're supposed to be reading your Bible verses.

Robert.

What you hiding?

Hand me your Bible.

Hand me your Bible, Robert.

Baseball cards.

I don't approve of this.

This sells the worship of false idols.

No, they sell gum.

You think I'm kidding?

-Is that what you think? -No, sir.

Robert, are these yours?

Yes, sir.

Robert, you are your younger brother's keeper.

And you are responsible for what you put in his mind.

You hear me?

I know, it's just that Rickey loves baseball--

He's not gonna play baseball.

Rickey, now, I've seen you out there behind the church,

swinging that stick,

and you'd be out there all day long if you could.

Even when you're suffering pain.

But you can't play baseball.

You can't even run.

And if you try, you're gonna get ridiculed,

you're gonna get made fun of,

and you're gonna wind up with an injury that you'll never get over.

My legs?

No, son. I'm talking about your spirit.

Now, listen.

You're special.

You got the heart of a lion.

But you got the soul of a tender lamb.

And I wanna protect that.

If you're not playing baseball, you got your time all freed up

to pursue a higher calling, preaching God's word.

Where your earthly legs have failed you,

God's gonna give you wings to fly.

You understand me, don't you, son?

That's my boy.

Love you.

Read your verses.

I'm listening.

Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

They shall run and not be weary.

What's going on here, Earl?

Seems like the flock and the shepherd have hit an impasse.

Is that right?

Some of us are sure gonna miss you.

But we just got here.

And we just kicked you out!

Now, be quick.

We need that house back.

Well, don't you worry.

We won't stay where we're not wanted.

We'll be gone by morning.

Helen.

You ought to be ashamed.

Oh, shi--

Shoot.

-Shoot. -My husband is a fine man.

He's good, righteous, and given his life and happiness to serve the Lord.

He placed you all above his own children.

How do you repay such selfless devotion?

You run him out of his own church

and put his kids on the street.

Why?

'Cause your pastor asked you to behave

like the God-fearing people he believed you were?

Decent, hardscrabble folk?

No.

You do not deserve James Hill.

Helen, I--

We're gonna be fine.

I wish you were staying.

I wish we weren't going.

Am I ever gonna see my only-ever boyfriend again?

I don't know.

I'll miss you.

Later, gator.

Is that Earl?

He's drunk, Daddy.

He's gonna kill somebody.

Earl.

Earl. You're drunk.

You shouldn't be driving.

And you shouldn't be acting like you still got weight in this town.

Don't let the screen door hit you.

I can't let you drive.

Rickey.

Fine.

Have it your way.

He's just trying to save your neck!

My neck?

My neck?

Don't you touch my boy.

You stay away from my kid.

Daddy's a badass.

Get in the car.

What were you doing?

Come on, Earl. Stand up.

-You think you're better than me? -Nope.

I'm sure you'd kick my butt if you weren't so drunk. Watch it.

You think you're better than me 'cause you can read that book.

Get in the house. Earl, get in the house.

My fault.

What were y'all quarreling about?

You.

He's dangerous when he gets like this.

And he's like this more and more.

Thank you, pastor.

Just save it for Sheriff Dalton.

I imagine he's gonna be making a visit here shortly.

Pastor.

You gave it your best the only way you know.

Won't a soul appreciate that till you're gone.

Thank you.

God bless you.

Jesus, Jesus, help me, Jesus.

I'm at the end of my rope. Please help me.

With you, all things are possible, Lord. Please.

Give me a sign.

Please give me a sign.

God dang!

God!

God! God!

You okay, Daddy?

I'm just tired, son.

James.

We're out of gas.

All right, well, someone's gonna come along.

Let's just...

Meanwhile, let's, you know, get the spare put on.

We ain't got no spare.

Daddy, I patched it up yesterday.

I traded it for gas last night.

And you done right.

That's how hardscrabble folk get by, minute-to-minute.

Making tough calls in a mean world.

Doing our damnedest.

Times come, don't matter how well you mean or how hard you try.

It don't work, and that's no man's fault.

Well, it can't get much worse than this, huh?

We gotta be the unluckiest family in all of Texas.

Probably Oklahoma too.

Well, look at this.

Only the master painter could paint a picture such as this.

Let's get in the car.

Come on, Rickey.

Y'all need a ride?

Yes!

Well, come on.

I've never seen one in color.

Back up, you'll go blind.

Fine ice cream, Miss Flora.

Pleased you're enjoying it, sir.

Sir?

If she knew you, if you knew Rickey, you wouldn't call him sir.

Oh, I expect I know him.

If you say so.

Mrs. Linda, you sure have a beautiful home.

It's brought us a lot of joy.

I need to get you more to eat.

No, no.

If I had another bite, I think I'd bust a gut.

Thank you.

Don't know how we'll ever thank you for your help.

We sure needed it.

Well, now, there might be a way.

But this... I don't know. This job,

it's just probably beneath a man of your education and experience.

Oh, no, no. No, you'd be surprised.

My brother Dennis over at Bowie City way

tells me First Baptist been looking for a new pastor going on a year now.

But no takers.

Well, that's a crying shame.

Well, you ain't seen Bowie City.

One-horse town is overselling it.

It ain't got a window to throw it out of.

But they're good people.

There's a rectory.

A mite modest.

I suppose it ain't for you, but--

-We'll take it. -Yes, we will.

Brother Josh,

it was not by accident that you found us on the road.

When the good Lord shuts a door, He opens a window.

But don't y'all wanna hear more about this--?

Only "amen."

-Can I get an amen? -Amen.

Roger, and liftoff, and the clock is operating.

-Sigma 7... -Liftoff!

Those kids, they get really excited.

-There! -Where?

There!

Mission Control reports that the craft has left Earth's atmosphere,

as we get closer and closer.

As man again sails the heavens.

I see it.

Big as day.

Let's head inside.

You coming, Daddy?

Well, you go ahead, son.

I'm gonna visit a spell with the Heaven I know.

Howdy, pastor. How you doing?

Welcome to home, sweet home.

Try "dump, sweet dump."

James Hill.

Nice to meet you. Brother's told me all about you.

Yeah, your brother was real nice to us.

-Dennis, right? -That's right.

Appealing to the eye, she ain't,

but come monsoons, tornadoes, and flash floods,

she'll leave you high and dry.

I'm already feeling just that.

What's that?

Used to be a mortuary.

Wait till you see the church.

You're gonna love the church.

Where is the church?

The church is just on down the road here.

Y'all wanna go see the church first or go inside?

We'll see the church first.

-They'll love the church. -Yeah.

Here she is.

Now y'all see what I was saying?

Plenty of room.

It's got... possibilities.

I love it in here.

I can run in here.

Boy's got a heck of a lot of energy.

Yeah, and a mind to confound Solomon.

When do I start?

Man up, J-bird. We're just getting started.

You need two more?

Him and who else?

-I'll hit off him. -With all that crap on your legs?

My dad is a pastor, and he calls them corrective restraints.

Hey, don't get all Bible camp on me.

I ain't playing with no robot boy.

Put the non-gimp in left.

He don't play, I don't play.

Yeah, like you're first-round draft material.

Who do I brush back next?

Come on.

Hey, flamethrower.

I hit off you, we both play.

And it's gotta clear the infield.

Nobody's ever pitched to you with the heat he brings.

Whiff in front of these townies,

and they'll never let you forget it, much less play.

I ain't gonna whiff.

Hey, Robot Boy.

Where do we bury you, the cemetery or the junkyard?

Three swings.

Hey, whatever. You ain't even gonna see the ball.

Y'all best stay in the outfield.

Boy, you got no idea.

It's Rickey Hill.

Rickey Hill, you got a lot of guts.

But not so many smarts.

Guys with legs that work can't hit him.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

You ready, Robot Boy?

-Little late on that one. -Robot Boy!

Gonna keep whiffing or are you quitting?

Start hitting.

Oh, Robot Boy's gonna start hitting.

All right, jelly legs, come on.

Hey, RB. Quit while you're behind.

-Enough! -Come on, before you get really hurt.

Three strikes.

So he can kill you?

I stay down here, I'm dead.

Better bring a quicker bat.

What are you doing?

Look at Robot Boy.

Full-body rotation!

Folks gotta do what they gotta do.

How do you know you can do it, Rickey?

I just know it.

All right, fun's over.

Time to say night-night and bye-bye to Robot Boy.

You done it!

You hit!

That don't count!

Screw you guys. I ain't playing with no crippled kid.

-You made a deal. -I ain't made no such thing.

Liar! I seen you nod your head!

Nobody calls me a liar, Robot Boy.

You think you can stomp me?

He already did.

Hey, stop it!

Coach says one more fight and you're done.

Damn you.

You white trash no-counts.

You're not worth it anyway.

Come on, there ain't no game for us here.

-But I hit off of him. -That's what counts.

Goodbye, Rickey Hill.

Okay.

Anybody else want to say grace?

Is there some kind of revelation that I'm not aware of?

Oh, my God.

-Any pain? -Not a lick.

How?

Well, sir, it seems one of my braces...

the left one, I think, well, it broke first, so I--

So you had to take the other one off to walk, right?

Yes.

Thank you, Lord.

Well, show me. Just...

Okay, everybody, up. We're going for ice cream.

-And we're gonna walk. -James, we can't afford it.

You just keep that ice cream man busy, and I'm gonna steal us a gallon.

-Oh, no, you won't. -Oh, yes, I will.

-I'm feeling adventurous. -He's not gonna steal a thing.

It ain't curing polio, boys. All it takes to be on my team is:

A, attend practice every day, 4 to 6,

B, be prepared to work your hind ends off,

and C, cut the crap and swing the bat, 'cause I ain't your mama.

Now, if I catch any one of y'all half-assing out there,

I'll boot your whole ass off my field.

Now, if you ain't turned one of these in yet,

I need your folks' John Hancock on one of these permission slips. Come on.

Bring it back to me, 3 p.m. Tuesday, signed.

All right.

Now, son, it may not be your doing,

but you're already half-assing.

Or making sacrifices.

Well spoke.

I'll give you through tryouts.

Hey, but you better bring me some magic.

Think Mom will sign this without telling Daddy?

Even if she did, he'd find out.

How's my little lion?

What's on your mind? You got something behind your back.

Why don't you calm your mind?

Let's hear Psalm 23.

"The Lord is my shepherd..."

More conviction.

"...I shall not want."

Daddy, I know what you're gonna say,

but I'm better.

Son, you might be better,

but you are not healed.

Your bones...

they're green.

They're like twigs.

Daddy...

all I wanna do is play.

You will not play.

Ever.

Now, you might think that your affliction is an injustice,

but God has a plan for you.

It's a sign.

It's a sign of something greater that you are supposed to become.

What is important?

Many things are important.

But what is vital?

One practice.

Doing God's work.

I want you to seek out

every opportunity that you have to serve Him.

And the next time that you even consider sinning,

I want you to ask yourself this question:

"How will God judge me?"

The Holy Spirit sees all, knows all,

punishes every misdeed.

So let us ask God...

for a sin-free week.

This place is worse than the last.

See that man smoking?

Why didn't Daddy put a stop to that?

To grow his flock, your father must endure a few black sheep.

Have a great day.

This came for you.

-Must be from Gracie. -No way.

Yeah, he pocketed it so quick, I thought his hand was on fire.

Nah. Just his heart.

I'm gonna go... stretch my legs.

If Daddy finds out you've been swatting baseballs on the Sabbath...

I'm just gonna watch.

You?

Come on.

One Blast-Off Burger, one order of fries, and one Coke.

Costs 75 cents, and that's what I got.

One Blast-Off Burger, one order of fries, and one Coke?

That ain't nearly enough to feed all three of you kids.

We just need the one order.

I tried to tell him, but he just came in here like a crazy man.

Well, he counted too quick.

We're just a quarter short, actually.

Well, I ain't so hot at numbers.

-I'll come back when I get the rest. -Wait.

It just so happens I have a quarter.

-Okay, I've got them closed. -Keep them closed.

I will, I will. I've never been more in the dark.

Here, bring him this way.

Well, I guess I'm going to sit down, is that right?

We all know turkey's your favorite...

but we wanted to get something special instead.

-Can I open my eyes? -Yep.

Why, it's my second favorite.

And a more thoughtful gift, I...

I can't remember.

You take care of us all year...

so today, we wanted to take care of you.

The most beautiful gift I have ever been blessed with...

is not this delicious burger.

It's the joy of sharing it with all of you.

You're my beautiful family.

We ain't hungry.

-Stuffed. -Slimming.

All us girls are.

Well, I'm starving.

Me and my mama are heading to Oklahoma City

to live with my grandfolks.

Hey, has anyone in your new town figured out

how you're cheating at batting yet?

Truly, I hope you're still swinging, no matter how your legs are.

Knowing you, I bet you a Buffalo nickel you're still dreaming of the majors.

Me, I've run clean out of dreams.

I guess it's up to you to make one come true for both of us.

If anyone can, it's you.

P.S., you're still my boyfriend.

Since when ain't you trying out?

Since my daddy refused to sign.

Check out Coach Don.

He look like he's up all night verifying signatures?

Hold up. You're saying...?

-Fake Daddy's signature? -Yep.

Seems like the real sin is stopping you from playing.

Jason's right.

Plus, I don't know a soul who's owed this shot more than you.

Give it to me.

Hope the good Lord sees it that way.

Evening, ma'am.

Don Fisher, youth baseball coach.

I'm sorry, our boys aren't allowed to play.

Better iron that out with your husband, ma'am.

-He signed Rickey's permission slip. -Come in.

Who, by the way, is knocking the tar out of anything we throw at him.

What is this? I didn't sign nothing.

That's not my handwriting. That's a forgery.

Well, you know boys.

Anyhoo, he is one heck of a hitter.

The only way I can figure how your boy can possibly hit the ball

as far and as hard as he can...

the Lord give him a gift.

Well, he's not gonna be playing.

-You ain't gonna let him play? -Nope.

Look, I pastored 13 years up in the Panhandle...

and I know good and well what a miracle looks like.

And Rickey is one.

So my counsel to you, pastor...

is figure out why you're so hell-bent on crushing the boy's soul

and squandering his blessing.

God bless you. Amen, and good night.

Rickey?

Rickey.

I done it.

He's covering for me.

I said for him to play...

and doctored the slip.

He was trying to help me do the one thing I love.

The one thing you love?

That's the truth.

It ain't about me swinging a stick to hit a stone.

When I swing that bat, I ain't crippled no more.

I am David taking down Goliath.

Everybody can see how much this means to me but you.

Don't you backtalk me, boy.

Don't you dare run that child down!

Give him his say. He's earned it.

You stay out of this. This ain't none of your business.

My business is the family that you've turned into sheep.

Helen and the kids, they love you so much,

they'd let you just suck all the joy out of their lives.

And I'm too old and mean to stand by another minute

while you make your misery theirs.

"To seek out the one true calling God has placed us on Earth to answer

is no less than our duty.

To fulfill it with pure devotion, no less than our divine destiny."

Yeah, see right there?

Even a blind man could tell you're born to be a preacher.

You said those words. That's your sermon.

Are those words the truth?

Think baseball is your duty?

Ever since I can remember.

So much you'd lie about it?

See that?

That's a lie.

Now, I'm gonna give you a choice.

God's will...

or your will.

Robert...

you lied.

You deceived.

You misguided your brother.

Now, we got rules in this house.

And you know there's consequences to those rules.

Yes, sir.

Get out back.

And I mean now.

Daddy, it should be me!

Robert...

you deceived me.

I can't tell you how that hurts.

Now, you know I love you.

This is about saving your soul.

You ain't gonna save me.

You can beat me all night...

it ain't gonna change Rickey.

Rickey's confused.

He's lost.

He ain't the one who's lost.

What's he doing?

Growing up.

You turn around.

Go inside.

-I said, go inside. -Daddy?

Just leave me be. Go inside.

It ain't fair.

I can't go this entire summer without playing baseball.

Well, till you can find a way to preach and play at the same time...

you're benched.

Son...

you know you're not supposed to interrupt me

when I'm writing my sermon.

Yes, sir.

I came here to ask you what to do when I need to tell you something.

Now.

All right.

Say your piece.

Last night, you gave me a choice...

and I've been thinking real hard on it.

You're right. God is number one.

He has, is, and always will be.

And like you've preached so many times...

God don't make mistakes.

Amen.

I feel His perfection guiding me when I swing that bat.

I bear witness to His power...

when the ball sails over the backfield fence.

-I'm not following your logic. What...? -'Cause I ain't done.

I choose both.

You choose God...

and baseball?

Only answer.

In His perfection, He handed me two gifts:

Preaching with fire, and playing by the power of His hand.

Each blessing to His glory.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13.

What is that?

Thank you for all you taught me, Daddy.

Now batting for the Buffaloes, center fielder, number 17,

Rickey Hill!

-Rickey! -Rickey!

And gone!

Ladies and gentlemen, the 1973 season opener ends

with another game-winning home run

from Buffaloes senior sensation Rickey Hill!

-That's our brother! -Oh, man, you're flying!

-There you go, Rickey! -Rickey!

Come on.

You set him up so good.

Laid off the slider the whole game.

I almost got caught with my foot in the bucket.

Oh, man.

All right, I'm gonna get.

-See you Monday after practice. -Yeah.

All right. We got some work to do on that old car.

-I'll be there. -Well, have fun tonight.

-All right. Night. -Good to see you.

4-for-4, again. Officially batting above 400.

Sure he ain't cheating?

Girls don't know spit about baseball.

Nah, I see it.

Finally got full-body rotation.

Found your power.

Well...

did you miss me?

Now, I only want the truth.

Gracie?

-Last I heard, you-- -Well, I came back, to see an old friend.

Me?

Still know how to charm a girl.

I been tracking your career.

We've gotta go fix something.

Fix something.

Yeah, we-- Okay, we can go.

You sure showed me.

-I talk big. -You believe big.

Me? I couldn't see past getting out of that house.

How long you gonna be in town?

I don't know.

A few days.

Baby, is it always this hot?

I need a drink.

-Ned, this is my friend Rickey. -The Rickey?

The Rickey Hill, the batting phenom?

You know what? I actually owe you a thank-you.

For what exactly?

I backed him. Fifty bucks, running 5-to-1.

You paid out like a Vegas slot, my friend.

Well, when he's not being crude, Ned's a sports writer, Eastern Chronicle.

I edit him.

Thought you two should meet.

-Your mom invited us to supper. -Cool.

Well, he just hit four homers in this one game.

You a good, clean sports writer, are you?

Well, I'd like to think so.

Punchy, not windy,

in the way that McCormack blowhard goes on.

You know him?

I am that McCormack...

blowhard.

Well, then you'll have something more to chew on than gambling and drinking.

Is that that little seedling that got planted so long ago?

Gracie, you done bloomed into a beautiful rose, girl.

Come here and hug my neck.

Are you gonna come celebrate Sunday services with us tomorrow?

-I'd love to. -It would make me so happy.

Well, hon, I mean, slugger's got his game tomorrow.

Ned McCormack, by the way.

So nice to meet you. Thanks for having us over.

I love everything you've done with the...

everything.

Don't tell me you people don't play on Sundays.

Well, his father failed to lead him to a higher path.

Higher path.

I'm sorry, I don't mean any disrespect, but, I mean, certainly you can see,

whenever he plays, he's a phenom.

I've never seen him play.

You never seen him play?

No.

Well, I'm gonna get washed up.

Be right back. Good to see you, Gracie.

I'll be there.

Great game today.

Did your...

guy leave?

Ned's not my guy.

I realized that at dinner last night and broke it off.

He took it like a gentleman, then fired me.

Well, you're smart.

I bet something finds you.

If that optimism comes in bottles, I'll take a whole case.

You wanna know what a dork I am?

It's not apparent.

Fill me in.

Every stinking letter you wrote since you were 9,

I kept.

Lord! They fill a whole tub?

No.

We're both dorks, then.

You kept mine?

Both of them.

I'm not much of a writer.

Was that why you stopped?

No.

Your career was taking off, and I figured you forgot about me.

Not for one day.

Rickey, that's twice now. What is going on?

I just...

I get sore from hitting.

That ain't sore, that's agony.

How long?

My whole life.

What do your doctors say?

Nothing.

I see a doctor, they're just gonna tell me to stop.

I'm sick of it.

I'm sick and tired of all these other high school players

got scouts out watching them, and...

And here you are, the hardest damn hitter I ever seen,

and nothing, and the clock is ticking.

In four months, you're graduating high school,

and right now is when all the scouts are snatching up all the good ones,

and, son, you're better than good.

Do you wanna play in the majors?

That's all I want.

-But, Ray... -But jack squat.

After all the hell you been through,

I'm not about to let you lose hope now.

We're going straight to the top.

I'm not talking about just anybody.

I'm calling Mike Toliver.

Who's Mike Toliver?

Mike Toliver's one of the best scouts in the business.

And I'm gonna get him to come to one of your high school games.

-Hey. Good to see you. -Hey, how you doing?

Who's he talking to?

It's one of them scouts.

Really?

-That wasn't bad at all. -Good.

Gonna be worth it. Looking forward to seeing Rickey.

He's something else. Thank you, Mr. Toliver.

Robot Boy.

Looks like we're gonna finally finish what we started.

Don't worry, I'll make it quick.

Wouldn't wanna see you suffer in front of these folks.

There they are, folks, the Bowie City Buffaloes.

This should be some regional matchup tonight,

as Bowie faces county rivals, the Wildcats.

I got it!

Scouting report said that kid's bat speed's off the chart.

Didn't say nothing about that arm.

Strike three! Batter's out!

Now batting cleanup for the Buffaloes...

You reckon they'll pitch to him?

...one-man hitting machine...

It's on the line, tying run on second. Would you?

...Rickey Hill!

Nowhere to hide now, Robot Boy.

I'm not walking him again.

Ends right here tonight.

Strike!

Come on, Rickey!

Rickey!

Come on!

That looked so good.

The faster it comes in, the faster it goes out.

I got it!

Rickey?

Don't move.

I can finish.

Stepped on something.

Sprinkler head.

Fracture's bad...

but the least of my worries.

These ligament bands,

they hold the joint together, but, Rickey...

they're torn to bits.

They can't connect your ankle to your calf bone.

And these two perineal tendons,

they're not torn, they're completely severed.

All right, well, how long before I can play?

Son...

it'll be a miracle if you ever walk again.

I'd like to attempt to save the ankle.

Attempt?

Pastor, only guarantee I can offer,

multiple surgeries broken up with long, excruciating recoveries.

How much?

Seven thousand, probably more.

And then there's the other condition.

Other condition?

Advanced degenerative spinal disease.

Rickey, your bones are rapidly depleting protein,

causing your spine to age prematurely.

How prematurely?

Your son has the spine of a 60-year-old man,

and there's nothing I can do to reverse that.

Let me get that for you.

My heart breaks for you, Rickey.

Even as my faith sustains me.

Next you're gonna tell me it was God's will.

Shred my ankle, twist up my spine.

Why, Dad?

What, He wants me to suffer my whole life, same as it started?

-A pitiful cripple? -Don't you talk about yourself that way.

I won't hear it, you hear me?

You're being tested, son.

You're being tested, sorely tested,

and you got to hang on to your faith, because that's all we got in this world.

Now, baseball, it had to end eventually.

And if I'm gonna get bad news, I'd rather get it sooner than later,

so having it taken away from you while you're still young...

now, maybe that's a good thing.

It--

It gives you time

to figure out what you're gonna do with the rest of your life.

First time you ever talked to me like a real old man...

is to say "forget the only thing you ever cared for"?

No.

No, that's not what I'm saying, Rickey.

When you were 10,

you said you were going to the majors and you had no idea how.

You did everything you could, and the rest?

You took on faith.

Yeah, and look where it got me.

Same crap, different day.

Rickey, we're gonna raise that money.

All 7000 of it.

It might as well be 10 million.

Maybe Ned will kick in, write a story.

"How I helped a gimp and won the girl."

Got to admit, it makes sense.

Boys don't know spit about love.

Why'd you come back here?

Something got torn out of me when I was just a little girl.

It left a hole in my soul.

No matter what I tried or who I met...

it never healed.

A few months back, I was on my last nerve.

I truly was lost.

What saved you?

I remembered my first boyfriend.

Wouldn't it be something if he ended up being your last?

Now, if that's a proposal,

you're gonna have to do a whole lot better than that.

-That wasn't good? -No.

But I'll take it. Go on.

Hey, how's Operation Rickey Hill going?

Nine weeks, we're up about $2000.

Well, I'll tell you what.

I got a brand-new 50 here

that says you'll hit the entire jackpot right on up to tryouts.

So you just keep swinging, slugger.

We're all counting on you.

Thank you, sir.

We're never gonna make it in time.

Gram.

Ladies. Miss Helen.

Rickey.

You seen this?

Top of the sports page.

"A co-op of four baseball teams will be holding major league tryouts

at Rockwood Park Field in Brenham.

The scouting staffs will evaluate qualified players

over a two-day period."

That's two months away.

It'll be tough, but you can recover.

Recover from what?

Surgery.

Sooner we get you in there, we can get--

Ray, Ray, we tried.

It's over. We didn't raise the money.

Money, money, money.

The root of all evil.

Well, not always.

What are you doing?

Seems obvious enough.

Ray, I can't take it.

Who's giving it?

This is a loan...

against future earnings.

At the scrapyard?

The scrapyard?

On what I pay you?

Son, you'd die broke at that scrapyard.

Gracie, how much are y'all short?

Actually, better I don't know the amount.

Ray.

Pastor.

My son is not going to be trying out for professional baseball.

No, he is gonna try out.

Boy's been trying out for professional baseball

since he was 9 years old

and busted a hole in my windshield over there.

I don't need you coming around here filling him full of false hope...

and putting him into debt.

Pastor, I'm begging you.

Give that boy one solitary chance

to show the right people what he was born to do.

You're gonna paralyze him. That's what you're gonna do.

Now, he's my son, not yours.

I know him better than you do.

And you heard him. We don't need your money.

I think it's about time you stopped meddling in this family's affairs

and get in your truck and get on down the road.

That tears it.

Bring that check yonder.

Lilian!

"Pay the sum of..."

-Gracie? -$4,652.

What?

You're a good man, Raymond.

Even if you're a bit of a heathen.

Thank you.

I believe you are an angel.

That's sweet, but that's the morphine talking.

The truth's the truth.

What about me?

You're still my angel, Mama.

Just as good-looking as this sweet girl?

You could be twins.

How come you look worried?

Even more worried than usual.

The damage was worse than we expected.

We're still hopeful for a full recovery, but it's gonna take some time.

Tryouts are in seven weeks.

Not for you.

I'm sorry.

Hey, mister.

For a guy who can hardly walk, you sure can hit.

You like baseball?

Love it.

Keep at it.

You might have a chance.

Hey, what is your rush?

I wanna take you someplace nice.

Talk about the future.

Well...

if we're gonna talk about us, we should probably be us.

Come on.

It's so cold tonight.

We'll be eating better when I start earning some serious money.

Not on a rookie's salary.

Gracie...

it's all stacked against me.

Too risky.

You're quitting?

Stuck in a chair...

a bed, for life?

-I wouldn't be any good to you. -Don't you make this about me.

I'm scared.

I grew up in shackles, I won't chance going back.

I was raised by a man who gave up.

He lost hope.

And I saw what that did to him.

Now, if you don't try, you're gonna die inside.

And that's the one thing I won't stick around to watch.

Now, I want my dreamer back.

I need him.

I'm gonna take my chances.

I can't.

Rickey.

Come on.

Come on, get in!

What's got you so spooked?

Come on.

That my slugger?

You're gonna come through this, Gram.

You know doctors and their doom and their gloom.

Hush, hush, hush.

I'm going on to His glory.

Looking for these?

When I was a girl...

all I wanted was to breed horses.

And one summer,

I expect I was no more than 17,

I got a job at a ranch.

Oh, glory, if I didn't love every blessed minute there.

Late that spring, it was about a month before I was set to return...

I met this...

handsome...

young dude.

And...

out of the deal, I...

I got y'all.

Regret...

it's an ache in your bones that don't ever stop.

-James. -Yes.

You're a good man.

But tonight I'm gonna ask you to be a great one.

Give your son his dream.

I never doubted you.

All right, then.

Next week...

when you step up at them tryouts...

sling that stone.

Bring down Goliath.

Just know...

I'll be watching.

And these three things remain.

Faith, hope...

love.

And the greatest of these is love.

And she gave of herself and her love in such abundance...

and reserved for us her blessing...

to speak the unvarnished truth...

whether we wanted to hear it or not.

I will miss her.

May her fierce spirit...

guard the foals of spring.

What's that quote from?

A man's heart.

What do you want first?

Bad news, or the worst?

Will you stop sugarcoating things?

Tryout next week is gonna be teeming with pro scouts.

Exactly. How's that a bad thing?

Well, 'cause one of them's Red Murff.

The Nolan Ryan Red?

That Red.

The toughest scout in the game.

Now, I told you you're gonna get your chance to show them your stuff.

You ready?

As I can be.

Well, hell, I'd have taken a little more, like emphatic "Hell, yeah," but...

Now, you just remember one thing, though.

All old Red's gotta do is see you hit.

Nice. That was bad on my part. You all right?

Tomorrow, I...

I face one of my greatest trials.

I will prevail not for myself...

nor to defy my earthly father...

who, through your grace,

I've come to love and understand more.

I know I've been selfish...

that his beliefs and works at your service come before mine.

I will try to find some other way to deserve his love...

and make him proud.

But tomorrow, Lord...

be at my side.

I cannot do this alone.

Two hundred top baseball talents.

That's how many of you qualified to stand here this morning.

By the end of the longest,

toughest day of baseball any of you have endured,

only a handful of you will remain.

You'll be divided into two teams.

Tomorrow night, you'll go head to head in the big boy park.

And make no mistake.

You're not just playing to win.

You're playing to join the elite.

I ain't here wasting my time with guys who play baseball.

We're looking for baseball players.

Hopes, dreams, determination don't matter.

This comes down to one thing.

Who's best.

We'll be sending you off in groups to various fields,

where these men will be making the calls

as to who moves up and who goes home.

Your only goal:

Convince them to send you to the stadium.

That stadium is the winner's circle,

where you will face the last man to decide your fate.

Me.

Last up...

one rule.

No talking to the scouts unless they talk to you.

Let your play show them what you got.

And if they say you're done...

you're done.

All right, ladies, get your assignments. Let's head to the field.

Jason!

They tried to tell me Rickey Hill was finished.

I said, "Nah, Hill's got himself another mountain to climb.

He's too hardheaded to quit, and too dumb to listen."

Pitchers and catchers, to the stadium with Red now, let's go!

That's me.

Good luck.

Hey.

You didn't bring Quinn with you?

After you went yard on him,

all the air got leaked out of that balloon.

Run! Run hard!

Run hard! Harder!

How's he doing?

He's hurting.

But he is--

He's hitting the best I've ever seen.

Hey, Hill.

Don't seem to be making much of a difference.

Coach, you ain't cutting me. I'm still due my second round of hitting.

I'm not wasting our time.

You can swing, you just can't run.

I don't think they're giving a contract to sign.

They can't cut him yet. Red hasn't seen him hit.

If you give me my last at-bat and I don't moonshot every pitch,

I'll cut myself.

I'm not negotiating with you.

But I'll tell you what, if that's what it takes for you to leave,

then grab your bat.

Yes, sir.

Hey.

Watch where you're throwing, son.

Then four catchers...

-Incoming! -Watch out.

What's he doing?

Breaking windshields.

Can someone tell me what the hell's going on?

Gracious.

Question is, is that boy hitting from home plate or second base?

Hell, that's over 400 foot.

Every bit of it.

How about we stop whoever's bombing us and check the boy's bat?

Want me to shut him down, Red?

-Do it now before he kills someone. -Yes, sir.

How many homers was that?

I don't know.

I lost count after 16.

That's a homer.

Boy, I know what a homer looks like.

It don't count unless you're batting in the majors.

Red. It's him.

-Mr. Murff? I'm-- -Rickey Hill. Never forget a name.

Sir, I'm one of the best hitters you're ever gonna see.

If I hadn't seen them bombs you'd been dropping with my own eyes,

I'd be calling all hat and no cattle on that claim.

Well, it ain't no claim.

Today, you should've seen me hit.

Because I got a bum ankle, that's gonna heal...

they wouldn't bring me up.

For good reason. You don't belong here.

A bad leg could cost a team wins and money.

-Money? -Pro ball ain't just a game.

It's a damn business.

-Come back next year when you heal up. -I can't wait until next year.

Boy's got him some cojones.

-Know what, that's enough-- -No, no. No, let him be.

I gotta admit, I'm curious.

Tell you what. We're gonna settle this fair and square.

How?

Put you up against the best pitching talent in the game.

Tomorrow night?

That game's gonna be as close to a pro game as you'll ever get.

I'm gonna let you DH for both teams.

Then we can get a nice, long look at you.

I won't embarrass you.

You got my word.

I'm gonna give you this shot here.

But you don't perform, it's the end of the road.

Get you a new dream.

"Salvation."

Does that sound a little old-fashioned to you?

-Helen? -Hello?

It's another reporter.

Not a mistake.

Rickey's gonna be designated hitter for both teams.

Sure. Yeah, the whole family's gonna be there.

It's so frizzy.

It's the best I ever seen it.

Hello? Oh, well...

Sorry, Mama.

Half your congregation isn't gonna be there.

Wherever two or more are gathered.

Now, may I have my eggs?

Down here in front of me. May I have my eggs?

What on earth has gotten into you?

I need...

I need Mama.

She understood.

She said you didn't do a thing wrong.

Your boy, he's not a freak.

He's special.

He's...

perfect.

When he was born, I saw him first.

His legs so thin and frail, they said, "He will never walk," and he ran.

They said, "He will never live through the operations,"

and he survived!

They said he would never be good enough,

and he is the best.

How many miracles do you need?

Stop it.

However you're cheating,

you've gotten so good, I can't even catch it.

Wanna know my secret?

I ain't doing it.

Well, then, who is?

I guess you'd have to be living in the cave of Lazarus

not to know why there's so few of us here tonight.

My son Rickey, he's got a baseball game.

Very important.

And if he does well...

he will have the opportunity to become a major league player.

To play professionally is his heart's desire.

I've always known that he's had...

an exceptional ability to hit a baseball.

So you might find it curious...

to know that I have never seen Rickey play.

That is a fact...

that I have...

been proud of...

the whole time that he's played.

Right up until this very night.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exhibition game

showcasing the best amateur players in the great state of Texas.

Go get them!

Lord knows you've earned it.

Proud of you, Rickey.

Let me get this straight.

I hear they got you hitting for both sides tonight.

Yeah.

That's some heavy lifting.

You know, the boys and I were talking.

And if you was to manage one more home run for the blue team...

got a ice-cold six-pack of RC Cola waiting for you in the clubhouse.

I'll see what I can do for you.

All right.

The starting pitcher for the red team,

four-time college All-American Jake Wilford.

It's your time, Rickey!

Tonight, we are in for a special treat, folks.

A local high school baseball star by the name of Rickey Hill.

Now, this kid has quite a story.

He's battled degenerative spinal disease since he was a little boy,

and recently suffered a real bad setback where he fractured his ankle,

resulting in surgery.

You know, he's overcome a lot, and he's on a mission.

Red Murff is gonna give him a shot of a lifetime

by being the DH on both teams to prove to him if he can hit

and really get to the big leagues.

Don't take it easy on him, Jake.

He calls himself a hitter.

Can you imagine what's going through Hill's mind,

all that he had to do,

just to get to this point to prove he belongs as a hitter?

Digs into the batter's box.

We're about to see if Hill is ready for the task.

Wilford on the mound, getting ready to throw the first pitch.

Rocks back and delivers a fastball.

-Strike one! -Right by Hill.

Looked like he was on his front foot.

Probably anxious, just seeing that velocity for the first time.

-Strike two! -Curveball, and a beauty.

Drops off the table. That had a lot of break on it.

And really quickly, Hill is 0-2 in the count.

Two strikes on Hill.

Wilford delivers.

That's a line-drive base hit. That's gotta feel good for Hill.

Good hit, Rickey! That'll shake the cobwebs off.

What, his or yours?

And that's gotta take a lot of pressure off of him to start the day.

And a pinch runner steps in for Hill.

I have been selfish.

I have been arrogant.

I...

Even cruel.

I thought that...

I knew God's plan for my son.

And I raised him in obedience to that plan.

But it wasn't God's plan.

It was my plan.

Rickey had to...

wear braces on his legs just to walk.

And no matter how he does in that game tonight...

he has overcome that terrible burden that he has had to carry his whole life.

I've been the one that's been the cripple.

I just couldn't see past what I thought my son should be

and just see who he really is

in the eyes of God.

I'm supposed to be your pastor, your spiritual leader.

But...

right now I just feel...

so ignorant.

And ashamed.

I can't even ask your forgiveness.

I guess I gotta go to God for that.

Now batting, this time for the red team, designated hitter Rickey Hill.

-Rickey! -As he gets in the box,

Red goes out to the mound to talk to his pitcher.

Take him down. Let's end this.

The pitcher gets back on the rubber, looks back,

and says to himself, I'm sure,

"I never pitched a ball with a guy standing right behind me."

Red Murff, a legend in this game, is planted right by the pitcher.

Windup, and the pitch.

Laced right up the middle. Red had to get out of the way.

Another base hit in his second at-bat.

I haven't seen Red move like that in 20 years.

Kind of gives a head of acknowledgment to, "Okay, that's two."

Hill has been 10-for-10. He gets another hit.

Who would've thought that Hill could've done this,

after all that he's been through?

The surgeries, the comeback.

Pretty amazing story, as he steps in now for his 11th at-bat.

Red goes to the mound.

Looks like he's gonna make a change, and he is.

Making a change to the bullpen.

What am I missing?

Red. Playing his last stink card.

Oh, ladies and gentlemen, this is gonna be a treat right here.

This is big-league pitcher Jimmy Hammer.

Hammer. The All-Star.

Makes major leaguers look like Cinderella.

He's just here for rehab.

Now Red's bringing him in to ruin Rickey's night.

Well, Rickey can hit anyone.

Right?

Go ahead and warm up.

Don't need them. I'm gonna set him down.

This is a guy who's used to putting out the game with heat,

comes in and silences all the at-bats.

Hill digs in.

You would think 11-for-11

is a very daunting task against the big right-hander.

As he toes the mound and gets ready for his first pitch, here it comes.

-Strike one! -Fastball, right by him.

Little bit of a flinch.

-Strike two! -Swing and a miss.

Hill looks around in amazement,

as Red knew probably this is what he needed to see

to make his challenge against Hill about as big as it gets.

Foul ball!

Foul ball down the right-field line.

He got a piece of that.

Hill processing everything right now, and Hammer knows he's got one task,

and that's to strike out Hill and show him what he's made of.

Hammer delivering a two-strike pitch. Here it comes.

Oh, no, high and tight. Dusted him.

It hit Hill right in the rib area, and he is down.

In obvious pain.

Here comes Red to the batter's box to check on him.

Come on, Rickey.

Get up.

What next? He takes a base, right?

He goes to first.

With everything that Hill has been through,

you just wonder if this is one of those things

that might not allow him to continue.

It looks like he's in a lot of pain.

You done, kid?

Walk it off. Take your base.

No.

What do you mean, no? Take your damn base.

I don't have to take my base.

It's not a real game.

It's a tryout.

You're 10-for-10.

You got nothing left to prove.

He's gonna stay in and hit.

We're watching an incredible moment, folks.

This is something that normally doesn't happen.

Hey, what's he doing?

Well, take a base, Rickey!

Again, 10-for-10 and then getting hit.

And he wants to stay in the box and try to go 11-for-11.

Imagine everything going through his mind as he processes this whole day of events.

You do that again, you're done.

Let's play ball!

And this battle's gonna continue.

Hill could've taken his base, but he's standing at home plate,

staring the bully in the face.

Hammer on the mound, with an 0-2 pitch ready to be delivered.

Here it comes.

Swung on. Hill smokes this ball to left center.

This ball is far, and it is gone over the wall.

Can you believe it?

In the 11th at-bat, after getting hit, Hill has hit a home run.

What a moment this must be for him.

I guess I'll have to get used to this.

God's not through working on both of us.