Original subtitles

HI, PA.

HI, HALF-PINT.

HOW'S IT GOING?

IT'S ALMOST FINISHED. WHERE'S YOUR SISTER?

SHE'LL BE LATE. SHE'S HELPING MRS. WHIPPLE.

SHE'S GOT A LOT OF EXTRA SEWING TO DO RIGHT NOW.

OH. SOUNDS LIKE YOUR SISTER'S

GOING TO BE A VERY WEALTHY WOMAN.

YEAH.

I'LL BET, WITH A FINE BAT LIKE THAT,

YOU'RE SURE TO HIT A HOME RUN THIS YEAR.

WELL, IF I DO, IT'LL BE THE FIRST HOME RUN

WE EVER GOT OFF OF SLEEPY EYE.

ONE THING FOR SURE.

PITCHER'S NOT GOING TO BREAK THE BAT OFF IN MY HANDS

LIKE HE DID LAST YEAR.

THAT SLICK McBURNEY THROWS HARD, HUH?

ABOUT AS HARD AS ANY MAN I'VE EVER SEEN.

WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO BEAT HIM THIS YEAR. I KNOW YOU WILL.

WELL, THANKS FOR YOUR SHOW OF CONFIDENCE, HALF-PINT,

BUT UNLESS WE CAN FIND A PITCHER

THAT THROWS AS HARD AS McBURNEY,

I'M AFRAID WE'RE GOING TO BE IN FOR A VERY LONG DAY.

WELL, YOU ALWAYS SAY YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE YOU'RE GOING TO WIN

OR NOBODY ELSE WILL.

WELL, IF I SAID THAT, THEN I GUESS I BETTER PRACTICE IT.

AND WITH THE TWO OF US BELIEVING,

I'D SAY WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD START.

THAT WE DO, HALF-PINT.

THAT WE DO.

HI, MA.

WELL, I FINISHED MISS MUMFORT'S ROCKER

AND MY BASEBALL BAT, TOO.

CAN CARRIE PLAY BASEBALL, TOO, PA?

WHY SURE, AS SOON AS YOU GET

A LITTLE BIT BIGGER IN THE BRITCHES.

COULDN'T BE WORSE THAN THE REST OF THE TEAM.

Laura: WELL, WE'RE GOING TO WIN THIS YEAR, MA.

WELL, IT'S NOT WINNING I'M THINKING ABOUT.

IT'S THE LANGUAGE THEY USE AND...

AND THE BRAWLING.

IT'S NOT A FIT SPECTACLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

OH, NOW, CAROLINE,

YOU'RE GETTING YOURSELF ALL UPSET OVER NOTHING.

THERE'S ALWAYS DISAGREEMENTS IN A SPORTING CONTEST.

SPORTING? CHARLES, THERE'S NOTHING SPORTING ABOUT IT.

THOSE GREEN EYES WILL COME OVER HERE AND--

GREEN STOCKINGS, MA.

HA HA'.

GREEN STOCKINGS, WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM.

THEY ALWAYS WIN.

LAST YEAR, THEY BEAT YOU 36-0.

WE WOULD HAVE SCORED IF THEY HADN'T CALLED THE GAME

ON ACCOUNT OF DARKNESS IN THE THIRD INNING.

BESIDES, WE GOT TO PLAY SLEEPY EYE.

IT'S A MATTER OF PRIDE.

YOU UNDERSTAND THAT.

I GUESS I DO.

I'VE ALREADY STARTED SEWING THESE LETTERS ON YOUR SHIRT.

WELL, HEY'.

LOOK AT THAT.

HEY, WEARING A SHIRT LIKE THAT, I BETTER PLAY GOOD.

COME ON. WE GOT A LITTLE TIME

TO PRACTICE BEFORE SUPPER.

OK.

CARRIE PLAY BASEBALL, TOO.

[CHICKENS CLUCK]

CHICK, CHICK, CHICK, CHICK, CHICK.

OH, JEBEDIAH, WHEN YOU FINISH WITH THAT FENCE,

WHY DON'T YOU FETCH ME A JAR OF RHUBARB FROM THE CELLAR?

I'LL MAKE YOU ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE RHUBARB PIES THIS MORNING.

BUT WE HAD RHUBARB LAST WEEK.

JEBEDIAH, YOU KNOW HOW YOU LIKE RHUBARB.

YES, MARGARET.

WHOA.

GOOD MORNING.

Margaret: HI'.

Jebediah: MORNING, CHARLES, LAURA.

Laura: MORNING.

Jebediah: NICE TO SEE YOU.

OH'. DIDN'T EXPECT TO GET MARGARET'S ROCKER BACK

TILL NEXT WEEK'.

WELL, WORK WENT A LOT FASTER THAN I THOUGHT.

HALF-PINT AND I WERE GOING INTO TOWN TO BASEBALL PRACTICE.

THOUGHT WE'D DROP IT BY.

WELL, BRING IT IN THE HOUSE. I'LL GIVE YOU A CUP OF COFFEE.

SURE AM OBLIGED. ALL RIGHT.

Laura: CAN I GET A DRINK OF WATER?

SURE, HONEY. YOU KNOW WHERE THE WELL IS.

OH, MY GOODNESS, CHARLES,

THAT ROCKER HASN'T LOOKED THAT GOOD SINCE IT WAS NEW.

Charles: THAT'S GOOD WOOD.

LINSEED OIL AND SOME BEESWAX, IT CAME RIGHT BACK.

[BIRD CALLS]

[BIRD CALLS]

PA'. MR. MUMFORT'.

Jebediah: WHAT'S WRONG?

THERE'S A CHICKEN HAWK ABOUT TO GET ONE OF YOUR CHICKENS.

Margaret: JEBEDIAH, YOU PUT THREE HOLES IN THAT COOP ALREADY.

Jebediah: I'M SORRY, MARGARET.

I'LL PATCH THEM UP.

WELL, COME ON IN AND FINISH YOUR COFFEE.

OH, THOSE CHICKEN HAWKS SURE ARE PESKY.

THAT SURE WAS SOME THROW, MR. MUMFORT.

OH. THANK YOU, LAURA. SHOULD HAVE GOT HIM, THOUGH.

YOU MEAN YOU USUALLY HIT THEM?

NEARLY EVERY TIME.

WHY DON'T HALF-PINT AND I GIVE YOU A HAND WITH THE CHICKEN COOP?

I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE HAND.

WELL, I'D LIKE TO TALK OVER A LITTLE PROPOSITION WITH YOU.

WELL, WHAT KIND OF PROPOSITION?

A WAY YOU CAN GET IN A LITTLE THROWING

WITHOUT WRECKING THE HENHOUSE.

OH?

[SPLASH]

Dr. Baker: MORNING, EDWARDS.

MORNING, DOC.

READY TO PLAY?

OH, I SUPPOSE SO.

THIS HERE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WEAR?

IT'S MY OLD COLLEGE UNIFORM.

OH.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "OH"?

WELL, I DON'T KNOW AS I'D AGREED TO PLAY THIS GAME

IF I KNEW I HAD TO SHUCK DOWN TO MY LONG JOHNS.

Hanson: THERE YOU ARE.

HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO PITCH WITH A THING LIKE THIS?

IT'S NOT EVEN ROUND.

THAT'S JUST FOR PRACTICE.

I'M SAVING THE GAME BALLS.

AND THE WAY YOU THROW, YOU WON'T EVEN NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE.

I DID MY BEST LAST YEAR.

I KNOW YOU DID,

AND IF YOU HADN'T, WE'D HAVE SOMETHING

TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR.

HA HA HA'.

DOCTOR,

I SEE YOU BROUGHT THE CATCHER.

CATCHER?

EASIEST POSITION ON THE TEAM, EDWARDS.

ANYTHING THE PITCHER THROWS, YOU CATCH IT,

YOU THROW IT RIGHT BACK TO HIM.

YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO MOVE.

LAST TIME I HEARD ABOUT ANYTHING THAT EASY,

I WOUND UP HOLDING THE BAG ON A SNIPE HUNT.

HA HA HA'.

CHARLES'.

HANSON'.

JUST THE MAN WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.

OH, NO. I BROUGHT YOU THE MAN YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.

YOU KNOW JEBEDIAH.

JA, YOU BETCHA'. HOW ARE YOU, JEBEDIAH?

MR. HANSON.

Laura: MR. MUMFORT THROWS A BALL HARDER

THAN ANYBODY IN HERO TOWNSHIP.

JEBEDIAH?

I WOULDN'T GO THAT FAR, LAURA.

MARGARET AIN'T TAKEN MUCH WITH GAMES.

I NEVER REALLY GOT TO THROW A REAL BASEBALL.

LET ME TELL YOU, IF WHAT HE SHOWED ME IS ANY EXAMPLE,

WE GOT OURSELVES A PITCHER.

LET'S SEE WHAT HE CAN DO.

THAT'S A POOR EXCUSE FOR A BALL. LOOK AT THAT.

I DON'T KNOW. I THINK IT'S KIND OF PRETTY.

OH, THERE'S NO NEED TO GET YOUR DANDER UP, NELS.

WAIT A MINUTE, NELS. LET ME HAVE THE BALL.

I'M GOING TO TRY SOMEBODY ELSE OUT.

WAIT A MINUTE. I'M THE PITCHER. I PITCHED LAST YEAR.

IT WAS YOUR BALL AND YOUR BAT. THIS YEAR, I'M THE MANAGER.

REMEMBER, NELS? SLEEPY EYE SCORED 36 RUNS.

WELL, I... NEVER REALLY GOT WARMED UP LAST YEAR.

WHAT'S YOUR PLAN THIS YEAR?

START THAWING OUT THE DAY BEFORE?

WHY DON'T WE JUST LET NELS AND JEBEDIAH BOTH PITCH,

AND WE CAN SEE WHICH ONE'S THE BEST.

THAT'S FAIR.

DOC IS A GOOD BATTER.

LET HIM BE THE JUDGE.

WELL, LET'S GO TRY IT OUT. COME ON.

HERE YOU GO, DOC. TRY OUT MY NEW BAT.

OH, THAT'S A FINE-LOOKING WEAPON, CHARLES.

WHAT DO I DO?

JUST SQUAT DOWN.

HEY'. YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK MY HEAD WITH THAT PIECE OF LUMBER'.

WELL, I SURE AM, UNLESS YOU GET BACK'.

Hanson: EVERYBODY READY?

YOU KNOW, HARRIET PUTS GREAT STORE IN BEING PITCHER.

WELL, IF SHE'S GOT A GOOD ARM,

SHE'S WELCOME TO TRY OUT.

PLAY BALL'.

ALL RIGHT, NELS'. FIRE HER IN HERE'.

UH-HUH.

KILLED A GOPHER.

HA HA HA'.

WELL, HE'S RIGHT ABOUT ONE THING.

HE'S BETTER THAN HE WAS LAST YEAR.

ALL RIGHT. JUST WAIT.

GET IT UP'.

I'LL GET ONE UP'. JUST WAIT'.

HURRY UP, NELS. I'M GETTING THE CRAMPS.

WELL, YOU CAN SEE WE NEED A PITCHER.

OH, WELL, DON'T BE DISHEARTENED, NELS.

IT'S STILL FINDABLE.

Dr. Baker: WANT TO TRY IT AGAIN, NELS?

NO. I THINK I'LL LET JEBEDIAH TRY ONE.

ALL RIGHT, JEBEDIAH. SHOW THEM YOUR STUFF.

NO, UH, UP THERE ON THE MOUND THERE.

JA, THAT'S RIGHT.

NOW, LET'S SEE A GOOD ONE.

DON'T WORRY, JEBEDIAH.

I'LL TAKE IT EASY ON YOU.

YOU CAN DO IT, MR. MUMFORT'.

THROW IT LIKE YOU'RE AIMING FOR THAT OLD HAWK.

I DIDN'T EVEN SEE IT'.

I DIDN'T EVEN-- I NEVER SEEN FASTER'.

I THINK HE ALMOST KILLED HIM'.

FIND THE BALL?

YEAH.

GOOD. THEN ALL I SWALLOWED WAS MY TOBACCO.

Hanson: THINGS ARE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR'.

WE WILL BE PROUD TO HAVE YOU PITCH FOR US, JEBEDIAH'.

BE PROUD TO DO IT.

MA, MA'. WAIT TILL YOU HEAR'.

CAROLINE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS,

BUT WALNUT GROVE'S GOT THEMSELVES A PITCHER.

JEBEDIAH MAY BE JUST ABOUT THE BEST THERE EVER WAS.

YOU MEAN MR. MUMFORT?

HE THROWS A REAL BLUE DARTER'.

AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT PA CALLS IT.

JEBEDIAH MUMFORT? THAT'S HARD TO BELIEVE.

WELL, SEEING IS BELIEVING, AND JEBEDIAH

IS THE ANSWER TO WALNUT GROVE'S PRAYERS.

CHARLES, I THINK THE LORD

HAS MORE IMPORTANT THINGS ON HIS MIND THAN BASEBALL.

WELL, MAYBE SO, BUT I'LL TELL YOU THIS.

JEBEDIAH'S FASTBALL IS HEAVEN-SENT.

WE'RE SURE TO WIN THIS YEAR.

WELL, NOW, I'M NOT SO SURE OF THAT, BUT I'LL TELL YOU THIS--

SLICK McBURNEY NEVER PITCHED AS GOOD,

AND NOT ONE MAN ON OUR TEAM

COULD GET A HIT OFF OF JEBEDIAH.

WHAT IS UNUSUAL ABOUT THAT?

CAROLINE, THAT'S NOT FUNNY.

HERE. LET ME SEE IF I HAVE THIS CENTERED.

ALL RIGHT.

HMM. NOT BAD.

IT LOOKS GOOD.

LOOKS SO GOOD, I THINK I'LL WEAR IT TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY.

OH, CHARLES.

WE GOT A PITCHER.

YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIM.

HE WAS REALLY SOMETHING.

BOY, HE SURE COULD THROW THAT BALL.

HE WENT LIKE THIS, AND HE REARED WAY BACK,

AND HE LIFTED HIS LEG UP LIKE THIS,

AND HE THREW LIKE THIS'.

HEY, YOU CUT THAT OUT'.

I'M ONLY SHOWING THEM HOW MR. MUMFORT PITCHES.

Hanson: I'VE BEEN THINKING,

AFTER WE BEAT SLEEPY EYE,

WE SHOULD TRY TO SET UP GAMES WITH OTHER TOWNS AROUND.

I WOULDN'T GO TOO FAST.

WE HAVEN'T BEATEN SLEEPY EYE YET.

OH, COME NOW, CHARLES. YOU'VE SEEN JEBEDIAH PITCH.

HE'S ALL WE'VE EVER NEEDED.

Edwards: SPEAKING OF OUR PITCHER...

Charles: YEAH, THERE HE IS'.

Hanson: YOU TAKE CARE OF THAT ARM.

WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU.

GOING TO NEED IT A WEEK FROM TODAY.

I'LL BE THERE. COME ALONG, MARGARET.

GOOD-BYE. GOOD DAY, GENTLEMEN.

EVERY TEAM NEEDS A NAME,

AND SINCE HANSON'S MILL

HAS DONATED THE BASEBALLS THIS YEAR,

THE WALNUT GROVE MILLERS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.

THAT WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT NAME FOR THE TEAM.

Reverend: A TEAM NAME. YES.

YOU KNOW, PERHAPS SOMETHING BIBLICAL WOULD BE MORE IN KEEPING,

LIKE THE HEAVENLY HOSTS.

WELL, AMEN TO THAT.

I DON'T KNOW, REVEREND.

THE WALNUT GROVE HEAVENLY HOSTS.

THAT'S AN AWFUL LOT OF LETTERS TO PUT ON A UNIFORM.

YEAH, I SUPPOSE.

MY OLD TEAM WAS CALLED THE MULLIGANS.

Nels: HARRIET LIKES "MERCHANTS."

THAT SEEMS VERY APPROPRIATE SINCE--

IF IT AIN'T GONNA BE THE MILLERS, IT AIN'T GONNA BE THE MERCHANTS'.

YOU GENTLEMEN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE TEAM NAME IS.

I'M GOING TO TAKE MY FAMILY HOME TO SUNDAY DINNER.

SEE YOU AT PRACTICE.

WELL, THAT WAS HIS NAME--MULLIGAN.

SEE YOU LATER, DOCTOR.

WHOSE NAME?

MY OLD COACH.

OH.

SIMPLE ENOUGH. MULLIGAN. MULLIGANS.

WHAT'S SO FUNNY?

OH, I JUST STARTED THINKING ABOUT IT, ABOUT...

OLESON AND HANSON AND DOC BAKER AT CHURCH TODAY.

WHAT ABOUT THEM?

WELL, THEY WERE ALL ARGUING

ABOUT WHAT NAME TO PICK FOR THE TEAM.

EVEN THE REVEREND ALDEN CAME UP WITH A NAME--

THE WALNUT GROVE HEAVENLY HOSTS.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISHED SEWING

ALL THOSE LETTERS ON MY SHIRT,

THE GAME WOULD BE OVER.

I'M SURPRISED AT THE REVEREND ALDEN,

COMING UP WITH A NAME LIKE THAT.

THAT SEEMS SACRILEGIOUS.

NOT IF WE WIN.

MORNING, MR. McBURNEY.

THAT'S A MISTAKE, OLESON.

WHAT?

BALL PLAYER SHOULD NEVER TOUCH A BROOM.

USES ALL THE WRONG MUSCLES.

RUINS THE SWING.

OH.

WELL, I NEVER THOUGHT OF MYSELF MUCH AS A HITTER.

MORE A PITCHER.

AH, YOU'RE PITCHING AGAIN THIS YEAR?

UH, NO. OUTFIELD.

THOUGHT I'D GIVE SOMEBODY ELSE A CHANCE THIS YEAR.

WELL, I WOULDN'T PUT MYSELF DOWN.

I MEAN, I'VE SEEN YOU WITH A BAT IN HAND,

AND I FIGURE THIS JUST MIGHT BE YOUR YEAR.

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY.

OUR FAMILY HAS ALWAYS BEEN QUITE ATHLETIC, MR. SLICK.

IT'S McBURNEY. OH.

OH, THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

SLICK'S MY NAME, AND BASEBALL'S MY GAME.

BESIDES, I CAN SEE THE LADY HAS A VERY KEEN EYE,

AND IF I MIGHT BE SO BOLD AS TO SAY,

VERY PRETTY EYES AT THAT.

OH'. WELL, THANK YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN WALNUT GROVE?

GAME ISN'T TILL SUNDAY.

EXACTLY WHY I CAME OVER.

THE SLEEPY EYE FELLAS KNOW HOW SENSITIVE SOME FOLKS ARE

ABOUT WAGERING ON THE SABBATH,

SO WE THOUGHT THE SPORTSMEN IN TOWN

MIGHT WANT TO GET THEIR BETS DOWN A LITTLE EARLY.

BEGGING YOUR PARDON, MA'AM.

WELL, I... I DON'T KNOW.

OH, NELS. NOW, YOU SAID YOURSELF

THAT THE MERCHANTS HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE

OF WINNING THIS YEAR. THE MERCHANTS?

YES. THAT'S THE NAME OF OUR TEAM HERE,

MR. McBURNEY, AFTER THE MERCANTILE.

AH. 'TIS A NOBLE NAME FOR A FINE TEAM.

STILL, I DON'T KNOW...

NELS, THIS GENTLEMAN HAS RIDDEN A LONG WAY.

WHILE I NORMALLY DON'T FAVOR WAGERING,

STILL, I THINK MR. McBURNEY HERE

IS OFFERING US A CHANCE FOR A VERY GOOD INVESTMENT.

A TRUE PATRON OF THE SPORT.

WON'T YOU COME INSIDE, MR. McBURNEY?

I WILL INDEED.

HARRIET.

JUST SWEEP, NELS.

WELL, IT'S ALWAYS GOOD

DOING BUSINESS WITH YOU, MR. HANSON.

WELL, IT WAS VERY NICE OF YOU

TO COME OVER, MR. McBURNEY.

SEE YOU SUNDAY. RIGHT.

AND IT WOULD BE NICE TAKING YOUR MONEY.

[LAUGHS] GOOD-BYE.

GOOD SEEING YOU.

WHAT'S McBURNEY DOING AROUND HERE?

OH, THE NERVE OF THAT MRS. OLESON.

MRS. OLESON?

THE MERCHANTS, INDEED'.

WELL, McBURNEY KNOWS NOW THAT WE ARE WAGERING ON THE MILLERS,

NOT SOME FOOL WOMAN'S NAME.

YOU BET ON WALNUT GROVE?

JA, AND A LOT MORE THAN THE OLESONS.

CHARLES, I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT WAGERING,

BUT, EDWARDS, I PUT DOWN A DAY'S PAY FOR YOU.

YOU MADE A BET FOR ME?

JA'.

IT'S A MATTER OF PRIDE'.

A DAY'S WAGES. THAT'S A LOT OF PRIDE, ISN'T IT?

THAT'S A WHOLE LOT OF PRIDE.

YOU MIGHT BE LUCKY. HOW YOU GOING TO LOSE WITH JEBEDIAH PITCHING?

HEY, SAY, YOU'RE RIGHT'.

SAY, THERE, HANSON, YOU THINK I GOT TWO DAYS' COMING?

YOU WAIT HERE, JEBEDIAH. I WON'T BE LONG.

4 DOZEN EVEN.

MY, YOUR HENS APPEAR TO BE LAYING VERY WELL INDEED, MRS. INGALLS.

THEY HAVE TO, WITH THE PRICE OF EGGS AS LOW AS IT IS.

AH, GOOD MORNING, MARGARET.

GOOD MORNING.

CAROLINE, I JUST LOVE THE WORK CHARLES DID ON MY ROCKER.

YOU MUST BE SO PROUD OF HIM.

YES, I AM, BUT YOU MUST BE EQUALLY PROUD OF JEBEDIAH.

CHARLES TELLS ME HE'S GOING TO MAKE

ALL OF WALNUT GROVE PROUD ON SUNDAY.

NOT TO MENTION A GOOD DEAL RICHER,

THAT IS, FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAD THE COURAGE

TO BACK OUR CONFIDENCE WITH OUR MONEY.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

JEBEDIAH ISN'T PLAYING FOR MONEY.

NO, NO. I'M SPEAKING OF THE WAGERS.

IT'S AS GOOD AS MONEY IN THE BANK, THANKS TO YOUR HUSBAND.

YOU MEAN...

PEOPLE ARE BETTING BECAUSE JEBEDIAH IS PITCHING?

YES.

WELL, WALNUT GROVE HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING

WITH JEBEDIAH PITCHING.

THEN I'M AFRAID THEY'LL HAVE TO LOSE.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT SLICK McBURNEY'S FACE WHEN JEB--

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?

I WILL NOT ALLOW JEBEDIAH TO TAKE PART

IN ANY GAME THAT ENCOURAGES GAMBLING'.

BUT THE BETS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE'.

A SAD LESSON. JEBEDIAH WILL NOT BE PART OF IT'.

NOW, MARGARET, YOU KNOW I FEEL THE SAME WAY

ABOUT GAMBLING THAT YOU DO--

GOOD. I'M GLAD SOMEONE DOES.

MARGARET, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND'.

I, MYSELF--

HARRIET OLESON, IT'S YOU WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND'.

JEBEDIAH WILL NOT PLAY'. I WILL NOT ALLOW IT'.

PLEASE CREDIT THE EGGS TO MY ACCOUNT.

I HAVE TO SPEAK TO MY HUSBAND.

TRUST I'LL SEE YOU LADIES AT THE WOMEN'S LEAGUE ON SATURDAY.

GOOD DAY.

GOOD DAY.

[HUMMING]

IT'S A LITTLE EARLY FOR LUNCH, ISN'T IT?

THIS AIN'T LUNCH. I'M BUILDING MYSELF A MITTEN.

DOC SAYS I OUGHT TO HAVE ONE

AFTER I HURT MY HAND THE OTHER DAY.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HURT IT.

YEAH. SWOLE UP LIKE A MULE STOMPED ON IT

AFTER CATCHING BASEBALLS THE OTHER DAY.

WELL, THAT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD...

AND IT SMELLS PRETTY BAD.

I PUT A SIDE OF JERKY IN THERE, TAKE THE STING OUT.

GOING TO WORK PRETTY GOOD, TOO.

I'LL WAIT HERE, JEBEDIAH.

YOU GO TELL THEM.

YES, MARGARET.

GOOD MORNING, JEBEDIAH.

WISH IT WAS.

Charles: WHAT'S THE MATTER?

I'D RATHER TAKE A BEATING THAN SAY WHAT I'VE GOT TO SAY.

I AIN'T GONNA BE ABLE TO PITCH SUNDAY.

WELL, WHY? WHAT, DID YOU HURT YOURSELF?

NO. MARGARET WON'T LET ME PLAY.

WHY NOT?

WELL, YOUR WIFE CAROLINE AND MRS. OLESON TOLD ABOUT THAT GAMBLING.

SHE'S PLUMB SET AGAINST THOSE THINGS.

OHH...

THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

MAYBE IF I JUST GO OVER THERE AND HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH HER.

WELL, YOU'RE WELCOME TO TRY.

Margaret: JEBEDIAH, COME ALONG.

ON SECOND THOUGHT, YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT.

WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD.

SORRY, FELLAS. DIDN'T MEAN TO LET YOU DOWN.

WE UNDERSTAND.

THERE GOES THE BALL GAME.

AND A DAY'S WAGES.

TWO DAYS' WAGES.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, TWO DAYS' WAGES?

YOU TOLD ME TO PUT YOU DOWN FOR TWO'.

NOW, DID I SAY THAT?

YES'. WHAT ARE YOU DOING LISTENING TO ME?

I WON'T ANYMORE'.

MIGHT AS WELL JUST EAT MY MITTEN.

WELL, YOU KNOW, CHARLES,

MAYBE MARGARET IS RIGHT.

IF THEY LOSE, IT'LL TEACH EVERYBODY TO STOP GAMBLING.

IT'S A PRETTY EXPENSIVE LESSON.

WELL, THEN, WHY DON'T YOU JUST CALL OFF THE GAME?

WE COULDN'T DO THAT, NOT WITH SLEEPY EYE.

WE'D NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT.

I DON'T SEE WHY.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THEY HAVE A BETTER BASEBALL TEAM THAN WE HAVE ANYWAY.

CAROLINE, YOU CERTAINLY HAVE A WAY OF PUTTING THINGS.

WELL, COME ON NOW. TELL THE TRUTH.

AREN'T YOU TIRED OF LOSING?

SURE WE ARE. THAT'S JUST THE POINT.

IF WE COULD HAVE BEATEN SLEEPY EYE THIS YEAR,

THE MEN COULD HAVE QUIT WINNERS.

WE COULD HAVE HELD OUR HEADS UP.

THIS WAY, YOU'LL NEVER GET THEM TO QUIT, NOT LOSERS.

YOU MEAN, IF THEY WIN SUNDAY,

THEY MIGHT GIVE UP THIS GAME?

WELL, I'M SURE OF IT.

LITTLE CHANCE OF THAT NOW WITHOUT JEBEDIAH.

YOU KNOW MARGARET MUMFORT WHEN SHE'S MADE UP HER MIND.

YES, I KNOW.

I GOT TO GET BACK TO WORK. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

BYE.

Grace: THE MOTION WAS MADE BY MRS. OLESON

THAT WE MAKE CURTAINS FOR THE CHURCH.

FOLLOWING THE DISCUSSION

OF THE PRICE OF YARD GOODS AT THE MERCANTILE,

THE MOTION WAS TABLED FOR WANT OF A SECOND.

THEN WE ADJOURNED.

THANK YOU, GRACE.

THE FLOOR IS NOW OPEN.

CAROLINE? THANK YOU.

I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU FEEL

THAT THIS GAME WITH SLEEPY EYE TOMORROW

IS NOT A GOOD THING FOR THE COMMUNITY--

Margaret: GAMBLING IS AN ABOMINATION FOR ANY COMMUNITY.

IT PROFITS NO ONE BUT THE DEVIL.

DON'T YOU AGREE, REVEREND?

WELL, NATURALLY, I...

I AGREE THAT NORMALLY THAT IS THE CASE,

BUT...

WELL, OUT OF HAND,

I JUST WOULDN'T WANT TO CONDEMN ANYTHING--

REVEREND, SUPPOSE THE WINNINGS WERE DONATED TO THE CHURCH FUND.

WOULDN'T THAT PUT AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT LIGHT

ON THE MATTER OF THE WAGERS?

WELL, YES, CERTAINLY.

MAY I REMIND YOU THAT THAT'S OUR MONEY YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT?

MAY I REMIND YOU, YOU WILL LOSE IT IF JEBEDIAH DOESN'T PITCH?

A HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE.

FOR THAT REASON, MARGARET,

I FEEL THAT EVERYBODY WOULD CONTRIBUTE THEIR WINNINGS

IF YOU WOULD ALLOW JEBEDIAH TO PITCH.

I DON'T KNOW. IT'S...

IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN THE TURKEY RAFFLE.

WE HOLD TURKEY RAFFLES FOR THE CHURCH FUND, DON'T WE?

WELL...

REVEREND?

OH, MY, YES.

YOU KNOW, THE LORD SEEMS TO BE MOST CHARITABLE

IN MATTERS LIKE THIS WHEN IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE,

AND THE CHURCH FUND IS A VERY FINE CAUSE.

WELL, IF THE REST OF YOU AGREE, I WON'T STAND IN THE WAY.

IF JEBEDIAH WANTS TO PITCH,

THEN HE HAS MY PERMISSION.

MAY THE GOOD LORD WATCH OVER

THE WALNUT GROVE HEAVENLY HOSTS.

MERCHANTS.

HOW DID IT GO IN THERE?

JEBEDIAH'S GOING TO PITCH ON SUNDAY.

HEY, REVEREND IT SOUNDS LIKE

YOU HAD A MIRACLE IN THERE.

IT'S NOT MY DOING, CHARLES.

I MUST ADMIT THAT I WAS INSPIRED

BY THE LADIES' DECISION TO DONATE

CURTAINS TO THE BUILDING, BUT

NOT THAT I CONDONE WAGERING, MIND YOU,

BUT THAT WAS AN INSPIRED COMPROMISE

YOU CAME UP WITH, MRS. INGALLS.

THANK YOU. I JUST HOPE JEBEDIAH

IS AS INSPIRED ON SUNDAY

WHEN THE GREEN STOCKINGS GET HERE.

AMEN TO THAT.

SEE YOU SUNDAY, REVEREND.

[BAND PLAYING]

THAT'S THE WAY, SCOTTY. COME ON, TUCK.

COME ON'. YOU LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF OLD LADIES.

WELL, GENTLEMEN, HARRIET-- UH, MRS. OLESON--

THOUGHT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE

THAT SINCE WE ARE A TEAM,

WE MIGHT BE INSPIRED IF WE LOOKED LIKE A TEAM.

SHE WANTS EACH ONE OF YOU TO HAVE ONE OF THESE CAPS...

Charles: WELL, THANK YOU, NELS.

AT COST.

WHAT'S THE "M" FOR, NELS?

UH...MERCHANTS.

MILLERS'.

Dr. Baker: I STILL THINK MULLIGANS--

THE "M" WILL STAND FOR ALL THREE, SO YOU'RE IN LUCK.

Reverend: GENTLEMEN, ARE YOU READY?

I THINK IT'S TIME FOR THE INVOCATION.

WHAT?

THE PRAYER. WE ALWAYS HAVE AN INVOCATION.

OH, OH. ALL RIGHT, YOU FELLAS'.

HOLD IT UP'. HOLD IT UP'.

THE UMPIRE WANTS TO PRAY.

WILL HE BE PRAYING FOR ALL OF US?

I DON'T THINK THEY NEED IT.

DEAR LORD, BE WITH THIS GATHERING

AND THESE TWO TEAMS OF GENTLEMEN WHO GATHER HERE TODAY

IN GOOD FELLOWSHIP.

PROTECT THEM. GUIDE THEM.

IN THY NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

AMEN. AMEN.

ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN, WE PLAY BY LOCAL RULES.

3 STRIKES, YOU'RE OUT. 3 OUTS IS AN INNING.

6 INNINGS IS A GAME.

LAST YEAR, WE GOT 4 OUTS.

LAST YEAR, THE GAME HAD TO BE CALLED BECAUSE OF DARKNESS.

ARE WE GOING TO SPEED THIS GAME UP?

PLAY BALL'.

Man: COME ON, SLICK. IT ONLY TAKES ONE.

Second man: OH, DON'T LET THIS GUY BLUFF YOU OUT.

COME ON'. PITCH IT IN THERE, JEBEDIAH'.

ALL RIGHT, JEBEDIAH.

PUT IT RIGHT IN HERE'. HERE YOU GO'.

Reverend: STRIKE 1'.

HO'. THAT'S A BEAUTY.

WHERE'D YOU GET THAT GUY FROM?

NEVER MIND. LIKE THE MAN SAYS, PLAY BALL.

Charles: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT'.

WAY TO PITCH IT IN THERE, JEBEDIAH'.

Edwards: ALL RIGHT, JEBEDIAH. PUT ANOTHER ONE IN HERE.

Reverend: STRIKE 2'.

STRIKE 2'.

STRIKE HIM OUT, MR. MUMFORT'.

STRIKE HIM OUT'.

Carrie: STRIKE HIM OUT'.

OH'. SIR, I DO BELIEVE YOU ARE OUT.

Reverend: NEXT BATTER.

WHERE'D THEY GET HIM FROM?

I DON'T KNOW.

Edwards: ALL RIGHT, JEBEDIAH. WHIP 'ER IN HERE.

[BALL HITS GLOVE]

Reverend: STRIKE 1'.

ALL RIGHT, JEBEDIAH. RIGHT HERE.

THROW 'ER IN HERE.

STRIKE 2'.

ALL RIGHT, JEBEDIAH. THROW 'ER HARD.

3 STRIKES'. YOU'RE OUT'.

STRIKE 2'.

STRIKE 3'. YOU'RE OUT'.

JEBEDIAH, YOU'RE DOING GREAT.

YOU STRUCK OUT THE SIDE.

IS THAT IT?

NO, NOT QUITE. WE BAT, AND THEN YOU DO IT AGAIN.

IT DOESN'T SEEM CHRISTIAN NOT TO EVEN LET THEM HIT THE BALL.

Laura: TOLD YOU HE WAS THE BEST PITCHER IN THE WHOLE WORLD'.

SURE IS'.

WELL, I THINK IT'S TIME WE SHOWED THEM SOMETHING ABOUT THIS GAME.

LET'S DO.

Man: OH, HEY'.

TAKE YOUR BASE'.

Edwards: YOU CALL YOURSELF A PITCHER?

WHAT KIND OF RAG ARM IS THAT?

Reverend: NEXT BATTER.

Man: HE GETS HIM'.

STRIKE 1'.

OH, MY.

[CROWD CHEERING]

UGH'.

Reverend: YOU'RE OUT'.

OOH'.

HEY, WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT?

SORRY, GENTLEMEN. I'M AFRAID YOU'RE BOTH OUT.

Charles: ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, DOC?

COME ON.

[CROWD CHEERING]

THROW IT RIGHT BY HIM.

Man: BURN THAT THING IN THERE. COME ON, SLICK.

THROW IT RIGHT BY HIM.

HIT A GOOD ONE, MR. EDWARDS'.

YOU CAN DO IT, MR. EDWARDS'.

Reverend: BALL'.

Charles: HEY, REVEREND, HE DID THAT ON PURPOSE'.

SORRY.

YOU DO THAT AGAIN, I'M GOING TO COME OUT AND STAND ON YOUR EYELIDS'.

GENTLEMEN, PLEASE.

REMEMBER, THIS IS A SPORTING CONTEST.

THINK OF THE LADIES.

[CROWD CHEERING]

STRIKE 1'.

Charles: THAT'S ALL RIGHT'. YOU GOT 2 TO GO.

COME ON'. YOU CAN DO IT'.

COME ON, MR. EDWARDS'.

Mary: COME ON'.

I GOT IT'. I GOT IT'.

UGH'.

Man: THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT'.

Man: RUN'. RUN'.

Charles: RUN'.

UGH'.

COME ON'. YAY'.

Charles: COME ON'. COME ON'. RUN'.

OH, THAT'S THE WAY'. A HOME RUN'.

DON'T DO THAT IN PUBLIC'.

GAVE HER A RIP, DIDN'T I?

AH, 'TWAS A LUCKY HIT.

MAYBE, BUT IT CERTAINLY WAS A MIGHTY BLOW, THOUGH, WASN'T IT?

PLAY BALL.

GET A HIT, CHARLES'.

TIME OUT.

TIME OUT'. TIME'.

[BAND PLAYS]

OH, HE LOOKS GOOD. HE LOOKS SCARED.

THE MAN'S SCARED.

Edwards: HEY, WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

TAKE A LOOK AT THAT BALL'.

LET ME SEE.

PERSPIRATION.

SORRY, CHARLES. YOU'RE OUT.

GREEN STOCKINGS UP TO BAT'.

Reverend: STRIKE 2'.

THROW IT RIGHT IN THERE, JEBEDIAH'.

OH'. I BELIEVE THAT MAN IS OUT.

THEY CAN'T HIT IT, JEBEDIAH.

THEY CAN'T HIT IT.

WE GOT TO DO SOMETHING, SLICK.

YEAH, RIGHT.

SLOVAK.

[WHISPERING]

GET IN THERE'.

PITCH IT RIGHT IN THERE'.

HE'S NOT GOING TO HIT IT.

Reverend: STRIKE 1'.

WHOA. JEBEDIAH, IF HE BUNTS THE BALL TO ME,

YOU COVER FIRST.

ALL RIGHT. SAW OFF HIS BAT.

THERE YOU GO. COME ON, JEBEDIAH.

UGH'.

Hanson: TRIED TO HURT MY PITCHER.

HE DID THAT ON PURPOSE'.

THROW HIM OUT OF THE GAME, REVEREND.

Reverend: SIT DOWN'.

I'D RATHER THROW AT CHICKEN HAWKS.

JEBEDIAH, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

YES, DEAR.

GOOD. COME ON. HE'LL BE ALL RIGHT, MA'AM.

RUFFIANS'. HOOLIGANS'.

Man: ALL RIGHT, JEBEDIAH'. GOOD MAN'.

IF ANYBODY ELSE BUNTS, THROW IT TO ME.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S PLAY BALL'.

COME ON'. DO YOUR STUFF'.

OH, HE'S ON THE WRONG SIDE. HERE WE GO.

Man: I GOT IT'.

WHICH ONE IS IT?

IS IT THIS ONE?

COME ON'. HE'S COMING HOME'. GET HIM'.

IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT, MR. EDWARDS.

THIS KEEPS UP, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GET A MITTEN FOR MY WHOLE BODY.

Reverend: PLAY BALL'.

SAFE'. SAFE?'.

[WOMEN YELLING]

PLEASE'. PLEASE'.

LADIES'. LADIES'. PLEASE'.

Margaret: HE LOOKED OUT TO ME.

THAT'S THE WAY YOU'RE GOING TO CALL IT?

LET'S PLAY BALL.

SURE WOULD HATE TO SEE US LOSE.

AT LEAST IT'S NOT AS BAD AS LAST YEAR.

WELL, THE GAME ISN'T OVER YET.

IT'S THE LAST INNING'.

WELL, PA SAYS TO NEVER GIVE UP.

WE'VE GOTTA CHEER HARDER.

COME ON, WALNUT GROVE'.

[CROWD CHEERING]

[CROWD CHEERING]

Reverend: STRIKE 3'. YOU'RE OUT'.

WELL, THAT'S ONE. THAT'S ONE.

WE GOT TWO MORE...

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE]

ONLY TAKES ONE, JEBEDIAH. ONLY TAKES ONE.

ALL RIGHT, JEBEDIAH'. RUN'.

GOOD HIT.

Man: THAT'S THE WAY'. LET'S GO'.

COME ON, NELS.

WELL, IT'S ALL OVER NOW. MR. OLESON'S UP.

COME ON, MR. OLESON'.

ALL RIGHT, NELS, NOW HIT THE BALL'.

COME ON, NELS.

Reverend: STRIKE 1'.

Man: LET'S GO'.

STRIKE 2'.

IT WAS A GOOD SWING, NELS.

WATCH THE BALL'.

HIT THE BALL'.

Man: PUT IT IN THERE'.

[CROWD CHEERING]

SAFE'.

[CHEERING]

MIND MOVING YOUR FOOT? YOU'RE STANDING ON MY HAND.

WHO'S UP?

HEY, EDWARDS'. WHO'S UP?

EDWARDS'.

MR. EDWARDS'.

MR. EDWARDS'.

COME ON, EDWARDS. IT'S YOUR TURN TO BAT.

WE GOT NELS ON FIRST.

Man: COME ON, EDWARDS'.

Reverend: BALL'.

COME ON, EDWARDS'.

COME ON, MR. EDWARDS'. HIT A GOOD ONE'.

HIT IT HARD'.

Reverend: TAKE YOUR BASE.

COME ON. TAKE YOUR BASE.

I'LL TAKE HIS HEAD.

Girl: COME ON, DR. BAKER'. YOU CAN DO IT'.

Edwards: ALL RIGHT, DOC'.

ALL RIGHT, DOC'. GIVE 'ER A RIP'.

WAIT FOR THE GOOD PITCH'.

[CHEERING]

EVERYBODY'S SAFE'.

[CROWD CHEERING]

WE GOT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS GAME.

STOP FOOLING AROUND WITH THESE GUYS, SLICK.

I AIN'T FOOLING AROUND.

WE GOT ONE MORE OUT. NOW, COME ON.

DON'T WORRY. I CAN HANDLE IT. I CAN HANDLE IT.

COME ON, LET'S GO'.

COME ON'. HIT IT, CHARLES'.

Reverend: STRIKE 1.

COME ON'. HIT A HOME RUN, PA'.

COME ON, NOW, CHARLES'.

Reverend: TOO HIGH.

TOO HIGH?

MR. McBURNEY, WITH GOD'S HELP,

I CALL THEM AS I SEE THEM.

JUST WATCH THE PLATE, REVEREND.

WATCH THE PLATE.

Man: COME ON, INGALLS'.

COME ON'.

HIT IT'.

Reverend: STRIKE 2'.

COME ON, PA'. YOU CAN DO IT'.

COME ON, PA'. YOU CAN DO IT'.

[CHEERING]

COME ON, NELS'. GO'.

UGH'.

Reverend: HE'S SAFE'.

HE'S SAFE'.

HE'S NOT SAFE'.

HE'S SAFE'. YOU DROPPED THE BALL'.

I DIDN'T DROP THE BALL'.

THEN WHERE IS IT?

WHAT'S THE SCORE, LAURA?

Laura: 9-8'. WE WON'.

[CHEERING]

[BAND PLAYING]

CHARLES, I MUST SAY, THAT WAS A WONDERFUL GAME.

YEAH. IT WAS A GOOD GAME TO END WITH.

OF COURSE, THE WAY YOU AND THE REST OF THE LADIES FEEL,

THAT WILL BE THE LAST ONE.

OH, I DIDN'T HEAR ANYBODY SAY THAT.

IN FACT, MARGARET SUGGESTED WE SELL TICKETS NEXT YEAR.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO EARN MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL FUND.

DID YOU LIKE THE GAME THAT MUCH?

WELL, I DIDN'T SAY THAT, EXACTLY,

BUT IT IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE, AND...

WELL, IT GETS YOU OUTDOORS,

AND NO ONE COULD ARGUE, IT'S GOOD, HEALTHY EXERCISE.

NO.

[KISS]

NO ONE COULD ARGUE WITH THAT.

GOOD NIGHT, CAROLINE.

GOOD NIGHT, CHARLES.