Original subtitles

[crowd cheering]

[♪]

[Announcer] Do you like drama, folks?

Because it doesn't get any better than this.

It's all up to Syl Coddmeyer III.

who many are saying could be the next great Bambino.

The bases are loaded here with two down

in the bottom of the seventh.

Oh and two count.

The whole season on the line.

Coddmeyer's been outstanding all season,

but can he deliver when it counts.

Harwood sets and deals.

Hi, my name is Sylvester Coddmeyer III,

and I love baseball.

The only problem is I wasn't very good at it,

but then something happened that changed everything.

That was a good swing.

You're still pulling your head out. Good job.

You almost had it Syl.

Yeah Syl.

You gonna take the cleanup spot for me this year.

Don't be so down on yourself, buddy.

It's just the start of the season.

Yeah Dad. Another season where I can't even hit 200.

This year will be better. You'll see.

Hey coach.

My mom said, I should tell you, throw me some curve balls.

I will Teddy when it's your turn.

When's it gonna be my turn then?

Soon. Did you hit in the cage yet?

No. My mom says pitching machines mess up your mechanics.

[coach sighs]

Come on, Teddy. You're up.

Come on Teddy. Swing like you're chopping wood.

You tell me not to do that.

Yeah. Well it's a good thing Teddy doesn't listen.

This middle school velocity is for wimps.

Pitch like a man, Brittany!

Mom stay out of it, please.

Teddy has two seasons left at Hooper.

I am not letting them go to waste.

And what does that mean?

Win the league,

or I'll have a little chat with Principal Weissman.

You think you know more about baseball

than my dad, he played pro for three years.

Yeah.

Never made it out of the minors.

What do you know about baseball? You run a gym.

It is not a gym.

SobelCycle is an indoor cycling studio.

A very successful one, because Sobels are winners.

Unlike Coddmeyers.

Move!

Alright, everybody back to practice.

Yeah, let's do this. Come on guys.

[bat cracking] [crowd cheering]

(♪)

Guys, guess what we're doing this spring?

Playing baseball. Come on, high five!

Don't worry about Sobel sucker Syl, she's just flexing.

She's not going to get your dad fired.

If she tries we'll boycott her business.

I hear somebody caught Ebola from a bicycle seat there.

That is highly improbable.

Dude, we're going to boycott SobelCycle.

Boycott? We can't boycott if we've never been there.

And we never will. That'll show her.

Will it though?

Guys, what's the point of playing

if I can't help the team win?

Don't worry Syl, we'll figure this out.

We can win the league.

Yeah, sure.

And this hot dog will eat me.

Look, it's all about having a good time. Like Coach says.

We might win if you pitched every game,

but your arm would fall off.

Or only if the best kids played,

but Coach lets everyone play.

Yeah. We're not winning.

Welcome to Redbirds Baseball Season Preview.

I'm Josh Huberman and with me is my classmate

in Communications Arts class, Becky Sloan.

Josh and I will be live-streaming all the action,

but if you're watching, you already know that.

What are you doing?

I forgot to start the stream.

Okay, we're on the air, just keep going.

The 'birds are coming off a disappointing season,

going 3 and 9 and finishing in fifth place.

Hopes are high for a better year.

If they're gonna be anything more than hopes,

a lot rests on the back of slugger Ted Sobel.

On the mound, Hooper's counting on Ally McCaan.

But when she's not pitching, look out,

it's gonna get wild.

Rounding out the battery is Greg Ash.

Redbirds powerhouse catcher

with the most extra nails of Hooper.

Hey Al, check out my knuckleball. It's unhittable.

Be my guest.

Yeah, nobody's Hitting that.

Where's Syl? He's never late for practice.

I texted him a bunch. No answer.

That's strange.

Yoohoo. Whoo.

Coach, where's Syl?

That's what I'd like to know.

♪ Lines we draw in the sand ♪

♪ In spite of all the best laid plans ♪

♪ I want to believe in something good to come ♪

♪ But I don't know what I'm running from ♪

♪ I got big dreams ♪

♪ I got big dreams ♪

♪ I got big dreams ♪

Sylvester Jose. Hold it.

You can't skip practice and expect to play in the games.

I know Dad.

I'm quitting. Sorry.

Quitting. What are you talking about?

Syl, you live for baseball. What's going on?

Not anymore.

I'm branching out Dad.

Branching out to what?

Coding.

Everybody needs to learn it, right?

Coding?

Coding?

[♪]

[♪]

[♪]

I'm never gonna get any better.

[mysterious music]

[ball thuds]

[ball thuds]

Am I dead?

I'm no doctor, but I'd say no.

Heard you were thinking about quitting baseball.

Why Syl?

You love the game too much to quit.

Who are you?

Just a friend who's played a little ball.

Who wants to help you.

Get in there and take a cut.

Come on. Swing that lumber.

Okay feet shoulder-width apart, head up.

Bat up at 45 degrees. Elbows flexed.

You're thinking too much. Trust yourself.

Just wrap your little finger under the knob

and follow through with your swing.

Be the king.

Whoa! Told you kid.

Do it again.

[♪]

[♪]

Hey Dad.

Hey Buddy. Thought you quit.

I was hoping I could un-quit.

Syl you can't just quit and un-quit the next day.

You got to think about what that does to the team,

your teammates. But Dad-

What did he say?

Can Syl come back on the team?

Come on, Coach. Please.

Yeah we need him. Well, we want him.

All right everybody gather up.

All right, Syl's decided that he wants

to get back on the team.

And I think it's only fair that we put it to a vote.

Brittney.

Okay. Everyone.

All in favour of letting Syl be a Redbird.

All opposed.

Greg already voted yes.

I didn't know Ted and the guys were gonna vote no.

Doesn't matter. Nine, yes. Three, no.

[kids cheering]

All right, get back out there.

Great. There goes the season.

[♪]

The outfield is behind you.

So codfish is up. He dribbles more balls than LeBron.

He's never hit one to the outfield in his life.

[♪]

[♪]

[bat cracks]

[♪]

[♪]

Wow!

Last practice Syl couldn't hit a thing.

All of a sudden he's Aaron Judge.

Maybe he just got lucky.

Did Syl just hit that? Think he can do it again?

I don't know what's going on,

but I guess we'll find out.

That's gonna be so much fun.

Wait dude, what was that?

Oh, I just saw the ball coming

and I knew I could cream it.

I want to have what you're having.

Well, if your stats are right, it'll probably be

another 24 years before you hit another home run.

Man, you're such a downer bro.

Hey, Turdmeyer, let's see if you can do that in a game.

Looks like someone's jealous.

[Girls] Hi Ted.

Ladies.

See you at the game.

I'll see you later Syl. See you.

Bye. See you.

[♪]

[♪]

[♪]

Strike three. You're out.

And Greg goes down swinging.

That will bring up the bottom of the order.

You've got this Syl. Come on Syl.

[Josh] Here's Syl Coddmeyer with two down to the third.

Syl steps up to the plate

with a lifetime batting average of, ooh, 187.

Not great.

Strike one.

Easy Syl. You know what to do.

Come on Syl. You got this.

Strike two.

It's okay Syl.

Move in. No hitter, no hitter.

Time.

Ally, why is Syl tipping his head to salty Sobel?

I have no clue.

Be the king.

[♪]

[team cheering]

[crowd applauding]

You got all that one kid.

You got all that one kid.

Still gotta run the bases.

[♪]

[crowd cheering]

The Redbirds take their season opener four to three,

thanks to a monster day from Syl Coddmeyer.

What a performance!

Three dingers in three at bats for all four Hooper RBIs.

With us now is the man of the hour.

So last year you were practically an automatic out.

I mean, you couldn't hit a beach ball.

What happened?

I guess I just started believing in myself.

Come on Syl. It's gotta be more than just attitude.

What's your secret?

I um... I don't...

How'd he learn to hit like that?

Out of nowhere. He must be cheating.

Plus he's creepy. He keeps looking at me.

Do you think he's corking his bat?

Could be. Maybe he's juicing.

♪ You gotta style that's all your own ♪

♪ Everybody wants to get to know you ♪

♪ And I can see you in a magazine ♪

♪ I can see you in a TV show ♪

I'll be right back.

Hey kid, good game today. Thanks.

I saw you talking to the reporters.

Oh Josh and Becky aren't really reporters.

Well remember confidence is good,

but overconfidence, uh uh.

Anyway, you did real good today.

Thanks. And I kept my head down like you told me.

You're doing great kid.

[♪]

That's weird.

What? Your face?

Ha ha ha. You are hilarious.

Hey check it out. Who's Syl talking to?

Whoa.

What is he doing?

The freak.

That's not freaky. That's just weird.

Hey, who were you talking to outside?

This guy showed up at the cage the other day

and gave me some really good tips.

What? He was at the game earlier.

We were just talking outside. Big guy, weird pants.

But nobody's there.

Of course there is. You guys don't believe me?

Huh. He must've left.

Are you okay Syl?

Of course I am. I'm on fire.

Guys. Everything's fine. Trust me.

Good on the homers today bro.

Thanks.

Leading off Jimmy.

Batting second Ally. Third, Greg.

Batting cleanup, Syl.

Guys, Syl's batting fourth.

Sweet.

Hey, that's my spot.

What?

That is blatant favouritism.

Please calm down Ms Sobel.

Coach and I made the decision together.

You have always been jealous

because Teddy is so much better than Syl.

We're just going with the hot bat.

Teddy always bats cleanup, and he plays left field.

He's Teddy baseball.

We're gonna keep the lineup as is, okay.

I am so done with this team.

All right. Show's over.

Let's warm up.

Have a good game Teddy baseball.

I'll smash your face Turdmeyer.

Leave him alone Teddy.

This isn't over.

[♪]

[phone ringing]

Principal Weissman.

I see you.

Told you I'm not firing anyone.

Principal Weissman.

It's ball four.

And Greg takes his base.

We're taking it.

Syl you're up.

[Josh] Syl Coddmeyer walks up to the plate.

[Becky] Is he gonna knock it out of the park again?

Sure hope so Becks.

Coddmeyer gets ready for the pitch.

It's a homer.

[air horn hooting]

How are you doing this?

You always told me I didn't believe in myself.

Yeah but it doesn't just happen overnight.

Maybe it does.

Ball four. Check your base.

The heat is on the Redbirds.

Ally McCaan just doesn't seem to have

her usual stuff today.

It's gonna happen sometimes.

These kids are not robots.

Thanks for the mansplaining, Josh.

Any time Becks.

It's yours Syl.

Syl's ball. Syl's ball.

First that little brat steals Teddy's position

now he's stealing our ball.

[air horn hooting]

[crowd groans]

Think you dropped that.

All right guys.

I can't believe your mom did that.

Can you believe that Coddmeyer didn't get to that ball.

He cost us the game.

Leave me alone.

What did I do?

I don't want you coming to my games anymore. Okay?

Teddy. We're a team.

Mom.

Oh come on. Guys open up.

It wasn't me, it was her.

[Girls] Hi Ted.

Bye Ted.

Wait for me, mom.

♪ You gotta get what you need ♪

♪ Bring it on, bring it on ♪

♪ Get what you need ♪

♪ Bring it on, bring it on ♪

♪ Gotta get what you need ♪

♪ Bring it on, bring it on ♪

♪ Get what you need ♪

♪ You gotta get what you need ♪

I'll have the usual.

Coming right up.

I'm just saying nobody hits a home run

every time they're up. It's not possible.

And yet you've seen it with your own eyes.

Speaking of seeing things.

Are you still seeing people who aren't there?

Good game.

You think I'm crazy?

I'm not saying you're crazy, but-

Pineapple-mango for Ally.

Want to know the truth?

Yes. Finally.

It all started when I got transported to area 51.

Syl I'm serious. You're a jerk.

And you're jealous because you used to be better than me.

And now you're not.

Can I have a strawberry-banana smoothie?

Sure thing Syl. Thanks.

Hey everyone, listen up. Syl Coddmeyer's in the house.

From now on, strawberry-banana smoothie

is called the Coddmeyer.

[people cheering]

Get the man something to eat. On me.

Slice of pizza, please.

Thanks.

Better yet. Let's make it a 30 incher.

30 incher coming right up.

[♪]

I wanna picture with you Syl.

Dig in guys, my fans won't mind if I share.

Yeah, no thanks. I'm out.

Me too.

Me three. Enjoy your fans.

Whatever. More for me.

[♪]

[♪]

Hey.

I sure hope I didn't create a monster.

Big old swole-headed monster.

I don't have a swole-head.

Everybody said I needed confidence

and now that I have it, nobody can deal with it.

There's a difference between being confident

and strutting around like a cocky rooster.

Nobody's bigger than the game.

Well I don't know what you want from me.

I don't know what anyone wants from me.

[♪]

[♪]

Who are you?

Bat at 45 degrees. Elbows flexed.

Baseball, 7-14.

It's Babe Ruth. That's me.

This doesn't make any sense.

Lots of stuff doesn't make sense.

A kid who loves baseball so much

thinks he needs to quit the game.

How's that make any sense?

This isn't happening. You're dead.

That's another thing that doesn't make

a whole lot of sense, but here we are.

No. You're not here.

You're not here. You're not here.

[♪]

[♪]

Our game doesn't start till five?

Yeah. They're letting the pyromania club

burn our field down first.

It's the model rocket club genius.

It's their annual exhibition.

Same difference.

What are we supposed to do till then?

Homework.

[Ally and Jimmy laugh]

Hey Coddmeyer, how many homers are you going to hit today?

I don't...

What do you guys think is going on with Syl?

I don't know, but I miss the old Syl.

Guys, the man's a hero. Let him have his moment okay?

All right. All right. He has been a huge jerk.

[Girls] Hi Syl.

Ladies.

[Girls] Bye Ted.

Okay we're ready.

Now, what did one rocket say to the other?

Let's go get some launch.

Launch! Launch!

[rockets fizz] Whoo!

I am onto you Coddmeyer.

You are?

I know you're a fraud and a cheater.

You do?

How are you doing it? Is it steroids?

Your Dad gave them to you?

No, he would never do that.

Then who is? Tell the truth?

I'll have Principal Weissman give you a blood test-

Go ahead. I don't care.

The truth is I, I suck at baseball.

The Redbirds are in a slugfest against the Tigers.

But the question everybody's been asking is

where's Syl Coddmeyer?

(♪)

(♪)

[crowd cheering]

[Steph Sobel cheering]

Go Teddy baseball.

Who needs Coddmeyer.

A solo shot from Ted Sobel brings the Redbirds

to within one, but will it be too little too late?

Strike one.

All right Jimmy. Come on.

Strike two.

Keep your head up, you got it.

Strike three. You're out.

[Josh] And just like that, Jimmy strikes out.

Okay Redbirds good game.

Let's line up. Shake hands. Come on.

I just didn't feel like playing.

I hope you don't feel like playing against Hamilton either

because you're benched.

Nobody's bigger than the team.

I know Dad.

And I want you to apologize to your teammates,

you let all of them down.

Maybe you should make me bat boy too.

You know what? That's a good idea.

You're bat boy.

Good.

Good. Good.

Buenos noches, mi vida.

Did he let the team down? Or you.

Both.

Syl's obviously going through something.

He found his talent and with that comes responsibility.

To you?

That's too much to put on a kid mi amore.

[♪]

Looks like you took your eye off the ball, kid.

Look, I appreciate everything you've done for me,

but maybe it be better if you undid it.

Undid what?

Whatever you did that made me so good at baseball.

At least when I sucked, it was really me.

Kid, that was you knocking the ball out of the park.

What are you talking about?

Only thing I did was help you to believe in yourself.

[knocking on door]

Hi.

Is he still here?

Syl you can trust me. It's okay.

Look, it's great that you hit lots of home runs,

but you're losing your friends.

You know what? I liked it better when you sucked.

Ally wait.

Since when do we let girls in Syl's room?

That's just the Ally, they're buddies.

It's okay Syl.

Am I going nuts?

How can I see people who aren't really there?

Maybe he really is here

and everyone else just can't see him.

So the ghost of Babe Ruth is really coaching me?

That's the only thing that makes sense.

Well, I'm glad I'm not losing it.

Sorry for being a jerk to you and the guys.

It's okay. We're used to it.

What are you doing? Knock it off Syl.

Let's not make this weird.

Right. Sorry.

Gotta go. See you tomorrow bat boy.

Good night.

Good night.

[Announcer] Incredible.

Sylvester Coddmeyer III continues his unbelievable

streak of hitting a home run whenever he's at bat.

After that disappointing loss to the Tigers,

the Redbirds have been unstoppable.

But, will Coddmeyer bring his magic

to the championship game against the Giants?

Guess, we'll have to wait and see.

[phone ringing]

Hey is this Syl?

Polar bear.

Hey man. I heard you're really good at hitting homers.

I guess so.

Don't be so bashful about it.

Embrace it, own it.

I got something for you.

How would your family and you, like to come out

to Citi Field to catch a game for Mother's Day.

And also you're going to be able to take batting practice,

not just with me, but with the rest of the team.

And you're going to throw out the first pitch that day.

That'd be amazing.

Awesome!

Members of the front office are actually reaching

out to your parents later on today.

So congratulations on such a fantastic season.

If you keep working hard and persevering,

I got a nice hunch that you're gonna be

in the Big Leagues one day.

Just keep getting better and let's go Mets.

Thanks Pete.

I'll talk to you soon. Bye.

A few weeks ago, we brought you the story

of Syl Coddmeyer III,

the eighth grade sensation who has hit nothing

but home runs all season.

He's one last game to play and a chance to do something

we think has never been done before.

Hit a home run in every at bat.

Can't believe this thing with the Mets.

It's crazy. I just wanted him to have some fun.

Now look at us.

Maybe we should just enjoy it.

You've worked so hard to get him here.

[♪]

Mom, Dad, you won't believe this.

I just got a call from Pete Alonso himself.

The Mets want to fly us to New York

to throw out the first pitch on Mother's Day.

Can we go?

That's very exciting mi vida,

but the championship game is that day.

Right. I don't want to miss the game,

but this is the show.

Dad, you should understand.

It's your decision Syl.

I got to tell the guys.

Guys. Syl.

I can't wait to kick some Lakewood butts.

Well you may have to do that without me.

What are you talking about?

Peter Alonso invited me to New York on Sunday.

No way.

You're bailing!

Peter Alonso. The Mets.

Come on guys this is a once in a lifetime chance.

You're our only chance. We can win the championship.

But not without you.

Guys it's middle school baseball, not life or death.

I can't believe you'd ditch us.

I don't want to,

but I thought you'd be excited for me.

I'm not.

I'm not either.

I was, but I'm not anymore.

[♪]

[♪]

[♪]

Hey kid.

I was hoping I'd see you.

The New York Mets- I know all about it.

You do? How?

What should I do?

What do you think you should do?

I mean, everybody's telling me I need confidence.

Isn't going in front of 40,000 people the ultimate test.

A fella has to believe in himself,

but at the end of the day,

you need to ask yourself, what's it all for?

You won't be needing that anymore.

You're a good kid Syl. I'm glad I got to meet you.

And remember, no one's bigger than the game.

Wait.

[♪]

[♪]

[crowd cheering]

[crowd cheering]

This is it! Lakewood Giants versus Hooper Redbirds

for all the marbles: The Northeast Central

Regional Baseball Crown.

If that doesn't get your blood pumping, nothing will.

Becks, this is our last game together.

And I'd like to know one thing.

Would you go to the eighth grade formal with me?

How can you ask me that on air?

I'll take that as a no.

You can take it as a yes.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there,

especially mine. Love you Mom.

Ally, where's Syl and coach. We're gonna get crushed.

New York, I guess.

Ally.

[ball thuds] [Jimmy grunts]

Oh no! Are you okay? That's gonna leave a mark.

Suck it up.

[Josh] And as the teams warm up,

the question on everyone's mind is

where's Syl Coddmeyer III

[Becky] And don't forget Coach.

Thanks Becks.

[crowd cheering]

Go Teddy!

Whoo!

[Girls] Where's Syl.

Can you believe both Coach Coddmeyer

and his dumb kid aren't here.

Went to the Big Apple. Pretty selfish if you ask me.

But what do you expect?

Told you, you should've fired him.

♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪

♪ Through the perilous fight ♪

♪ O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ♪

♪ And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air ♪

♪ Gave proof through the night ♪

♪ That our flag was still there ♪

♪ Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪

♪ O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ♪

[crowd cheers]

Well, I'm glad that's over.

[Josh] Five minutes to game time

and still no sign of Syl and Coach.

[Girls] He's here.

Syl!

He's here.

Sorry guys. I realized you all suck

and I had to come to the rescue.

Let's kick some butt.

All right lovebirds break it up.

Play ball.

Nothing across in the first.

Here's Syl to lead off the second.

Coddmeyer, you're up.

Is Coddmeyer gonna extend his streak?

[♪]

Strike one.

Come on Syl! Come on Syl, you got this.

Syl! Come on believe in yourself.

Syl you got this.

Strike number two.

[♪]

Strike three. You are out.

It's okay.

All good things must come to an end.

Syl Coddmeyer's incredible run is over.

The kid who only hit homers has struck out.

Matt Harwood has been unhittable all day,

but Ally McCaan is pulling out all the stops to match him.

[crowd cheering]

Safe!

Of course.

[♪]

[♪]

Out! Yeah.

Great play by Ally picks off a Giant's runner on first.

Time is just about for the Redbirds as they come to bat

in the bottom of the seventh.

Indeed. Indeed.

Rally caps.

Let's go guys, come on.

We got this. We got this. We got this.

One nothing Giants, two outs.

The Redbirds are just one out away

from the end of a great season.

Do they have what it takes to bring the trophy home?

Come on Lou. We're only one down, we can do it.

Come on Lou.

[♪]

Ball's low. What?

It was low.

That was a strike.

Play!

[crowd cheers]

For the first time this evening,

Matt Harwood looks rattled.

This game is getting interesting boys and girls.

Do you like drama folks? Doesn't get any better than this.

Still two out, men on first and second.

Coddmeyer is up next, but the hottest bat in middle school

history has picked a terrible time to go ice cold.

Need a batter.

[♪]

Time.

Somebody has to pinch it.

What?

I can't do it.

The magic is gone and I don't have it any more.

Syl it never was magic. It was you.

You know what to do.

Let's go. Get up here.

I'm going to call strike 1.

Come on.

What if I strike out again?

Never let The fear of striking out

keep you from playing the game.

Strike one. Oh, come on.

Syl, I'm proud of you.

And it's not because you're a great ball player.

It's because you're you.

Strike two.

I'm coming.

Hey Syl. Be the king.

Are we doing this?

[♪]

[♪]

[♪]

[♪]

[♪]

[crowd cheering]

It's a hard line drive right field.

Could be. Might be.

A home run!

[crowd cheers]

[♪]

♪ Caught up in the possibilities ♪

♪ Is the answer ♪

♪ Cause I'm just looking for something to believe ♪

♪ I don't know what I'm looking for ♪

♪ I just know that there's something more ♪

♪ It's always worth it to rise above ♪

[Josh] Syl did it! The Redbirds did it!

Hooper wins the league.

♪ Caught up in the possibilities ♪

♪ Cause I'm just looking for something to believe ♪

[Syl] I only hit one homer that game.

And there were a lot of games, where I didn't hit any.

but that spring I learned to never quit on myself.

I found the king inside me, now go find yours.

♪ Looking out for something to believe ♪

♪ Caught up in the possibilities ♪

♪ Is the answer ♪

♪ Cause I'm just looking out for something to believe ♪

♪ Looking out for something to believe ♪

♪ Looking out for something to believe ♪

[♪]

[♪]