Original subtitles

(bright orchestral music)

(hopeful music)

- [Luke] The path that led me to this moment

was not at all what I had planned for my life.

See, when you embrace God's purpose,

you find his provision.

And you'll be amazed at just how creative

our Creator can be.

(alarm beeping)

- Good morning, my beautiful bride.

First cup?

- Are the boys up?

- Yeah, I think so.

- My brother wants that hay in his barn today.

He paid them weeks ago.

- Diane, we both know you're not gonna use that.

- Yeah, but they don't know that.

Josh, Luke, you boys better be up.

(upbeat music)

- Go, go, go.

(upbeat music)

(Luke giggles)

- Come on, Luke, let's go.

- I'm coming, man.

(upbeat music)

(engine rumbling)

- You know they're going fishing, right?

(upbeat music)

- They better not.

(upbeat music)

(singers vocalizing)

(upbeat music)

- [Doc] Rise and shine, Harrison.

Doc's on the dial, and it's gonna be

a beautiful sunny Saturday with a high of 81,

so get out and do something fun today, would you?

Hey, don't forget to sign up for the car show

and the bakeoff next Saturday in the town square.

There's always something going on,

and I'm here to keep you up to date.

So stay tuned for more of the community bulletin board.

So get out and make it a great day, Harrison.

Doctor's orders.

(upbeat music)

(birds chirping)

- Okay, okay.

Now can we go?

- We haven't even caught anything yet.

- We?

- Even had had my new lighted bobber and everything.

- It isn't even dark yet, you goober.

- Then we ain't leaving.

(birds chirping)

- Oh wait.

Wait, wait, wait, hold on, hold on, hold on.

And I'm hung again.

- Come on, Luke.

What are we doing wrong, man?

- Why are you asking him?

- I mean, we're just not holding their mouths right.

- Well, try closing them, then.

(rod creaking)

- That'll teach you, man, that'll teach you, Jess.

- [Luke] My childhood best friend, Jessica,

was the daughter Mama never head.

- Wait till I tell Mama D.

- Jess, now come on. - We're sorry, Jess.

Come on, we didn't mean it.

Shoot.

- Jess, wait, we're sorry.

- [Luke] She was our biggest fan,

and our biggest tattletale.

- I'm so sorry. - Jess, come on.

- We didn't mean it. - Jess, come back.

- [Luke] Baseball kept us mostly out of trouble,

but when we did mess up,

Mama had her ways of dealing with two rambunctious boys.

And the older we got. - Glory to God.

- [Luke] The more embarrassing it became.

- Job lost everything.

He lost his wealth and he lost his health.

His own wife told him, "Curse God and die."

(gentle music)

But the third thing we can learn is that

no matter what we are going through,

we should always keep our faith in God.

Glory to God.

- [Congregation] Amen.

- Lord, we thank you for your love and your mercy

and these fish that Jess caught.

And Lord, forgive me and Josh for not bailing the hay.

Again.

Amen.

- Amen. - Amen.

- Amen.

- Coach says that Evangel University

has a great baseball program.

It's a Christian school and we could all still be together.

- You already have some great opportunities.

Y'all gonna mess around and they'll be gone.

- We already applied.

Josh mailed in our applications about a couple weeks ago.

Right? - Mm-hmm.

- Did you guys know there's gonna be

an Evangel scout at the next game?

- There is more to life than baseball.

Oh, stop it, you two.

Y'all know what I mean.

- Okay, Mom, but first, it's pro baseball.

- Pro?

- Well, for me.

Unless this one can get his pop time down.

- Stopwatch, really?

- Yeah.

I mean, you need to know how bad your pop time sucks.

- [Luke] Oh, come on, come on.

- There is nothing wrong with his pop time.

- Okay, okay, I know.

I'm just kidding.

Every great catcher has a stopwatch,

so he knows how great he really is.

(gentle music)

(umpire yells)

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

- [Crowd] Come on, Josh.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

Way to go.

(gentle music)

- Strike.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

- [Crowd] Come on, Josh.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

(gentle music)

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

- Ball.

(audience applauding) - Yeah, let's go.

- Come on, Josh. - Cone on, Josh.

(gentle music)

- Strike.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

- Come on, Josh. - Come on, Josh.

Do it again!

(gentle music)

(ground crunching)

(gentle music)

- Time.

- What are you doing out here, man?

- Funny, I was gonna ask you the same thing.

You gonna throw the pitch, or back him off the plates?

- I'm setting him up.

He ain't got no idea what's coming next.

- Yeah, that makes two of us.

- (scoffs) Okay.

One more outside, then I'm taking my inside corner back.

- All right.

Just don't give me anything to hit.

Mess up your no-no.

- Get over there.

(gentle music)

(ground crunching)

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

- Strike.

(audience cheering)

- Let's go, Josh.

(gentle music)

- Strike. (audience cheering)

- Come on, Josh.

Bring me home, bring me home.

(audience cheering)

Come on, Josh.

Come on, bring it home.

Bring it home.

(audience cheering)

(Josh grunts)

Josh.

Josh?

Josh!

(tense music)

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hey, look at me.

Josh.

Josh? Mom, Dad!

(tense music)

- Josh, wake up.

- Josh. - Come on.

- Somebody help my son.

- Call an ambulance.

Call an ambulance now.

- Somebody help.

- Josh. - God, help.

(somber music)

(crickets chirping)

(somber music)

(crowd chattering softly)

- Hey.

(somber music)

(somber, melancholy music)

- [Luke] So what's the verdict?

- You have the exact heart defect that your brother had.

- [Mom] So how do we fix it?

- Meds can regulate it,

but you shouldn't overexert yourself, Luke.

(ball cracking) (somber music)

- [Luke] What about baseball?

- [Doctor] I'm afraid not.

- There must be some mistake.

Baseball's supposed to be my future.

- I'm very sorry, Luke.

But your future's going to have to change.

But you can live a relatively normal life.

- But I wasn't planning on relatively normal.

No.

No.

(somber music) (door bangs)

(somber music)

(Luke yells)

(somber music)

What else do you want from me?

Huh?

I got nothing left.

I got no brother, no baseball.

Nothing.

(somber music)

This was our future.

(Luke sobs)

Can you hear me?

Do you even see me?

(birds chirping)

(metallic banging)

- Stop.

Whatever that is, open it.

- Dear Mr. Luke John Brooks, congratulations.

Evangel College is happy to inform you

that you've been accepted as a freshman

in the upcoming fall semester.

- Luke.

- In addition, you've been awarded the prestigious

T.L. Graham Scholarship, which will cover 100%

of the cost of attendance over four years.

- That is great news, son.

- Who cares?

- Don't you dare give up.

Don't you take away my other boy.

Look at me.

I miss him, too.

It's unbearable for all of us.

There's not a day that goes by

that I don't long to see my baby's face

or hear his voice, but we are only here to get there.

He ran his race.

And he would so want you to finish yours.

- I just miss him, Mom.

I need my brother.

- I know, son.

I know. (Luke sobbing)

I know that your heart is hurting.

God sees that, he hears that, and he's gonna use that

for his purpose in his time, and when he does,

when he does, you are going to change the world around you.

(Luke sobs)

(gentle music)

(metallic clacking)

- Go.

- Okay, okay.

I'm going.

(bright, hopeful music)

♪ Sifting through the ashes ♪

♪ And the lies that you've been told ♪

♪ In the unfamiliar place ♪

♪ You never thought you'd go ♪

♪ Broken pieces ♪

♪ And shattered dreams ♪

♪ Heaven reaches ♪

♪ And mercy sings ♪

♪ Only truth remains ♪

♪ To redeem what's been stolen ♪

♪ When you've lost everything ♪

♪ And it's hard to keep on going ♪

♪ Through the trial ♪

♪ Through the pain ♪

♪ You'll find one thing stays the same ♪

♪ Only truth remains ♪

(stopwatch beeps)

- How's he doing?

Ouch.

How are you doing, Mr. Brooks?

- Coach Kilber, you remember me.

- I was there, son.

(stopwatch beeps)

Odd place to study, don't you think?

- Yeah, well, I come here because I-

- Oh, I know.

Makes everything feel right for a moment, doesn't it?

- Yeah.

- You know, Luke, for those of us who love this game,

it's pain and glory all wrapped up together.

A few of us grow to resent it,

because we can't find our place in it anymore.

But others, well,

well, we just keep searching until we do.

(stopwatch beeping)

Well, that pop time isn't gonna improve itself.

(Luke chuckles)

(sneakers squeaking)

(ball thwacking)

- That felt good.

- Yeah, not bad for a high school backup.

- (laughs) You got a big mouth on you, you know?

- You wanna get better?

- Okay.

Yeah.

- Get down.

Look at your feet, and get ready to throw,

and when you come up, explode those hips open

and get into that cocked position.

- If you say so, bigmouth.

(stopwatch beeps)

- Again.

Your arm path needs to be short and fast.

It's all one motion. You got it?

- All right.

(ball swishing)

That felt better.

What was that?

- That is college pop time.

- Whoa.

Hey.

Thanks, Coach.

(suspenseful music)

(bright adventure music)

- [Luke] Something inside of me came back to life,

the familiar feeling of excitement about a game,

and an unbreakable bond between brothers.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

- Come on, Josh.

Come on, bring it home.

Bring it home.

Come on. (audience cheering)

(audience cheering) (audience applauding)

(bright, hopeful music)

- For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health,

and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her

as long as you both shall live.

- I do.

- By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you

husband and wife.

Luke, you may kiss your bride.

(gentle, romantic music)

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you

Mr. and Mrs. Luke John Brooks.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering)

- I expect you to conduct yourselves in a certain way

on and off the field.

And your signature is your commitment to one another.

Boys, you don't win a championship

by trying to win a championship.

You do it by picking up your teammates,

and refusing to let any of them quit.

If you go through my program,

you will become better young ballplayers,

but more importantly, you'll become better young men.

All right?

That's all for now.

I'll see y'all at tryouts.

Have a great evening.

- Great speech, Coach.

- Have a good night, Coach Morris.

- Yeah.

- See you at home, son. - See you, Dad.

- May I help you, Mister?

- Michael Jamison, Superintendent

of the Parkwood School District, great state of Texas.

- Texas.

What brings you all the way to our little town, Mr. Jamison?

- You do.

We need a new coach.

I'm looking at him.

Five state titles. It's impressive.

- It's nine.

Nine state titles, it's-

- This contract doubles your salary, not to mention,

you don't have to teach during baseball season.

- Is that right?

- Come on, what else you gotta prove here?

Talking 6A, Coach.

Certainly not afraid of the competition.

- It's not that.

It's a very tempting offer.

I just don't know what to say.

- How 'bout yes?

I didn't come all this way

just to tell you how great you are.

It's a solid offer.

- It's a big decision.

I got a family.

My whole life's been here.

I...

- Yeah, I get it.

I get it.

Family's important.

You know, I don't know your wife,

but I never met a woman didn't appreciate

a nicer place to life,

not to mention the increased competition

for your son, getting to play on a bigger stage and all.

- Yeah. - You know, that's something.

- It's something.

- Opportunity's knocking, Coach.

The door closes quickly.

It's a pleasure.

- Thank you, sir.

- [Michael] Call you in a couple of days.

(crickets chirping)

- [Luke] What's the vibe amongst the boys out there?

- Aw, Dad, you know you can't ask that.

That's your rule.

- Oh, you can't break your own rules, Luke.

- I'm just testing the boy, playing with him.

- Yeah? - And guess what?

He passed. - Oh, okay.

- That's good parenting. - Well you know

what you get for that? - What's that?

- You get to do the dishes.

- Oh! - I'm serious.

You're doing the dishes.

- Yes, ma'am.

(ice rattles)

Hey, had a very interesting visitor today.

(silverware clatters)

- And?

And you tend to do that when you have bad news, so.

- I don't really know what kind of news he is,

but it's serious.

It involves all of us.

- Was it that guy at the field?

- Yeah, that guy. - What guy?

- Gentleman I met from Texas.

He offered me a job, coaching at a big school in Texas.

- And you turned him down, right?

- Not yet.

- What do you mean, not yet?

- Jess, can we just talk about this before we-

- Are you talking about moving?

- Come on. - Dad.

- You're serious?

- I'm a junior in high school.

I'm finally getting the opportunity to play varsity ball

on the same field you and Uncle Josh played on.

I mean, the same field that he...

- I understand that's important to you, son,

it's important to me too, okay?

- Yeah, but Dad. - Let's just talk about this.

- Seriously, what is there to talk about?

You wanna move to Texas?

- This isn't fair.

- This is all I've ever known, this town, I-

- What if we're done here?

Did you ever think about that?

This is an amazing opportunity for me.

Coach Morris is more than ready to take over this team.

What else is there to do here?

- I don't know, win another championship,

or retire in our hometown, Luke.

- Jess.

Sweetheart, you know I don't do this for championships.

Lately, I feel like God's been trying

to get my attention about something.

- How long have you been feeling that?

- Every time I would sit down to plan for the season.

I feel like God's been saying, wait.

And I didn't understand what that meant until now,

and then this job offer comes out of the blue.

All I'm saying is that maybe this is the opportunity

God has me waiting for.

Otherwise, it's like...

I don't know, like we're...

- I know, like we're saying no to God.

- Yeah.

Come here.

I need you guys.

I need you.

- You got us.

Together.

(upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

- You ready?

Look.

I know you miss Harrison, son.

Okay, I do, too.

But you're gonna be just fine.

- Dad, they've already had tryouts.

I'm not gonna be playing baseball this season.

- Son, I wouldn't have moved you down here

without taking care of a few details.

You're on the team.

- What?

But I didn't even try out.

- Don't worry about it.

Just wait till they get a load of you.

- But it's 6A, Dad.

Do you think I'll be good enough?

- Son, I ain't talking about baseball.

- What are you talking about?

- You'll see.

Just gotta trust them pretty blue eyes of yours.

- Oh, okay. - And the bangs.

- Yeah.

- I wish I could do that with my bangs.

(upbeat music) (both laughing)

(upbeat music)

(girls laughing)

Have a good day, son.

- Thanks, Dad.

- Somebody needs to tell Rick to quit bringing food

into the announcer's box.

(Luke knocks) Hey, there he is.

- Morning, gentlemen.

- Coach Brooks.

It's good to see you.

This is Ted, your Booster Club president.

- Coach, I cannot tell you how glad I am

to finally to get to meet you.

- Pleasure, sir.

- Assistant Coach, Cage Tyson.

- Nice to meet you, Coach Tyson.

- Nice to meet you.

- Over here moping in the corner is our athletic supporter

and Head Football Coach, Alex Kenny.

- That's just not funny anymore.

- Now I'd agree with you, but we'd both be wrong.

Wouldn't we?

- Coach Kenny.

- Our principal, Charlie Rogers.

- Nice to meet you, Mr. Rogers.

- It's nice to meet you, Coach Brooks.

- I love your neighborhood here, it's.

(Jamison chuckles)

Sorry, that's a horrible joke.

You probably get all the time, and oh,

I wasn't trying to make a joke.

- He's funny, too, right, guys?

- Sure.

- Well, I told you I'd get him here.

Here he is.

- Here I am.

- Our hope for our first championship win.

- Hold on, now.

Championship.

I think you and I are on different pages.

We should probably talk.

- Coach Brooks, can I call you Luke?

- Of course.

- You just focus on winning.

- Yeah, but I haven't even met the team yet,

and our first game's like a week away.

- Well, we better get on that.

You're my man.

- No pressure, Luke. (door bangs)

Welcome to 6A!

- [Luke] Who we got at third base?

- Ryan Jamison.

Pitches and plays third.

He can run like a three-legged camel.

But he can hit a baseball a mile.

- Copy that.

Steal signs for...

Did you say Jamison?

- That's exactly what you're thinking.

He's a handful.

He's not a bad kid,

but his imagination's a little destructive.

- So where's our game field at?

- You're standing on it.

- You're kidding me.

You telling me we play on a city park?

- Welcome to Parkwood ISD,

where football gets all the money.

- I was gonna ask you about that.

What's the deal with Coach Kenny?

- Like I said, football is big here,

and he wants to keep it that way.

Plus, those are some of his players out there.

- Hmm.

Hey, son.

- I'm ready, Dad. - All right.

Excuse us, Coach. - Absolutely.

(ground crunching)

- I'm Coach Brooks, and I love this game.

Now the world will tell you that it's all about winning.

And that's what they expect from us.

Now don't get me wrong, I wanna win.

I came here to win and I will demand greatness

from each and every one of you on this field.

But greatness ain't defined by winning.

Greatness is so much more than that.

It's how you conduct yourselves on this field

and off this field.

It's about emptying yourself for your teammates.

See, I expect us to become a family,

a family of young men who carry themselves

with character and integrity.

You achieve that, you boys are welcome to win all you want.

- Hey Coach, we heard your old team

won the state championship.

- Nine times to be exact.

- I heard it was five.

- What was that?

- I heard it was five?

- Five, huh?

It was nine, Mr. Jamison, right?

- Ryan, and my dad, he's-

- I know who your father is.

Don't expect any special treatment because of it.

- Y'all seen my pride?

It was here just a second ago.

(boys laughing)

- All right, give me four laps,

and keep yourselves within reach of the fence,

or you'll all start over.

- Four laps? Are you kidding?

- Run! - Okay, okay.

- Get out there, you lazy Lima bean.

(Sam yells) - You okay, sir?

(Sam yells)

- Sam, Sam!

Sam, you scared of a little ol' bee, man?

- That thing was as big as a pancake.

- Oh, really?

Doesn't look that big to me.

- Get on me, go on, get off.

(both laughing)

That's not funny, man.

- That was pretty good.

- That is not funny.

- Hi there.

- Samuel Parker.

My friends call me Sam.

- Okay. - Right now,

you're not my friend.

- Coach Luke Brooks.

- Pleasure, Coach.

You know, I have seen a lot of baseball seasons

come and go around here.

- Yeah.

- But there's something special about this one.

- And what do you think's so special?

- Mm.

You!

You.

(plastic crinkling)

- Hey, Mom!

- Hey!

So, how'd it go?

- Pretty good. - Yeah?

- Yeah.

I just think I need to work

on my first impressions. (laughs)

- Okay.

- You look cute. - Thanks.

It was a good day, sweetie?

- Um. - Oh, ew, man.

- Yeah, it was a good day.

It was actually pretty good.

- I think I might know why.

- What?

- A girl at the school is pretty sweet on our boy.

- Oh, all right.

I mean, look at him.

- Pretty cute. - Yeah.

(all laughing)

Let's talk about it over dinner.

Look, y'all, all these places deliver.

- Get out. - Delivery to our home.

- All right.

- I mean, I think I'm gonna like Texas.

- I told you. (laughs)

And then I realized what I said, and he didn't-

- You didn't say that to him.

- Well, not on purpose.

(all laughing)

- Dad.

- Oh my gosh.

He probably gets that all the time.

- I know.

- Mm, Dad, tell Mom about Ryan.

- Oh, yeah, we got the superintendent's son, Ryan

that's a real piece of work, cracking jokes.

He looked at me like, Coach, four laps!

You trying to kill me?

(gentle music drowns out speech)

Here, you take over for me.

- All right. - Ready, son?

- Yes, sir.

(gentle chattering)

(medication rattles)

- Lord, help us today, help us to play for you.

- Welcome to the Parkwood Lions season opener,

and we'd like to thank Outstanding Light Funeral Services

for their sponsorship of today's game.

Outstanding Light Funeral Services is located

on 12th Street across from Gotta Go Containers,

your number one choice in quality caskets.

Huh.

(upbeat music)

- All right, listen up, guys.

Trust yourselves out there on the field, all right?

Everybody here, they want you to win.

I just expect you to do your best.

(upbeat music)

You understand?

- [Group] Yes, sir.

- But you gotta look good doing it.

Thanks to Mr. Jamison- (team cheers)

You will.

Where is he, there's Garrison.

♪ I'm feeling so alive ♪

♪ This feeling inside ♪

♪ And it's lifting me high again ♪

♪ Tonight, my hands are in the sky ♪

♪ With you on my side ♪ - There you go, baby.

Put a little good luck spit on it so it stays in the park.

- Hilarious, aren't you?

- I love that about me.

- What is it we're supposed to love about you, Jamison?

- That's funny, Brooks. (spits)

I'm the one who tells the jokes around these parts.

You wanna play some baseball?

Come on, ready to go.

♪ Never look back, never look back ♪

♪ I'm moving on ♪

♪ I'm still strong and I'll always be ♪

♪ So come on ♪

♪ Come on, let's go ♪

♪ You can have it your way ♪

♪ It doesn't matter who's beside you ♪

♪ You're going up anyway ♪

♪ Come on, let's go ♪

♪ There's nothing better to see ♪

♪ We stand tall ♪ - Out.

Out! ♪ Let's go ♪

- There we go. (upbeat music)

- Ball.

(upbeat music)

Ball. ♪ Come on, let's go ♪

- Safe! (upbeat music)

(crowd cheers)

♪ Let's go ♪

(upbeat music)

(Coach clapping)

- All right, come on, boys.

- Sam, what are you doing?

- I'm sorry, Coach, I'll go sit in the stands.

- No, wait.

Well, you're not in uniform.

Suit up.

(Sam chuckles)

(upbeat music)

♪ I'm feeling so alive ♪

♪ This feeling inside ♪

♪ And it's lifting me high again ♪

♪ Tonight, my hands are in the sky ♪

- [Announcer] With only three outs remaining,

the Lions trail by two.

♪ Can only win ♪

- Keep your eye on the ball, not the girl, all right?

- [Josh] Yes, sir.

- Show 'em what you got, Josh.

(upbeat music)

♪ Come on, let's go ♪

♪ There's nothing better to see ♪

♪ Stand tall ♪

- Go! ♪ Hand in hand ♪

♪ Together with me ♪

♪ Come on, let's go ♪ - Attaboy!

(crowd cheers) Attaboy!

(crowd cheers) Hey, that's right.

Get up there, Brooks.

Attaboy! (crowd cheers)

♪ Here we come ♪

♪ Been on the wall ♪

♪ Now you're standing right here with me ♪

- Safe! ♪ Never look back ♪

(crowd cheers) ♪ Never look back ♪

♪ I'm moving on ♪

♪ Stand strong ♪

- [Announcer] The Lions have one out left,

they trail by a run.

Now batting number 13, Ryan Jamison.

- Oh, look, there are them quarters right here.

- Hey, listen, this ain't a comedy club.

You play baseball, I'll call the game.

It's your last warning.

- Yes, sir.

(upbeat music)

(Jamison sighs)

(upbeat music)

(Jamison sighs) (crowd cheers)

♪ Come on, let's go ♪

(crowd cheers)

(Michael knocking)

- Mr. Jamison. - Coach Brooks.

Beautiful family.

- Thank you.

- Must feel good.

- It does, yeah.

- No, not the family.

I'm talking about the wins.

- Oh.

- What's that, 6 and 0?

- Yeah, 6 and 0.

- Well, it's impressive.

- Boys are playing good.

- You know, I was thinking that with a winning program,

you deserve nicer things.

- Thanks to you, the jersey are an improvement.

- Nah, you're thinking too small.

I'm thinking much bigger.

You know, something like champions live here.

I'm just saying that with winning comes great rewards

like a brand new stadium, for instance.

You just keep winning.

- Next week, I'll start working one on one

with a few of you.

Jamison, you're losing two steps on your leadoff.

Okay, you ain't slow, son, you're just lazy.

- Come on, Coach.

We all know he's slow. (team laughs)

- That's enough, all right.

We also need a lot more pitching.

So Whitmore, it's time we tame that arm, son.

- Yes, sir.

- Paul, that means you'll be playing first base.

We're gonna work on your confidence, too, with the play,

so you can help this team.

Boys, it's the small things,

the details that make the difference on this field.

Winning the championship's gonna require more

out of each of you.

And if you apply yourselves, boys, you'll be amazed

at what you can accomplish on this field.

You understand?

- [Team] Yes, sir.

- Bring it in.

Let's go, Lions on three, here we go.

One, two, three.

- [Team] Lions!

(ground scraping)

- Hey, Ryan, check it out.

- You guys seeing this?

- You know what's crazy is Coach is faster than Josh.

- Hey, Ryan, when they get over here,

you should ask him what all that running's about.

- Nah, man, I'm not gonna do that.

- Hey, come, just ask him.

- Okay, fine, fine, fine, I will.

- Good work today, boys.

I'll see you at home, Brooks.

- All right, see you, Dad.

- [Team] Love you, Coach.

- Hey, Josh.

So we've all been wondering, what's with the,

you know, the running of the, you know?

My dad says it's some sort of baseball superstition.

- Oh, no, no, it's not a superstition.

No, my Uncle Josh, he had a heart defect,

and he died during a game.

And so my dad runs the bases in honor of God

and in memory of his brother,

and I join him sometimes occasionally, you know,

and we pray.

- Yeah, that sounds superstitious.

- Sounds like the same thing. - I was thinking it, you know.

- Sounds pretty lame to me.

- Oh, does it?

Does it, Cody? - Yeah.

- Your face is lame.

So Josh, that means that you're named after your uncle then.

- I am, yeah.

I just wish I was half the ballplayer he was.

- Me too.

Hey. (team laughs)

- God, spare me.

Yeah, lame.

- Oh, ho, ho.

This just in, ladies and gentlemen.

Let's check in with our lame judge for the afternoon,

Mr. Casanova Garrison.

Tell us, Casanova, was that story lame enough for you?

What's your verdict?

- My verdict is that you're an idiot,

and by the way, Danielle thinks you're an idiot, too.

- [Team] Ooh.

- Wanna go there, boss? - Let's go there.

- Hey, Josh, what's the latest with you and Katie?

- Ryan, you know.

We're going out on a date tonight.

- Oh, really, a date, huh?

Have you met her parents yet?

- [Josh] Yes.

They invited me over for dinner the other night,

but you already knew that.

- Sorry, I just needed to be reminded.

This just in, ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. Josh Brooks wins the heart of lovely

Ms. Katie Harper in just under a month.

Tell us, Casanova Garrison,

after two years of trying to get a date with Katie,

have you ever seen the inside of the Harper home?

Check, check, is this thing on?

- Hey, Tristan, turn me up, buddy.

- [Both] Thank you.

(Garrison shoves Ryan)

- Hey, you're not funny, Ryan.

- Hey, man, you need calm- - You need to grow up.

- Yeah, calm down, all right.

- Hey, you both need to grow up, all right?

Take a step back.

- I'll grow up when Casanova grows up, man.

(punches) - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Man, chill out.

- Get off me, man.

- Man, Cody, you get played so easy.

- You don't know anything about me.

- He knows you hit like a girl.

- [Team] Shut up, Ryan.

- All right, all right, all right.

- You know what?

At least I am not named after

some stupid dead ballplayer with a bad heart.

(team gasps)

- Yo, dawg, chill, bro.

(Josh punching)

(team muttering)

Come on, chill out, chill out, chill out.

Break it up, break it up.

Man.

- So Katie, tell us about yourself.

- Um, okay, well, I'm really just your average Texas girl.

I love to go to church, and listen to music,

and go shopping. (laughs)

- How 'bout that, Jessie, she just described you.

- Well, I'm just a regular ol' Texas girl, now, aren't I?

- That's right.

- Wait, I'm sorry, sorry.

Did you say average?

- Yeah.

- Mom, she's the reigning district tennis champion.

- Oh my, Josh!

- Wow!

- It's amazing.

- That's wonderful. - Thank you.

- Look who's here. - Oh man.

- What's up, Coach? - What you doing?

- Hey, is this the missus,

'cause I don't like keeping secrets.

- That's because he can't keep a secret.

- Boys, this is my wife, Jessica.

- Hi, boys.

- And this is Jerry.

- Hello, Mrs. Brooks.

- Hi, Jerry.

- And this is Cameron.

- What's up, Ms. Brooks, how are you?

- Nice to meet you.

- And this is Ryan. - Hey.

- Ryan, like the Ryan Jamison?

- At your service.

- Yeah, that's him. - Okay.

- Do you mind if I- - Wow.

I see it now.

Okay, help yourself.

Oh.

- Josh, how'd the date go with Katie?

Hi, Katie.

- They're still on the date, you idiot.

Oh, hey, Katie.

- Hey, Cameron. (laughs)

- Yeah, you mind if you ask me about that tomorrow?

After the date?

- (laughs) Yeah, am I hearing all nighter at Coach's house?

- Yep, yep. - Whoa, whoa, whoa.

All nighter?

Who said anything about an all-nighter?

I did not say that.

He didn't say that.

- I think it sounds fun.

- Really?

Yeah. (Ryan sneezes)

- [Luke] All these boys in our house?

- Yeah.

- Okay.

- We can grill, it'll be fun.

Y'all come over. - Sweet.

- What do you think, like 6:00?

- Sure.

- Bring your sleeping bags.

- Perfect.

- Okay, y'all come over, but we go to church on Sundays.

- Ooh. - Oh.

I sleep in on Sundays.

- We worship the Lord on Sundays.

- We can reconsider.

Whoo.

Hey.

- You going somewhere?

- I was just gonna go spend the night at Josh's.

- Oh, Coach Brooks' son?

- Yeah.

Yeah, they're a cool family.

- What are you gonna do?

- You know, just play some video games, grill some burgers,

go to shmurch.

- What was that? - Huh?

- Last thing you just said.

- Video games?

- No, the very last part.

- Burgers for dinner?

- Never mind.

- Okay.

See you later.

Hey, don't forget to eat something, all right?

- Mm-hmm.

- Love you, Dad.

- Dude, all she said was you're not attractive,

could be- - No.

I'm getting a six pack this summer.

I'm telling you, I'm doing juices.

Guys, let's just not mess around, all right?

We don't wanna break anything in Coach Brooks' house.

- Oh, like the time when you threw the baseball

in Cameron's parents' window.

- Yeah. - Yeah, what's up-

- [Ryan] But look, if you knew how to catch,

we wouldn't have a problem, okay?

- But what about the time when you knocked

the candle over at CJ's house?

- Yeah. - I mean,

you caught the curtains on fire.

- Okay, but I put the fire out, right?

And curtains are supposed to be fireproof.

They say it in all the-

- Hey, Ryan, I'm not so sure my curtains

are fireproof, so should I be worried here or?

- I was just telling the guys,

this is a beautiful home, excuse me.

Josh, you here?

- Hey, Ms. Brooks.

- Thanks, guys.

Y'all come on in.

Coach is grilling.

I'll show you where to put your stuff.

- [Cameron] Thanks.

- All right, y'all have fun.

- Yes, ma'am. - Coach.

- All right. - What's up, Coach?

- What's up, boys? - Hey, Coach.

- What about this one?

When was this taken?

- That was the Mother/Son dance back home.

He cleans up pretty nice. (laughs)

- I never got to dance with my mom.

She died when I was six.

- I'm sorry about that.

I lost my mom when I was little, too.

It's hard.

- Yeah.

- You better go get some barbecue.

- Okay. - Have some fun

with those boys. - Yeah.

If there's not at least three burgers left for me,

I'm gonna be frustrated.

I'm just putting it out there.

What's up, dude?

No way!

You got a Kirby Puckett rookie?

- Yeah, man, all those are rookie cards.

- Man.

- I got a Ken Griffey, Jr. in there somewhere, and A-Rod.

- Fellow third baseman.

- Yeah. - Hello, brothers.

- Well, the best third baseman, Mike Schmidt is-

- No!

Are you serious? - Yes, sir.

Dude, Mike Schmidt, this card is worth like $500.

- I know, it's my dad's card.

- In your face.

That's two home runs, big boy.

- Bro, you're still down a run.

- I mean, not if you keep throwing the same pitch.

Throw the same pitch, I dare you.

- Yo.

Dude, what is this?

- It's my Bible.

- Yeah, duh, but do you read this?

- I do.

Tells me how much God loves me.

- Show me.

- Okay.

All righty, this is Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.

"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

"plans to give you a hope and a future."

- Show me another one.

- Yeah, of course.

Is it all right if I read this one a little differently?

- Yeah. - All right.

"God showed his love for Ryan,

"that while Ryan was still a sinner,

"Christ died for him."

Is it all right if I show you one more?

This is Romans 10:9.

"For if Ryan confesses with his mouth

"that Jesus Christ is Lord,

"and believes in his heart that God raised him

"from the dead, Ryan will be saved."

Man, this is the only way you'll ever know

the kinda love I'm talking about.

- Thanks, man.

- Yeah.

(Ryan sighs)

(gentle music)

(Ryan cries)

♪ I opened up the pages ♪

♪ And found the words in red ♪

(Ryan whimpering)

♪ And line by line, verse by verse ♪

♪ It started making sense ♪

♪ I never knew that someone ♪

♪ Could love someone like me ♪

♪ But he made me a believer ♪

♪ When he found me on my knees ♪

♪ I prayed a simple prayer ♪

♪ And Jesus met me there ♪ (water splashing)

♪ Now I live ♪ (congregation cheering)

♪ Now I live ♪ (congregation cheering)

- Oh, Coach, now remember, a shiner causes people

not to see things too clearly.

- Um, okay?

- I'll be right here if you need me.

- Sure.

- Just tell me you're gonna do something about it.

- We will, we will get to the bottom of it.

- You wanted to see me, sir?

- It seems there was some trouble after practice last Friday

between your son and Cody.

- You're darn right there was some trouble.

Just look at my boy's face,

and your son started it.

- Something that tells me

that ain't the whole story, Mr. Garrison.

- I want your son suspended immediately.

- Hold on a second. - Mr. Garrison,

Mr. Garrison, we need to give Coach a chance-

- Are you the principal here or not?

You gonna do something or not?

- What happened, Cody?

- What's it look like, Coach?

Your son punched me in the face.

- And why'd he do that?

- Because he's a delinquent

just like his Daddy. - Brent.

- What? - Please.

- Cody, look at me.

Just tell me what happened.

- I already did, Coach.

- Okay.

Hey, Sam. - Yeah?

- Can you come in here, please?

- Wait, what does he have to do with this?

- Let's find out.

Sam, you were at the field on Friday after practice?

- Yes, sir, I was.

- [Luke] Did you see the incident between Cody and Josh?

- I see everything.

- Who threw the first punch?

- Cody here turned the lights on.

Josh turned them off.

- Is that true, Cody?

(Cody sighs)

All right, then.

Here's what we're gonna do.

You and Josh are suspended for three games,

but you'll be at every practice, every game.

You understand me?

- Yes, sir.

- All right.

Thanks for letting me know.

- No, no, no, you don't know what was said.

Sam, what exactly- - No, Mr. Garrison, listen.

- Tell me what was said- - Mr. Garrison.

- You saw this, you saw it, what was said?

- Words never closed anyone's eye.

But the right words can open people's hearts.

I'm trying to teach these boys to respect one another.

Let it start with us.

- Yeah.

- Well, that wasn't too bad.

- You know, a little head's up would've been nice.

Why didn't you tell me about this?

- You never asked.

- Lee, you'll be starting at second base,

and Jones, I'll have you in right field.

All right, let's get going, give me a lap.

Come on.

Garrison, Brooks.

- Oh no. - What?

What is it? - You don't wanna know.

- Well, Brooks, why don't you tell Garrison what this is.

(Josh sighs)

Tell him!

- It's the love rope.

- That's right, it's the love rope.

Now why don't you put it on and start running?

- (laughs) I am not wearing that.

- Oh really? - Really.

- Okay.

You wanna play on this team?

Son, you'll earn your way back on this team

by wearing that thing, or you can get off my field.

What's it gonna be?

There you go.

- Coach, what about games?

Coach!

- Sam.

What in the world is that?

Why are those boys not playing?

- (laughs) I'm sorry, you're gonna have to ask

Coach Brooks about that.

- Stop the loyalty crap, Sam.

What's that all about?

- Well, let's just say that them boys are learning

how not to wrestle against flesh and blood.

- Never mind, just never mind.

- [Umpire] Play ball!

- All right, let's go, guys, let's go.

(crowd cheers) - Here we go.

Here we go. (crowd cheers)

(Sam chuckles) (crowd cheers)

- Get used to that. (laughs)

Let's go! (crowd cheers)

(team groans)

It's all right, it's all right.

It's all right.

- What are you swinging at, bro?

- Come on, man. (soft music)

- Hoo! - Swing at it, man.

- [Sam] Come on, baby.

(soft music)

- Let's go, let's go, let's go!

Go two, go two.

Hurry! (soft music)

- Oh, come on. - Come on, guys,

get it together.

What are we doing?

- What was your ball, Farmer.

You have a position to play.

Now play it. (soft music)

(bat clinking)

- Tag up.

Now bring it home.

Let's go, let's go!

- [Woman] Pick it up, boys.

Let's go.

It's okay. (crowd applauding)

(bat clinking) (crowd cheers)

Come on!

Get it, get it, get it.

Come on! (crowd cheers)

(somber music)

- Oh, goodness.

Down by eight?

- We have two of our starting players

sitting in the dugout, tied together like cattle.

Charlie, why didn't I know about this?

- Coach Brooks and I handled it.

But I didn't know that he was gonna do that.

- Is something funny?

- No, no, no.

I think it's hilarious. (laughs)

- Laugh it up, laugh it up.

You know what? I think it's embarrassing.

(umpire grunts)

- Are you kidding me?

Are you kidding me?

- Hey, way to go, Tommy.

Way to close us out, man.

And great game, guys.

Stellar performance out there today.

- Yeah, yeah, no thanks to you.

- And no thanks to you, either.

- You know what, Cody?

We could've used both you guys out there,

but I see you're a little tied up at the moment.

- Dude, shut up, Ryan.

You're the only reason we're on this stupid rope anyways.

- Oh, the hostility, bro.

I know, I know, but you guys

look very cute together. (laughs)

Coach is standing right behind me, isn't he?

Hey, Coach.

- All right, stay with us boys, let's go.

Here we go.

(ball swishing)

- Coach.

- Yeah?

- There are people here.

Look at the stands.

They can see us.

- They can see you, huh?

- This is so embarrassing.

Can I get some backup here?

- Now, Ryan, now they can hear you.

Let's go.

- You just had to say something, didn't you?

- Coach Brooks.

- Hey, Mr. Jamison.

- Just how many boys you gonna add to that contraption?

- As many as it takes.

- As many as it takes to do what?

Lose a championship?

(chain rattling) (cowbell ringing)

- I gotta go to the bathroom.

- [Cody] You didn't go before the game?

- No, nah, I stopped and talked to Danielle,

but I have to go now.

- Okay, well quit talking.

(cowbell jingling)

(metallic rattling)

- Can you walk faster, please?

- [Cody] Slow down.

- Simmer down. - Walk faster.

- [Cody] We're going before you.

- Well, I was thinking of joining the soccer team.

- Guys, can you please hurry up?

This is so embarrassing out here.

Hey, good evening, ladies, Danielle.

- Hello, Ryan. (Ryan chuckles)

♪ Can't get enough of me ♪

♪ So take this heart and fill it up ♪

♪ It's all I'm ever dreaming of ♪

♪ I'm dying inside without you ♪

♪ And give me all the love you want ♪

♪ It's all I ♪ (door bangs)

- The heck is going on around here?

- Could you please go back into the bathroom?

- What?

- Guys, come on, seriously.

- Bye, Ryan.

- What in the world?

You boys are here to play baseball, aren't you?

Get out there on the field.

- Right, right. (girls laughing)

- I just, I love that idiot.

- [Coach] Make the adjustment, 6, make the adjustment.

- Come on, 6! (bat clacking)

(crowd cheers)

- Let's go.

Let's go, bring it home. (crowd cheers)

(somber music)

- With two outs remaining, the Lions trail by seven.

And now batting, number 21, Steven Sanchez.

(somber music)

(bat clinking) - Come on, Sanchez.

- Got it. - Come on.

- Got him! - Ballgame!

- I was safe, Blue.

I was safe. - You were out.

That's a ballgame.

- Hey, hey, hey, enough, Sanchez.

You were out.

(melancholy music)

- You'll get 'em next time, Coach.

(crickets chirping)

(melancholy music)

- Father, protect my boys' hearts.

Division has crept in.

Do what I cannot do, Father.

This team is yours.

- That's it, Coach.

(hopeful music)

Lord, thank you for sending us a man

that's bold in his faith, and that'll stand for you.

Give him the courage, Lord.

Give him your wisdom, to lead these young men.

(inspirational music)

- Well, I'll be.

(inspirational music)

- What in the world?

- That's it, Coach.

That's it, Coach.

(hopeful music)

- You should've seen him, running around,

talking out loud like he was some kind

of Cheerio cherry chaser.

I'm telling you, that boy's biscuits is doughy.

- Sam was cheering him on like his personal congregation.

- I ain't never seen nothing like it.

- You better get in front of this, Michael,

before he's running a revival instead of the bases.

- Amen.

- We needed a new coach and I got us one.

I built you a new football stadium.

What'd you do to earn that?

Nothing.

You know what this coach has that you don't?

A winning record, so don't tell me

how to do my job and I won't take away yours.

I will get him to dial it down, okay?

- Thank you.

- Principal Rogers, you have something to say?

No? Good.

Look, I have a school district to run.

Please someone get Rick some breakfast.

He's obviously starving for attention.

- Jokes.

- Okay, who's hungry?

- I am. - Thought you'd never ask.

- You'll win one one day, buddy.

(gentle music)

- Dad, what are you doing?

- What's this doing in my house?

Answer me.

- Dad, Mom was a Christian.

- Don't you dare.

This is a fantasy.

- No, it's not. It's real.

God is real.

- Coach Brooks tell you that?

You bother to tell him your mom died

thinking that would save her?

- I miss her, too, Dad.

But I know Mom is in heaven, and I'm gonna see her one day.

- Yeah, you keep believing that.

(slams Bible)

What gives you the right?

Unlike that hillbilly town you come from,

people here keep their faith to themselves,

and your job description

at this school reads Coach, not Pastor.

- Sir, my players make these decisions on their own.

- Yeah, well, I think they have a little help.

- You can believe what you want,

but when you build character into young men,

naturally, they search for the source.

And Ryan found it.

- You know what? - Get your hands

off me. - It's what I believe

that matters and I believe you're here

to win baseball games, and that is it.

Unless you're doing that, you are of no use to me,

and my son, my son wasn't searching for anything,

until I brought you here and now I regret it.

And that religious running thing you do,

that ends now, you got it?

Look, you wanna keep your job?

You will keep that out of my house.

- Hey.

This is a fun surprise.

What are you doing home?

- I canceled practice.

- You canceled practice?

Coach Brooks doesn't cancel practice.

- Mr. Jamison didn't appreciate the gift.

- Oh.

Yeah.

- What I did on that field the other night

didn't help, either.

- Well, there's no denying

what you're doing out there, babe.

- It's serious, Jess.

- What do you mean?

- He said I can't run the bases anymore.

- What's he gonna do, fire you?

Come on, he can't fire you for that.

- Yeah, he can, Jess.

You weren't there.

You didn't see the rage in his eyes.

This is not the kind of man that needs a good reason.

It's out of my control,

just like everything else in my life.

- What are you talking about?

What's going on?

- [Luke] Just forget about it.

- No, you talk to me.

- You wanna talk? - Yes.

- I feel like I'm being forced to choose here,

forced to choose between providing for my family

and doing what God called me to do.

And I never thought that those two things

would combat with one another, but they are, and every time,

every time in my life that I feel like I get close

to something or someone, it gets stripped away from me.

- I get that.

This game that you love, you don't get to play it.

This other half of you that you're supposed to be living

this life with isn't here.

I get it.

It's a lot of loss, but you haven't lost me.

I'm here, Luke.

We're here, and you are not forsaken.

- I don't wanna talk about this right now.

- Honey, this is bigger than baseball.

- Right? Really?

- Yeah, it's bigger than you.

It's bigger than winning.

This whole town is looking at you.

This means something, Luke.

You know what?

You're gonna run those bases.

Yeah, you are, not because of defiance,

not because of tradition, but because that's what God

called you to do, Luke Brooks.

(somber music)

- It's not that simple.

(somber music)

- I think you've got some things in your life

that you need to surrender.

- Is that so?

(somber music)

(Jess sighs)

- Come in, team.

(hopeful music)

(inspirational music)

(Luke sighs)

- Geez.

Sam.

You know I got a heart condition, now. (sighs)

- Let your light shine, Coach.

Let it shine bright.

(Luke chuckles)

- Coach, we're ready.

(Sam chuckles)

- Hold on a sec, Coach.

You never told me you coached.

- Son, you never asked. (laughs)

- Mr. Jamison, I don't think Coach Brooks

has done anything to warrant termination.

- He gave my son a Bible,

not to mention the spectacle from the other night,

but what I heard, he was running around the field,

talking to himself.

I'm sure he was quoting some sort of religious jargon.

It's not appropriate.

- All right, look.

Let's just take a breath here for a second.

Now, first of all, there is already a city ordinance

that establishes that what he's doing is illegal.

So listen, let's just show the coach the ordinance.

He's a God-fearing man, right,

he's gonna wanna obey the law.

- Don't even get me started

with that ridiculous ordinance, Jay.

- Well, it sure stopped that church awhile back.

They were boo-hooing at City Hall every day for a month.

It didn't do them any good.

- That church's property was rezoned,

and they had to sell it.

You gonna sit here and act like you don't know

anything about that?

Or how that land became available

for our new football stadium?

Hmm?

- (clears throat) The ordinance isn't even enforced anymore,

Mandy, and might I remind you and everybody here

the kind of revenue that stadium has brought in

to this district.

- We just need to let this coach do his job.

- Yes.

For now, let's make Coach Brooks aware of the law

and we will monitor the situation.

All in favor?

- Aye. - Aye.

- Aye.

- [President] It's unanimous.

- Hey, Michael.

- What? - Michael, hang on.

What are you doing?

- It's personal now.

- Listen, the team's in a bit of a slump.

We finally have a coach that can dig us out.

Stick to the plan.

It's not complicated, right?

We relocate the team, this is a good move,

order a field, boom, we're rich again.

- Well, he's gonna answer for what he did to my son.

- Wait.

This is just like the football field deal

that I got you, and okay, but this time,

Luke is our Alex.

I can't be more forthright.

Everybody is somebody's guy.

You're mine, and my somebody's gonna get

real nasty if he thinks some superintendent

does something stupid, so let me make it clear.

Keep your personal problems out of this.

Do you got me?

- Don't you worry.

He'll be made well aware of the law.

- All right, you boys take that off.

- Wait, you mean, the suspension's over?

- Yep. - Aw, but Coach,

we were getting so close.

- Okay, you stink, man.

Come on.

- Gentlemen.

Our family's been falling apart lately.

That's what happens when you put your focus on winning,

and that's on me, but conflict, the disrespect,

it's on all of you.

And it ends now.

Okay?

- [Team] Yes, sir.

- We must come together.

Those are my priorities,

and I'll forfeit every game if I have to,

until they become yours.

Garrison, Jamison and Brooks will rejoin the team today.

- Come on, somebody. - Yeah!

(team cheers)

- They will not start. - Ooh.

- All right, let's get started.

Give me a lap.

Come on. - You got it, Coach.

- Hope you boys are ready to win some games.

- Coach.

- Can I help you, officer?

- Are you Luke Brooks?

- Yes, sir.

- Sir, I'm Officer Turner, and I've been instructed

to inform you of City Ordinance 10-2969,

which prohibits religious activity on city property.

- How much is the fine?

- $250 per incident.

- Sir, I lost this game once.

When God gave it back to me, I made a promise

that I would always honor him on this field.

So I'm willing to accept the consequences for that.

- All right, Coach.

Have a good day.

- You, too, sir.

- You know, Coach, remember, it's per incident.

- Thank you.

(metallic jingling)

- What you got there?

- Citation.

- Well, Coach, remember this.

We are perplexed, but not in despair.

We are persecuted.

- Preach it.

- But not abandoned.

- Okay.

- And most importantly,

we are shaken, but not stirred. (laughs)

- I don't think that's the way that goes. (laughs)

- I don't mix my words, Coach.

(both laughing)

- Let's see what you got, Jamison.

Get a leadoff, come on.

(suspenseful music)

(upbeat music)

Run it again, come on.

There we go.

Watch that, get those hands out.

Watch 'em.

♪ Marching forward now ♪ - Go!

♪ Strong and steady ♪

- [Luke] Come on, run it again.

Let's go.

Go! (upbeat music)

♪ Nothing can stop us now ♪

- Run it again. ♪ We're running home ♪

- Do it again.

Bigger lead now. (upbeat music)

Come on, Jamison.

One more step, one more step.

There you go.

♪ We're on track ♪ - Watch it.

Go!

♪ Keeping the station ♪

- Safe! (crowd cheers)

♪ Going around now ♪

♪ I was inside ♪ - It's all right.

♪ We'll run it home ♪

- Don't get it too far out there.

(upbeat music)

There you go.

Pull that leg up, get it out.

(upbeat music)

(umpire grunts) (crowd cheers)

It's out here, then you explode.

(bat clinks)

(upbeat music)

- You're out!

- All right. Yes!

♪ We're running home ♪

(upbeat music)

- Come on.

Let's go, let's go.

(upbeat music)

(umpire grunts)

(upbeat music) - Out!

(crowd cheers)

♪ We're running home ♪

(upbeat music)

(crowd cheers)

♪ We're running home ♪ (crowd cheers)

(upbeat music) ♪ We're running home ♪

- [Team] Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! (cheers)

(crowd cheers)

♪ We're running home ♪

- How bad is it?

- (sighs) It's bad, babe.

I mean-

- We got savings, though, right?

- How does this end, Luke?

- I don't know.

But I can't stop now.

- I know.

(door bangs)

(receptionist humming)

- Good morning, Luke.

- Good morning, Cheryl.

- I see you're still acting up.

- Yeah, you could say that.

Could've been worse, though.

We had a rainout this week.

- Well, thank God for the rain then.

- That's right.

- But wait.

It shows here that these tickets have been paid.

- I'm sorry, what?

That's impossible.

- Your debt has been paid.

Now get out of here before I have an officer

cite you for loitering.

- But Ms. Cheryl, just tell me

who paid my fine. - Uh-uh, Officer Moretti,

I need you to come, please. - Okay, okay!

I hear you.

- (kisses) Now bye-bye. - Okay, I'm gone.

Okay.

(Cheryl speaks Spanish)

(engine rumbling)

Whoo! Thank you, Lord.

Jamison, you lead the district in home runs,

and even managed to steal a few bases.

(team cheers)

Whitmore, you found your control.

(team cheers)

Scott here set the season record for stolen bases.

(team cheers)

- It should be a good game tonight.

You know, we've never beat this team.

- Yeah.

You know, Coach Brooks, he has really brought

this team back together.

- Yeah.

- Gentlemen.

You ready for this?

- Well, you're sure in a good mood.

- Now only one more game and we are district champs.

I'd say that's cause for a good mood.

(crowd cheers)

- But what I'm most proud of is how you're winning.

- Come on. - Together.

- [Team] Yeah.

- We are family. - Yeah!

- Now who's gonna mess with our family?

- [Team] Nobody!

- Who are we?

- [Team] Lions!

- Go! (team cheers)

- Let's go, Parkwood. - Coach.

Don't run today.

- You know where I stand.

Lord, let my actions speak louder

than the words I'm not allowed to say. (sighs)

(tense music)

Come on, Jamison.

Officer.

- You were told not to run. - What are you doing?

(Luke grunts) - Turn around.

Give me your arms.

- Ugh, my chest. - Stop resisting.

- Ugh, my chest. - Give me your hands.

- Hey, man, he can't breathe.

- Hey, Brooks, you're under arrest.

- I can't breathe.

- Son, that's enough.

That's enough. (Luke panting)

That's enough.

(Luke wheezing)

- Call an ambulance.

- What's going on?

- Call an ambulance.

- No, no, no, no, no, Luke, Luke, Luke, Luke.

Come here, baby, come here.

Come on, come on, you're okay. (whispering)

Who's calling an ambulance?

- Mr. Brooks, it looks like you're gonna be okay.

- I'm fine, I promise.

- You forget your meds, you won't be.

Don't that again.

- Coach Tyson, get those boys ready.

- Yes, sir.

- Glad you're doing okay.

- Thank you, sir.

- Because it'd be really awkward firing you

if you weren't.

(tense music)

- Jess, baby, no.

- What did you do?

- My job.

- Jess, Jess.

- Thank you.

Hey. - Sweetheart.

- I got it, Coach.

- [Jess] Hey!

- Jess!

- Why don't you turn around and face me, you coward?

- Wait, wait.

- Yeah, I'm talking to you, Michael Jamison,

you cruel, pathetic man.

You could've killed my husband today.

He could've died and it would've been your fault, Michael.

Do you even have a heart?

Why don't you come over here, coward?

- [Sam] Stop, stop.

- Why don't you come over here?

We'll find out if you have a heart.

- Jess. - 'Cause I don't think

that you do. - Jessica.

Stop.

- Wimpy is your heart, Mr. Jamison.

(tense music)

(suspenseful music)

(ball thwacking)

(bat pinging)

(dramatic music)

(bat thwacks)

(somber music) - Ryan.

Ryan, I'm talking to you.

- Leave me alone.

- [Michael] Let's go.

- You did this, didn't you?

- You have so much to learn, son.

He did it to himself.

We all have our place. He didn't know his.

- So if I run the bases, are you gonna show me my place?

- Stop that nonsense.

Ryan!

Ryan Michael Jamison!

(Ryan panting) (Ryan crying)

(tense music)

(Ryan panting)

I'm your father.

Do not disrespect- - Get off of me.

(Michael slapping)

- I'm sorry.

- You're my father, all right.

But you have never been my dad.

- Ryan. (pants)

- The Parkwood Police Department told us

Coach Luke Brooks has received numerous citations.

Now the arrest was allegedly prompted

by Parkwood ISD Superintendent, Michael Jamison.

There are also reports- (suspenseful music)

That the coach was terminated.

We did reach out to Mr. Jamison and his office

to find out- - We got a dangerous one here.

Don't we, boys? (group chuckling)

You look at me when I talk.

You hear me?

- Move along, Red.

- Soon.

Soon, big boy.

Let's go.

Here you go, Preach.

- I ain't a preacher.

I'm just a baseball coach.

- You see Red back there?

Preacher's son.

- You serious?

- (laughs) Man, I'm just messing with you.

(Luke laughs)

Man, I'm scared for you already.

I don't think you're gonna make it in here.

I'm Tony.

- Well, Tony, you know why I'm here.

What's your story?

What'd you do?

- Ah, what the heck.

If you can't talk to a preacher, who can you talk to, right?

- I ain't a preacher.

- I was 13.

Came home one day hungry.

But my dad had rules.

No eating snacks before dinner.

But he was asleep.

So I decided to go in the kitchen and get myself a sandwich.

Right as I was about to take my first bite,

everything turned dark.

He put a garbage bag over my head,

and he beat me unconscious.

Too afraid to move, I stayed there all night.

Until finally, I got up, and found my mother

in the other room, dead.

He'd beaten her to death.

- Oh, man, Tony, I'm so sorry.

So what'd you do?

- I ran and I kept running,

and I've been running all my life.

In and out of foster homes, in and out of jail.

Now, I'm facing 30 years.

- So you think your life is over?

- Over and worthless.

The system got a way of doing that to you, brother.

- What's the most valuable card in this deck?

- Ace of Spades. - Of course,

Ace of Spades, right?

Most valuable card. - Of course.

- Still the most valuable card?

- Of course.

- Okay.

Hold on.

What about now?

- Yeah.

- How 'bout now?

- It's no good now.

- That's where you're wrong.

Tony, this ace, it can be put back together. (chuckles)

- You gotta do a lot better than that, Preacher.

- Come on, that's a good illustration.

- It was good, but it was cheesy.

(Luke laughs)

- Look, what I'm really trying to say here,

(gentle music)

I know you made some mistakes.

We all have, and I know you feel like this world

has stomped on you and thrown you away.

But that don't mean that God's thrown you away

just 'cause you feel like you've been ripped apart.

You matter to him.

He wants to give you a purpose.

Even in a place like this.

(gentle music)

God can put you back together, Tony.

Think about it.

(gentle music)

(door buzzes)

- Good morning, Luke. - Good morning.

- Mm-mm, mm-mm. - Okay.

- Well- (door buzzes)

How you getting along in here?

- Oh, under circumstances, okay, I guess.

So what brings you in here, Ted?

- I'd like to introduce you

to my very good friend, Cindy Dorman,

who also happens to be a very good civil rights attorney,

one of the best, I'd say.

- Thank you.

So I think we have a really good case here.

- Yeah, what case is that?

- We can actually challenge the city's ordinance

and probably win, but the school board

hasn't confirmed your employment status,

so I need to know, did Mr. Jamison terminate you?

- Look, I appreciate what y'all are trying to do here,

but I ain't suing anybody.

- Son, if we don't make a stand now,

you think you're the last person that's gonna be

in this situation?

- Why am I the first?

I mean, what's special about me, Ted?

Why can't I just do my job and be who I am?

- Okay, your bail is set at $15,000,

but only if you're willing to comply

with the city's ordinance.

- I don't have 15 grand.

- Don't worry about that.

I'll get you home to my family.

- My family?

Ted, I moved my family here,

thinking it was God's will.

And all I've been able to do is offend a bunch of people.

- People, some people, yes.

God, maybe not so much.

- Come on, man.

- God has a funny way of doing things.

He put Moses in a basket in order to put him in the palace.

He put David in front of a giant in order to make him king.

Now these men were, what's the word I'm trying to think of,

disruptors, that's what they were.

They were disruptors.

You know what?

You are a disrupter.

You've been able to do things here

that nobody has been able to do,

and I'm not talking about winning ballgames.

Now what if, listen to me, just what if

God's provision for your whole life

has brought you to this place, to disrupt this moment?

- I wanna believe that.

But if this is God's provision, I can't wait

to see what's next.

(Cindy clears throat)

I appreciate what y'all are trying to do.

Serious, but if that's true, Ted,

God's the one who got me in here,

let's let God be the one to get me out.

I ain't taking your money and I ain't suing anybody.

- You were told to make Coach Brooks aware of the ordinance

and that we would monitor the situation.

Do you remember that conversation?

- I understand you're upset,

but Coach Brooks gave me no choice.

- The mayor admitted that your friend,

the police chief, may have been a little overzealous.

And then, to make matters worse,

I have to call around and find out

that you fired Coach Brooks?

- Coach Brooks was blatantly pushing

his beliefs on his team and on my son.

And he was warned, just like this board directed,

and he defied me.

- Our phones are ringing nonstop.

People are protesting.

We even have a threat of a lawsuit.

- That's nothing that I can't fix.

- This board has unanimously decided

to terminate your employment, effective immediately.

- Come on.

Jay.

Don't you think that's a bit extreme?

- Do you have any idea how much time and money

it's going to take to clean up your mess?

Save yourself further embarrassment

and submit your resignation to this board

by the end of the day.

- Do you know how much time I've spent-

- That is all, Mr. Jamison.

(glass clinking) (gentle music)

- Well, let's looky here.

You are so predictable and you look disgusting.

- I really don't care what you think.

(chairs banging)

- Will you shut up?

You know why? Deal's off.

Your little war with God

cost me millions, you moron.

Oh, yeah, Coach is shoving God down my son's throat.

Really? Seriously?

Why don't you do us all a favor,

and quit pretending like you give two craps about that boy,

'cause you know what?

Nobody's buying it, especially him.

(gentle music)

You ruined it.

We're through.

Enjoy your miserable life.

(gentle, introspective music)

♪ Are you hurting and broken thin ♪

♪ Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin ♪

♪ Jesus is calling ♪

♪ Have you come to the end of yourself ♪

♪ Do you thirst for a drink from the well ♪

♪ Jesus is calling ♪

♪ Oh, come to the altar ♪

♪ The Father's arms are open wide ♪

♪ Forgiveness ♪ - Tony, let's go.

Your ride's here.

- Well, Preach, it's my time.

- Yup.

Yeah, it is.

This is yours now.

Oh, hold on.

I want you to keep this.

(gentle, heartfelt music)

Remember, you're being put back together.

(gentle, heartfelt music)

- Don't forget about me.

- Never.

(gentle, heartfelt music)

(footsteps tapping)

- No, you know you can't take that with you.

We'll let you keep it.

That back to Luke. (door buzzing)

Let's go.

(door creaks)

- Nah. (tense music)

(Red chuckles)

- Here you go, preacher man.

This belongs to you.

(tense music)

(Red chuckles ominously)

(footsteps tapping)

(men cracking knuckles) (Red chuckles ominously)

(footsteps tapping)

(door slams)

- (yells) Go ahead and fire me.

I don't care.

(bat banging)

(metallic rattling)

(Michael panting)

- [Sam] Mr. Jamison, what are you doing out here?

- I'm building a rocket.

What does it look like?

- Well, you look like you're all fueled up.

- Yeah.

- Where we flying to tonight?

- Now I'm looking for a job.

I got fired.

Because of that God you all believe in.

- (chuckles) There you go.

The infamous God blame.

(gentle, thoughtful music)

I guess you're on the same usual page with everybody else.

But I'm pretty sure there's another reason.

I mean, you seem to be pretty angry

with a God you say don't believe exists.

- The one my wife prayed to?

The one that let her die?

- It's not always that easy.

- Christians are so pathetic.

You pray, you preach, you believe, for what?

Just to be disappointed?

(gentle, heartfelt music)

You know what I believe in?

I believe in my wife.

I still do.

(gentle, heartfelt music)

We tried for years to have children,

and then, we have a boy.

(sniffs) And she didn't get to see him grow up.

I needed her, Ryan needed her.

Why couldn't I have both?

Hmm?

Why couldn't God let me have both?

- Your wife is now with our Creator.

(Michael sniffling)

Ryan, Ryan is here now,

with you, and he needs you.

He's always needed you.

- Ryan, Ryan hates me now.

- It's time for you to make peace with God

over what happened with your wife.

Ryan has found that peace.

(gentle, heartfelt music)

Michael, you can have it, too.

(metallic banging)

(metallic rattling)

(gentle music)

(Jess chuckles)

- [Jess] Dear Mr. And Mrs. Brooks,

I'm returning to you a letter written by your son, Joshua.

In hearing of his passing,

I thought you'd like to have it as a keepsake.

We at Evangel were most impressed by your son's heart

for God and his love for his brother.

(gentle, heartfelt music)

(inspirational music)

- Yes, Ryan, we're playing the Gators.

- Hey, Josh, I'll see you at the game, okay?

- Where you going?

- Hi, Ryan.

- Hey, what's up, Mrs. B?

- Is everything all right?

- Yeah, it's good.

Your jersey's in the dryer.

(inspirational music) - Okay.

Well, I love you, Mom.

(door buzzing)

- Luke.

- Hi, babe.

- What happened to you?

- Careful, it's okay.

- You okay? - I'm okay.

Baby, did I make the right decision?

I mean, everything that's happened since we got here.

- Yes, Luke, us coming here

was never your decision to make.

- What are you talking about?

- I got something to show you.

- What are you talking about?

- Come here.

Look what I found.

- Baby, it's Joshua's acceptance letter.

- He never applied to Evangel.

All he mailed was your application

and this letter.

Read it. (gentle music)

- Dear Dr. Elkins, my name is Joshua Brooks.

I've been offered a scholarship to play baseball there,

but I regret to inform you I will not be accepting it.

(gentle music)

I'm asking you instead to accept my brother in my place.

(gentle music) (both sniffling)

I can't read it. (sniffing)

- You'll see, he's gonna be the best

Division 1 catcher in the country,

and he's a threat in any lineup.

- Yeah. (both laughing)

- But he has another gift.

That's his ability to impact everyone around him.

He has compassion for broken kind of people,

and he always stands for his faith, no matter what.

I believe your university will prepare Luke

for what God has called him to do,

and I can assure you, Luke will always fight the fight,

run the race, keep the faith,

and strive to live the perfect game.

Please prayerfully consider

my brother's enclosed application.

(sniffling) Sincerely, Joshua Brooks.

Baby, somehow he knew.

He knew, baby, he knew that this wasn't God's plan for him.

It was God's plan for you.

- He gave all that up for me.

- He knew you would take a stand

when there was a stand worth taking.

- (sniffs) I miss him so much.

- I know, I know.

Oh, I know.

(heartfelt music) (door buzzing)

- I'm sorry to interrupt,

but I have something for you, Mr. Brooks.

Are you okay?

- I'm okay.

Jess, this is the attorney

I was telling you about, Cindy Dorman.

- Oh, hi. - Hi.

Jessica Brooks, it's nice to meet you.

- Thank you so much.

- It's my pleasure, Ms. Brooks.

- Will you hold that?

(paper rustling)

This is Mr. Jamison's resignation.

- Ted asked me to deliver it personally.

Mr. Jamison is no longer your problem.

- Baby. - What?

(tense music)

- Does that look familiar? - I don't know.

- That name, honey, your scholarship.

- What, T.L. Graham.

- Yeah, T.L. Graham.

(suspenseful music)

That's Ted? - Oh, don't tell me,

Ted is T.L. Graham!

- One and the same.

(both laughing) - Are you kidding me?

(inspirational music) - No.

- Come on.

- Congratulations.

(inspirational music)

- [Ted] What if God's provision

for your whole life- - Thanks, Coach.

(inspirational music)

- Has brought you to this place,

(inspirational music)

to disrupt this moment?

(inspirational music)

- I love you, Jess.

- [Ryan] Hey, Coach.

- Yeah?

- Do you mind if I have a word with the boys?

- Jamison, are you gonna make me regret this?

- Coach, don't we all live with a little bit of regret?

(Sam chuckles)

- Go ahead, son. - Yeah!

Thanks, Coach.

Hey, guys, bring it in, bring it in.

- [Sam] That boy crazy.

- How much regret do you live with?

- None.

They all moved out.

Well, there is that one that just keeps trying

to come back, but I changed the locks,

and now, I just love them through the mail slot.

(both laughing)

- Now look, guys, I think we should run the bases.

- What?

I mean, look, I don't know, man.

What if we all get in trouble or something?

- Come on, man.

When'd that ever stop Coach?

- Exactly.

Look, Coach talks about working together, right?

- [Team] Yep.

- About being a family. - Yeah.

- And the head of our family, he's not here tonight.

So we need to do this for him.

And I don't care if we get in trouble.

I'm running those bases.

Who's with me? - I'm with you.

- Let's do it. - Who's with me?

- [Team] I'm with you.

- Let's go, guys. - Let's go.

(inspirational music)

- Who are we?

- [Team] The Lions!

- Let's go, boys.

(inspirational music)

- Johnny, look at that. (chuckles)

(inspirational music)

- Well, here comes your regret.

- Hmm?

- Boys, boys!

Boys, stop, stop, stop.

- Thank you. - All right.

- It's Coach Brooks.

(crowd applauds)

- Mr. Rogers.

T.L. Graham.

I don't know what to say.

Thank you.

- Thank Sam.

He's the one who picks all the candidates,

and his company contributes, too.

- Company?

You tell me you both brought me here?

- Well, finally, he asks a question.

(Ted laughs)

Son, God brought you here.

We just kept an eye on you along the way.

(gentle music)

- Man, come here. (Ted laughs)

Thank you.

Stay right there?

I'm gonna hug you, too, man.

(Sam laughs) - Thank you, sir.

- How you doing, bud?

(gentle music)

Sam. (Jess laughs)

(gentle music)

How are you, son?

- Better now, Dad.

- I love you.

- I love you too.

- Hey, Coach.

What happened to your face?

- Jail. What happened to yours?

(group laughs)

- Good to have you back, Coach.

- [Luke] Thanks, Coach.

- They're looking.

(gentle, hopeful music)

- Some of y'all may be wondering why a silly thing

like running the bases is worth going to jail over.

I wonder that myself sometimes.

See, my twin brother and I, we loved this game.

It consumed us.

It was supposed to be our future.

In our final game together, he hit a triple and drove me in.

Standing right about there,

as I watched him round third base,

but he never made it home.

Or so I thought.

He died on the field that day,

and my life instantly changed.

See, the same disease that killed my brother

was passed on to me, and my baseball future was over,

and I became so angry with a God

that I wasn't even sure was real anymore.

One day, on a ball field just like this,

where I thought everything had been taken away from me,

God gave this game back to me.

But this time, it wasn't for my glory.

It was for his.

(gentle music)

And in that, I saw God's plan of redemption

played out in my life, and this journey

has shown me one simple thing, and that is that,

because of Jesus Christ, there is hope,

hope beyond my loss, hope beyond my crushed dreams

and my failures and that same hope

is available to each and every one of you.

There's a Savior who will fight for you.

He desires you, he loves you more than you will ever

be able to comprehend.

He gave his life for you,

and once you've experienced that love,

that overwhelming love, it will cause you

to do the craziest things in this life,

like running the bases.

I know that that offends some of you.

But after everything I've gone through in my life,

I will not stay silent, because what we do now

will echo on into eternity.

See, folks, I'm convinced that the problem

with our society is not the growing presence of evil,

but it is the growing absence of God's people.

I mean, think about what it would look like

if we chose to forgive rather than condemn,

or care about someone's soul

more than the temporal aspects of this life,

or if we were willing to choose

to take a stand in our conviction,

rather than live in fear of our persecution.

(hopeful music)

Just as long as there's a heart beating in my chest,

I will honor God on and off this field.

I will lead these young men

to become more like their Creator,

(inspirational music) and I will run the bases.

(inspirational music)

(crowd cheers)

(inspirational music)

- Coach. - Come on, Coach.

(crowd cheers)

- Get out of my way, Dad.

I'm running these bases.

- I love you, son.

(hopeful music)

- I love you, too.

- Go get 'em.

(inspirational music) - Come on, guys.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

(inspirational music)

- [Luke] I forgive you.

(gentle music)

(hopeful music)

- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please stand.

In their first game of the season,

introducing the reigning 6A Texas State Champions,

your Parkwood Lions.

(crowd cheers)

(crowd chants) (crowd cheers)

- Come on, Al, come on, somebody.

Bring it in.

Hold up.

Lead us out, little man.

- Yes, sir.

Champions on three.

One, two, three.

- [Team] Champions!

(crowd cheers) (bright music)

- [Luke] As you can see,

God's plans are so much better than ours.

♪ Life is a ballgame ♪

♪ Being played each day ♪

♪ Life is a ballgame ♪

♪ Everybody can play ♪

♪ Yes, you know ♪

♪ Jesus, standing at the home plate ♪

♪ He's waiting for you there ♪

♪ You know, life is a ballgame ♪

♪ But you've got to play it fair ♪

♪ The first base is temptation ♪

♪ You know the second base is sin ♪

- Okay. We had a deal.

First game of the season.

Who paid my fines?

- I thought you'd forgotten all about that.

- Not a chance.

Come on, spill it.

- Michael Jamison.

- Sam, that's a joke.

Michael Jamison?

- Kinda sorta, sorta kinda.

(all laughing)

- I don't believe it.

- Actually, it was Ryan.

- No!

- Ryan paid it, with his daddy's credit card.

(all laughing)

- Oh man. - That's great.

- Oh man. - I bet he regretted that.

- Well, don't we all live with regret, Coach?

(all chuckling)

- He's gonna have to love that boy through the mail slot.

- What is that boy doing? - I don't know

what he's doing, man.

- [Luke] You need to stick to baseball, Jamison.

(all laughing)

♪ To hit at Satan's ball ♪

♪ And when you start to swing it ♪

♪ You gotta give your all in all ♪

♪ Yes, you know faith's gonna your catcher ♪

♪ And on him you can depend ♪

♪ For Jesus standing at the home plate ♪

♪ And he's waiting for you to come in ♪

♪ Yes, you know, Moses is on the sidelines ♪

♪ Waiting to be called ♪

♪ You know, the day he parted the Red Sea ♪

♪ He knew Christ was in all in all ♪

♪ And John came in the 9th inning ♪

♪ And the game was almost done ♪

♪ Then God gave John a vision ♪

♪ And he knew he already won ♪

♪ Yes, you know, life is a ball game ♪

♪ But you've got to play it fair ♪

(bright organ music)

(gentle music)

♪ I opened up the pages ♪

♪ And found the words in red ♪

♪ And line by line ♪

♪ Verse by verse ♪

♪ It started making sense ♪

♪ I never knew that someone ♪

♪ Could love someone like me ♪

♪ But he made me a believer ♪

♪ When he found me on my knees ♪

♪ I prayed a simple prayer ♪

♪ And Jesus met me there ♪

♪ And now I live ♪

♪ Now I live ♪

(gentle music)