Original subtitles

Throw it in the hole. Throw it in the hole!

Pass the ball!

‐Come on! ‐Go.

[boy] I'm open. I'm open.

[overlapping instructions]

‐[blows whistle] ‐Double dribble.

‐Green ball. ‐What?

[man] You should take a bunny hop.

The guy hacked him.

‐Oh, come on, wake up, ref. ‐Watch it, coach.

Well, how about calling them for both sides?

Green ball, let's play.

Oh, you are horrible! you know that?

[whistle blows]

Come on, get your hands up.

Come on, Zachary! Zachary, deny the ball.

‐Phil's gotta lighten up a bit. ‐[Phil] Take it out, come on,

let's go, bring it on, move it, move it, move it, put it up,

put it up.

[cheering]

That's it! Press!

What are we pressing for?

We should go to a zone, huh?

Box and win. Number 11's the only gunner.

Put Patrick on him. Shut down the paint,

they won't score a point.

What the heck, it's only a game, right?

[Phil] Put a hand in his face!

Let's go! Butcher, somebody stop him!

‐Stop the ball, please! ‐[whistle]

No! No, no. He got the ball!

There was a hack at number 20.

Mister, you got to calm down.

Hey, what? You don't rough up enough criminals

during the week, you got to beat up on me now?

Technical.

‐Way to go, Phil! ‐You stink.

‐You know that? ‐[Kenny] That's it.

Double technical, you're out of here.

‐[Jill] Phil! ‐You're the worst ref I have ever seen.

My mother kn‐‐ [groans]

Eddie, call 911.

OK. Phil, hang on, hang on. We're getting an ambulance.

Take it easy, take it easy, Phil.

Press. Tell them to press.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]

OK, Ava, call the lab for me and tell them‐‐

‐Oh, hey. ‐How is he?

Well, um, he had a mild coronary.

Balloon surgery scheduled for tomorrow

But he's gonna make it, right?

Well, you know Phil, he's a fighter.

He vowed to be back for the next game.

Maybe you should tell him not to rush it.

‐Excuse me? ‐Well, he should rest, shouldn't he?

I mean, for as long as it takes.

Yeah, I'll strap him to the bed if I have to.

Let's drop the act.

We don't want Phil back, OK?

‐He's a lousy coach. ‐I wouldn't say lousy exactly.

‐I would. ‐Edith.

Wh‐‐ There's no passing,

everybody's just standing around.

‐The kids are confused. ‐We have enough talent to make it all the way this year, Jill.

But we're mired in fifth place and only four games left.

With Phil at the helm, we'll be lucky to make the playoffs.

I can't believe I'm hearing this.

He's down the hall recovering from a heart attack.

We sent him flowers.

But the point is we need a new coach,

someone who understands the game.

Who can judge talent.

‐Who can motivate the boys. ‐We've talked it over, Jill,

we want you.

[Jimmy] You said yes?

‐You said you'd coach? ‐I said it depends.

Zack, could you come down here for a minute?

‐Depends on what? ‐Depends on what he thinks.

Why can't Eddie Dearden coach?

He's got a big enough mouth.

Honey, Eddie Dearden is no coach.

Besides, he doesn't have the time.

‐And you do? ‐Well, it's only four games.

‐Zack! ‐Coming.

And they didn't bother asking me to coach.

‐Not that I have the time. ‐Excuse me?

I still play, Jill.

‐I, uh, still play and... ‐Honey,

they asked me because I'm there all the time.

I know the boys and I know the game.

‐Yeah, Mom? ‐[Jill] Just a second, honey.

I played varsity in high school. Did you forget that?

‐No, I didn't forget that. ‐OK.

I mean, Dearden says I know basketball

better than 90 percent of the men out there.

Jill, I'm sure you'll be a fine coach.

What happened to Coach Phil?

Oh, he's gonna be fine, honey.

But, um, they asked me to take over for the last few games.

What do you think?

Sure.

You sure you wouldn't mind?

Well, I mean, anyone's gotta be better than Coach Phil.

Well, you know, I'm really sorry he stroked out and everything

but all he did was yell at us all the time.

Well, I can guarantee you one thing.

We're gonna have fun, OK?

OK, come on, boys, let's go. Get the pass.

‐Defense, defense. ‐[boy] I'm open, I'm open

[man] Go, go, get out of the way.

[buzzer rings]

[Jill] OK, OK, good half, Wildcats.

‐It's half‐time. ‐[boy] Oh, sorry.

Don't worry about it, don't worry about it, get your drinks.

Couple more buckets, we're back in the game, OK?

Hey, Patrick, good passes out there.

That's what this game's all about, teamwork.

‐Thanks. ‐You guys gotta bear down.

Patrick, what's with all this passing?

‐Eddie! ‐Dad!

He's got the best shot in the league.

You shouldn't dish off, take the shots, son.

OK, third quarter subs,

Zack and Patrick, you're out.

Josh and John, you're in.

‐Yes! ‐What? Jill!

I'm playing everybody three quarters.

‐But he's not doing that. ‐That's his business.

Look, these kids have been playing together for five years

without getting to the playoffs.

Are you really gonna blow this shot

over some girl scout notion of fair play?

She's benching Patrick. Can you believe it?

Oh, my God!

Hey, Brock...

How did you know the Nicks were gonna win that game, huh?

‐I got the touch, I guess. ‐Yeah...

All right.

Twenty, 40, 50.

Excellent!

You're my curse, you know that, Brock?

I'm making money off everyone at your school, except for you.

Lucky for me you're only a junior.

‐What's that? ‐Oh, you're not into

the big time action like the older kids.

Parlays and such.

Man, you'd break the bank.

What's a parlay?

You know,

one card, 10 games.

You pick all 10, you get the big payoff.

‐One seventy‐five to one. ‐[buzzer buzzes, whistle]

But it's strictly for serious players.

You gotta have some moolah.

How much moolah?

‐Two hundred. ‐For one bet?

‐[Jill] ...three. ‐[kids] Wildcats!

Maybe someday.

Well, you should strike while you're hot.

Luck's a lady.

‐[whistle blowing] ‐Let's go!

Let's go, come on.

Come on, we're in it, we're in it, let's go.

[man] Here it comes.

Go on, take it! Do it, do it, do it!

‐Yes! Yes! ‐[Jill] That's OK, that's OK.

We're fine, we‐‐

[man] Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes,

coming up through the air.

Take it. Yes!

‐[groans] ‐[gasp]

‐[whistle] ‐[man] Yes!

‐[Jill] Time out, some body call time. ‐[Kenny] You OK?

I think so.

‐[kid] Time out! ‐[whistle]

‐[Kenny] Time out, purple. ‐John, are you OK?

I'm fine.

Kenny, that was a foul

Your guy didn't have positions, Jill.

Come on, that was vicious.

He meant to run over him.

He was just taking it strong to the hole,

it's all part of the game, lady.

If your kids can't take it,

maybe they shouldn't be out here.

All right, you guys!

Good play, come here.

Dominating this game!

Dominating!

[music playing]

It's all part of the game, lady.

If your kids can't take it...

Are you really going to blow this shot

over some girl scout notion of fair play?

OK, Zack, Patrick, you're in. Josh, John, take a rest.

They want to fight, we're going to give him a fight. We're gonna go to Patrick.

‐Patrick, you take the shot every time, OK? ‐But what if we're open?

Honey, do you want to get back in the game or what?

Jacob, you and Cody crash the boards.

OK, knock 'em down if you have to

but get that rebound, I'll risk the foul.

‐You got it? ‐Yes, Coach.

Kick some butt! All right,

‐Let's go, one, two, three! ‐Go!

[Jill] OK, go, guys, go!

[man] Defense, defense, come on!

[kid] Yes!

‐All right, ‐Go, go!

[Jill] Yes, go!

‐[Jill] Come back up! ‐[man] You guys, get up, wake up!

[overlapping dialogs]

‐[man] Nice shot! ‐[Jill] Nice shot! Yes, Patrick!

[crowd chanting] Ring, ring!

[chanting intensifies]

[Jill] Time out! Time out!

‐[whistle] ‐[Kenny] Time out, purple.

OK, Patrick, Zack, OK? Back to Patrick.

‐I take the shot, Coach? ‐No, you fake the shot, OK?

You draw the double team. You just shove to Kevin

Kevin, you lay it in, you understand?

‐Yeah. ‐Let's do it, come on!

[whistle]

Yes!

No!

[buzzer]

[man] Way to go, Jill!

Just don't make it so close next time.

You did it, Coach, you did it!

You're learning, Coach, you're learning.

Good luck, champ.

What a game!

[indistinct conversation]

‐The natives are getting restless. ‐Mmm?

Your patients?

You know you have patients,

the little people who pay our bills?

What should I tell them, the doctor can't see them now,

she's working on her defensive rotation?

It's a half court trap and I'll be with you in a minute.

[laughs]

Reality check, Jill?

Aren't we getting a little obsessive?

Hey, we've won three straight since I took over.

One more and we're in the playoffs.

‐Rah! ‐Oh, come on,

don't be such a wet blanket.

Do you know I haven't felt this good in years?

And guess what? I'm a good coach.

I always thought I was just a student of the game

but I don't know, putting it into action...

‐Surprised you so, huh? ‐Yeah.

And you know what's really great?

When I'm out there, it's my little domain.

There's no whiny patients, no interruptions...

It's just me, the boys, and the game.

So, it's a control thing?

Well, yeah, kind of.

But it's a good control thing. Like last week,

I knew we were up against a zone

which would neutralize our half court game,

so I ran the break from the tip!

It was a gamble, but it paid off.

[both chuckling]

‐You're scaring me, Jill. ‐Why?

Because you're becoming one of them.

‐Who? ‐The parents that you're always complaining about.

The ones who get over‐involved like Eddie.

Oh, now, Eddie’s not so bad.

Am I glad I don't have children!

[door closes]

[Zack] I've never seen her like this before.

She's, like, possessed.

That's the way my dad is all the time.

Win! Win! Win!

Yeah, but your dad's a maniac.

‐Hey! ‐Well, what I mean is

everyone knows your dad's got a temper.

He just wants what's best for me.

I won't be anything without my old man.

[Zack] Sure, I know.

I admit he gets a little crazy at times, but they all do.

All parents.

I never saw it coming.

One taste of power

and boom, she goes berserk.

And those practices, what are we, marines?

She probably thinks it's good for us.

Look, spinach is good for you. Basketball's supposed to be fun.

Hey, I'm having fun. Kinda.

I rest my case.

You bet to parlay?

One hundred and seventy‐five to 1 payoff.

Two hundred gets you 35,000.

You may look but you may not touch.

Wait a minute. So if you lose you're out 200 bucks.

I'm not gonna lose.

Matt, you don't have 200 bucks.

Relax.

I told you...

I'm not gonna lose.

Matt, I hate to tell you this,

but nobody can bet ten straight NBA games.

I mean, a parlay is a classic sucker bet.

Says who?

My dad.

Your dad bets basketball?

Occasionally.

‐Does he buy tip sheets? ‐Well, no, but‐‐

Does he know the starting lineup of every team

in the NBA on any given night?

Does he know who's signed into reserve?

Can he spot a crease?

Did he clear any bucks last week?

Well, did he?

Let me tell you a little something.

One man's sucker bet...

‐[bell ringing] ‐...is another man's windfall.

So what color do you want your Camaro?

OK, defense.

[indistinct commands]

‐[kid] Yeah! ‐Call time‐out, Zack.

Zack, call time‐out.

‐Kenny! ‐[whistle]

Time out, purple.

All right, let's go, bring it in.

Bring it in, guys, come on.

There's some sleep out there.

‐We're headed by 10. ‐Yeah, but it was 15.

You need to give some more weak side support.

‐Kevin. ‐I turned my ankle.

Really?

‐I don't feel any swelling. ‐Ouch!

You don't want to play? You want to come out?

I'll go in coach.

‐I can play. ‐OK, well, let's go,

let's play some basketball, come on.

Let's play some basketball. Zack.

‐Coach! ‐Just a second.

Get in this face, close them out, understand?

‐OK ‐OK, OK.

OK, bear down, bear down, guys!

‐Let's go, now! ‐[Eddie] Come on, think, think,

‐Patrick. You gotta think! ‐[whistle blows]

You know, my son's been warming the bench all night.

When is she gonna put him in?

When he loses 20 pounds. [laughs]

I heard that.

My son deserves a game like everyone else

Hey, relax, we'll put him in at the end.

‐Garbage time. ‐You know, the playoffs are on the line.

We're not sending your kid until the game's on us.

You know, I've had to listen to your crap all season, Dearden.

Just because your kid has an outside shot

doesn't make you a big man.

‐Back off! ‐You back off!

Hey, hey, come on, guys!

‐I'm sick of this! ‐That's too bad then.

‐I'm sick of this. ‐Go get used to it.

‐[Edith] Eddie. ‐Sit down, sit down.

[Edith] It's OK. It's just a game.

‐[woman] Grow up! ‐[man] Sit down.

‐[man 2] Take it outside. ‐[woman] Come on!

‐Mom ‐Hey, Zach.

Great win tonight! We're in the playoffs.

All right! Now I got to take care of those hoosiers.

‐Listen, about tonight‐‐ ‐Honey, now listen,

don't apologize. So your shot was a little off.

it's in your release point.

We're gonna work on that in practice.

it's not that.

I, uh...

I think there's a, um,

problem with the players.

I know, I'm gonna take care of it.

You are?

Yeah, it's obvious.

Kevin can't handle the man‐to‐man at crunch time.

So, I think when we're in a pressure situation,

we need to alternate with the 2‐3 zone. Oh, look.

Wait a minute, um, what if I put Gordy in for Kevin...

um, in the first quarter

and then I move Jacob over to point guard?

Oh yeah, you're right. What am I gonna do with Leonard?

[sighs]

‐Good night, Mom. ‐Good night, honey, great win.

OK, now, what if I put Leonard in...

Yeah, Leonard in for Gordy, I have Kevin on the bench.

[indistinct conversations]

Hey, Brock.

What's up?

Two months, that's all I need.

Two months!

This isn't Congress, Brock.

I balance my budget at the end of every week.

Now, you owe me 200 bucks and I need it now.

‐I can give you 80. ‐Payment in full.

How was I supposed to know the Celtics would fold in the fourth quarter?

You told me I'd clean up on a parlay.

You're not trying to put this on me, are you?

You made the bet, you gotta cover.

Why don't you give me a break?

Just this time.

I'm a middleman, Brock.

Now I don't pay up,

my people come looking for me.

And we cannot let that happen...

can we?

You don't really break people's knees or anything, do you?

Me personally?

No.

Friday, Brock,

same time, same channel.

Have the money.

Hey, at least we're in the playoffs.

So? I don't even get to play anymore.

You never got to play anyway.

Yeah, but with Zack's mom I thought at least had a chance.

‐Look the whole thing sucks, OK? ‐Let's face it, parents suck.

I know, it's like they think we're in the NBA or something.

‐Yeah. ‐I've been talking to the guys on the other teams

and everyone feels the same way.

Come on, guys, the parents aren't that bad.

Man, you're just saying that because you're afraid of your old man.

You want a fat lip, Josh?

I'm afraid of my old man.

Of course, he never comes to the games anyway.

Hey, maybe we could strike.

I don't want to strike, I want to play.

We gotta do something.

Look, I play basketball because I like it

not because I want to be yelled at by a bunch of parents,

who wish they were our age again.

So what are we going to do? Sue them?

Aha, Douglas Wambaugh,

path breaking for the little people.

Come on in, my beloved clients.

‐It's showtime. ‐This is nuts.

I can't even believe we're here.

Are you represented by counsel, Mr. Dearden?

No, the parents chose me to be spokesman.

[Judge] Mm‐hmm.

‐So how do you respond to this? ‐To begin with,

I'm told these kids have no legal standing in court.

They're minors, Wambaugh can't represent them

‐Watch me. ‐We're their legal guardians, Doug, not you.

[Douglas] It doesn't matter,

they have formed an association which I can represent.

SOS.

‐Save Our Sports. ‐This is fraud.

‐I prefer clever. ‐Look at that.

‐He doesn't even deny it. ‐Oh, what's to deny?

You force these helpless victims to seek

the only means of redress available to them

‐Please! ‐Come on!

You can't keep us from our kids games.

Shut up.

All of you.

Frankly, the fact that this matter has come before the court at all,

makes me want to puke.

Nevertheless, I have here over 100 signatures,

virtually the entire rec center league

demanding that the parents be barred from all future games.

Under the circumstances, I find the Save Our Sports group

an acceptable party...

and I'm granting a temporary restraining order

banning all parents from league games

until we have a chance to have a hearing.

[indistinct arguing]

Wonderful, Henry!

I'm scheduling an evidentiary hearing for Friday

to determine whether a permanent injunction should issue.

You can tear each other apart then.

Tip‐off is at 10 a. m.

Now get out.

Thank you. Well, come on, team.

Come on, step lively, step lively, come on, team.

That's it.

See you in court.

‐How'd it go? ‐Don't ask.

They granted the restraining order.

You're kidding me.

I have to be in court on Friday

to show cause why it shouldn't

become a full injunction.

It's nothing personal, Mom.

What I mean is all the parents are being served.

Don't you have some homework to do, kid? Upstairs, now.

I wash his jock, I drive him to the games.

I coach this team to the playoffs for the first time ever.

This is the thanks I get, a lawsuit?

Well, obviously, there's a problem.

Couldn't talk to me about it?

He had to go to Douglas Wambaugh?

‐I tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen. ‐Upstairs.

‐When? ‐[Jimmy] Now!

The other night after the game,

you were so busy with your game plan

that you didn't even pay attention.

Excuse me for caring about the next game.

See? you always see things on your side, Mom.

You don't even think about what we want?

You don't want to go to the playoffs?

‐Never mind. ‐Zachary! Zachary, get back down here.

‐I told him to go. ‐Well, I want him down.

[Zack] I'm not coming.

‐Let him go, will you? ‐[door slams shut]

You don't think it's important

to have this out?

What I think's important

is the kids in the basketball league

want the parents to butt out,

and you don't seem to get the problem.

I can't believe that you're taking his side.

I'm not taking his side, Jill,

but Zack is unhappy, they're all unhappy.

I saw it right after that first win of yours

and you started going to Patrick all the time.

Oh, really? And what was I supposed to do?

Let the other team just run right through us?

‐No. ‐We won the game, Jimmy.

Is that what's important?

Oh, don't criticize me.

You are the most competitive person I know.

You can't play a game of Scrabble

without turning it into a war.

What's happening with you, Jill?

This is like Zachary’s birthday.

Oh, it's nothing to do with Zack's birthday.

Or maybe not, but ever since you started coaching

it's been like Jekyll and Hyde around here.

Now, Eddie Dearden I can understand.

He blew out his knee in college,

he's living through his kid...

What's your excuse?

‐I didn't know I needed one. ‐[Jimmy] Ah.

You've been barking at the kids, you're ignoring the bench,

running up scores, what the hell is that?

Tell you what, you take the heat for a while, Jimmy,

and then you tell me what it's like

when nobody else plays by the rules.

I adjusted to circumstances like any good coach

and I got these kids into the playoffs

and forgive me for saying so

but I'm very proud of that.

And I think I deserve some credit,

not all this abuse that I'm getting.

These kids have never been winners before.

Well, enjoy your victory.

[Matthew] Got it?

Thirty bucks, that's it?

Hey, that's all I had.

Look my 30, your 80 oughta hold him off for a little while.

I don't have the 80.

What?

I made a couple side bets, OK?

I thought I could cover my losses.

I was counting on your 60, Mark.

Sandy's gonna be here any minute.

Hey, thought I had it but I didn't.

You're letting me down, Mark,

you're letting me down real bad!

Hey, don't try to blame this on me.

I told you not to bet the parlay.

You know,

you really find out who your friends are

when the chips are down.

Hey, screw you, Brock,

you got yourself in this hole,

now get yourself out.

Screw you too, Michello!

‐You know what? I want my money back. ‐Fine, take it.

Hey, Brock, algebra, remember?

‐Yeah, I'll be there in a sec. ‐Hey, what's going on?

Um...

you seen that guy Sandy anywhere?

Oh, you didn't hear?

He got picked up by the cops this morning.

What?

Yeah, some kind of sting operation.

There is a God, come on.

Get him out of here.

‐I don't know nothing about it. I'm innocent. ‐Save it.

[Sandy] I want my lawyer.

Doesn't know nothing about it. Right!

There's a little black book right here.

I can't believe they're preying on school kids now.

Man, it's happening all over, Jimmy

‐It's a national addiction. ‐Yeah, well, good calling.

What, no X’s and O’s?

Oh, that's right, you were suspended, I forgot!

‐That's not funny, Joanna. ‐It isn't?

Come on, Jill, we're talking about basketball with 13‐year‐olds.

Jimmy and I had a big fight about it last night

Oh?

‐I only did it for Zachary. ‐Jill.

Well, I did, like I need that kind of grief!

Girlfriend,

nobody ever does anything

just for their kids.

I‐ I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it.

In fact, it's a good thing.

I mean, the whole point of having children,

biologically speaking, is to propagate your own genes.

So, ultimately it's all about you.

Be honest, Jill,

you've got off on this coaching thing

in a major way and that's fine.

But the hair on the back of my neck goes up

every time I hear a parent say I'm only doing this for my kids, so...

I mean, please.

How do you know so much about this anyway?

Well, you may find this hard to believe

but I was once a competitive figure skater.

I was going to be the next Peggy Fleming.

You're kidding!

No.

I won a local competition when I was eight years old...

and that's when my mother got into the act with a vengeance.

And she drove me to the rink at five a. m.

and she paid for my lessons but...

I mean, what a price, Jill.

Before I knew it I wasn't skating for me...

I was skating for her.

Didn't realize it for a while.

I was 13. Zack's age.

I had a bad ankle

but it was time for the regionals,

which is the pre‐Olympic competitions.

I can still hear her.

"I didn't work two jobs

to have you back out on the regionals, Joanna.

Now I only did this for you, get out and skate!"

Kind of hard to argue with that when you're a kid.

So I skated...

And I won.

And I went to the doctors and I threw up from the pain.

Turns out that my ankle was fractured in two places.

Mmm.

[Joanna] I was on crutches for months.

That was the last time I ever put on a pair of skates.

And it was about the last time I ever

had a civil conversation with my mother.

So...

anyway, I have a little experience in this area.

Well, we both have work to do.

Today's top sports story comes from Rome.

Rome, Wisconsin, that is,

where a group of kids called Save Our Sports

is suing to have their parents

banned from youth basketball games.

There's an SOS that should have been sounded long ago

‐Its about time! ‐ [reporter] These old folks are spoiling things

‐by emphasizing winning at all costs. ‐Sorry, Jimmy.

What else is new?

CBS Sports has learned that a number of copycat suits

are being prepared by kids across the country

pending the outcome of the case.

So, parents beware...

as goes Rome, so goes the republic,

we'll keep you posted.

Pat O’Brien, CBS Sports.

Go kids!

[Douglas] "To promote fair play,

positive coaching,

and good sportsmanship."

There you have it, Judge,

the stated purpose of

Rome Recreation Center Basketball League.

And as we will demonstrate,

not only have the parents of Rome ignored these principles,

they have deliberately subverted them.

They have turned the kids game

into a Roman circus of cutthroat competition

to satisfy their own fantasies of athletic achievement.

And in the process...

they have denied the children

the very foundation of sport itself...

To play.

How long have you been reffing league games

Three years but I think this will be my last.

‐And why is that? ‐I'm sick of it .

I get more grief from parents than I do from hardened criminals.

It's like they think they can say anything

and get away with it.

Maybe they got a lot of

frustration in their lives.

I don't know but, uh,

what kind of an example is that?

[Douglas] Well, uh, what kind indeed?

Look, I'm only out there because I love the game.

They should keep quiet and let us handle it.

[Douglas] Well, they never do, do they?

Are you kidding?

Plus some of the things I hear

the parents tell their own kids.

‐Like what. ‐Patrick always makes that shot,

why can't you make that shot?

Knock them down, I'll risk the foul.

‐[kid] If you make it to the playoffs, ‐[chant] Win! Win! Win!

I'll give you a dollar a point.

Winning isn't everything it's the only thing.

What's the matter, Zack, don't you want to win?

‐Win! ‐Win!

‐Win! ‐Win!

[all] Win!

Suppose the parents were banned, Patrick,

you really think you kids could handle things?

Well.

First, I want to say that my dad is the greatest dad in the world

and he never owned a new pair of sneakers when he was a kid,

but he always makes sure I had the best equipment.

And takes me to games and stuff.

Oh, I'm sure we appreciate his good intentions

but let's concentrate on what happens inside the gymnasium.

Now, think a minute...

do you believe you boys could do a better job

of running things by yourselves?

Well.

No offense but I think we kids know what's fair and not fair

‐a lot more than the parents do. ‐Give me an example.

Like our coach tells me to shoot every time I get the ball.

I think other kids should get a chance to shoot too.

Plus some kids like Josh hardly ever get to play at all.

[Douglas] But Josh isn't one of your stars, is he?

[Patrick] No, but he's still part of our team.

Oh, that's right, that's right, but what does that mean to you?

He should get to play like everyone else.

Now, let me ask you a simple question, Patrick.

Why do you play basketball?

To have fun.

Not to win?

Well, I like to win but I mostly like to play.

if you win you win, if you don't you don't.

That's what I think about it, anyway.

And has basketball been fun lately?

No, it hasn't.

Even though you're going to the playoffs?

Well, that part's cool but...

it's like... we're not doing it for us

we're doing it for them.

‐Matthew? ‐Yeah.

Let's take a walk.

What's going on?

[screaming]

You guys are making a big mistake here.

My father's the sheriff!

Save it, sonny.

Here's the deal, Matthew.

You owe a friend of mine some money.

Now unfortunately that, uh,

friend of mine has been temporarily‐‐

Oh!

Whoa, wait a minute now.

Detained.

Bet you thought you were gonna get off the hook, huh, little Matty?

‐I don't know. ‐Surprise! You're not.

Do you have the money, Matthew, huh?

What? Talk to me.

‐No! ‐No?

No.

Then, you're gonna have to see the boss, pal.

Please don't let him hurt me. Please don't let him hurt me.

I'll do anything.

Give me some light, mate.

Kenny, you're the boss? These are my bowling buddies,

‐Vinnie and Mike. ‐What's going on?

This is a joke, I'm not in trouble?

Oh, no, you're in plenty of trouble.

You've been making book with organized crime.

I was on a streak.

Don't be an idiot.

Sooner or later the house always wins.

Matthew, how do you think they stay in business?

Because of suckers like you.

And it ain't gonna be two of my buddies picking you up next time,

it'll be for real.

And they won't have a sense of humor about it.

OK, OK, you're not my father.

See this?

A little straightener.

I was 19, betting on the ponies,

got in over my head.

This was their way of reminding me never to do it again.

You need this type of reminder?

No.

I'm not doing this for you,

I'm doing it for your old man. He deserves better from his son.

It was like a fever. It's like I couldn't lose.

Couldn't stop.

Let me tell you something somebody once told me.

"The only good thrower that dies is when you throw them away."

Now,

we still got a little matter to settle here.

I found this in Sandy's betting book.

It's going on your dad's desk today.

Now either you take it to him or I will.

Good call.

Let's get out of here.

[Eddie] The plaintiffs would have you believe

we parents want to destroy our children.

That is a pernicious lie.

Why do we choose to spend so much time with our children?

Because we love them...

and we want to help them.

To teach them how to compete in the world

they're about to enter.

Now, we didn't make that world, Judge,

but have a responsibility

as role models to face it squarely.

Competition is part of life.

I want my child to know

that nobody gives you anything in this world.

To succeed you must work harder than the next fellow,

go the extra mile.

That's the beauty of sports.

We see it every day.

Hard work, commitment, discipline,

This is what makes champions.

We've heard a lot about fun in here.

Son, let me tell you.

The real fun in life comes through achievement.

Now...

do we parents get a little carried away?

That we put too much pressure on the boys at times.

I'll be the first to admit it.

We can definitely do better.

But let's not throw the baby out with the bath water, Judge.

If you ban us from these games,

you'll be sending a profoundly subversive message to these kids

that competition is somehow a bad thing,

that mediocrity is acceptable,

even perhaps desirable in today's society.

That notion has already taken root in many places.

We're keeping scores awarded altogether

in favor of self‐development.

Where basketball hoops are lowered

so everyone can feel good about making a bucket.

Employers do not adjust the height of the hoop.

Success is all about keeping score.

America loves a winner.

America is all about winning.

I implore you,

do not consign these boys to some dream world,

where winning has no meaning,

where being first has no glory.

Instead let us teach them...

to fight,

to strive,

to win,

and to lose...

like men.

Anyone else?

Uh, may I, Your Honor?

Go ahead.

When Jill was asked to coach the boys' basketball team,

I wondered why I hadn't been asked.

I play basketball,

I know the game,

but then I thought maybe you were concerned

that I might be a coach who likes to win at all costs.

Knowing me, that's probably true.

I know these parents, Judge, they're all good people.

One of them is the most caring and sensitive person I know.

My wife, Jill Brock.

Now if she can be transformed from someone

who started out wanting

nothing but the best for these kids...

to a coach...

who wants to win at all costs,

then I gotta believe that there is

something terribly wrong with the system.

That's all I have to say.

Thank you.

[Judge Bone] All right...

I want to thank the participants for both sides.

For once, you managed to do something together

without totally screwing up.

Congratulations.

The decision, whether or not to issue an injunction in this case

boils down to a fundamental consideration.

Would the plaintiffs suffer

extraordinary and irreparable harm

should the status quo be allowed to continue?

Well,

Mr. Dearden

would argue that the current arrangement

is not only appropriate

but essential preparation for society as it exists today.

Am I the only person in this courtroom

who has misgivings about the way we live now?

The pressure, the stress,

the ridiculous importance we attach to winning.

We're number one!

We're number one!

[chuckles]

I've got news for you, folks.

There are a lot of number twos and threes out there

who aren't speaking up.

Mr. Dearden,

you asked me not to let these boys live in a dream world.

Let me be the first to inform you that they already do.

It's called childhood.

These boys have been encouraged to cheat,

to denigrate their opponents,

mistreat their teammates,

and abuse authority.

Where is the nobility of purpose here?

Instead of building character

we are undermining it.

So I'm willing to try an experiment.

Let's take the parents out of these children's games

for the rest of the season.

Maybe it'll screw them up.

Maybe they'll become even more aggressive than their parents

and start tearing each other to pieces.

But...

maybe...

just maybe...

they'll create a league

that rewards openness, decency,

and integrity of purpose.

Not because they are inherently any better than their parents,

but because they are allowed to operate

within a relaxed, carefree system.

Boys...

I'm giving you a little island to play on.

So don't let me down.

I'll be watching.

The first hint of Lord of the Flies

and I'm setting your parents right back on you.

An injunction is granted for two months.

Court adjourned.

Now, get out.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, guys, can I talk to you for a sec?

Hey, Wildcats, over here.

Hey, Matthew, how you doing?

Can I talk to you for a minute, in private?

Yeah, is there a problem?

Kind of.

‐Uh, yeah, let's talk in my office, OK? ‐OK.

Um...

OK, I've, uh,

I've learned a lot in the past couple of weeks...

and I have one thing that I want to say to you boys...

you have fun out there.

Thanks. [indistinct]

Thanks, Mom.

All right, go on now, go on.

♪ Ooh‐ooh‐ooh Ooh‐ooh‐ooh‐ooh ♪

♪ Somewhere over the rainbow ♪

‐Shoot it! ‐Yeah!

Foul, foul, hang on, foul.

Are you all right?

Hey, hey, John, John, you're in.

♪ Somewhere ♪

♪ Over the rainbow ♪

Come on, come on!

♪ Bluebirds fly ♪

[laughter]

♪ Dreams really do ♪

♪ Come true‐ooh‐ooh ♪

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]