PREVIOUSLY ON PUT ME IN
RAY walks away. CARTER throws another inside pitch. The ball is hit to the right field fence. JAMES leaps up and catches it. CARTER then strikes out the next two batters and returns to the dugout at the end of the inning.
RAY
Thanks for almost getting the game tied, Eric.
ERIC
What did I do? No ball came close to me!
RAY
You convinced Carter to throw inside pitches and it almost cost us the lead.
CARTER
It’s fine Ray. This is my fault. Today I learned I need to work on my inside pitches. In a sense, I should thank you, Eric.
LEWIS
Good job kid. Admitted your mistake and ended your outing with our team in the lead. It takes a good pitcher to do that.
______________________
CARTER is in the clubhouse, getting ready for his start. He is approached by another starting pitcher, DAVID.
CARTER
Hey Dave.
DAVID
Call me David.
CARTER
Okay David, my bad.
DAVID
We need to talk about something.
CARTER
Uh oh.
DAVID
I talked to Lewis.
CARTER
I’m still starting today...right?
DAVID
That’s the thing.
CARTER
What do you mean?
DAVID
The problem.
CARTER
I don’t get it, why?
DAVID
I was number two in the rotation before our ace got hurt. I should be number one. Not you.
CARTER
Sorry that you feel that way, there’s nothing I can do about it.
DAVID
Yeah there is. You can blow the game on purpose.
CARTER
I’m not gonna do that, I’ll get a lifetime ban from playing baseball!
DAVID
And there’s something wrong with that?
CARTER
Yes David, there’s something wrong with that.
CARTER hears LEWIS yell his name.
CARTER
I have to go now.
CARTER walks over to LEWIS.
CARTER
You called me?
LEWIS
Yes. It’s about Dave.
CARTER
He told me to call him David.
LEWIS
That’s weird. I saw him talking to you so I’m bailing you out. You don’t need distractions going into this game. He’s just jealous. Even if we needed to replace you, he wouldn’t be the ace.
CARTER
Thanks, I guess. Six innings again today?
LEWIS
Okay.
CARTER
I was asking you.
LEWIS
Oh. Then yeah, six innings.
CARTER
We should probably go to the dugout now, right? The game is about to start.
CARTER and LEWIS go to the dugout, where they join the rest of the team. RAY, the catcher, greets CARTER.
RAY
Remember: no inside pitches today.
CARTER
Got it.
The Charleston Capitols take the field. CARTER walks up to the mound and quickly gets all three batters out. He does the same for the next seven innings.
RAY (talking to CARTER in the dugout)
Three more outs!
CARTER
I’m so nervous!
LEWIS
Don’t be nervous, you have three more outs to go until your first perfe—
BEN
Don’t jinx it!
LEWIS
Right, I forgot. Your pitch count is getting high.
RAY
He can handle this, right Carter?
CARTER
I think so.
RAY
That’s not the attitude you need!
CARTER
Just saying what I’m thinking.
LEWIS
You want me to take you out?
CARTER
No, this is my chance.
ERIC
Don’t mess up.
CARTER
That’s an encouraging look on things.
The Charleston Capitols take the field for the final inning of the game, up six runs. CARTER throws six perfect pitches in a row, getting the first two batters out. RAY visits the mound, as does the rest of the infield.
RAY
One more to go.
CARTER
I can’t believe this!
NIC
Whatever you do, I’d like to not be involved in this play.
CARTER
I don’t think I’ll be able to help that.
ERIC
You have a good set of fielders behind you. Except when we mess up.
RAY
Give it your best.
The players return to their positions. CARTER throws his first pitch. It’s a line drive right back out him, and he catches it. The crowd cheers as the Charleston Capitols’ run toward him to celebrate.
CARTER
I just threw a perfect game!
BEN
Congratulations! We need to have a big celebration for this.
A reporter approaches CARTER.
REPORTER
How does this feel, Carter, to become a baseball sensation?
CARTER
It feels unreal.
REPORTER
Well it is real. Is there anything else you’d like to tell your fans?
LEWIS runs over to the reporter and talks into the microphone.
LEWIS
I have something to say. I’ve always called this guy ‘kid’. Because that’s what he was to me, a new pitcher who had potential but was unproven.
LEWIS turns to CARTER
LEWIS
Carter, you’re no kid anymore.