OPEN: The relief pitchers for the Charleston Capitols are sitting on the bench, with the baseball game about to begin.
COACH DONOVAN
As you are all aware, Carter is injured. Since this team is too high on him to get a new starting pitcher, they’re relying on all of you to get us through the foreseeable future.
JAMES
There really should be more than four of us in this bullpen. Don’t teams usually have more than that?
COACH DONOVAN
It is what it is. All I know if you’re going to have to pitch a lot more than the final inning some games now.
JAMES
Works for me.
XAVIER
Yeah, what kind of bullpen do you even think we are Coach? I’ve been longing to pitch more than just the 7th inning for years now.
TYLER
I feel the same about the 8th inning.
MIKE
Same for me. Sometimes I’ll pitch in the 3rd inning and through the 7th, but I don’t get to play a lot.
COACH DONOVAN
Let’s just say we’re lucky you all know how to do your jobs.
MIKE
By the way, which one of us is starting?
COACH DONOVAN
What do you mean?
XAVIER
It’s your decision, Coach.
COACH DONOVAN
OK then, you’re pitching.
XAVIER
Nice!
XAVIER runs onto the mound, and gets ready to throw the first pitch. As he does, RAY, the catcher, gets up and starts running to the mound.
RAY
That kind of hurt.
XAVIER
I didn’t know you’d come running to the mound!
RAY
I know, my bad. Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page here. How many innings are they trying to keep you in the game for?
XAVIER
Nobody said.
RAY
Alright, let’s assume it’s six.
XAVIER
I don’t think I have the stamina for six.
RAY
I guess we’ll figure that out as we go. I’m thinking you throw some fastballs at first and then ease into your other pitches. Sound good?
XAVIER
Yep.
RAY runs back to the plate. XAVIER strikes out all three batters to end the first inning. He begins to walk back to the bullpen, before realizing he belongs in the dugout. He is greeted by LEWIS, the coach.
LEWIS
Nice going Xavier.
XAVIER
I’m really not sure I would put me back into the game for the next inning though.
LEWIS
Why not?
XAVIER
I usually only pitch one inning. What’s stopping me from doing terrible next inning?
LEWIS
Eh, you’ll be fine.
XAVIER waits alone for the second inning to begin. When it does, he walks onto the mound. He strikes out the first guy. The next three pitches are all home runs. RAY walks up to the mound.
RAY
OK, I think it’s time you try something other than your fastball. What else do you have?
XAVIER
Um...sometimes I accidentally throw a dirt ball.
RAY
No seriously, what are your other pitches?
XAVIER
Have you never noticed I usually only throw fastballs in the eight inning?
RAY
Apparently not.
XAVIER
I don’t really have any more pitches. And I’m completely out of stamina too. Do all pitchers’ arms start getting sore this early?
RAY
Nope.
LEWIS walks up to the mound.
LEWIS
What’s the holdup here?
RAY
Xavier is running out of steam. You know, like most relievers would do when asked to pitch a second inning.
XAVIER
Sorry Coach. Maybe next time?
LEWIS
Next time we’ll put someone else in. You can stick to the 8th inning, that’s what you’re best at.
XAVIER
Glad you understand.
LEWIS takes the ball from XAVIER, who goes walking back to the bullpen.
COACH DONOVAN
Good first inning Xavier.
XAVIER
That’s all you have to say?
COACH DONOVAN
We can get through a solid four or five innings combining all of you. This is one of the best bullpen’s in the league, after all.
JAMES
What about the rest of the game?
COACH DONOVAN
I didn’t want to have to say this but: we need Carter back.