Put Me In Season 2 Episode 4: One or the Other



PREVIOUSLY ON PUT ME IN

ALLEN
Everything okay Coach?

LEWIS
The starting pitchers here are not going to like me tomorrow.

ALLEN
What do you mean?

LEWIS
I belittled them by accident. Part of me thinks I might even lose my job.

The Charleston Capitals jog back to the dugout at the end of the inning CARTER goes up to LEWIS.

CARTER
Thanks for getting me out of the clubhouse, you’re a good coach.
_____________________

SETTING: Charleston Capitols’ dugout. CARTER is sitting on the bench by himself when RAY approaches him.

RAY
How are you feeling about today’s game?

CARTER
Great! I threw some practice pitches again, everything felt fine. I don’t even have any pre-game nerves today!

RAY
Good to hear. Just me and you for six innings, okay?

CARTER
Sure thing.

CARTER, RAY, and the rest of the team walk onto the field. CARTER struggles immediately, giving up a home run on his first pitch and a double on his second pitch. Eventually, he loads the bases. RAY walks over to him.

RAY
What’s going on, Carter? You’re stinking.

CARTER
I realize that. And I have no clue what’s going on! I feel good, I’m throwing as I always have thrown, this is a team we’ve played before and they’re not all that great. I’m confused.

RAY
That might be it. They may have scouted you out.

CARTER
What do you mean?

RAY
They saw you pitch before. They know what’s coming.

CARTER
Are you sure?

RAY
How else would they be getting away with this? You’re a great pitcher! How about this: try out your curveball a little more.

CARTER
I don’t know, I’m more of a fastball and changeup kind of guy.

RAY
And that’s why we are where we are right now. Start with a curveball, go to some of your lesser-used pitches. You’ll be fine.

CARTER
Okay.

RAY walks back to the plate. CARTER throws a curveball. It does not curve, and instead hits the batter. The batter gives CARTER a look and jogs to first base. A run scores.

CARTER then tries a sinker, but instead throws it right into the ground. A wild pitch is blamed for another run scoring.

CARTER goes back to his fastball and gives up a grand slam home run; four more runs score. He has now given up seven runs without making an out. LEWIS walks out.

LEWIS
What are you doing?! Are you trying to lose the game?! I think my job might be on the line as it is, you better not get me fired!

CARTER
I am so sorry Lewis. I don’t know what’s going on.

LEWIS
I’ll tell you what’s going on, you only have two solid pitches! You need to work on those other ones or else you’ll be lucky to get another guy out in your whole career!

CARTER
I’m sorry. I understand why you have to take me out of the game already.

LEWIS
I’m not taking you out. You’re my best pitcher! Just settle down, our offense will catch up for you.

CARTER throws the next pitch. It’s another home run. LEWIS walks out and takes CARTER out of the game. He sits in silence for the rest of the game, by himself on the bench.

CUT to DAVID, the Charleston Capitols’ second-best pitcher, sitting in the general manager’s office. Her name is JAMIE.

JAMIE
So you’re saying your manager is doing a poor job?

DAVID
That’s exactly what I’m saying. Look at the score. Carter just gave up eight runs without getting a single out, they took him out of the game already. Meanwhile, you have me and my great stats, and everyone’s pretending like he’s better than me.

JAMIE
I get what you’re saying, David, but I don’t make the decisions of what the pitching rotation is. I only hire and fire them. Did you think of talking to Lewis about your concerns?

DAVID
I already have. He’s set on Carter being the ace. And it’s not like this is Carter’s first time pitching badly either.

JAMIE
In his defense, statistically speaking it’s virtually impossible for someone to throw a good game every time.

DAVID
The starters on the Primitives do.

JAMIE
We’re not the Primitives. In fact, no other team is.

DAVID
Let’s get to the point: Lewis goes or I go.

JAMIE
You’re willing to share the spotlight with Carter?

DAVID
No, but any competent manager would make me the ace.

JAMIE
I will look at our payroll and where we can cut costs if necessary. I think for the most part Lewis and Carter and really everyone else on the team is working well for us. For the most part, there’s a good dynamic and team chemistry going on.

DAVID
Are you calling me out?

JAMIE
I’m not saying you have the best of chemistry with them.

DAVID
Whatever your decision is, if you don’t fire Lewis soon, I walk away. I can do a lot better somewhere else.

JAMIE
I will take this meeting into consideration.

DAVID
Good.

DAVID walks away. He smiles, expecting he is one step closer to replacing CARTER as the team’s ace.

Share this

Related Posts

Previous
Next Post »