GARRY is holding a pitchers-only practice with BRAYDEN, COLTON, GAVIN, JAXON, and WESLEY.
GARRY
Huddle up, everyone!
BRAYDEN, COLTON, GAVIN, JAXON, and WESLEY meet one another in center field.
GARRY [yelling]
I meant on the mound with me!
BRAYDEN, COLTON, GAVIN, JAXON, and WESLEY jog to the mound.
GARRY
This is a pitching practice, remember. We’re not trying to figure out who our fifth-string center fielder is.
COLTON
I’m guessing me.
GARRY
You’re probably right. Now, I brought a special guest today.
JAXON
A special guest?
WESLEY
It’s one of those people who comes and tries to make you better at something.
JAXON
I know what a special guest is. I meant who?
GAVIN
I don’t know!
BRAYDEN
Why don’t you ask Coach Garry?
JAXON
That’s what I was getting at.
GARRY
Alright, so as you may know I do have some connections from my previous job as—
BRAYDEN
The bullpen coach of the Indianapolis Primitives. You bring it up a lot for someone who claims to have hated it.
GAVIN
I didn’t know you had connections to any of the pitchers, I thought you just stuck with the guys in the bullpen.
GARRY
I did.
JAXON
You got us one of their pitchers for the special guest, right? There are five of them and they’re all great pitchers.
WESLEY
I’m sure Coach Garry has talked to them before.
GARRY
I haven’t.
JAXON
Wow! How did you get one of them to come?
GARRY
I didn’t.
COLTON
Huh?
GARRY
I got one of the guys from the bullpen. Trust me, it will be very enlightening.
JAXON
You’ve gotta be kidding me. What are we supposed to learn from that?
GARRY
What not to do.
WESLEY
So let me get this straight: you got us one of your bullpen guys to show us what not to do? Don’t they feel a little offended about that?
GARRY
Thanks for reminding me. He doesn’t know he’s showing you what not to do. So...just pretend he’s actually teaching you what to do.
COLTON
Got it.
GARRY
Any guesses as to who it is?
JAXON
I was thinking Kurt because he turned into an actual pitcher, but since you said they’re teaching us what not to do, my new guess is Eli. A general manager who knows baseball but just not how to play it.
WESLEY
I’m also going with Eli.
COLTON
I’m thinking the same.
BRAYDEN
I have no clue so I’ll just agree, it’s Eli.
GAVIN
Unanimous vote for Eli.
GARRY
You’re wrong. Any other guesses?
BRAYDEN
I don’t think I want to know.
GARRY
I’m telling you anyways. It’s Lorenzo.
Everyone stares in silence at GARRY.
GARRY
I know, he’s not the best pitcher, but that’s why you’ll learn so much! Let me just text him...
GARRY texts LORENZO, who soon appears.
LORENZO
Hey everyone! Ready to learn about how to pitch from me?
Everyone nods their heads.
LORENZO
Good. So the first thing you do is put on a uniform. It has a shirt, pants—
GARRY
They’re not stupid.
LORENZO
Fine, I’ll skip ahead. What you do is walk to the sand hill thing and find that white bar. You put your foot against it. You also have to get a glove.
GARRY
Lorenzo, you don’t have to dumb it down that much.
LORENZO
I’m not dumbing it down.
JAXON
Do you have any tips for us on how to throw the ball?
LORENZO
Yes! See, move your throwing arm so that—eh, it’s hard to explain. But if there’s one thing to remember, it’s this: close your eyes when you pitch.
BRAYDEN
Huh?
WESLEY
That’s real? I thought that was a joke.
LORENZO
Oh, it’s real. Also, it’s nice if you have an incentive to pitch. Just think, if you get through the inning, you get something you like. For example, chicken wings.
GARRY
I don’t think you understand, Lorenzo. These kids are actual pitchers.
LORENZO
Oh. Still, it’s nice to have an incentive after you play. So just close your eyes, let the fielders take it from there, and eat after you pitch. Those are my pointers.
GARRY
Come on, give them a little more than that.
LORENZO
Okay, let me think...oh! If you’re comfortable on the bench, stay there. Don’t let anyone else take your spot just because you’re told to pitch. And also, aim to give up five runs for every out you get. And steal the cotton candy machine, you might get caught but they’ll let you keep playing either way. Or make you keep playing, depending on how you look at it.
GARRY
What do you say, guys?
COLTON
Thank you Lorenzo, you certainly taught me a lot.
GAVIN
Yeah, that was a lot to take in.
LORENZO
Glad I could help. Good luck with your new team, Garry!
LORENZO walks away.
GARRY
So, do you all know what not to do now?
JAXON
I don’t know, that closing your eyes thing may sound like a good idea.
BRAYDEN
And I don’t blame him for wanting to hold his own on the bench.
WESLEY
Plus, he has a point with that incentive thing.
GARRY
Very funny.
JAXON
No, seriously.
GARRY
What have I done? You better not all start pitching like Lorenzo now.
BRAYDEN
Might be worth a shot.
GARRY
Trust me, it’s not. Don’t do what Lorenzo does or else you’re all off the team and the Automobiles will just have four players. Three when Hudson’s mom pulls him away. Got it?
ALL
Yes Coach Garry.
GARRY
Good. Now get some rest. I need you to pitch good.
Everyone leaves.