CARTER is sitting on the bench of the Charleston Capitols’ dugout when LEWIS approaches him.
LEWIS
So, you may be wondering why I made you stay at today’s game given it’s spring training and you’re a starting pitcher and you weren’t starting today.
CARTER
Actually, yes.
LEWIS
Well then, I’ll tell you why?
CARTER and LEWIS are both silent.
CARTER
Why?
LEWIS
I want you to pitch the final inning.
CARTER
What?
LEWIS
I WANT YOU TO PITCH THE FINAL INNING.
CARTER
I heard what you said! Just, it doesn’t make sense.
LEWIS
Yes it does.
CARTER
How?
LEWIS
Because I’m the coach, and what I say goes. Also, I feel like it.
CARTER
Fair enough.
CARTER walks onto the mound and throws the first pitch to RAY. It is right down the middle of the plate, but the umpire does not call a strike. CARTER does this three more times before walking the batter. RAY jogs over to him.
RAY
You’re pitching strikes, he’s just not calling them.
CARTER
I know that!
RAY
What’s your strategy?
CARTER
Haven’t thought of one. But we’re winning by five runs so I should have no problem making three outs.
RAY
Just stay calm in case he continues to make bad calls.
CARTER
Got it.
RAY jogs back to home plate. CARTER throws what seems to be a strike, but the umpire does not call it a strike.
CARTER
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THAT PITCH?!?!?!
HOME PLATE UMPIRE
What I say goes.
CARTER
OH YEAH? WELL I SAY—
LEWIS runs onto the field and talks to the umpire.
LEWIS
What my pitcher is trying to say is he believes he’s throwing good pitches.
HOME PLATE UMPIRE
He is.
LEWIS
Then why aren’t you calling strikes?
HOME PLATE UMPIRE
I’ve never seen Carter pitch in person. The less strikes I call, the longer I get to do so.
LEWIS
Isn’t that against your duties?
HOME PLATE UMPIRE
Yeah, but I just eject coaches who question my umpiring abilities. Consider yourself ejected.
LEWIS walks back to the clubhouse in awe, having just been ejected from an exhibition game. CARTER eventually closes out the inning with the Capitols winning the game. BEN walks over to CARTER.
BEN
Nice save!
CARTER
Thanks.
BEN
You’ll make a great closer.
CARTER
I’m not a closer, I’m a starting pitcher.
BEN
Haven’t you heard? Lewis wants to make you a closer.
CARTER
No he doesn’t.
BEN
How are you always so good at calling out my bluff?
CARTER
It’s obvious.
BEN
I’ll see you around. Are you pitching again any time soon?
CARTER
I pitch every five games. I’m in the starting rotation. Remember?
BEN
Eh.
CARTER
I’ll be back on the mound. And I’ve been working on a new pitch, too.
BEN
New pitch?
CARTER
You heard me.
BEN
What is it?
CARTER
You’ll see.
CARTER walks away.