LEWIS approaches CARTER in the dugout.
LEWIS
Opening Day. You ready?
CARTER
Nope.
LEWIS
What’s wrong?
CARTER
It’s just that—
LEWIS
You’ll be fine. Go out there and strike them out!
CARTER walks onto the mound. RAY crouches down behind the plate, and signals to CARTER to throw a fastball. CARTER throws a fastball down the middle of the plate, and the batter gets a base hit. RAY jogs to the mound.
RAY
In the future, try not to let them get hits.
CARTER
That’s my goal.
CARTER throws the same pitch again, and the other team gets another hit. CARTER struggles to find a solid pitch, giving up four runs in the first inning.
BEN
Carter, no offense but—
CARTER
You’re about to offend me.
BEN
—I could’ve pitched better than that.
CARTER
Oh yeah? We’ll see about that.
BEN
I’m not a pitcher. So we won’t see about that.
LEWIS
You are not.
BEN
Huh?
LEWIS
Carter, that sucked. And none of our other starting pitchers are ready, plus it’s too early to bother with our relievers. Ben, you’re in next inning.
BEN
Is that even allowed?
LEWIS
Probably.
CARTER
You want me to play second base?
LEWIS
No. You’re done for the day. Ben, get on the mound.
BEN walks up to the mound. He pitches five hitless innings, but four runs score due to walks and hit batters.
LEWIS
Ben, you have no control over your pitching. But at least it took you five innings to give up that many runs.
BEN
I’m not pitching again, right?
LEWIS
Not if I have a say.
BEN
You’re the coach...you do have a say, right?
LEWIS
Uh huh. Alright, I’m going home now.
BEN
The game’s not over.
LEWIS
I’m aware.