COOPER
Lots of people in the crowd today.
WESLEY
Yeah, seems like everyone’s parents are here today. Don’t know why.
COLTON
Is it really just parents? There are so many people in the stands that I swear I’ve never seen before.
GARRY
Kids, those aren’t all parents.
HUDSON
Who else would come to watch our games? In fact, my parents don’t even show up.
GARRY
I’ve been hanging around the ballpark getting everything set up. Some of those people were there since at least last night.
BRAYDEN walks up to the plate to bat. Some people in the crowd start to chant “LET’S GO BRAYDEN!.” BRAYDEN strikes out looking and walks back to the dugout.
BRAYDEN
I don’t think I’ve ever had one person chant for me like that before. Not even my own parents, teammates, or coach.
GARRY
They weren’t chanting for you.
BRAYDEN
I think they were pretty clearly chanting Let’s Go Brayden.
GARRY
It’s code.
BRAYDEN
For…what?
GARRY
Eh, doesn’t matter.
BRAYDEN
Is that gonna happen every time I bat?
GARRY
If you’re lucky. Now isn’t someone else supposed to be batting?
SANTIAGO
Me, but I’m kinda confused as to what’s going on right now.
GARRY
Just do your best.
SANTIAGO walks up to the plate. The people who were not chanting “LET’S GO BRAYDEN” are chanting “THANK YOU BRAYDEN.” Distracted, Santiago swings and strikes out on three wild pitches.
BRAYDEN
Coach Garry, they’re chanting because I struck out! Not very nice if you ask me!
GARRY
Nope, it’s part of the Let’s Go Brayden thing.
LANDON
Coach Garry, I know you’re trying to protect Brayden and everything, but that’s a little ridiculous.
BRAYDEN
You know what? They want to thank me, I’ll do this to them.
BRAYDEN walks out of the dugout. GARRY’s heart skips a beat. BRAYDEN tips his hat to simultaneous chants of Let’s Go Brayden and Thank You Brayden. BRAYDEN walks back to the dugout.
BRAYDEN
I should try striking out looking more often.
GAVIN
I dare you to.
GARRY
Guys, no dares.
GAVIN
What, you don’t think Brayden can strike out again?
GARRY
I do. I mean, I don’t. Or—you know what? Just try to get hits everyone.
COLTON
Why should we when we get cheered for doing terrible?
BRAYDEN
I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna try to strike out.
CUT to BRAYDEN’s next at bat. BRAYDEN jogs out of the dugout and waves to the crowd, who is silent as BRAYDEN strikes out looking again.
BRAYDEN
Alright, that was strange.
GARRY
Do us all a favor next time Brandon—I mean, Brayden—and don’t try to contribute to us losing a game, okay?
SANTIAGO
Maybe they’ll chant for me again now.
SANTIAGO walks up to the plate and hits a double. The crowd does not react.
JAXON
Wow, this crowd is dead. I’ll wake them up.
JAXON walks up to the plate and hears a mixture of “LET’S GO BRAYDEN” and “THANK YOU BRAYDEN” chants. We walks back to the dugout.
GAVIN
Coach Garry, which one should we be chanting?
GARRY
Let’s chant for Jaxon.
GAVIN
Let’s go or thank you?
GARRY
Both, because why not.
The Automobiles start chanting “LET’S GO JAXON” and “THANK YOU JAXON,” who hits a game-winning home run.