Viewer beware.
You're in for a scare.
Goosebumps.
Time to go, honey.
Whatever.
I bet you're gonna get to play today.
Yeah, right.
Matthew Erikson's up at bat.
Bottom of the 9th: 2 on, 2 out.
Erikson steps to the plate.
Pitcher winds up and it's a long fly ball.
This one has a chance. It's going, it's going,
it's gone! The tigers win the championship!
The crowd is going wild!
Ready?
Uh, yeah. Sure.
All right! All right! Evans.
2 on, 2 outs. You're up.
Now, you're the tying run, all right?
You bring us home. Wait for your pitch now.
Have an eye in there. Have an eye.
Wait for your pitch, now. It's gonna come to you.
Your pitch will come to you.
Time out.
Time.
Erikson hasn't played. He's still on the bench.
The rules clearly state all boys must get into at least
one game each season.
Come on.
It's not just about winning.
Our job is to provide an opportunity
for all the boys.
What?
This is a community league. Let the kid play.
If I do that, we lose.
If you don't, you forfeit the game.
Play ball.
Evans, sit down.
But I'm the star. Now!
Erikson.
Grab a bat. You're up.
Me?
What?
You're in the game. Let's go.
Come on. You can do it.
What's coach doing?
And Erikson, do me a favor.
Close your eyes.
Maybe you'll get lucky.
Hit the ball, buddy. Come on.
Just keep your eye on the ball, Matt. It's your pitch.
Come on!
Hey, Erikson, this is a ball.
The object of the game is to hit it.
I know how to play.
You just never get to.
Strike!
Come on, Matt, you can do it.
Come on. Think big, Matt.
Ok. Ok.
Just keep your eye on the ball, Matt. Hit your pitch.
Pack up the gear. It's over.
Strike 3. Batter's out.
It's ok, boys. It's all right.
You almost nailed that last one, Matt.
If you'd connected, the ball would've gone a mile.
Yeah, the keyword is connect.
You were great, honey.
You really gave it your best shot.
Can we just go?
Todd, throw that junk mail away and finish your dinner.
It's not junk.
Thousands of people enter these contests.
Somebody's gotta win.
One day it'll be me.
May I be excused, please.
Try and eat something.
But I'm not hungry.
Yeah, go ahead.
Can I come in?
Yeah.
Hey.
Hey, you know, I'm proud of you.
For what?
For tryin'.
Oh, look, Matthew, I know you're disappointed.
But you got in there.
Right.
Look, your, uh, mom's rented a video.
Why don't you come downstairs?
No, I think I'm just gonna stay here.
Ok.
You know, Matthew,
there are a lot of things that you are good at.
Baseball's not
the most important thing in the world.
And now up to bat,
Matthew Erikson.
Matthew! Matthew!
"Karlsville League. It's a whole new ball game."
Matthew! Matthew! Matthew!
Glad you could make it.
We are about ready to play ball.
You ready?
Me?
You're dressed for it.
But I was just standing in my room.
Looking at this miniature field.
That's why they call it little league.
So you're on my team or what?
Team?
Where am I?
Karlsville.
Home of the Karlsville Crunchers.
Tonight's the big game.
Everyone's come out to watch.
I don't see anybody.
Believe me, they're here.
I need a batter.
And you, you're up.
I'm starting?
Of course.
You are the star. You're the man.
You are the franchise, baby!
I never start. I mean, I don't even have a glove.
You don't need a glove.
In Karlsville, it's a whole new ball game.
Batter up!
It's a beautiful night for a game.
The fans are out, the players ready.
It's game time!
But first,
our national anthem.
It gets me every time.
You're in the game, kid. The fans are waiting.
Remember, the object of the game is to get home.
I know how to play.
We'll see.
Play ball!
W-where are the other players?
Don't worry about them. Worry about yourself.
Well, how am I supposed to hit without a...
Batter up!
Matthew Erikson.
He's ready for the first pitch.
Strike 1.
Strike 2.
It's 0 and 2 to Erikson.
If I know this pitcher,
we can expect a change-up.
I can hit that.
He got over that one.
Run!
Dig! Dig!
Erikson, havin' a little trouble gettin' down the line.
Erikson made it to first.
Only 3 more bases to go.
What... What kind of game is this?
The game of your life, kid.
You're tryin' to hurt me.
Quit whining.
No wonder you never get to play.
All you gotta do is get home.
Now take a lead.
Erikson takes it cautiously.
And I can't say I blame him.
Don't get picked off.
Come on.
Step right up, beat the boy and win a prize.
Oh!
Is this exciting or is this exciting?
Hey, remember, a fan can keep any ball
that goes into the stands as a souvenir.
Get off the bag.
Be aggressive. You're almost home.
No way. I'm stayin' right here.
I'm not gettin' off.
This is the only safe place around here.
Wrong.
Hey!
Whoa. Whoa.
Matthew! Matthew! Matthew!
Matthew! Matthew!
Whoa!
Whoa! Whoa!
Help!
Someone!
Please!
Take your time.
You're safe for now.
Whoa!
Why don't you just let me go home?
Sure, it's only 90 feet away. You think you can steal it.
Watch my signs.
You prefer the squeeze play
or the sacrifice.
What kind of baseball game is it with only one player?
An entertaining baseball game.
Oh, I'm sorry.
You want some more players?
And at 3rd base, herve,
the squirrel.
And now, catching for the Karlsville Crunchers,
Herb "Hungry" Underman.
Play ball.
Gettin' a little bit run-down?
Whoo-hoo!
Erikson's, uh,
caught in a pickle.
Hey, what a good idea.
Erikson looks like he's in trouble.
He has no choice.
He's gonna have to drive it in big.
Slide!
Get away!
Ahh!
Oh!
Jessica Walters came by to see you, Matthew.
Huh?
Have fun.
What do you want?
Listen,
I've come by to talk about these baseball cards.
I...
What is that doing here?
Then it wasn't a dream.
You got sucked in, too?
Yes, and it was horrible.
And... And I almost didn't make it back.
We've got to destroy this thing right away.
Hey, no kidding.
Hey, my dad's got a hammer and tools in the garage.
Let's do it.
Wow!
"Todd Erikson, you're the grand prize winner.
Send this to Karlsville to claim your prize."
Where's Karlsville?
Special delivery.
We have a winner.