You must be Cain, because you're not able to hit the target.
Oh, hello, Coopers.
Pastor Jeff.
Expecting rain, Sheldon?
No.
In this context, it's a parasol from the French para, meaning defense from, and sol, meaning sun.
Please, Mary.
No.
Will you dunk him?
You got it.
You might want to pray to the Lord for better aim.
I'll get you started.
Lord, help George Cooper hit something other than the buffet.
Sorry, trash talk's part of the job.
Can I throw one?
Sure.
OK, now remember what I taught you.
Look where you're throwing and follow through.
Uh-oh.
Dad's bringing in the big guns.
Let's see what you've got, little bitch.
I am baptized once again.
In a row!
I taught her how to do that.
This is a lot of fun, but why don't we let somebody else take a shot?
Missy!
Missy!
Missy!
Missy!
Missy!
Missy!
Missy!
Seven!
Dad, can I talk to you?
Uh, can it wait a minute?
It's pretty important.
So is this.
What?
I've been thinking about how much I enjoyed throwing that ball today.
You did great, honey.
I know.
That's why I want to play on a team.
You get that dunk tank isn't a sport.
I mean baseball.
OK, sure.
They don't have any baseball teams for girls.
Wait a few years, you can play softball.
I don't want to wait.
I want to play baseball.
But you'll be the only girl.
I don't care.
Okay, well, I guess I can look into it.
Thanks, Daddy.
Sure you don't want to play soccer or something?
Nope.
Cheerleading.
Baseball.
Yeah.
You want to see what she can do?
I want to see her go home.
Sorry?
Come on, I'm not going to put a girl on my team.
Why not?
Why not?
She's a girl.
She's got pigtails.
Missy, give us a minute.
No, I want to hear.
Look sweetheart, I just think it's great you want to be on the team, but these boys are going to eat you alive.
I'm not afraid of them.
Well, maybe you should be.
At least let her throw a few.
She's got a hell of an arm.
George, you're a football coach, right?
Mm-hmm.
You're going to put a girl on your team?
It's different.
It's a contact sport.
So is this.
She gets up to bat and someone deliberately throws a ball at her, it's going to make contact.
You're not even going to give her a chance.
No.
Come on.
Let's get out of here.
I'm sorry, honey.
It's my airport.
She didn't even get to try out.
Why not?
Coach doesn't want a girl on his team.
And you were OK with that?
No, I tried.
There was no changing his mind.
Where are you going?
To be mad at somebody new.
Was there a written test and you couldn't remember what I told you?
No.
You want to be on that baseball team?
Yes, but the coach said... I don't care what he said.
Get your glove.
Let's go.
Okay.
Missy.
What?
Do good baseball.
Hey, hello.
Can I talk to you?
You tell my granddaughter she can't play baseball?
Oh, I was just looking out for her, that's all.
Is that so?
Yes, ma'am, it is.
Well, we don't need you deciding what's best for her.
Huh?
What do you need?
I need you to give her the same chance you would a boy.
Or what?
Or you and me gonna have problems.
Well, we wouldn't want that, would we?
No, we wouldn't.
Okay, let's see what you got, kid.
Here you go.
Right in there, baby.
I'm scared.
Meemaw has just made a scene.
Now is not the time to be scared.
Are we gonna do this today?
Keep your pants on.
Throw the damn ball.
I'm just a girl, but I think that's called a strike.
Not bad.
We're back.
Gotta go.
She made the team.
Congratulations.
And Meemaw got a date with the coach.
What?
It was a productive afternoon.
Uh, why are you dressed like a boy?
I made the baseball team.
Oh, so you are a boy.
Get out.
I need to change.
You seem upset.
I am.
I was right.
Good for me.
Get out!
Wait.
You get picked on all the time.
How do you deal with it?
Who's picking on you?
It doesn't matter.
Just tell me.
I usually start by telling myself how much smarter I am than the person who's picking on me.
But that won't work for you.
Out!
Missy?
What?
Sometimes I imagine that I'm an ion with a positive charge and they're an ion with a negative charge.
It's so that whatever they say bounces off me and sticks to them.
I'm sorry those girls were so mean.
They didn't just call me a boy.
They wouldn't sit with me at lunch.
No one talked to me at recess.
Oh, baby.
Somebody crossed out Missy Cooper in my notebook and wrote Mr. Cooper.
Well, if that's what they're like, maybe you don't want them as friends.
I don't think I want to play baseball anymore.
If that's what you want, it's your decision.
Hello?
I heard your daughter's playing baseball.
Hey, Brenda.
What were you thinking?
Excuse me?
My Billy's on that team.
Baseball's for boys.
Says who?
Says everyone.
It's not ladylike.
Save some pudding for your father!
Aw.
OK, where was I?
You were telling me what was ladylike and then yelled at your son like a dock foreman?
Listen, I'm just doing you a favor.
The other moms on the team are starting to talk.
Well, maybe the other moms need to mind their own business.
Come on, Mary.
Isn't one weird kid in your family enough?
You going for a record?
You're playing baseball.
But you said it was my decision.
It is, and you're playing.
Go get him.
Go, Missy!
Go get them, Missy!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hold it.
It happens.
She's OK.
Rush it off, Missy.
Help!
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hold it.
We talked about this.
I've been told when a boy kiss a girl, she takes a trip around the world.
Too bad!
Ah, well, here we go.
It stinks!
Eat it!
It tastes good, huh?
Yeah, listen to your Meemaw kick his ass!
You gonna cry?
Huh?
Do it!
Cry!
Do something!
Break it up!
Hang on, she's winning!
Miss Aces!
Miss A. Cooper!
You stop beating up that boy!
Punch him in the nuts!
Ejected from your very first game.
I'm proud of you, Slugger.
Thanks, Dad.
Dairy Queen's on me.
To be clear, we are not rewarding violence.
But I am glad you didn't let those girls from school bully you into quitting.
I shrugged their faces in the dirt.
That's my girl.
Someone's getting extra sprinkles tonight.
Yeah!
All right, Missy!
Humiliate that boy!
Shelly, why don't you put your book down and watch your sister play?
It's getting exciting.
It looks like everyone's just standing there.
There's two outs, bases are loaded, and the winning run's on second.
But if Missy throws one more strike, they'll win!
And then we can go home?
That is exciting.
All three!
Time!
What are you doing down there?
Pray for her.
Right on it.
What the heck's going on?
I'm gonna lose the game.
Everyone's gonna hate me.
Listen to me.
Just throw the ball over the plate.
This guy's not gonna swing.
Yes, he will.
He's their best hitter.
Oh, you trust me, all right?
He is looking to walk.
He doesn't want to strike out against a girl.
Sure.
Absolutely.
Just throw it across the plate.
He will not swing.
OK.
Here, wipe your nose.
Atta girl.
Now, you got this.
Come on, Missy.
You can't hit.
You can do it!
Play ball!
That's my girl!
Oh, my gosh!
You said he wasn't gonna swing!
I lied.
Hey, we won!
Let's get pizza!
All right, Cooper, remember what I told you, okay?
Knees bent, elbows out, eye on the ball.
Hang on.
Hi, God.
It's Missy Cooper.
I know my mom talked to you about me the other day, and she's, like, your biggest fan.
What's going on?
What, did you fall asleep?
Sorry, I was praying.
Oh, my apologies.
Anyway, I could really use your help getting a hit.
Amen.
Okay.
Are we good?
I don't know.
We'll find out.
Okay, remember, elbows up, knees bent.
I'm coming at you, Cooper.
Way to go!
Perfect!
Thank you, God.
How about thank you, coach?
Thank you, coach.
Too late.
I have something for you.
You said you wanted a cross, and this is the one I used to wear when I was your age.
It's so pretty.
I'm glad you like it.
It's a nice reminder that wherever you are, God is always with you.
And it means a lot to me that you want to wear it.
Thanks, Mom.
I'm going to pray right now.
God, it's Missy again.
If you can hear me better, it's because I'm wearing a cross now.
Please let me get a lot of hits on Saturday.
And if their star pitcher breaks his arm or gets run over by a truck, I'd totally be OK with that.
Amen.
Amen.
Then I hit it over the right fielder's head.
Sounds like you had a good practice.
I did.
Coach said he's gonna have me hit clean up.
Missy, will you rub your cross on my bat?
No.
Have you been doing that?
On mine?
It's working great.
Please, I'll give you a dollar.
What do you think you're doing?
Sharing God's love, making some cash.
Absolutely not.
How about I give you the dollar?
God's love has nothing to do with money.
What about the collection plate at church?
That is different.
That's where I found this dollar.
OK.
Bye.
Are you mad at me?
No.
You sure?
Because that's how you looked when Dad had that breakfast beer.
To be honest, I'm a little concerned that I've given you the wrong impression about how prayer works.
I get it.
I ask God for stuff.
He gives it to me.
It's not rocket science.
Missy, God does not grant wishes.
So he gave me good luck?
It's not luck.
Luck is chance, and God has a plan.
Right.
And his plan is to give me what I want when I pray.
That's why he's so cool.
No.
I mean, he is cool, but sometimes that might not be his plan.
Then what's the point of praying if he's just going to do what he wants?
You don't pray to God to get things.
You pray to build a relationship with him.
This is too complicated.
I'm just going to keep rubbing this thing on my back and kicking my butt.
OK.
That is it.
Take it off.
No, I need it.
The game's Saturday.
There are more important things than baseball.
Now hand it over.
God, cover your ears.
Damn it.
Missy Cooper!
You are not ready for that.
You give that back.
Oh, you... Get!
Lord, I really need you right now.
I have tried so hard to lead my family to your light.
But so far, Sheldon doesn't believe in you.
Missy thinks you're a magic trick.
And you're not a teenage girl, so Georgie doesn't think about you at all.
I never thought I'd take a cross away from my own child.
But what choice did I have?
She was rubbing it on sporting equipment.
I didn't think there was a wrong way to pray, but leave it to that girl to find one.
Please give me the strength to keep guiding my family to you.
I can't do it on my own.
Amen.
Psst.
Hey, miss.
Come here.
What?
I'm up next.
No.
Here.
Don't tell your mother.
I think I want to do this on my own.
You sure?
Just in case mom's right.
I don't want to make gone mad.
All right.
Go get them.
Coming!
Can you believe this?
Boy trophy, boy trophy, boy trophy.
All I see is my trophy wife.
Nope.
OK.
Look, the only girl trophies are for cheerleading, soccer, and golf.
So buy Missy a golf trophy and tell her it's a skinny band.
George, that poor girl has been watching her brother win awards since he was three years old.
I'd like for her first one to be special.
Because you think it may also be her last one?
I didn't say that.
But you thought it.
Yeah.
Hey, I have something to show you.
What's up?
I was going to give this to you at the end of the season party, but I was so excited that I wanted you to see it now.
What the hell is that?
I couldn't find any girl baseball trophies, so I made you one.
Why is her head so big?
It's a Barbie head.
I had to improvise.
You chopped the head off one of my Barbies?
Don't be silly.
I bought a new one.
I could have had a new Barbie!
The point is, you deserve to be recognized appropriately for everything you've accomplished.
You can't give that to me in front of all the boys.
Why?
It's embarrassing.
Well, we have plenty of time.
I can make the head smaller or the body bigger or a little bit more.
I just want the same trophy everyone else gets.
But I want you to feel special.
And I just want to feel regular.
Okay.
Well, I'll make sure you get a regular one at the party.
Thank you.
Mom, wait.
I get what you were trying to do.
It's nice.
Thanks.
Can I keep that one, too?
You really want it?
I do.
Despite her many flaws, my sister did have a soft spot in her heart.
And a fondness for blowing things up.
If you want to be his girlfriend and he wants to be your boyfriend, what's the problem?
He also plays baseball, and this weekend, I have to pitch against him.
Yeah?
So?
So if I strike him out, he might get mad and break up with me.
Why would he do that?
I've struck out a bunch of boys.
They all get real mad.
You gonna pitch bad to him on purpose?
I was thinking about it.
That is not what you are going to do.
You are going to do your best.
And if you strike him out, he will respect you for it.
I don't know.
When I struck out Brian Morgan, he cried.
Now everyone calls him crying Brian.
That's pretty funny.
Thanks.
I started it.
Awful.
Aw, damn it.
We're going to lose.
Oh, we're going to be fine.
Powell's got this.
I'll strike Marcus out.
Put me in.
Time.
Time.
I thought Marcus was your boyfriend.
Meemaw told you.
She's my girlfriend.
You know, we talk about stuff.
So all that about saving my arm for playoffs wasn't true?
I was just being nice.
Since when are you nice?
Well, don't get used to it.
Just go strike out your boyfriend.
Player change.
Come on, Cooper.
Good job.
Kind of.
One.
Yes.
Two more, Coop.
Two more.
Come on.
I thought we were saving her arm.
Not now, Billy.
Yeah, OK.
You got this.
Like Coop.
Hang in there.
No problem.
Come on, Coop.
Bear down.
Good game?
Good game.
Ready to roll?
Not really.
What's wrong?
It happened.
What happened?
That thing that happens to girls when they're becoming young ladies.
What?
Now?
I'm not happy about it either.
Should we go home?
I'm pitching in an hour.
You think that's a good idea?
Maybe you need to lie down.
I don't need to lie down.
OK.
Well, maybe I need to lie down.
OK, we're going to find a pay phone and call your mother.
She's not here right now.
What can she do?
Well, I don't know what to do.
We're going to go to a drugstore and get what I need.
Go to a drugstore.
OK, I can do that.
Breathe.
We're going to get through this.
Nothing to be embarrassed about.
It's perfectly natural.
Perfectly normal.
Dad, I know.
I'm telling myself.
How much money you need?
I'm not going in there.
You are.
Why can't you go?
It's embarrassing.
You just said it wasn't embarrassing.
Well, it is, and I lied.
Hey.
Hey.
Came to see your man be a leader of little people, huh?
I came to see my granddaughter pitch.
Under my leadership.
All right, Cooper, let's see what you got.
Come on, girl.
Shake it off.
You got this.
What the hell was that?
Well, there's some leadership.
Time.
Cooper.
Cooper, what is the problem?
The ball isn't going where it's supposed to.
I saw that.
What am I doing wrong?
Just a little case of the yips, it happens.
What's that?
The yips.
You know it's when you're thinking about stuff in your head and something you've done a million times.
You can't do it anymore.
Even the pros get it.
How do I get rid of it?
Just don't think about it.
Okay.
Don't think, just grow.
I hate the little people.
Damn it.
Hold it.
Time, time, time.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
Oh, don't worry about it.
It's not your fault.
It isn't?
No, I'm the one that let a girl pitch.
It's my mistake.
What?
I've won so many games.
Oh, that was then.
Why are you being so mean?
Well, why are you getting so emotional like women do?
Maybe you ought to be a cheerleader.
You trying to make me mad?
Is it working?
Yeah.
Well, I tell you what.
Picture my face in the catcher's mitt.
What?
Do I have to dumb it down for you?
Just do what I tell you.
Yes!
Ah, don't get all hysterical, little girl.
You suck.
You suck.
No, you suck!
I am the leader of the little people.
