INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

The boys sit around telling stories. A glowing lantern lights their faces.

SMALLS
When I moved here, I didn’t fit in. Couldn’t throw. Couldn’t catch. Total disaster.

HAM
You brought a plastic glove to a baseball game. Who does that?

SQUINTS
But Benny saw something in you. And he invited you to play.

BENNY
That’s all it takes—one chance.

SMALLS
Then I did something... bad. I borrowed my stepdad’s ball.
Didn’t know it was signed by... Babe Ruth.

EVERYONE
(panicked)
Babe Ruth?!

HAM
You brought The Great Bambino into this?!

SMALLS
Yeah... and then I hit it over the fence.

Everyone gasps.

YEAH-YEAH
Into the Beast’s yard. That ball’s gone, man. Gone.