Hard Ball Page #7

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Hang on, Coach. I don't have Jarius

Evans on this roster anywhere.

Oh, you know what?

There he is. He's okay.

The other day...

we played a really important game

against a good team.

And, two outs

in the last inning...

I had no choice

but to let Jarius bat.

You can swing if you want,

but you don't have to.

Okay? If you go down looking,

none of us care.

But if you want to swing,

swing.

Get back in there.

Do what you feel.

He was fearless

as he stepped to the plate.

I was terrified for him.

With two strikes

And our hopes dwindling...

he hit a shot

down the first baseline...

and won the game.

And watching him...

raise his arms in triumph...

as he ran to first base...

I swear...

I was lifted in that moment

to a better place.

I swear he--

he lifted the world

in that moment.

He made me...

a better person...

even if just

for that moment.

lam...

forever grateful to Jarius

for that.

That was nice...

what you said.

His mother was very moved.

Thank you.

Wait.

There's some people who want to talk

to you about the baseball team.

The team is done.

That's what they want

to talk to you about.

They're in the auditorium.

We know the league wants to cancel

the championship game.

Mom said it was all up to us

'cause of G-Baby.

Yeah. It's over.

You guys don't have to play.

You guys had a great year.

You can keep the uniforms.

Wait. You're quitting again?

What do you mean?

We wanna play, b*tch.

- You guys wanna play?

- Hell, yeah!

For G-Baby.

I'll see you tomorrow

at 1 1 :
00.

I came to make sure

you guys win.

I even made a bet

with your friend, Ticky.

Knowing Ticky bet against us

improves our chances.

Did you really fill out an

application to work at the school?

Good luck today.

Thank you.

- Andre, Ray Ray.

- What's up, Coach?

Why don't you bring

everybody in?

- Hey, y'all, bring it in!

- Let's go!

I want you guys to take a good look

at yourselves today and feel proud.

We made it here.

We're here.

What I've learned from you

is that...

really, one of the most

important things in life...

is showing up.

I'm blown away

by your ability to show up...

through everything

that's gone on.

The league never wanted you

to play this game...

but you showed up.

But we only have

eight players, so--

- God.

- We can't play.

He was my brother.

He loved to watch us play.

He's watching us right now.

We gonna play today.

Here you go, Kofi.

- Okay, this is for G-Baby.

- G-Baby.

Play ball!

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