Skinnybones

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying.

The reporters interview T.J. ahead of the game. Everyone in the audience (besides Fran and Ethel) is rooting for T.J., whose warm-up pitches are just as impressive as his pitches from the contest. The first batter is nervous, strikes out quickly, and then cries when he returns to the bench. The next two batters are even worse.

Alex’s team seems completely depressed, so Alex tries to improve morale with a huddle, but his words of encouragement are ineffective because everyone has already given up. Alex takes right field while their pitcher, Frankie, takes the mound. Alex tries to encourage Frankie, but Frankie tells him to be quiet, suggesting that this isn’t a normal game. Frankie’s pitches are embarrassing. When Alex notices the cameraman filming him, he puts his glove up to hide his face. At that moment, the player at bat hits the ball to right field, and it lands squarely in Alex’s glove. Alex is so surprised that he lets the ball roll out of his glove, and Frankie yells at him for dropping the ball. Alex is so angry that he gets distracted by arguing with Frankie and lets the opposite team score two runs.