Centerfield

by: Jodie Poliziani

characters

Timmy Ryan,13 years old and is the new boy in school, who moved to Florida from Delaware. He moved two weeks ago, and is just getting settled into the new school. He is in 7th grade. He has no talent, so his mother forces him to sign up for baseball. He has trouble making friends.

Mother, Mother of Timmy. She supports him of anything he does.

Tate Rae, Also is 13 years old and is the most popular boy in 7th grade, and is big and tough. Everyone likes Tate. He plays centerfield, and bullies the new boy Timmy. He has a problem with Timmy because his girlfriend Gia flirts with him.

Gia Brown, Is 13 years old and is Tate’s girlfriend, but falls in love with Timmy.

Noah Swade, 14 years old, and got held back so he is in 7th grade with Tate. He is Tate’s best friend. He plays shortstop in baseball, and Is really good at baseball. He is also buff. He also bullies Tim because Tate is.

Coach Rae, He is the father of Tate. Also, he is coach of the baseball team.

Extras In Classroom/ Lunchroom

Teacher, is the homeroom teacher, and Is on lunch duty.

Rest of team, This includes Tate, Noah, Lucas, Jerry, Chris, Eli, Alex, Austin, Tanner, and Daniel.

Announcer, announces the championship game.

Crowd, goes crazy after Timmy hits the ball.

Ref, refs the game.

Act 1, Scene 1

setting: Beginning of class early in the morning at Greenville Middle School.

(Bell rings to start class)

TEACHER

Alright, everybody let’s take roll. Say here if i say your name

(Calls out students names)

TEACHER

Tate Rae?

TATE

(laughing)

Not here…

TEACHER

(laughing at Tate)

Ohhhhh Tate you’re so funny, you crack me up! Ok, next up our new kid, his name is Timmy Ryan. Are you here?

TIMMY

Yes…

TEACHER

Great, everyone make sure you all welcome Tim!

(The bell rings for first period)

TATE

Hey Tim, do you play any sports or anything because if you want, you can play baseball with us?

TIMMY

No, I don’t.

(Walks away quickly, making no eye contact with Tate.)

TATE

Dude wait up!

(Runs up to catch Timmy)

What’s your deal bro? I was just trying to talk to you, and you run away.

TIMMY

Sorry I’m not that social, and I don’t play.

TATE

I feel like you are lying.

TIMMY

Well I played baseball once, but broke my arm running to second base, so I don’t do it. I can’t really do anything that well.

TATE

Oh that sucks, but I bet you could do something? How about since you played before, meet me after school out at the baseball fields, and we could catch. We wanna see what you can do.

(points to Noah)

TIMMY

I don’t have any gear.

TATE

I have an extra glove you can use.

TIMMY

Ok, I’ll try, but I’m telling you I’m not good at all.

TATE

Dude It’s cool, and untuck your shirt. it makes you look like a nerd.

TIMMY

(Looks offended)

But I like it this way tucked In.

TATE

Here just let me do it. It will make you look so much cooler.

(Untucks Tim’s shirt, and undoes a button)

Ok I have to go now.

Act 1, Scene 2

Setting: It takes place during fifth period in lunch.

TIMMY

( walks into the lunchroom, and sits down at an empty table in the corner.)

GIA

Hey! Are you new here! Do you mind If I sit?

(Says quickly)

TIMMY

Uh yeah I’m new, and sure.

GIA

So what’s your name new boy?

TIMMY

Timmy, but you can call me Tim for short.

GIA

I like that name Tim! Hey why are you sitting all alone anyways?

TIMMY

I don’t have any friends.

GIA

Well we can be friends! I’m going to go get my lunch, I’ll be back.

(Goes to get lunch)

TATE

Hey Timmy. I see you talking to my girl. Listen I know you are new, but you have to know the rules here. Since I am dating her, you can’t talk to her, alright?

TIMMY

Oh no, I wasn’t trying to… you know flirt with her. She just came up to me, and asked to sit with me since nobody else is.

TATE

Oh bro well, I would let you sit with us, but there isn’t anymore room left. Sooo I guess it’s fine for one day.

(Sounding jealous)

Oh look here comes Gia!

GIA

I’m backk, and I see you been talking more to Tate. Tate, you should come sit with us.

TATE

I’m good. I need to go back to my table now. Bye Gia!

GIA

Man, he gets on my nerves a lottttt. Sometimes I just want to break up with him. He never seems like he cares about me as much as I care.

TIMMY

I’m sorry to hear that Gia. You’re not the only one who also feels like that.

GIA

What do you mean?

TIMMY

Well my dad didn’t really care about me… just forget, I don’t really want to talk about it.

GIA

Oh I understand, sorry.

TIMMY

Thanks but don’t tell anyone please? I just met you, and I don’t know if you’re gonna tell Tate anything.

GIA

I know we don’t really know each other, but I won’t tell anyone.

TATE

(looks over at Tim and Gia, and has an angry look on his face.)

Act 1, Scene 3

Setting: Outside school at the baseball field

TATE

You ready kid?

(Shoves Timmy)

TIMMY

OWWW! Why did you shove me?

TATE

That’s for hitting on my girl.

TIMMY

I was not!

GIA

Hey Timmy! Hey Tate!

(She shouts across the fields.)

TATE

Right.

(He says sarcastically.)

Ok anyway, let’s get started.

NOAH

Everyone, Lineup behind me. For warmups, Tate is going to throw balls for us to field them.

TATE

(He throws one to Noah, and Noah fields it easily. He keeps throwing them perfectly to his friends. He then throws one far away from Timmy on purpose.)

TIMMY

(Timmy misses the ball, and it goes flying into the woods.)

TATE

WOW you do stink. You’re going to get that ball back right now.

TIMMY

It’s your fault!

TATE

Go get that stinking ball right now!

TIMMY

(Throws his glove on the ground, and runs home.)

Act 1 Scene 4

Setting: Timmy’s house

MOTHER

Where were you? You had me worried!

TIMMY

Oh I was at baseball. I forgot to tell you, I’m soooo sorry!

MOTHER

You’re lucky that I’m going to let you off the hook because you’re new to the school.

TIMMY

Sorry, I’ll tell you next time I go out.

MOTHER

Well actually I’m happy you practiced because guess what?

TIMMY

What?

MOTHER

Well a few days ago, I saw a baseball sign up sheet at the store, andddd…

TIMMY

Oh no… You’re not gonna tell me, you signed me up for baseball?

MOTHER

Why, what’s wrong with that?

TIMMY

Incase you haven’t forgotten, I am really bad at sports, or anything else!

MOTHER

Oh no you aren’t

(She tries to sound cheerful.)

You are going to play baseball. You never do anything anymore.

TIMMY

Whatever…

MOTHER

I signed you up on Max Rae’s team. I think that he has a son in your grade. He told me that you will fit right in.

TIMMY

Yeah I met him today. He is real nice.

(Sounds sarcastic)

MOTHER

Well you guys better get along because I’m not taking your name off the list, and I already paid for you. You start on thursday after school out in the back of school.

TIMMY

I don’t even have equipment!

MOTHER

We will get you some when I earn enough money. The coach said that you could borrow his son’s extra glove when he called me today. Didn’t you use It today? Coach Rae says that Tate always carries an extra glove.

TIMMY

Whatever I’m going upstairs.

MOTHER

Wait!! I didn’t even get to ask you about school!

TIMMY

You might as well not even ask!

(Screams at his mother from upstairs)

MOTHER

Lose the attitude! You needed something to get your mind off of what has been happening. It’s been rough.

TIMMY

I’m going to bed!

(Slams door)

MOTHER

It’s only five o’clock!

Act 1, Scene 5

Setting: Baseball practice a few days later

TATE

Why are you here kid?

TIMMY

My mom unexpectedly signed me up.

TATE

Well you could keep the bench warm for me while I’m playing on the field, and you are sitting on the bench!

(He smirks)

TIMMY

Shutup…

TATE

You deserve it.

TIMMY

I still don’t understand why I deserve this.

TATE

The past few days, you’ve been with my girlfriend. I ask her to hangout and she said that she doesn’t want to!. This is all your fault! You like brainwashed her or something.

TIMMY

Maybe you should take It up with her. She does have a few things to speak to you about.

TATE

So now you know all her secrets. WOW!

TIMMY

I wouldn’t say all of them.

(smirks)

COACH

Let’s get practice going! Everyone come over here. Pick a partner, and start to catch with them.

TATE

I’m gonna catch with Timmy.

( squeezes his shoulder powerfully.)

TIMMY

ouch!

COACH

Tae, keep your hands to yourself. We might need him.

TATE

Whatever, let’s get catching. Go over there.

(Whips the ball at Timmy.)

TIMMY

(The ball hits Timmy in the glove, but he drops it.)

COACH

Timmy do you know how to play baseball? That one was right to you.

TIMMY

He whipped it though!

TATE

Dad he has no clue how to play. He told me on Monday.

(Grins)

COACH

Come over here. I’ll show you how to catch.

TATE

What do I do then? I think I should teach him how to catch that stinking ball.

COACH

Go catch with Noah, and Jerry. Come here Tim. So first you’re going to open your glove wide. Next, you’re gonna position yourself with me. When I throw the ball to you, squeeze It tightly until you know the ball is in your glove.

NOAH

Why do you want to teach him how to catch?

TATE

I don’t I was just gonna keep throwing them far away into the woods so he would have to keep running, and get it.

(Says that the coach can’t hear)

NOAH

Hah I get it. This kid shouldn’t be on the team. He is a distraction.

TIMMY

Ok I think I understand now.

(Says to the coach)

COACH

Here move back some, I’ll toss you the ball.

TIMMY

(Moves back, and catches the ball.)

WOW I caught it!

COACH

Now Tate come over here, and come catch with Tim.

TATE

(Gives Timmy a rude look, and whips the ball at Tim again.)

TIMMY

(Drops the ball.)

Stop throwing it so hard!

COACH

Tate If you aren’t going to show respect to my practice, you can sit for the rest of practice.

TATE

Coach that’s how I throw it. I got stronger over the winter!

COACH

Just throw it lighter.

TATE

Whatever…

(Throws it so light)

TIMMY

(catches it)

Scene 1, Act 6

setting: The next day at school during lunch.

TATE

(Walks over towards Gia and Timmy.)

Hey guys I’m gonna sit over here today to watch Timmy. I just wanna make sure he isn’t snatching my girlfriend.

GIA

Tate he isn’t

(laughs)

TIMMY

I don’t know what you are talking about anyways. All we do is talk.

TATE

Like I would believe you. I don’t even know you, and I shouldn’t have asked you to practice with us.

GIA

Tate if you want to sit with us, you have to be nice.

NOAH

Hey look! It’s the boy that can’t even catch a baseball.

(Everyone in the lunchroom starts laughing.)

TIMMY

You can stop now. I’m already embarrassed enough.

NOAH

Not until you quit the team boy.

TIMMY

That’s not gonna happen. I’m buying a new glove today.

TEACHER

Boys go back to your seats please.

(Tate and Noah go back to their original seats.)

TATE

Oh, um actually I’m going to sit here today.

TEACHER

GO BACK TO YOUR SEAT NOW SIR.

TATE

Jeez fine.

(Goes back to his lunch table)

GIA

I wish I could do something about Tate, but I’m afraid he will spread a stupid rumor about me if I did.

TIMMY

Aren’t you still dating him though?

GIA

Okay well, I was thinking a lot. I tried to talk to Tate yesterday after his practice, and he lost it on me. So, I decided that I’m going to break up with him today. I just don’t know when.

TIMMY

He sure deserves it.

GIA

I need to tell you something else.

TIMMY

What?

GIA

I really want to be really good friends with you, and maybe date or something.

TIMMY

Really… So you’re just going to dump Tate, and now like me?

GIA

Yeah you are so much nicer than Tate, and you listen to me. What’s wrong with that?

TIMMY

I just can’t believe someone said that they like me more than the most popular boy in school, Tate Rae.

GIA

(laughs)

I know, kinda crazy huh?

Act 1, Scene 7

Setting: A month passes, and It’s the day of the first game.

GIA

Hey are you excited for the game?

TIMMY

Yeah…

GIA

What’s wrong?

TIMMY

Well It’s just… I’m not that good at baseball.

GIA

So…

TIMMY

It will be embarrassing if I mess up, even if i get in.

GIA

I don’t care if you mess up, don’t worry I won’t laugh.

TIMMY

Ok thanks, but I have to go.

GIA

K bye, good luck.

(Winks)

COACH

Alright everyone listen up, I have the lineup for today! Noah is hitting first, and Is at shortstop. Jerry, you are at third. Chris is at first. Tate is at centerfield. Eli, you are right field. Alex, you are at second base. Austin is Left field. Then, Tanner is the pitcher. Lucus you will be sitting the first inning, but you are hitting 9th. Lastly, Daniel Is our catcher.

TIMMY

(Raises hand.)

Excuse me sir, where am I?

COACH

Today you are on the bench taking a break.

TIMMY

So I’m not even hitting?

COACH

Listen boy, you have to earn your spot on this team. You can’t just show up with little experience, and expect to play.

REST OF TEAM

(All looking at Timmy, and snickering.)

TATE

Hmm looks like you can’t take my spot.

TIMMY

Well Gia said it doesn’t matter if I don’t play, It’s not embarrassing for her.

TATE

Oh It’s gonna be so embarrassing when she comes back for me after I win this game.

(Says in a low voice so nobody can hear)

C’mon everyone let’s go out on the field!

ANNOUNCER

And Tate Rae, center field, gets the crowd hyped up for the first game of the season! Good luck teams!

CROWD

(Shows crowd cheering)

ANNOUNCER

And Tate strikes out another batter.

CROWD

(Cheers)

COACH

You guys played well together. Good job!

TATE

Ha! you’re a bench warmer. How does this make you feel?

(Says so his father doesn’t hear)

TIMMY

(about to cry)

Stop!

TATE

At least you can’t take my spot on the team!

TIMMY

(Gets up and leaves.)

Act 1, Scene 7

Setting: Next day at school and the rest of the days until their championship game.

TATE

Hey loser.

TIMMY

What do you want from me now?

TATE

Gia broke up with me because of you.

TIMMY

Tough luck buddy

TATE

You should be scared.

TIMMY

Why?

TATE

Noah and I are gonna make sure your life is ruined.

TIMMY

(Runs away leaving Tate standing there)

(Everyday Timmy gets bullied by Tate and Noah.)

TATE

Loser, loser

TIMMY

Haha, you think you are so funny.

TATE

I am… I’m funnier, more athletic, smarter, and everything better than you little shrimp.

TIMMY

You think you are smarter? That’s another joke.

TATE

Hmm… Believe what you want to. See yashrimpy.

(Shoves past Tim)

TATE

(Turns around)

Hey, my dad said that you might be playing in this game, but It’s probably not true.

TIMMY

Why? I don’t even care at this point.

TATE

I don’t know, but If you mess this up for me. I will do worse than you could imagine.

Scene 1, Act 8

Setting: Championship game

( It is now the 6th inning.)

COACH

Lucas, you are up! Get out there!

LUCAS

Tim this one is going out to you!

(The pitcher throws the ball, and It hits him unexpectedly.)

Owww!

(Falls to the ground)

He hit me right in the ankle.

COACH

It looks like it’s broken! Oh no!

(helps Lucas to dugout)

Ummm Timmy get out there and go hit.

TIMMY

Okay!

(Puts on gear and walks to the batters box)

(He swings at a ball)

GIA

Let’s go Tim! You can do this!

TIMMY

(Swings at another ball)

COACH

C’mon boy!

TIMMY

(Swings the ball, and hits the ball right to the right field spot, and runs to first.)