The Secret Weapon

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. I'm glad you could join us for Adventures in Odyssey, a place of discovery, imagination, and excitement. But don't take my word for it. Find out for yourself on today's Adventure in Odyssey.
Guest (Male): Batter up!
Connie: Secret weapon!
Guest (Male): It's Connie!
Connie: We'll be scoring touchdowns left and right!
Sam: What? Coach Mott?
Coach Mott: I got about a hundred pushups with your name on them.
Jack: Pretty long box. What's in it?
Connie: Bruno Beltzer.
Jack: Little League can be brutal.
Guest (Male): You're out!
Glenn: Hi, Sam.
Sam: Hi, Glenn. Well, here we are, the start of another baseball season.
Glenn: Yeah, here we are. This is my first year with the Odyssey Coyotes, you know.
Sam: Congratulations. You don't seem very happy. Don't you think this is exciting?
Glenn: How many different ways are there to say no? Let's see. Nada. Nyet. Nein. It was just a figure of speech, Glenn.
Sam: Oh, the truth is, I really don't know why I'm here. I'm not a very good athlete.
Glenn: Hallelujah.
Sam: Hallelujah?
Glenn: That's the only word that's said the same way in every language.
Sam: That's nice, Glenn. I wonder why we're meeting at Whit's End.
Glenn: Where do you normally meet?
Sam: It's a baseball team. Where do you think we meet?
Glenn: Oh, on a baseball field. Do you know if they use AstroTurf out there?
Sam: You're going to fit in with the Coyotes just fine. I hope so. I can't wait. Fielding grounders, shagging flies, pulling together, winning games.
Glenn: Winning games? You haven't played on this team before, have you?
Mr. Allen: No, Sam. Let's not be unkind.
Glenn: Just trying to be truthful, Mr. Allen.
Mr. Allen: The Coyotes have won games before. In fact, they almost won the championship, didn't they?
Sam: That was a long time ago. Now we just lose.
Mr. Allen: Well, maybe this season will be different.
Sam: Why should it be?
Mr. Allen: That's why you're all here. All right, everybody, quiet down, please. Quiet down. Thank you. Now, I suppose you're all wondering what's going on. Well, I've been asked to introduce you to your new coach.
Sam: New coach? You mean Mayor Riley isn't going to coach us?
Mr. Allen: I'm afraid not. Tom's mayoral duties are so demanding he can't lead the team anymore, so he's handed over the reins to someone else. That's why you're here. Odyssey Coyotes, meet your new coach.
Connie: Hi, everybody.
Sam: It's Connie.
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Sam: Connie, you're our new coach?
Connie: That's right, Sam. Listen up, everyone. I know I'm a surprise to you all, and I'll be the first one to admit that I don't know everything about this game yet. That's why I'm going to have to depend on you guys to help me out. Together, I think we can have a great season. So how about it? Are you with me?
Glenn: Yeah, I'm with you, Connie. All the way. Yeah.
Connie: Thanks, Glenn. Now, what about the rest of you? Are you with me? Come on, you can do better than that. Are you with me?
Glenn: Come on, you guys.
Guest (Male): Yeah! All the way. Let's go.
Connie: Sam?
Sam: Okay, okay. I'm with you.
Connie: All right then. Let's hit the field.
Jack: Nice job, Connie.
Connie: So far, so good. I'll see you later.
Jack: Connie?
Connie: Yeah?
Jack: You know, I think it's great that you're trying out new things, searching for your niche, but coaching? Are you sure about this?
Connie: Jack, I am disappointed in you. That's the same reaction I got from the Little League Association. All men, by the way. I expected a little better from you.
Jack: Stop being silly. I wasn't talking about your being a woman in a traditionally male arena. I'm talking about you. Coaching is a big responsibility. Are you sure you're up to it?
Connie: You just wait. You'll see. We're going to put together one of the best seasons the Coyotes have ever had. We'll be scoring touchdowns left and right.
Jack: Connie, that's...
Connie: Football. I know. I was just seeing if you were listening. Bye.
Jack: That girl.
Guest (Male): Strike three! You're out!
Sam: Oh, man.
Connie: It's all right, Sam. It's just practice. All right, next batter. Let's go. And Andy, take Glenn's place on the mound.
Sam: I'm never going to get a hit.
Connie: Yes, you will. You just have to keep trying.
Glenn: Sorry about that, Sam.
Sam: Don't apologize, Glenn. You're a pitcher. You're supposed to strike people out.
Glenn: I know, but I feel so guilty. I tried to pitch slow and everything.
Sam: Great. I can't even hit Glenn's slowball.
Connie: You just need to concentrate, Sam. And maybe you should choke up on the bat, too.
Bruno Beltzer: If he choked up on it anymore, he would kill it.
Connie: Bruno?
Sam: Who?
Glenn: Bruno Beltzer. He pitches for the Crosstown Tigers.
Sam: Star pitcher.
Connie: What are you doing here? Why aren't you at your own team's practice?
Bruno Beltzer: We're done for the day. Besides, I was just scoping out the opposition, and from what I can see, you guys are going to be no trouble.
Sam: Oh, yeah?
Bruno Beltzer: Yeah. I've seen better swings in the monkey cage at the zoo.
Glenn: Leave your relatives out of it.
Connie: All right, that's enough. Bruno, I think you'd better leave.
Bruno Beltzer: Oh, yeah, sure. I don't want to cause any trouble. Keep up the good work, Sammy. You're the best player our team's got.
Glenn: Yeah? Well, then you're in pretty bad shape.
Sam: Thanks a lot, Glenn. Look, don't pay any attention to Bruno, Sam. He's just a bully. No, he's right.
Connie: Sam.
Sam: You don't have to be nice, Connie. I know it's true. I can't hit anything, or catch anything, or do anything, except quit.
Connie: Quit? You're quitting the team?
Sam: Yeah.
Glenn: But you can't. I mean, you shouldn't.
Sam: Why not? I'm just dragging everyone down. You'll be better off without me.
Connie: Sam, we've only been practicing for a week.
Sam: Doesn't matter. I'm not going to get any better.
Connie: Well, no, not if you don't practice.
Sam: I'm tired of trying, Connie. I quit. I'll see you guys around, okay?
Connie: Oh, Sam.
Jack: Well, if it isn't Coach Kendall. Why are you coming in the back way?
Connie: Is Sam here yet?
Jack: Haven't seen him.
Connie: Good. I need to put this under the counter.
Jack: Pretty long box. What's in it?
Connie: A surprise.
Jack: So, how are things going?
Connie: Good, really good. Except for Sam. He quit.
Jack: Quit? Why?
Connie: He doesn't think he can play. Then yesterday, he had this run-in with a big pitcher from the Crosstown Tigers.
Jack: Bruno Beltzer.
Connie: Yeah. How do you know about him?
Jack: Have you forgotten where we are? I hear the kids talking.
Connie: Yeah. Well, anyway, Sam struck out and Bruno made fun of him. Now Sam wants to give up.
Jack: Little League can be brutal.
Connie: You got that right. The thing is, Sam really doesn't have a bad swing. He just needs some confidence, then he can hit the ball. So I've come up with a plan to give him some.
Jack: I take it that's where the box comes in?
Connie: Yep. See, I was reading this book about motivational coaching and it said... wait, here he comes. Hi, Sam.
Sam: Hi, Mr. Allen. Okay, Connie, I'm here. But if this is about quitting the team, my mind's made up.
Connie: Are you sure?
Sam: We went over this yesterday. Yes, I'm sure. No matter how hard I try, I can't get a hit. It's time to face the truth. I'm just no good.
Connie: Is that it? Well?
Sam: Yeah, I guess. But it's just that...
Connie: Just that what? Well, Sam, I disagree. I think you are good. You need a little help, that's all.
Sam: Help? What kind of help?
Connie: A secret weapon.
Sam: Secret weapon? What are you talking about?
Jack: Yes, what?
Connie: I am talking about this.
Sam: A box?
Connie: Open it.
Sam: It's a bat.
Connie: Not just a bat. A very special bat that once belonged to Lefty Grizzell.
Sam: Lefty Grizzell? The Major League home run hitter?
Connie: Yeah. This is the slugger he hit 60 home runs with the year his team took the pennant. Look, look, he carved his name in the bottom. See?
Sam: Cool. Where did you get this, Connie?
Connie: My grandfather. He was a big baseball fan. Grizzell gave this to him when he was little, and he left it to me when he died. I really haven't known what to do with it until now. Grizzell told my grandfather that this bat was very special. He said it has power and accuracy, and sometimes it even seems like it has a mind of its own.
Sam: Really?
Jack: Well, I don't know about that.
Connie: Skeptical, huh? Well, I've got some baseballs here. What say we go try it out?
Sam: Okay. Come on, Mr. Allen.
Jack: I hope you know what you're doing, Connie.
Connie: He's stopped talking about quitting, hasn't he? Let's go. Okay, Sam, we'll take it easy until you get used to the power of the bat. You ready?
Sam: Yeah.
Connie: Here you go.
Sam: Hey, I did it. I hit the ball.
Connie: See, I told you. Okay, here's another one.
Sam: Wow, that one went even further.
Connie: Yeah. Okay, now this time, I want you to really let it fly.
Sam: Okay. Do it. All right, watch. Here it comes. Wow, did you see that? That would have been a sure-fire Homer.
Connie: Yeah, that was beautiful.
Jack: Congratulations, Sam.
Sam: This thing really is a secret weapon.
Connie: Yep, and it's all yours.
Sam: Really? Wow.
Connie: If you stay on the team. Deal?
Sam: Absolutely. Thank you, Connie. Thank you.
Connie: You're welcome. But listen, are you listening? The bat has a lot of power and accuracy, but it has to be controlled. You'll need to use it every day, starting today. Understand?
Sam: Yes.
Connie: Okay, so you can get a feel for what it can do.
Sam: Okay, I promise, I will. In fact, I'm going to go to the batting cages right now. Thanks again, Connie. Bye, Mr. Allen.
Jack: Bye, Sam. So, what do you think of my solution?
Connie: Well, he's staying on the team, so it obviously worked. Thank you.
Jack: But I think you need to listen to the same advice you gave Sam about that bat.
Connie: What do you mean?
Jack: Connie, psychological motivation can be a very useful and powerful tool as long as you control it. You need to be very careful about this.
Connie: Oh, I will. Don't worry. I just wanted to give him some confidence.
Jack: Well, I think you succeeded.
Connie: Well, I guess we'll find out in two weeks.
Jack: What happens then?
Connie: Our first game.
Guest (Male): Strike two!
Connie: It's all right, Glenn. Just take them as they come. Get ready, Sam, you're up next.
Sam: Connie, are you sure about this?
Connie: Hey, you've got the secret weapon, right?
Sam: Yeah.
Connie: Well, okay then.
Guest (Male): Ball!
Connie: Good eye, Glenn. Good eye. Connie?
Jack: Oh, hi, Jack. I'm sorry I'm late. How's it going?
Connie: It's the bottom of the second. Glenn's at bat. He has two strikes and Sam's up next.
Jack: Base hit! Base hit! Go, Glenn, go!
Connie: Oh, he made it! He's on first base.
Jack: Good job, Glenn. Sam, it's showtime.
Sam: Okay, secret weapon. Time to do your stuff.
Jack: I see he has the bat.
Connie: Yeah, he's played with it constantly. In the batting cage, at practice, at home. I just hope it pays off.
Jack: Well, we're about to find out. There's the wind-up, the pitch.
Sam: Swing!
Jack: Look at him go! Back, back, gone! Home run!
Arlo Snowdon: And how about a cheer for Coach Kendall?
Guest (Male): Go, Connie!
Connie: Oh, thanks, you guys, but Sam was the one who really pulled it out.
Jack: You were great, Sam.
Connie: Yeah, and what stats. Four hits and two home runs.
Sam: I could hardly believe it myself.
Jack: Okay, everyone, it's off to Whit's End for your victory soda.
Sam: Connie?
Connie: Yeah, Sam?
Sam: Thanks again for the bat. It really is a secret weapon.
Connie: I told you. And this is just the beginning.
Sam: Yeah. Hey, guys, wait up.
Jack: Really is a secret weapon. I thought you were going to talk to him about that.
Connie: I will, I will. Don't worry, Jack. I know what I'm doing. Hey, make way for the coach!
Jack: Now, why don't I find that very reassuring?
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Arlo Snowdon: All right, we're back. This is Arlo Snowdon on Odyssey 105 with Sports Talk. My guest today is Connie Kendall, coach of the Odyssey Coyotes Little League baseball team, and Connie, your team has had an absolutely fabulous season.
Connie: Well, thanks, Arlo. They've played hard and I am really proud of them.
Arlo Snowdon: As well you should be, Connie. The Coyotes are definitely on a roll. You've clinched your division title and won a spot in tomorrow's playoff game. You'll be facing the only team that's beaten you all season, Coach Mott's Crosstown Tigers and the fabulous pitching of Bruno Beltzer. How do you feel about that?
Connie: Coach Mott is a good coach and Bruno's tough, but we're not worried. The game we lost to the Tigers was one Sam Johnson didn't play in because he was on vacation, and Sam's hitting has been the key to our success.
Arlo Snowdon: Now, Connie, I can't let you go without asking you about being the only female coach in the league. Now, has it been difficult? I mean, I understand Coach Mott said you should stay in the kitchen and bake cookies.
Connie: I sent Coach Mott a batch of my cookies, actually.
Arlo Snowdon: Is that right?
Connie: And now he knows why I don't.
Arlo Snowdon: No kidding.
Connie: In some ways it has been difficult, but that just made me all the more determined to succeed. And I hope I've proven that I can coach just as good as the rest of them.
Bruno Beltzer: I don't believe this. The Coyotes facing us in the playoff? Sam Johnson a star hitter? He could barely hold a bat at the start of the season. These guys shouldn't even be in the same league with us. I think tomorrow morning I'd better pay little Sammy a visit.
Sam: Whoa, that was a great one, Sam.
Glenn: Thanks, Glenn.
Bruno Beltzer: This doesn't make any sense. The two of them have been practicing all afternoon and Sam has hit nothing but homers.
Glenn: Come on in, Glenn.
Sam: Okay.
Bruno Beltzer: They're headed for the bleachers. I've got to get closer to find out what's going on.
Glenn: You nearly knocked that one out of the park, Sam. You hit like that tomorrow and we're sure to win.
Sam: That's the plan, Glenn.
Glenn: It's incredible. I mean, the first week, you couldn't hit anything. Now you can hit everything I throw at you. Everything anybody throws at you.
Sam: That's because it's not me.
Glenn: Huh?
Sam: Okay, I guess I can tell you this since we're already in the championship. This bat is a secret weapon.
Glenn: Secret weapon?
Bruno Beltzer: Secret weapon?
Sam: Yeah, it belonged to Lefty Grizzell.
Glenn: Wow.
Sam: It's really fantastic, Glenn. It's like it's got a mind of its own. I don't know what I'd do without it. It's going to win us the champ. Wow, I have just one question.
Glenn: What?
Sam: Who's Lefty Grizzell? Never mind. Come on, let's go round up the balls.
Glenn: Okay.
Bruno Beltzer: Secret weapon, huh? Going to win us the championship, huh? Well, we'll just see about that.
Sam: Connie!
Jack: Good grief, Sam, what happened?
Sam: Mr. Allen, where's Connie? She wasn't at the stadium. Please tell me she's here.
Jack: I'm sorry, Sam, she isn't. She had to run some errands before she went over to the field. She's coming to the field now, though.
Sam: Oh, man. Oh, man. Oh, man.
Jack: Now, Sam, Sam, calm down. Tell me what's going on.
Sam: Somebody stole the secret weapon.
Jack: What? When? How?
Sam: I was on my way to the field. I stopped to go the bathroom at the restrooms in the park. I leaned the secret weapon against the wall. When I turned back around, it was gone. Somebody stole it.
Jack: Now, Sam, it's all right. Go back to the stadium, pick out another bat.
Sam: Another one? I can't hit anything with another bat. I can only hit with the secret weapon.
Jack: That's not true, Sam.
Sam: Yes, it is. Without the secret weapon, I'm useless. Useless!
Jack: Sam, Sam, wait. Wait for me, Sam.
Arlo Snowdon: And if you're just joining us, sports fans, this is Arlo Snowdon on Odyssey 105 coming to you live from the Little League Championship in McAlister Park. We're just about to start the traditional seventh-inning stretch, and at the end of six, the Coyotes are down two to nothing. And of course, the surprise of the game is the no-show of Coyotes star hitter Sam Johnson. As Coach Kendall paces back and forth in the dugout, I know she must be wondering the same thing everyone else is. Where in the world is Sam?
Jack: I know where he is, Connie.
Connie: Oh, Jack, where?
Jack: I had to chase him all over the park, but I finally caught him. He's in my car.
Connie: In your car? What's he doing there? He needs to be right here.
Jack: He won't come.
Connie: Why?
Jack: Because your little scheme backfired, that's why.
Connie: What are you talking about?
Jack: You never set Sam straight about the secret weapon, did you?
Connie: Well...
Jack: Oh, Connie.
Connie: I've been meaning to, but he's been hitting so well and we've been winning. I just didn't want to rock the boat.
Jack: Yeah, well, the boat has sunk. On the way to the game today, Sam set the bat down in the restroom and somebody stole it.
Connie: Oh, no.
Jack: Oh, yes. Now he's nearly catatonic. He believes the only way he can hit the ball is with that bat. Connie, I warned you about this.
Connie: I just wanted to give Sam some confidence.
Jack: I know you did, but this has evolved into something much more now. It's not just Sam's confidence that's on the line here. It's also your reputation as a coach.
Connie: What's that supposed to mean?
Jack: I think you know. All along, you've wanted to prove that you were just as good as anyone. Well, let me tell you. A good coach doesn't try to instill confidence in their players by lying to them or by winning at any cost.
Coach Mott: Excuse me.
Connie: Coach Mott? Bruno? What are you doing over here?
Coach Mott: I was looking through our equipment bag and I came across something I think belongs to you. Bruno.
Bruno Beltzer: I found this in the bathroom.
Connie: The bat. You found it, huh?
Bruno Beltzer: Hey, Sam shouldn't have left it lying around.
Coach Mott: Sam? Well, I mean, he... just be quiet before you stick your whole foot in your mouth. Look, Coach Kendall, I'm sorry about this, and it's not going to go unpunished. I'm taking Bruno out of the game.
Bruno Beltzer: What?
Connie: Thank you, Coach Mott, but to tell you the truth, I wish you wouldn't.
Coach Mott: Really?
Bruno Beltzer: Listen to her, Coach.
Coach Mott: Quiet.
Connie: I'd just consider it a favor if you'd leave him in.
Coach Mott: Well, okay, if you say so. Don't think you're getting off that easy. I got about a hundred pushups with your name on them. Now get back to the bench.
Bruno Beltzer: Yes, sir.
Coach Mott: Listen, Coach Kendall, I know I've said some unkind things in the past. I just want you to know that I think you're a good coach.
Connie: Thanks. But I'm not a good one yet. Come on, Jack, let's go talk to Sam. Sam.
Sam: Connie.
Connie: What are you doing? You have to get out and join the team.
Sam: I can't. Without the secret weapon, I'm sunk.
Connie: You mean this?
Sam: Connie! Where'd you get it?
Connie: It doesn't matter because I'm not going to let you use it.
Sam: What?
Connie: Sam, this is just a bat. A piece of wood no different than any of the other ones we have over there. It doesn't have any special powers or abilities. It's just a bat.
Sam: Then how was I able to hit all those homers?
Connie: Practice. Think about it. You were out there every day for hours hitting ball after ball. That's what won you all those games, Sam. The only secret weapon around here is you. Sam, the team needs you. You, Sam, not this bat. But you. Please?
Sam: All right. Let's go play some baseball.
Arlo Snowdon: We're in the home stretch, folks, and it has been quite a game. Tigers pitcher Bruno Beltzer flying through the seventh and the eighth. But the bottom of the ninth is a different story. The Coyotes have runners on first and third and walking up to the plate is Sam Johnson.
Bruno Beltzer: Well, if it isn't Sam the Sham.
Sam: Just throw the ball, Bruno.
Bruno Beltzer: Whatever you say. You ready? Here it comes.
Guest (Male): Strike one!
Bruno Beltzer: What's the matter, Sammy? Can't you look in?
Connie: Don't let it get to you, Sam.
Bruno Beltzer: Here comes the next one.
Guest (Male): Strike two!
Bruno Beltzer: All right, Johnson. Enough playing around. You're going down.
Sam: No way.
Guest (Male): Home run!
Arlo Snowdon: He did it! He did it! The Coyotes win! We won the championship!
Jack: More sodas for the Little League champs.
Guest (Male): Yeah!
Sam: Connie?
Connie: Yeah, Sam?
Sam: I just wanted to say thanks for everything.
Connie: You're welcome. And I want to thank you, too.
Sam: What for?
Connie: For helping me learn what it means to be a good coach.
Jack: Hey, you guys, let's hear it for the Coyotes' real secret weapons, Sam Johnson and Connie Kendall!
Chris: An important part of being a good leader is making decisions that are good for the people you're leading, even though the decisions may be unpopular. Sam probably could have gotten a hit with the secret weapon, but Connie knew it would be better for him if he didn't use it. So she kept it from him, even though there was a chance that the Coyotes could have lost the championship. Connie recognized that Sam's welfare was more important than winning. Now, that's good leadership. And that's all for now. If you'd like to write to me, I'd love to hear from you. The address is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask about how you can get your own cassette copy of today's episode. It's called "The Secret Weapon." That address once again is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. "The Secret Weapon" was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Todd Busteed and our executive producer Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.