1992
In 1962, new kid Scotty Smalls joins a sandlot baseball team, forming friendships while learning the game from local prodigy Benny Rodriguez. The boys frequently hit balls over a fence into the yard of their mysterious neighbor, Mr. Mertle, whose monstrous dog, The Beast, guards a Babe Ruth-signed baseball Scotty unknowingly hits over. After several failed attempts to retrieve it, Benny confronts The Beast, revealed as Hercules, and retrieves the ball, leading to a chase that ends with Scotty saving Hercules and the boys meeting Mr. Mertle, a former Negro League player who trades them a new signed ball. Years later, Benny becomes a professional baseball player for the Dodgers, and Scotty narrates one of his games as a sports announcer.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A shy kid, Scotty Smalls, moves into a new neighborhood where he struggles to fit in until local sandlot legend Benny Rodriguez invites him to play ball.
Open full beat sheetScotty Smalls is listed as Protagonist. Studious, new to the neighborhood, initially lacks baseball skills. In the parsed data, Scotty Smalls is connected to 43 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
43 scenes / 16 dialogue linesBenjamin Franklin Rodriguez is listed as Leader. The best player on the team, loyal, wears P.F. Flyers. In the parsed data, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez is connected to 32 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
32 scenes / 9 dialogue linesMichael Palledorus is listed as Team Member. Wears thick glasses, obsessed with the lifeguard. In the parsed data, Michael Palledorus is connected to 26 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
26 scenes / 13 dialogue linesAlan McClennan is listed as Team Member. Hyperactive, known for saying 'Yeah-Yeah'. In the parsed data, Alan McClennan is connected to 26 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
26 scenes / 2 dialogue linesHamilton Porter is listed as Catcher. Tubby, loud, known for his trash talk and s'mores. In the parsed data, Hamilton Porter is connected to 25 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
25 scenes / 12 dialogue linesKenny DeNunez is listed as Pitcher. Handsome, bean pole, team pitcher. In the parsed data, Kenny DeNunez is connected to 24 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
24 scenes / 2 dialogue linesBertram Grover Weeks is listed as Team Member. Wears thick horn-rimmed glasses. In the parsed data, Bertram Grover Weeks is connected to 24 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 22.
24 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTommy Timmons is listed as Team Member. One of the Timmons brothers. In the parsed data, Tommy Timmons is connected to 23 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 33.
23 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTimmy Timmons is listed as Team Member. One of the Timmons brothers. In the parsed data, Timmy Timmons is connected to 23 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
23 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBill is listed as Scotty's Stepfather. Former athlete, distant but trying to connect. In the parsed data, Bill is connected to 9 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
9 scenes / 4 dialogue linesHercules is listed as Dog. A massive English Mastiff feared by the neighborhood kids. In the parsed data, Hercules is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 21.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMr. Mertle is listed as Antagonist/Mentor. Blind, former baseball player, owner of Hercules. In the parsed data, Mr. Mertle is connected to 4 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.
4 scenes / 4 dialogue linesBenny Rodriguez and his team play a baseball game, with Benny stealing home to win the game.
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunez, Tommy TimmonsThe team drinks from the fountain, and Scotty Smalls watches them.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennanScotty's mother encourages him to go outside and make friends.
Scotty Smalls, BillScotty asks his stepfather Bill to teach him how to play catch.
Scotty Smalls, BillScotty attempts to join the game but embarrasses himself with a poor throw.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezBenny watches Scotty from his window while the narrator reflects on their connection.
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Scotty SmallsScotty eats breakfast while Bill works, leading to an awkward interaction.
Bill, Scotty SmallsScotty asks his mom for help getting Bill to teach him to catch.
Scotty Smalls, BillScotty asks Bill to teach him to catch; Bill reluctantly agrees.
Scotty Smalls, BillBill attempts to teach Scotty to catch, resulting in Scotty getting hit in the eye.
Bill, Scotty SmallsBenny observes the incident from the sidewalk.
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Scotty SmallsMom and Bill tend to Scotty's eye injury.
Scotty Smalls, BillBenny invites Scotty to play baseball and gives him a real glove.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin RodriguezBenny and Scotty stop at the store for supplies.
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Scotty SmallsScotty meets the rest of the gang, who are unimpressed by his lack of baseball knowledge.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang plays baseball, and Scotty struggles in right field.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezBenny coaches Scotty on how to catch.
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Scotty SmallsThe gang plays a game, and Ham hits a ball into the forbidden backyard.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang has a campout and Ham explains how to make s'mores.
Scotty Smalls, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunez, Tommy TimmonsHam teaches Smalls how to make a s'more, followed by Squints telling the legend of The Beast.
Scotty Smalls, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunez, Tommy TimmonsA flashback sequence detailing the history of Mr. Mertle and the origin of The Beast.
Mr. Mertle, HerculesThe group discusses the legend and Smalls looks over the fence to confirm The Beast's presence.
Scotty Smalls, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunez, Tommy TimmonsSquints and Yeah-Yeah buy a new baseball and Squints spots Wendy Peffercorn.
Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennanThe gang goes to the pool, and Squints fakes drowning to kiss the lifeguard, Wendy Peffercorn.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang plays baseball and Smalls sees a shadow near the fence.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin RodriguezThe gang leaves a movie and encounters a group of Little Leaguers who insult them.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang discusses the fate of King Kong and the existence of The Beast while walking home.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang denies their fear of The Beast.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang debates whether King Kong or Godzilla would win in a fight.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang walks through the stadium tunnel in awe.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang watches Maury Wills on TV.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang plays a night game on the Fourth of July.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezScotty hits a home run over the fence into Mr. Mertle's yard, causing panic among the gang.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang watches as The Beast claims the Babe Ruth ball.
Scotty Smalls, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunez, Tommy TimmonsScotty attempts to replace the stolen ball with a forgery.
Scotty SmallsThe gang holds a war conference to plan the retrieval of the ball.
Scotty Smalls, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunez, Tommy TimmonsThe gang gathers Erector Set parts to build a contraption to retrieve the baseball.
Scotty Smalls, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunez, Tommy TimmonsThe gang builds the contraption and attempts to retrieve the ball from the Badlands.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe gang returns home dejected after the failed attempt.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezBabe Ruth appears to Benny in a dream to encourage him to retrieve the ball.
Benjamin Franklin RodriguezBenny successfully retrieves the ball from Hercules.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, HerculesScotty saves Hercules from choking on his chain.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezThe boys return Hercules to Mr. Mertle and learn about his history with baseball.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Hamilton Porter, Michael Palledorus, Alan McClennan, Kenny DeNunezMr. Mertle shows Benny and Scotty his baseball room and trades them a signed Murderers' Row ball for the chewed-up Babe Ruth ball.
Mr. Mertle, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Scotty SmallsScotty and Benny return the ball to Bill, who is pleased.
Scotty Smalls, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, BillScotty and Bill play catch while the narrator reflects on the events.
Scotty Smalls, BillMr. Mertle listens to the radio while the narrator describes the future of the boys.
Mr. MertleBenny 'The Jet' Rodriguez steals home in a professional game.
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez, Scotty SmallsYou kill me Smalls. Look, these are s'mores stuff. Pay attention: First you take the graham - you put the chocolate on the graham, Hershey's of course - you hold the chocolate on the graham while you roast the mallow-
And so... The Beast sits there under that lean-to, dreaming about the time when he can break the chain and get out... dreaming of the time when he can chase and kill again.
Yeah. And he knew me too. They never let us play together, but we were friends. Good friends. He was almost as great a hitter as I was. But, he'd of told you he was better.
I want you to get out in the fresh air and make friends. Run around and scrape your knees. Get dirty. Climb trees and hop fences. Get in trouble for crying out loud.
George Herman Ruth got his nickname because his mom died when he was just a little kid, and he hadda go live in an orphanage.
-then when the mallow's flamin', ya stuff it on the chocolate and cover it with the other end. Then, you scarf.
Not possible. He's so big that fallin' off the Empire State's just like us fallin' off a roof... he's alive.
I'll make you a deal. If you boys come over once a week and talk baseball with me, I'll trade you balls.
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