A young baseball prodigy buries his own personal dream of playing major league baseball after suffering a combat injury.  But he finally gets his opportunity – the oldest rookie ever – and creates an enduring legacy even though prematurely forced to give up his very short-lived MLB career.

SYNOPSIS:

Mitch Jones grows up one of six boys on a relatively poor family farm. Passionate about baseball, he works hard, attempting to master the game. He is a tall, skinny kid with an unusually strong arm and an uncanny ability to swing a bat with great power and effectiveness.

Overcoming many setbacks throughout his life, he eventually comes to believe what his dad had long been telling him – that, even though he has a unique gifting for the game, there is more to life than just baseball. Mitch works his way through college, and with the help of an ROTC scholarship, he is able to study while still participating in recreational baseball. Soon, he graduates and begins a career as an Army officer.

Seriously wounded during combat in Pakistan, Mitch falls for his physical therapist, Connie, during his rehabilitation and they eventually marry. She helps Mitch become a world-class tri-athlete while continuing with his successful military career.

Through Connie’s work, now a personal trainer for a number of professional athletes, Mitch’s skills as a baseball player are noticed and he is coerced into trying out for the Cincinnati Reds. He visits an open try-out with the Reds and is offered a position after demonstrating unique skills with both pitching and hitting. After a brief stint in the minor leagues, Mitch is called up to the Reds as a relief pitcher and pinch batter. Mitch is 43 years old – the oldest rookie – ever! His success continues to blossom until a family crisis results in an early exit from his professional baseball career.

Mitch’s work ethic and value system accompany him into a subsequent career as a high school teacher and coach. As he now faces retirement, he ultimately sees the fruit of his legacy.

This script is The Natural meets The Rookie.

THE OLDEST ROOKIE