A greedy baseball club owner puts the screws to talent scout Virgil Sweet (Edward James Olmos) since he hasn't produced a major phenom. But lady luck is about to find her way into Virgil's life. While on a long drive with his girlfriend, Virgil's car kicks but it proves a mixed blessing when he catches site of 20-year-old Sammy Bodeen tossing beautiful pitches in a sandlot game. After tons of leg work and some parental arm-twisting, Virgil manages to sign the boy. Sadly, however, he must sit back and watch the team owner exploit his gifted new recruit.