Summer Catch 2001

Freddie Prinze Jr. brings Ryan Dunne to life as a local baseball enthusiast with a burning ambition to make it big in the Major Leagues. When not tending to the family landscaping business or taking care of Veteran’s Field, where his beloved Chatham A’s play out their summer games, Ryan is a man consumed by his passion for the sport. His dedication is so all-encompassing that he has sworn off the finer things in life - including girls and drinking - to avoid any distractions from his ultimate goal. The Cape League is abuzz with talented youngsters vying for the attention of big-league scouts, and Ryan’s determination is put to the test as he navigates the competitive landscape alongside teammates like Billy Brubaker (Matthew Lillard), Mickey Dominguez (Wilmer Valderrama), and Miles Dalrymple (Marc Blucas).

Ryan’s focus is put to the ultimate test when he encounters Tenley Parrish (Jessica Biel), a stunning beauty who has captured his attention while mowing her family’s lawn. As he struggles to maintain his resolve, Ryan’s father Sean (Fred Ward) and Coach John Schiffner (Brian Dennehy) provide a reality check on his priorities. The gruff but lovable coach is less than impressed with Ryan’s lackadaisical approach to training, citing the player’s frequent tardiness and questionable fashion sense as examples of his distraction.

Ryan’s family dynamics are also put under the microscope, with brother Mike (Jason Gedrick) serving as a constant reminder of the player’s unrealized potential. As the summer wears on, Ryan’s personal life becomes increasingly complicated by his growing feelings for Tenley and her sister Katie Parrish (Zena Grey), a die-hard fan of the Chatham A’s who has developed a crush on the star player.

As the team navigates its first game of the season against arch-rivals Van Leemer (Corey Pearson) and co., Ryan finds himself facing new challenges both on and off the field. His budding romance with Tenley is put to the test as he struggles to reconcile his passion for baseball with his growing feelings for the lovely Parrish sister. With Billy continuing to struggle at the plate, Miles enjoying a hot streak, and Mickey dealing with a unique personal issue involving his housemother (Beverly D’Angelo), Ryan must find a way to balance his priorities and keep his focus on the ultimate prize: making it to the big leagues.

As Ryan steps back into his childhood home, he’s met with the unflattering sight of his father slumped over in a stupor, his pride wounded by a recent loss. Billy’s frustration boils over, prompting him to consider throwing in the towel, but Ryan convinces his friend to stick it out by introducing him to Dede Mulligan (Brittany Murphy), the town’s most alluring and tantalizing free spirit.

Ryan then seeks solace with Tenley, confiding in her about his rocky relationship with his father and the pressure he’s feeling as a baseball player. As they spend more time together, their connection deepens, and they find themselves falling under each other’s spell during a romantic evening swim in her pool, as raindrops create a soothing melody.

However, Ryan’s newfound love is put to the test when scouts, family members, and friends from the Parrish clan all pile on the pressure. He’s informed that he’ll be getting the start for an upcoming crucial game, but that same night, Mike has a tough talk with Ryan, leaving him feeling deflated.

In need of a pick-me-up, Ryan meets Tenley only to find her ex-boyfriend waiting in the wings - a man favored by Rand (Bruce Davison) as the perfect match for his daughter. The blow is crushing for Ryan, who fears he’s just a fleeting summer romance for Tenley.

The following night, Ryan takes the mound with confidence but ultimately falls apart. Billy, on the other hand, scores his first runs, and their team suffers another loss. As a result, Ryan is demoted to the bullpen, a relief pitcher role that leaves him feeling demoralized. But Hugh Alexander (John C. McGinley), a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies in attendance, takes notice of Ryan’s raw talent.

Ryan’s friends rally around him, urging him not to give up on himself and his abilities. Meanwhile, Rand issues an ultimatum: if Ryan doesn’t leave Tenley alone, he’ll pull all his business investments out from under Ryan’s father. It seems Rand wants Tenley to take a job with her uncle in San Francisco, despite her passion for architecture.

Ryan ultimately tells Tenley to accept the offer, knowing it means they can never be together again. Little does he know, Sean is privy to Rand’s threat and responds by quitting his business, presenting him with a final bill that will have far-reaching consequences.

As Eric Van Leemer and Dale Robin (Christian Kane) are unceremoniously booted from the team due to their wayward antics, which culminated in the unfortunate conflagration of a press box, Ryan finds himself anointed as the starting pitcher for the final game. This unexpected turn of events is met with a mix of trepidation and excitement by Tenley, who reveals her intention to depart for San Francisco the very next evening, mere hours before the crucial match. With tears in her eyes, she imparts words of wisdom to Ryan, urging him to seize this opportunity to excel, before bidding him a poignant farewell.

Meanwhile, Mike, previously entrenched in hostility, surprises everyone by offering Ryan a heartfelt pep talk, cautioning him against relying too heavily on his fastball and instead encouraging variations to keep the opposing team off balance. Emboldened by Tenley’s parting words of encouragement, Ryan proceeds to deliver one of the most impressive performances in Cape League history, dominating the game with a no-hitter that leaves the stands abuzz. A star-studded gathering of friends, family, and prominent baseball scouts, including Alexander, bears witness to this incredible display.

As the game reaches its climax, Ryan notices Tenley’s fleeting visit to the ballpark before she departs for the airport. He responds by striking out the current batter, securing his eleventh strikeout of the day, and looks back to find that Tenley has vanished into thin air. Undeterred, he hastens to the airport, where he intercepts her just as she’s about to board a flight bound for San Francisco. With hearts full of emotion, they confess their love for each other, and Tenley agrees to forego her job offer in favor of staying with Ryan.

The game may have been won, but the real victory is yet to come. Ryan’s father and brother arrive on the scene, accompanied by scout Alexander, bearing the news that their team has emerged victorious thanks to a combined no-hitter. The icing on the cake comes in the form of an offer from Alexander, extending a contract to Ryan with the Philadelphia Phillies, which he eagerly accepts.

Fast-forward to Ryan’s Major League debut as a relief pitcher for the Phillies, where the stakes are higher than ever before. As he takes the mound, the crowd holds its collective breath as he delivers his first pitch to none other than Ken Griffey Jr., who launches it into the stands for a thrilling home run, leaving everyone in awe of Ryan’s impressive initiation into the world of professional baseball.