Hard Ball Quotes
An aimless young man who is scalping tickets, gambling and drinking, agrees to coach a Little League team from the Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago as a condition of getting a loan from a friend.
Conor O'Neill: Good morning. Um, Gerius was a player on the Kekemas baseball team I coach. Honestly he, uh, he was too young to play. But he wanted to be a part of the team so badly, I couldn't say no. He had a great smile too though I'm not telling you anything you don't know. He was a really tough guy. Just a boy really who, uh, wanted to be around his older brother. The other day we played a really important game against a good team. And two outs in the last inning, I had no choice but to let Gerius bat. He was fearless as he stepped to the plate. I was terrified for him. With two strikes and our hopes dwindling, he hit a shot down the first base line. He won the game. And watching him raise his arms in triumph as he ran to first base, I swear I was lifted in that moment to a better place. I swear he, uh, he lifted the world in that moment. He made me a better person, even if just for that moment. I am, uh, forever grateful to Gerius for that.
Conor O'Neill: [after Kofi has been taunting his teammates for missing grounders and fly balls, Conor hits a sharp liner that causes Kofi to duck] C'mon Kofi! That one was right to you! What's the matter Kofi? You scared of the ball?
[Other players laugh]
Conor O'Neill: New rule: Nobody can say anything bad to anyone else on the field.
[Other players laugh]
Conor O'Neill: New rule: Nobody can say anything bad to anyone else on the field.
Conor O'Neill: [Conor calls his players together, looking at the opposing coach and the league president] Guys, this is the league president. Now, he made me kick Jamal off the team today, because he was born 2 weeks early!
[the players all mutter to each other in amazement]
Conor O'Neill: And now, he is making Miles remove his headphones,
[Turns and glares at the opposing coach]
Conor O'Neill: Because he is PITCHING TOO GOOD!
[the players all mutter to each other in amazement]
Conor O'Neill: And now, he is making Miles remove his headphones,
[Turns and glares at the opposing coach]
Conor O'Neill: Because he is PITCHING TOO GOOD!
[Andre and Kofi are fighting]
Andre Ray Peetes: Pay up, bitch!
Kofi: I'll kick your ass, bitch!
[Coach Conor walks over]
Conor O'Neill: Hey! Hey! Hey! Cool it! Cool it! What's going on?
G-Baby: All right, let me break it down to you right quick. Andre says he can catch any pop-up anybody can throw. Kofi say "That's bullshit. You a busta.". Andre say "Roll up, bitch". Kofi say, "I'll give you all my gum if you can catch this ball.". He threw the ball. Andre caught it. Andre say "Pay me my money". Kofi say, "You a cheatin' bitch.". No wait. Kofi say, "You a motherf - "
Conor O'Neill: Okay I got it thanks.
[G-Baby nods his head]
Andre Ray Peetes: Pay up, bitch!
Kofi: I'll kick your ass, bitch!
[Coach Conor walks over]
Conor O'Neill: Hey! Hey! Hey! Cool it! Cool it! What's going on?
G-Baby: All right, let me break it down to you right quick. Andre says he can catch any pop-up anybody can throw. Kofi say "That's bullshit. You a busta.". Andre say "Roll up, bitch". Kofi say, "I'll give you all my gum if you can catch this ball.". He threw the ball. Andre caught it. Andre say "Pay me my money". Kofi say, "You a cheatin' bitch.". No wait. Kofi say, "You a motherf - "
Conor O'Neill: Okay I got it thanks.
[G-Baby nods his head]
Conor O'Neill: I want you guys to take a good look at yourselves and feel proud. We made it here. We're here. What I've learned from you is that really one of the most important things in life is showing up. I'm blown away by your ability to show up through everything that's gone on. The league never wanted you to play this game, but you showed up. But, uh, we only have eight players so, we can't play.
