 Family Theater presents Jimmy Stewart and Jean Kelly from Hollywood the mutual network in cooperation with Family Theater Presents Jimmy Stewart in Susie's prayer ball and now to introduce the drama your host Jean Kelly Thank You Tony LaFranco Family Theater's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives If we are to win peace for ourselves Peace for our families in peace for the world Family Theater urges you to pray pray together as a family Me out to the ball game take me out to the park I can already hear the crackle a crack a jack in the clink of soda pop bottles as a sort of background for our drama You see our story is a simple one a story of a child's faith a woman's love and a man's stubborn pride And this is also a story of spring Spring when a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love well not always For if a young man of six to sixty spring means one thing Susie's prayer ball the Sun feels good. It's a wonderful to be in Florida again. Yeah, good old Saint Pete All red, please. Well, how do you expect me to feel Helen? Four weeks of spring training. I haven't even pitched a single inning But you would pitch dear if you'd sign your contract for the last time Helen. I'm not taking a 25% cut We managed on less than $50,000 when we were first married red a lot less Yeah, we were in the cotton stage league then Helen a hundred and twenty five dollars a month We were happy that was before I'd won over 20 games eight seasons in a row before I pitched the Jays for four Penets before I won seven World Series games Jays didn't win the pennant last year red or the year before well Is it all my fault? I'm not throwing for peanuts. I don't know. That's fine, but dear you won only seven games last year 11 the year before Yeah Look, whose side are you on Helen? Losers are mine on yours red, of course Oh, hi Susie. Did I dress myself nice mommy very nice dear What's the matter daddy nothing nothing baby She you don't look happy Susie daddy has a lot on his mind. You better start for the beach the beach What would you have to go down there again? It's so far away from home. I lost something there yesterday daddy My baseball and mitt. Oh Oh, is that all look? You're a little girl Susie. You don't need a ball and glove there for little boys. Are you a little boy daddy? No, no, no you have a pitcher's mitt and lots of balls. No, but that's different Susie That's how I earn our living. I want to be just like you daddy You too Well, I'll tell the skipper about you. No beach understand. I've got to go daddy I know I'll find them. I prayed I would last night and this morning too As well to find that ball and glove would take more than just a prayer Susie and beaches over two miles long Red some of the other children are going with her. It's alright Susan. You can go to the beach only cross the streets with the lights I'll look both ways. I don't like any traffic red and she won't be alone Now run along Susan. Be home for lunch. Yes, mommy Bye daddy. So long Susie Helen we've we've talked about this before but I don't want Susie thinking about baseball so much She's a little girl. Of course. She's a little girl your little girl How can she help thinking about baseball and another thing? I've I've made it quite clear before that I don't want Susie believing that all she has to do is pray for something and then the Miracles start popping. It's believing in finding lost baseballs with one magic prayer It's a beginning Susie has faith. She'll find her ball in mid. So she's not too unhappy about it Faith is a good friend red Faith in anything Well, how about you having faith in me? That's not fair red It's because I do have faith in you that but I'm not worried about your salary cut just you I'm sorry I'm better get started for the park. I want to talk to Lewis today. Good luck dear. Hold the temper, huh for me Okay Okay for you I'll see you after practice Hey Hey, what's going on here? Hey Hey, you've been fighting What's it all about Susie? I Don't want to tell daddy now. Look here now little girls aren't supposed to fight especially when they have no reason Okay, daddy punish Susie. I don't want to punish you, but please tell me what were you fighting about? Timmy said to me say what? He said you weren't a good picture anymore. Oh Oh No, I did he he said his daddy said you were too old Daddy What's your fast one my fast one his daddy said you lost it? Daddy, we're not going to move to the bushes. Are we? No, no Susie No, we're not going to the bushes I'm scared of the bushes Did you ever live in the bushes daddy? Yes, Susie long time ago before you were born. I was born in New York, wasn't I that's right? We aren't ever going to leave New York. Are we daddy? Oh, not yet, Susie But don't you worry about it and don't fight anymore promise. I promise daddy. I have to get back to the park Have fun at the beach. Bye daddy, and I hope you find it Find what the best thing you lost. Oh, oh, oh, yeah Well, thank you, dear. I hope you find your ball and glove Hi miss Lois morning skipper morning red. Hi red. How's the flipper feel better than ever? I just wish I could fire something through in a game. I can't put you in until you sign red You know that well, yeah, but you've been saying me throng skip. We can't you tell us the laws? I look good. I like to see my ball players get every cent they can red, but I'm just a manager I have nothing to say about contracts the ball club is giving you every break red Pager expenses these last four weeks to see what you've got what I've got Well, you've been watching what I got for the last 12 years the best fastball on the majors Oh now come on now. Take it easy red. We can only judge by last season's records now What do you say to a 10 cut? We have to cut some so the other players won't squawk. How about it red? Well, I I don't know. All right Okay, okay. That's a deal. I'll suit up right away. I'll show you the old arms still got plenty of stuff left That's the way to talk red and I I'm I'm sorry. I got hot mr. Lois my wife told me not to How about two maybe three innings against this minor league outfit today? Get you ready to pitch sunday against the brakes. Well skipper stick around today, mr. Lois old red will show you a trick or two So the bushes are riding you don't let it get you red I just don't worry about it right Sit back there and call the signal call what signals. How can I see what you got? There hasn't been a pitch get by the batter yet. You don't need to catch her anymore red Just an extra outfielder. You just save that for the locker room. Will you wise guy? Look red, why not throw a wrinkle that fast one's pure murder. I'll pitch my own game mike. Okay. Okay. Have it your way red How do those guys think they're talking to anyway? I've been their meal ticket for 10 years And look at that bomb up at the plate I'll blow him down so hard. Michael go through the backstop. All right. Now come on old arm Let's show him some real steam You better let lefty take over. What's the first time out skipper? Let me get warm Save it red save it for sunday. Okay skipper take a walk to the hot shower and forget it Yeah, let me take your shirt. Oh, thanks charlie. He was kind of hot out there today. Yes, sir Too hot for folks like us mr. Red. You're much too hot Old folks. Oh, I just a kid mr. Red Hey, this is your shirts ringing wet. I'll put it in the dryer I've been doing this lots of years mr. Red Now we've got lots of years left charlie both of us. Yes, sir. You bet mr. Red Yeah, we got a lot of memories too Never forget the day you pitched that series game against the cardinals. Shout them out on two hits going away. Yeah Struck out 14. Yes, uh 14 Swish swish swish I've seen them all play mr. Red. Yes, sir grove and char go mares hobble There's a dean but but that that was the greatest game I ever seen pitched Seemed like yesterday. Yeah seven years of yesterday's charlie seven years. Well, was it that long ago? Yeah, seven years Boy, I can't forget that day Susie was born during the fifth inning My my my how the years running around them pieces Little miss Susie seven You know, she lost a tired old ball and glove down at the beach yesterday charlie It's broken hearted about it down there again today combing the sand until she finds it I bet was a pitcher's glove just like her daddy's How about getting under shower mr. Red before that the arm gets too cold? All right charlie Good long rub down then, huh? Keep this old rubber arm in there pitching. Yes, sir, mr. Red But you'll still be in there pitching long after that arm stopped Well, I haven't learned to hold the ball on my toes yet charlie Now you know what I mean, mr. Red Like they always say A show enough good ball player don't need a good arm or a good bet Just so long as he's got a good head and a good heart I guess i'm not hungry Okay, darling. Oh, she's ready for bed, dear. Would you tuck her in for me after you see what she wants? Yeah, help you with the dishes. No, thanks can't have my pitcher tiring his arm Okay, coach. Okay About the what do they expect first time out of no hitters look daddy Well, what are what do you got here a map of the beach see the crayon part is the part we cover today Well, what do you know about that a female captain kid, huh? Uh-huh Here's where we'll go tomorrow. I know I'll find my ball and met tomorrow. Yeah, sure you will Did you find your fast one daddy? No, not today susie tonight. I'll pray we both find them tomorrow. You pray the same thing daddy Well, it isn't that easy susie. You know You're a big girl now and you do believe in praying. Don't you daddy? Well, I mommy said you did Your mother said that uh-huh She said that down deep underneath you did only you didn't talk about it out loud Now well sometime mommy gets a little mixed up about things like that come on dizzy now off to bed with you Right here sure There we are Hey, you look more like a bunny than a pitcher in those pajamas Better get off and hop Are you've been all checked out for the night sport? Yes daddy teeth hands and all fine All right. Good night, sweetheart Sleep tight. I haven't said my prayers yet daddy. Oh, will you say them with me? Mommy always does Well daddy'll listen honey. You you say them Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the lord my soul to keep if I should die before I wake I pray the lord my soul to take Please god bless mommy and daddy and me and everybody Please help me find my ball and glove tomorrow And help my daddy find what he lost too And god i'm sorry. I hit timmy amen Good night daddy Good night, baby Hi redhead. Hi, mike. Sit down. Uh, uh, can we ever talk to you red? Yeah, I know about blowing up this afternoon I'm sorry those bushers hit me plenty. Didn't they? I just got to me. Yeah It's don't you worry boy. You know catchers don't have earned run averages No, I was thinking red the the brave sunday will be a lot tougher in those bushes So the red socks sure they will I beat them all a lot of times mike. Do you know how many times I got a record book red Can you name any other pictures beaten so often a couple but they're not pitching anymore All right for the last time Mike is trying to help you. All right out with it mike. Well Maybe sunday. We might try something a little different like what you never used to change your pace much red But I was thinking you're thinking then maybe you tell me how to pitch, huh red, please Mike's your friend. Okay, so he's my friend. Why shouldn't he be who's kept him up there all these years red stop it So your help might get his break But now he's one of the best catchers in the league. You got to listen to me red You just can't blow him in anymore. Yeah. Well, I know how much stuff I'm throwing at that day. You don't understand the fast one isn't coming in with the old ramo anymore It just hangs like your curve mike. Look you're paid to catch what I throw the skipper gives me the word and he's happy and so is luis They gave you the contract red because they're not planning to pay the freight. What do you mean mike? Just what I said they're gonna sell reds contract st. Louis To st. Louis. Are you certain martin of st. Louis will be in the stands sunday to see what shape reds in St. Louis has a couple of young pitchers and the skipper wants them but Well, they'd have to cough a big dough to buy me the really big dough It'll be worth it to him red st. Louis isn't going anywhere near the pennant this year and You're a big name a big draw So I think I'm washed up uh sell me down the river but I'll show him sunday I'll blow that fast one by the brave so fast. That's what I've been trying to tell you You can't blow it by him red. You were gifted with an arm that could throw like a rocket But the juice is all gone. What do you mean? It's all gone Did you ever think how many times you cocked that arm in 15 years thrown with all your might? Mike may be right red an arm can stand just so much. Now you're just like all the rest up, aren't you? They're your friends when you're a winner I didn't come here tonight to gloat red. I came to suggest so you came so not get out Okay Good night, Helen I'll see you to the door Mike I put you to bed Susie. What the devil are you doing up now? I wanted a drink dad. Well, you should have thought the dot before now get in bed. Will you? Okay, daddy. Just let me take my map of the beach to bed with me. Oh blast your map now get back to bed Do you hear me? Get in a bed Mr. Lois Oh, hello red. Well, how's the arm? The arm's fine. Good. You've got to be ready to go against the braves tomorrow Yeah, yeah Pretty important. I pitched them. Well, the skipper lucky see you work before we head north. Sure. Sure I uh, see martin of st. Louis up in st. Pete What is going around here? Oh, sometimes they hit on a lucky deal You know how it is. Yeah. Yeah, I know how it is. Mr. Lois. Yeah, I know just how it is. Yeah Oh, mr. Red. Uh, me mr. Red. Wait up. Wait up. All right, charlie just going home Hey, mr. Red here. Look at what I found in the locker room A little mitt and a little baseball Just about miss susie's size I don't know how they got there, but you might just well take them You you don't know how how they got there. No, sir. I just can't imagine just can't imagine Funny charlie, you know, you're you're looking more like a boy scout every day me Oh, mr. Red Only boy scout and I ever done it was for boys with big bats and strong arms But I found in my room by the map A brand new ball and mitt. Oh my goodness and those are much nicer than your old ones. They're super I'm honest mommy. I didn't ask for a new ball and mitt just that I find my old ones Well, maybe maybe maybe the prayer was so good susie that god thought you deserved a newborn glove Cause you're such a nice girl. Do you think so daddy? Do you think so mommy? Yes susie? I'm sure your prayer was answered. May I go out and play with it now, please? Sure, sure. Go ahead I wonder how the ball and glove got there. Well, you're the one who believes in prayer, huh? I believe in lots of things red Well, I better get back to the park. How do you feel? You're so restless last night. Yeah, I'm okay. Want anything else to eat? None until after the game I'll see you then, Alan Yeah, I love you very much Thank you, dad Bye parking play catch with me before you go. No, no after the game susie just for a minute daddy with my new ball and glove All right. All right. Now just for a minute. You stand over there Throw it. Oh Oh, no, no, uh catch it with the glove not your face susie You can throw it harder daddy. I'll catch it Hey, hey, you're pretty good for a seven-year-old think so daddy really? Oh, over your head. Sorry susie. I'm not used to throwing it so easy Hey Hey, what the Susie give me that ball back. Okay I I here here now susie not not now catch Give me that ball again on it and get out of the way Where are you throwing it daddy right against the garage? I I want to see what happens When I throw it harder like this It almost rolled back to us Here daddy. Yeah, and I give it to him again Here now tricks with my ball mommy. This isn't our garage red. I'm sorry, honey Is something wrong with the ball daddy? You're looking at it so funny I was just looking at my fingers susie your fingers red. What is it? No, no, don't worry Alan there. They're all there You know Here I'm I'm I'm I'm late. I'll see you after the game Yeah, hey uh spence. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks for that catch sure red red Braves nicked you for four hits and two runs in that frame Maybe clock better pitch next inning. What do you take me out between endings? They hit you in the first inning like they owned you red If spence hadn't made that circus catch the last one would have been a four-run homer call it a day So you can have the newspapers a good excuse for selling me down the river I don't have to make excuses red and I give the orders. Yeah, but I got news for you I'm gonna pitch and I'm gonna shove this ball right down your throat and I'm starting open day Just like I did 11 years Nothing could make me happier red Okay, you can pitch But get in trouble and out you come don't wait for the trouble skipper red. All I want is a pennant I don't care who does the throwing just so they do it right And the bottom of the first no runs one hit no errors one red light on base for the pennant Let's go come on redhead. I'm coming from low red at their knees. Okay, Mike. I'll show them No one can kick the redhead around So the skipper wants a pennant this year A big red on his fast ball of get it for him Okay, sucker Get up there and take your three cuts The old high heart Well, that is a lucky hit if I ever saw one just close his eyes stuck out his back All right, what's this lower I can't understand it, Mike I'm feeling as hard as I ever did they're killing me. You've been shaking off every curve I've called red use your head not your arm. I'll get out of this jam Okay, keep throwing it in there for him one more hitting the skipper will take you out And then you'll be through really through hey, Mike. Yeah Mike I'm gonna try something new It's like a change up only only different screwball sinker slider. No, none of those is sort of a Prayer ball prayer ball. Yeah, just Just call it susie's prayer ball susie's prayer. What's the matter? You out of your head? Just give me a target, Mike. Okay, redhead. Good luck. Well All right, this is it boy Throw this one along and you're finished No second chance. No opening day. No pound Just the bushes Susie's scared of the bushes Red, what is that pitch that floats up there like it's dropped? It's just something susie taught me, Mike One out last of the ninth and we're leading three to two I'm getting old. I just can't take these finishes anymore. Jeff. Oh, you're all right skip So is red two scratch singles. That's the second inning boy. He's really found himself two more out Just two more redhead. Yeah skipper I'll keep it low Keep it low and make him hit it end of the dirt A double play Get two George Second first double play red red game. Thanks, kipper. Finally thrown with your head. How you look great We'll pitch you once going north and open a day against the red sox the change up will drive you crazy Where did you get it red? It just winds up there like it's riding on a prayer, Mike On a prayer daddy, you do believe in praying, don't you? Yes susie Yeah, I believe I believe Yes, good old baseball is every fellow's hobby mine too, but I've added another my library There's something wonderful about a library in your home No, I don't mean collectors items or first editions, but friendly books Books that become dog-eared from fond handling and warm companionship Books that grow better with reading and rereading Yes, that's the wonderful thing about a library. It's selective You can choose his companions all the best minds of every age Some of them at will Aristotle Shakespeare Socrates Cicero Dante or Milton will share your quiet smoke You can listen while George Washington bids farewell to his troops or hear Abe Lincoln teach the true meetings of democracy Yes, a library is selective You can choose your friends and they will give you help and counsel and many wise words, but even more selective is prayer By prayer we invite God into our homes He is the bidden guest We speak to him and hear his answers in our hearts We tell him our troubles and get his guidance Books have much wisdom and heaven knows we need wisdom in our times But by prayer we go directly to the fount of wisdom For God is wisdom uncreated So family theater again reminds you The family that prays together Stays together more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of Has brought you Jimmy Stewart in Susie's prayer ball Jean Kelly was your host others in the cast were Jean Bates and Whitfield Herb Rawlinson Ralph Moody child seal Ray Hyde Howard Culver and Bill Klein The script was written by Callie Curtis and Dick Stenger with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman And was directed for family theater by Joseph F. Mansfield This is Tony Lofrano expressing the wish of family theater that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home And inviting you to join us next week at the same time when family theater will present Charles Ruggles and Arthur Lake in General Pumpkin's holiday join us won't you? Family theater is broadcast throughout the world and originates in the Hollywood studios of the world's largest network The mutual broadcasting system