A disgraced 1980s-era baseball player looks to regain his greatness at an independent baseball club set in the middle of downtown nowhere that's filled with outcast baseball stars more interested in snorting lines than playing between them.

SYNOPSIS:

This is a TV comedy pilot that I feel would make a great streamer in the vein of GLOW with the irreverent positivity of TED LASSO.

Background: They were called the oddest baseball team to ever take the field by Sports Illustrated. The San Jose Bees existed in 1986 when the nation’s scolds were in full finger shake against drug users across the nation. This team of oddballs and screw-ups were this close to being banned by the majors, and they were given a chance to redeem themselves. Now, you’d think that this would have elicited their best behavior. But you would’ve been wrong. What were you even thinking??

My fictional Bees are set in the desperate desert burg of Barstow, California, an oven of a town a short drive from the glittering neon of Las Vegas.

My main character is former major leaguer DENNIS RICE, (late 20s), pitcher, man with a smile for everyone, had that drug problem and got swept up by the commissioner’s crusade and the Just Say No campaign. He has a gambling "thing" as well. Dennis was at the top of his game, then he fell, but he keeps a smile on his face, even when he has no right to do so. His wife and daughter in Chicago are counting on him doing well and staying clean.

LATOYA WILLIAMS (early 20s) stats geek, cheerleader for Dennis, she’s the Bees’ unofficial everything and will later catch on as their publicist. But for now, she’s Unofficial cheerleader, stats keeper, player tour guide, groupie, etc.

MICK JOSEPH, (late 20s) devil-may care idiot. He’s been into cocaine and pills and is worse for the wear. But he means well and is a loyal friend to Dennis.

Owner PEGGY DE MORAN (30s), a diva and former Vegas showgirl and widow to the late owner of the team, George. Her hobbies include, yelling at her manicurists and S & M. She’s a badass boss with her own agenda, which is mostly, making money.

Engine: The Bees form a cohesive (like GLOW) if not drugged-out hive - if you will - who must battle the commissioner and all comers who want to take them down. It’s them against the press, the commissioner’s office, and basically society.

Pilot: “The Scout Cometh”: Dennis arrives in Barstow, meets LaToya and the team. He’s here for a second chance, but he smiles no matter the circumstances. His new teammates run around like idiots: one tries to snort the coke he’s accidentally dropped from his pants; while another brags about how many popsicle sticks he can shove up his nose. Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

We meet owner Peggy, who announces that 1) she may sexually harass the players at will, and 2) a famous baseball scout is coming to watch the team. This scout may be their ticket out of the Independent League, if they’re both good enough and clean. Dennis and teammates are excited. Peggy, though sees guys like Dennis as a draw, and she’s not willing to give him up.

After he bombs on the mound, Dennis goes into an emotional spiral. Will he stay positive? Should he be cleaning pools instead? Urged on by LaToya, he starts a game, and after he goes through his pregame rituals he pitches perfectly. No scout was there to watch, but it didn’t matter. Dennis is here for these guys now. His motto is positivity is key and it’s infectious, not unlike the STD going around the clubhouse.

Nobody is going to the majors for at least four-to-five seasons. In the meantime, new (tainted) blood will come and go, as well as new schemes by the players and owner that will ensure this team will stay crazy.