The Partridge Family - Season 4, Episode 4 (78)

Title: The Strike-Out King

First aired: October 6, 1973

Synopsis:

Keith and Laurie ask Shirley to do something with Danny. He follows them everywhere and even tries Keith’s clothes on. The problem is that Danny has no friends his age. Reuben proposes trying baseball as an opportunity for Danny to spend some time outdoors and with other kids. Reuben knows a Little League baseball trainer, Darby Willis, and Danny can join the team. Shirley doesn’t want to force him, but when asked, Danny says that he hates baseball.

Keith and Laurie are not so understanding of their younger brother like their mother, and tell Danny to have a try at baseball, just for Shirley, and Danny reluctantly agrees. But when they meet with Darby, Shirley is not convinced by the coach’s attitude, he is loud and obviously wants his boys to be winners and achieve great things.

To everyone’s surprise, especially himself, Danny turns out to be a perfect pitcher. His coach is very excited because with such an expert pitcher the team at last has the chance to be the best. Keith and Laurie admit that they’ve made their younger brother start being interested in baseball, so Shirley tells Danny he doesn’t have to play to please her.

The family go to watch Danny’s first game. After winning the game, Danny is hooked on baseball. At the game the rest of the family are shocked at the coach’s speech to the boys and the seriousness of some of the parents watching the game.

However, now Danny feels very needed by the coach and the team. He can’t stop talking about baseball and the upcoming final, he even resigns from rehearsing with the family in favor of training with his team.

Sadly the coach doesn’t treat his young players as he should, he is too harsh and demanding. The coach gives the team a speech about winning the championship in the next game and puts a lot of responsibility on Danny’s pitching. Danny is overwhelmed and tells him and his family that because of a sore arm he will not play. After a conversation with Danny, Shirley goes to meet with Darby. She is sure that Danny would love to play if he doesn’t feel such a pressure. The coach’s forgotten that winning is not the most important thing, those boys play for fun, not for his glory. Thanks to Shirley, Darby changes his attitude, Danny takes part in the game and his team wins.
Written by Weronika Cyrynger

Songs:
"I Wanna Be With You", "Say Hey Willie" (Ricky)

Cast:
Shirley Partridge - Shirley Jones
Keith Partridge - David Cassidy
Laurie Partridge - Susan Dey
Danny Partridge - Danny Bonaduce
Chris Partridge - Brian Forster
Tracy Partridge - Suzanne Crough
Reuben Kincaid - Dave Madden

Directed by: E. W. Swackhamer

Written by: William S. Bickley

Guest Stars: Herb Edelman as Darby Willis, Dick Balduzzi as Marv Fillmore, Gordon Jump as Zack Feldman, Jackie Earle Haley as Rusty

Screen Shots: