Rounding Third

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http://www.theaterworkshartford.org

Rounding Third tells of the funny and tumultuous journey of two Little League coaches through an entire season - from their first tentative meeting to the climactic championship game.

Don is the rough, blue-collar, win-at-all-costs veteran coach whose son is the star pitcher. Michael is a newcomer, both to the town and to baseball. He's a corporate executive who agrees to be Don's assistant because he wants a special activity with his son, who's never played baseball before. Despite their differences, Don and Michael form an uneasy alliance for the benefit of the kids. And over the course of exhilarating victories, heartbreaking defeats, and interminable rainouts, the two men battle over how to lead the team.

Michael believes that the job of the coaches is to shield the kids from the intense pressure of competition, while making sure everyone has a good time. Don thinks they should be teaching the kids how to win. Out of these conflicting philosophies, the real issues of the play emerge: How should we raise our children? Since we live in such a ferociously competitive society, do we protect our children as long as possible? Or do we prepare them to be tough enough to win? Always win. And what does it mean to be an American man?