An: Hi everyone and welcome back to What's Magic Scooby Doo. This time our gang gets to see a good old-fashioned ballgame. Now they just have to contend with the spoiled sport of a ghost.
To Guest, no the first 5 episodes are not any of my favorite episodes. We won't get to my favorite episode for a while.
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Episode 13: The Unnatural
– Separator –
our view opens overlooking a baseball park. As we scroll down we focus on a batting cage. A young man is practicing his swings against the balls fired from a pitching machine that we can see a little farther back. With each ball he slams the ball over the homerun line. After his fourth such home run, the lights suddenly go out. The young man looks around in puzzlement.
An image of an older baseball player can suddenly be seen in the sky over the batting cage. The player glares down at the young man. "I'm warning you. Try to break my record, and everyone shall suffer!" Letting out a chilling laugh the image suddenly throws 4 fastballs at the young man. The problem was each 1 was on fire.
Quickly the young man opens the door of the batting cage, and bolts for the locker room.
The spirit smiles nastily.
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the Mystery Machine as it drives along a paved road. As usual, Fred is driving, with Daphne sitting beside him. Unusually it isn't Velma sitting behind Fred, but rather Shaggy. Sitting next to Shaggy is Scooby, who is licking his paws.
Behind these 2 sit Velma and Ivy. Velma is on the left behind Shaggy. Ivy is sitting to her right.
Shaggy reads a sign as the Mystery Machine passes it. "Wow, Cookie Company International Park. What a great name for a ball field!"
Scooby looks up from cleaning his paws. "Yeah, Cookie!"
Daphne frowns in puzzlement. "I thought it used to be called Potter Stadium."
Ivy blinks. "Where are we" she asks Velma.
Velma pulls out a map and shows Ivy where they are.
"Oh, so that's what I sold!"
The others look at her in surprise.
Ivy rolls her eyes. "My last name is Potter remember? When I was leaving England I sold off a lot of the properties my family owned. It helped that the stadium's foundation had given out over 5 years earlier. So I sold the land to the highest bidder. I didn't know that bidder was Cookie Company International though."
Velma blinks her eyes for a moment before shruging. "Well, they built the new stadium on top of the old 1."
As the Mystery Machine nears the stadium Fred grins. "I can't believe I actually get to meet Luis Santiago!"
Shaggy perks up. "Yeah me to Fred." Shaggy looks sheepish. "But who is he?"
Fred gives Shaggy an incredulous look. "He's only the best long ball player today! He's 1 homerun away from breaking the all-time record!"
Ivy glances up. "Is that good?"
Fred just looks done as the others laugh.
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the gang as they enter the park. We can see the Grizzlies each practicing at the batting cage.
As the gang walks over to some bleachers to sit and wait Scooby spots a large bear. "Grizzly bear!" Scooby dashes toward the bear barking.
Fred looks where Scooby is dashing. "No Scooby! That's just Mr. Grizz, the team mascot!"
Ivy draws her wand. "I've got him Fred, Accio!"
Suddenly Scooby finds himself flying through the air, right into Ivy's arms. Scooby licks her face before jumping down.
Someone on the sidelines blows a whistle, and the pitcher takes a break. The bear that Scooby had tried to attack crawls out of a costume to reveal a man in his mid-thirties.
As the next pitcher puts the team through their paces Velma gapes at the sight of the man who had been inside the bear costume. "Hay, aren't you J. T. Page? I thought you were a pitcher on this team."
Page nods. "Yeah, well I was. Until I got cut."
Daphne's eyes widen. "I remember that. Didn't you throw a burrito at someone in the stands?"
Page looks sheepish. "Not exactly my finest hour. They told me the only way I could stay with the club was if I became the new mascot, Mr. Grizz."
Daphne smiles at Page. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Page. I'm Daphne Blake and these are my friends. Fred Jones, Velma Dinkly, Shaggy Rogers, Scooby Do, and Ivy Potter. I received a call from the Grizzlies manager about allowing us to see the next game, along with meeting Luis Santiago?"
Page shrugs. "Well, Luis is over there. As for the game I'll need to check with the manager myself first."
Daphne nods and leads the gang over to 1 of the batters. Luis Santiago looks haggard. There are bags under his eyes, and his shoulders slump slightly. As the gang draws closer they notice someone talking with him.
The unknown man pats Luis's shoulder. "Well Luis it's been a tough couple of weeks for you. Any thoughts on how to, break out of this drought you're in?"
Luis looks nervous. "Um. Well Bob, you used to play. You know what it's like. It's just a little slump. I'll come out of it I'm sure."
Bob walks away. Luis sighs in relief.
Daphne and the gang walk up. "Excuse me, Mr. Santiago?"
Luis looks up. "Yes?"
Daphne gives Luis a reassuring smile. "I'm Daphne Blake. Me and my friends were invited by the Grizzlies manager to come see the game."
Luis for some reason looks resigned. "That's good to hear."
Fred steps forward and begins discussing past games with Luis.
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the ball field during the game. The Grizzlies are pitching, and have already given their opponents 2 outs. Another batter steps up to the plate. The ball is pitched. It arcs in over the plate. The batter swings at the ball and misses.
The umpire calls "Strike 1."
Another pitch. This time it's a fastball straight over the plate. The batter swings again and misses.
The umpire calls "Strike 2."
The pitcher winds up and sends another pitch sailing over the plate. The batter swings at this pitch and misses again.
Our view shifts to the commentator's booth. Bob, the man talking with Luis earlier, is commentating. "Strike 3. And that's all for the Grizzlies in the second."
Our view shifts to the gang sitting in the stands. Fred sits in the middle of 1 row with Daphne and Ivy on either side of him. One row back sits Shaggy and Scooby with Velma sitting behind Ivy.
One of the concession stand girls walks up to Shaggy. She hands him some peanuts, soft-served ice cream, and 1 large pizza. "Here you go Shaggy."
Velma stares as the girl walks away. "She gave you all that stuff for free Shaggy?"
Shaggy nods.
Daphne looks puzzled. "Why?"
Shaggy shrugs. "Like beats me. She even said she'd stop by every inning to see how I was doing."
Ivy blinks. Then smiles. "I think you've got a fan of your own Shaggy."
Shaggy gives Ivy a curious look. "Like what do you mean Ivy?"
Ivy smiles. "I think she has a crush on you."
That makes the eyes of the gang go wide in surprise.
As the game continues clouds cover the sky and raindrops begin to fall.
Daphne looks up at the sky. "Oh no! It's starting to rain!"
Velma smiles at Daphne. "Don't worry Daphne. Your hair won't get wet. Cookie Company International Park has a retractable roof." As she speaks the roof above them slides closed. Cutting off the rain.
Daphne smiles. "Actually I was worried about a rainout. The Grizzlies would have to make up the game with a doubleheader. We're 1 in 17 in those."
Everyone stares at Daphne in surprise.
Daphne Shrugs. "And I did just get my hair done."
The Grizzlies return to the field for their turn at bat. First up is Luis.
In the commentator's booth, Bob is replaced. "Ok Grizz fans Steeve Powell here to call the bottom of the second."
Luis looks like he would rather be anywhere else. The ball is pitched, and Luis doesn't even try to hit the ball.
Steeve continues his Commentating. "The first pitch to Luis Santiago is just on the outside corner for a strike!"
Without warning a ghost appears above the ball field. He gives Luis a piercing look. "I warned you. Now everyone will suffer!" Letting loose his chilling laugh the ghost launches several flaming baseballs at the stands and field.
Everyone in the stands begins running away from the balls, nearly trampling over 1 another in their haste to get away.
Still sitting in the stands Shaggy and Scooby are shivering in terror.
– Separator –
Our view returns to the ghost as he spots the gang still sitting in the stands. Narrowing his eyes he gestures and the lights suddenly explode. Ivy pulls her wand, and after casting a notice-me-not spell casts a shield charm in front of the gang. The explosion causes debris to rain down on the stands, but the gang is protected by Ivy's shield. With 1 more chilling laugh, the ghost disappears.
The gang makes their way down to Luis who is trembling in fright.
Velma gives Luis a look. "Any idea why that ghost was looking at you with such anger Luis?"
Luis shrugs in defeat, before leading the gang to the clubhouse. "The ghost first appeared 2 and a half weeks ago. At first, all he did was scare me. However 10 days ago he through his first flaming baseball. And at that time he told me that if I tried to break the record, he make bad things happen here at the park. That's why I've been pretending to be in a slump."
Daphne frowns in concentration. "Any idea who this baseball ghost may be Luis?"
Luis nods. "Of course. He's the ghost of the all-time homerun leader, Cab Craig!"
Shaggy and Scooby are shivering at Luis's words.
A woman walks into the clubhouse and heads straight for Luis. "Luis hunny, that was great. Well not great great but you know what I mean. We're not only the leading story on Sports station, but the evening news too!"
Luis looks just done with everything. Despite this, he gestures to the woman. "This is my publicist, Autumn Summerfield." Fred tries to talk to Autumn, but she shuts him down hard. "Look Luis we need to move on this while the story is hot. No pun intended!"
Daphne gives Autumn a look. "Maybe Luis should rest up before the big game." Autumn starts going over Daphne's outfit with a critical eye. Daphne just stares. "Um, what are you doing?"
Autumn straightens up. "Looking for the name tag that says Luis's trainer and I don't see it. So buzz off!"
Luis holds up his hand. "Autumn give it a rest. Daphne's right. We'll talk about it in the morning."
Fred gets an excited gleam in his eye. "Don't worry Luis. You just concentrate on baseball and leave the crime-solving to us. We're going to bring that phony phantom to justice."
Velma nods. "And the first thing we need to do is get a closer look at those exploding lights."
– Separator –
Our view shifts to Fred, Daphne, and Velma as they walk along a catwalk above the ball field. Each is wearing a harnice and has a line that is attached to a bolt in the catwalk secured to 1 point.
Fred looks down. "Make sure to stay attached to these safety lines. It sure is a long way down to the field."
The group makes their way along the catwalk until they reach the lights that illuminate the field at night, or when it rains.
Velma hums as she spots something. "Take a look at this!"
The others look over to see a small generator.
Daphne frowns. "But that doesn't make sense. A generator that small couldn't run all these lights!"
Velma nods. "No, but if the lights were already running it could overload them."
Fred nods. "Causing them to explode."
– Separator –
Our view shifts to Shaggy, Scooby, and Ivy as they explore the ball field. Shaggy and Scooby are still munching on the food the girl from earlier had given Shaggy. Ivy is looking around in interest. When the 3 stop for a few minutes Scooby starts digging.
Shaggy looks over to Scooby. "Like berrying leftovers for later?"
Scooby nods while continuing to dig.
Shaggy looks at Ivy. "Like Ivy is there a spell to help dig a hole?"
Ivy shakes her head. "Nope! You would think someone would have created 1 since 1 of our classes, Herbology, had us planting various types of plants. Not to mention all the work Professor Sprout did in the greenhouses. But no nobody created a spell to help dig holes."
Nodding Shaggy joins Scooby in digging a hole to bury their leftovers in. After digging for a minute Shaggy finds a trapdoor. "Hay! I wonder where this goes?"
Ivy steps over and examines the trapdoor. "I suspect this leads to the old Potter stadium. Be careful opening it Shaggy, theres no telling how far down the ground is."
Shaggy nods to Ivy and reaches for the handle of the trapdoor. As he pulls it up the ground under their feet shifts, and all end up sliding down into darkness.
– Separator –
Our view shifts to Shaggy, Scooby, and Ivy all laid out on the ground.
With a grown Shaggy pushes himself up before getting to his feet. "Like wow, you weren't kidding. That was quite the drop."
Ivy sits up and checks herself over. "I sure did. However, I didn't realize opening that trapdoor would have such an impact on the surrounding ground."
Scooby gets to his feet.
Shaggy looks around spotting tunnels leading off in every direction. "Hay! This must be how the baseball specter gets around. All these tunnels are right under the new field."
Ivy glances around. "I don't think we should explore these tunnels without the others."
Shaggy And Scooby nod in agreement.
Shaggy glances up at the hole they fell through. "Like how are we going to get out of here?"
Ivy's smirk sent shivers down Shaggy's and Scooby's spines. "Well I know 1 way that will get us all up there"
Shaggy gulped. "What's that?"
Grinning Ivvy puts a hand on Shaggy's shoulder. Then she puts the other hand on Scooby's back. Without warning the 2 boys felt like they were being squeezed through a small tube before they landed on the grass of the field a few feet away from the trapdoor.
Looking up Shaggy spots Fred, Daphne, and Velma walking across the field toward them. He paused as he saw Ivy's eyes stray toward Velma for a second, but shrugged it off. "It's good to see you guys."
One of Daphne's eyebrows rose as she looked down at the hole in the ground. "And what did you guys find down there?"
Ivy shrugged. "We didn't explore any of the tunnels alone."
Daphne is distracted by a light that can be seen shining over the field. "Hay gang! What's that up there?"
The others look where Daphne is pointing.
Shaggy shivers. "Like maybe the cleaning crew left a light on?"
Fred looks excited. "Or maybe it's the baseball specter!"
Shaggy looks scared. "Why don't we just say I'm right and leave it at that?" Shaggy looks around when there is no answer. The only 1 still with him is Scooby. "Guys? Guys!" Shaggy and Scooby run after the others.
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Our view shifts to the gang as they enter the commentator's booth. The room is full of equipment used to broadcast over the radio. There is hardly enough room for all 6 kids to squeeze in.
Velma looks around in interest. "This is where Bob Tailer does the radio broadcasts for the games."
Daphne looks thoughtful. "That's right. He used to be a baseball player!"
Fred nods as he pulls out a baseball card. "Sure, here's his trading card." Fred examines the card. "Oh! And it's still got gum!"
Velma examines the stats printed on the card. "Played 7 seasons. Through lefty. And ha batting average."
Ivy frowns. "Is that good?"
Velma smirks. "If you're playing tea-ball."
Fred looks thoughtful. "Actually come to think of it. Bob Tailer was on the same team as Cab Craig."
Velma gets a gleam in her eyes. "Really!"
Without warning music starts playing somewhere in the ball field.
Shaggy looks around. "Oh no! It's that offal organ music."
Fred sets his shoulders. "Come on gang, I've got a plan. Follow me!"
The gang runs out of the commentator's booth in the direction of the music. Following the sounds they find themselves at 1 of the other buildings near the field. Entering the building the gang sees the baseball specter playing the organ.
Shaggy looks to Fred. "Ok Fred, so like what's your plan?"
Fred looks determined. "To come in here and see who's playing that organ."
Daphne looks worryingly at Fred. "And then?"
Fred shrugs. "Didn't think it out past that."
Velma grabs Ivy's hand. "Well I've got an idea, RUN!"
The baseball specter chases them all around the stadium. Throwing flaming baseballs whenever he can catch sight of any of the kids. It isn't long however before he notices he is almost out of balls. With a growl, he abandons the chase and disappears.
The gang slows to a stop and catches their breath.
Daphne pulls out a handkerchief to wipe her face. "Wow! That sure was close!"
Shaggy saggs to the ground. "I've heard of take me out to the ball game. But never take me out, at the ball game."
Everyone jumps as a flash goes off. "Got you"
The kids look up to see Autumn Summerfield brandishing a camera.
Autumn scowls. "Uh! You aren't the baseball specter!"
Velma narrows her eyes. "Autumn Summerfield. Why are you trying to get a picture of the baseball specter?"
Ivy scowls and gestures with her wand. Without warning the camera is ripped out of Autumn's hands, and Ivy pulls the film from the camera.
For some reason, Autumn doesn't even react to her camera being stolen. "I was driving home when it dawned on me. Luis's picture, plus that creepy specter's picture equals great publicity. Now why don't you kids do me a favor, and stop getting in my way."
Autumn is about to leave when Ivy slaps a form into her hand.
Autumn looks down at the form. "What's this?"
Ivy glares. "A form you will have to fill out and have processed if you don't want the British embassy to ruin Luis's baseball career because you took an unauthorized picture of 1 of the roil family."
Autumn glances down at the form and blanches. She hurries away.
Daphne gives Ivy a strange look. "You aren't really going to ruin Luis's career are you Ivy?"
Ivy looks around before shaking her head. "No, but she doesn't know that."
Daphne looks puzzled. "I wonder though, why did she lie?"
The gang had just turned to walk back toward the clubhouse when an alarm is heard and the retractable roof begins to open.
Shaggy gulps and points.
Fred scowls. "Someone's trying to let the rain in!"
Velma scowls as well. "And ruin tomorrow's game."
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the gang as they walk along a catwalk high above the field. Unlike when Fred, Daphne, and Velma went to check out the exploding lights this catwalk is wider allowing 2 to walk abreast.
Fred Looks around. "The controls for the roof have to be around here somewhere."
Velma points. "There they are!"
We see a control panel with the baseball specter standing in the middle of the path leading to it.
Daphne frowns. "Now we just have to get past tall dark and terrible."
The gang sneaks back out of sight.
Fred turns to the gang. "Ok, here's the plan. Shaggy you and Scooby create a diversion." Shaggy nods. "Daphne, you and Velma will jump over to the other side of the roof, and get to that control panel."
The girls give Fred a thumbs up. "Check."
A voice speaks up next to Fred. "What about me?"
Fred startts to look up. "Well, you're going to make your way over to..." Fred sees the baseball specter standing there.
The entire gang takes off running away from the specter. Without pause, Fred, Shaggy, Daphne, Velma, and Ivy all jump across the opening of the roof to land next to the control panel. Scooby freezes when he sees the opening he would have to jump. Scooby wines in fear looking around. The specter laughs at Scooby as he stalks forward toward him.
The gang all call for Scooby to make the jump. With 1 last look down scooby backs up and makes a running jump off the roof.
Daphne traces Scooby's path with her eyes. "Oh no! Scooby's not going to make it!"
Ivy draws her wand. "Not if I have anything to say about it. ACCEO!"
Scooby is pulled across to Ivy who steps out of the way of the control panel.
Fred seeing where Scooby is going to hit raises 1 hand in victory. "Safe!"
Scooby slams into the control panel, hitting the button to close the roof. The baseball specter loses his balance on the sliding roof and grabs for 1 of the roof supports.
Ivy Shakes her head. "Oh no you don't." Ivy casts a stinging hex at the specter's hand. This causes the specter to lose his grip, and he falls through the closing opening in the roof toward the field.
Velma looks down in surprise. "He's going to hit the field!"
The baseball specter slams into the ball field and disappears out of sight.
Daphne blinks. "Jeepers! He went right through the field!"
Shaggy looks down. "Oh great. I guess it's time to explore those tunnels?"
Ivy nods. "I'm afraid so Shaggy." She pulls out a box. "But you and Scooby don't have to go down there on an empty stomach." She holds out a box of Scooby Snacks. Shaggy and Scooby each take 1.
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the gang as they emerge into the tunnels under the stadium.
Velma looks around in interest. "I wonder how many people know about these old tunnels."
Shaggy spots a barrel. "A pickle barrel! Man I could sure go for a sweet dill right about now!" Shaggy opens the barrel before recoiling from the smell. "Oh man, these things are ripe!"
Scooby nods in agreement.
Fred takes a look at the barrel. "Wait a minute guys. Those aren't pickles, they're baseballs. And they're soaking in cariseen!"
Shaggy turns away from the barrel. "You'd have to be pretty hungry to eat pickled baseballs."
Velma rolls her eyes. "They're not for eating. They're for throwing flaming fast balls. By the baseball specter?"
Fred glances at his watch. "Well, gang it's morning. Let's get back up to the field and search for some more clues."
Shaggy tilts his head. "Fred, you mean get out of these dark and dank tunnels and out into the nice warm sunshine?" Shaggy pretends to have his arm twisted. "Oh man, like you talked me into it."
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the gang as they enter the clubhouse. We find Luis watching an old film.
Fred gives Luis a big smile. "Hay Luis. Are you ready for the big game/"
Luis looks up. "I don't know. I've been watching this old film of Cab Craig. He was my idol."
The gang watch for a few minutes. Suddenly Velma's eyes narrow at the screen.
Shaggy looks around. "Hay, like where are all the other players? The game starts in 15 minutes!"
Luis looks around. "I guess they were scared off by the specter. Looks like we're going to have to forfeit the game."
Fred looks scandalized. "Forfeit the game! No way, you've got to break that record!"
Velma straightens up. "I think I've got this mystery just about wrapped up."
Fred looks excited. "And I know how we can help Luis and catch that specter."
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the field. Scooby is in the Mr. Grizz costume while the rest of the gang are sitting in the stands.
Ivy looks at Fred. "Are you sure this is going to work?"
Fred just grins.
Bob Tailer announces the Grizzlies as the team takes the field.
Scooby runs around the stands and field stealing snacks from everyone he can.
The other announcer calls the start of the third inning. As Luis takes his stance the specter appears. Daphne hits him with a blast of water that sends him flying toward Shaggy. Shaggy powers up the pitching machine and fires several baseballs at the specter who does his best to avoid them. Next, Scooby scares the specter into a cannon that the team had wanted to use for their mascot.
Shaggy lights the fuse. "We did it. Plug your ears Scoob!"
Shaggy and Scooby plug their ears waiting. When nothing happens both look over to see the specter stuck in the cannon. Without warning the cannon fires and Shaggy, Scooby, and the baseball specter are fired into a net.
Daphne looks up. "I can't see who it is."
Velma points to the giant screen. "Look up there."
On the jumbo screen, Shaggy pulls the specter's mask off.
The audience all cry out "Bob Tailer!" Everyone boos.
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the gang who are standing in the clubhouse. Luis, Autumn, and Steeve are listening as the kids explain the mystery.
Velma looks at Luis. "Our first clue was when we saw the specter playing the stadium organ."
Daphne glances at Tailer, who is standing in the corner. "We learned by asking around that Bob Tailer had once supported himself, after failing to find work with another baseball team, by giving piano lessons."
Velma nodded. "But there was 1 clue that really put it all together." Velma shows the film that Luis had shown the gang earlier. "Notice when Cab throws out the runner, he throws with his right arm! The baseball specter is a lefty. And according to Bob's baseball card, so is he."
Luis gives Bob Tailer a glare. "But why would you do this?"
Tailer scowles. "Because Cab Craig was my best friend. I wanted his record to stand forever!"
Daphne frowns. "I still find it strange that Autumn's shoes were dry if she left the park."
Autumn smirks. "Well, a girl's got to be prepared, don't you think?" Autumn holds up an identical pair of shoes.
Daphne blinks. "Wow! I thought I was the only 1 who did that!"
– Separator –
Our view shifts to the gang sitting in the stands as the baseball game gets underway.
The empire calls out "Play ball!"
The girl from before walks up to Shaggy. "Here you go Shaggy. I made you a Carmal-corn Salted peanuts Cotton candy Chocolate malt sandwich!"
Shaggy takes the sandwich with stars in his eyes. "I think I'm in love."
Velma looks green. "I think I'm going to be sick."
Ivy hands Velma a napkin.
Suddenly Daphne's phone rings. With an apologetic glance, she answers it. "Hello? Yes this is Daphne Blake. Really! When should we be there? I understand. Thank you for calling." Daphne disconnects the call.
Ivy looks over to Daphne. "What was that all about?"
Daphne smiles. "That was Pirahna Studios. We have been invited to watch them shooting a remake of Spy Me a River!"
Velma and Daphne squeal at this news.
Ivy looks lost but smiles anyway. Suddenly she spots Luis walking up to the plate. "Hay guys, Luis is coming to the plate!"
The pitcher draws his arm back and lets fly with a fastball straight down the middle of the plate.
Luis waits for just a second. Then swings his bat with great force. As the bat contacts the ball, the ball is sent flying long past the stadium walls. The audience is cheering as Luis runs the bases.
Up in the commentator's booth, Steeve Powel watches as the ball flies into the distance. "And Luis Santiago has broken the record. He's broken the record." A picture of the gang is pictured on the screen. "All with a little help from those meddling kids."
The gang is celebrating along with everyone else.
Scooby looks up as Luis slides into home base. "Scooby Dooby Doo!"
Fireworks continue to light up the sky as our view fades to black.
– Separator – An: and that is it for the 9th chapter of What's Magic Scooby Doo. This will be the last chapter of this for a while. So to those who are enjoying this story, I'm sorry it will be a while before the next chapter.
Next month I will return to publishing "A Witches Call" so look forward to that.
As always if you have a comment or questions leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying the story, and I'll see you all next time.