This is a young man who takes baseball very seriously. Baseball is very important to him. That's his measure of success and opportunity in life. Ankiel realizes the world will be watching this spring. Maybe, for the first time, he's ready to take on the world.
Kids dash out of class.
Some head straight home. Some decide to party, lighting up cigarettes and joints on the street. A dozen or so kids wander past the auditorium, technology lab and the art and music classrooms, until they're behind the school. There is where you'll find Port St. Lucie's baseball field. This is where Rick Ankiel became a high school legend.