ALL-STAR WITNESS     Listen To Sample
Theme: Communication; forgiveness
Episode Number: 578
Writer: Nathan Hoobler
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell
Scripture: Matthew 18:15; Matthew 5:23-24
Album: #45Complete: Lost & Found
Album: #45a: The Mystery of the Lost Village
Last Air Date: 11/06/2005
Original Air Date: 11/05/05
Summary: Ashley Jenkins is suing Tom Riley for unfair and biased treatment when he was her coach! To fight this, Tom hires Eugene as his lawyer!

The problem is that Tom didn't choose Ashley to play in the All-Star softball game and Ashley assumes it's because Tom doesn't like her. Worse yet, she lost her one chance to be scouted by the Briarhurst Academy recruiters. While Eugene and Tom prepare their case, Ashley and her father rehearse Ashley's testimony.

Ashley explains to Bill how much she liked Tom Riley as a coach at the beginning of the season. Then she explains how things changed halfway through the season--the same day that Bill voted for the new proposed highway to Connellsville that will run right through Tom Riley’s farm. When Tom did not choose Ashley as the Coyotes’ representative at the All-Star game, Ashley and Bill assumed that it was because Tom was mad at Bill’s decision.

Eugene prepares a detailed defense case and Whit agrees to moderate a meeting between Tom and the Jenkins'. There, everyone finds out that Tom had noticed Ashley's talent on the softball field and began to push her harder and expect more of her. He didn’t choose her for the All-Star game because he thought she wasn't ready for the pressure and intimidation from the older kids.

Tom apologizes to Ashley for taking her chance to attend Briarhurst Academy, but Whit arranges for her to meet with one more scout who hadn’t left town yet. In the end, both Tom and Ashley learn a valuable lesson about communicating.