Ep 3. Four Balls, Two Bats and One Mitt

Charlie Sheen may have exited, but the show must go on! With the introduction of Ashton Kutcher in Season 9, the new kid on the block was able to breathe new life into the sitcom. For the Season 10 episode "Four Balls, Two Bats, and One Mitt," the storyline revolves around Alan's new crush, Lyndsey's son, Eldridge.

In the opening scene, we see Alan (Jon Cryer) and Walden (Ashton Kutcher) playing catch. Just as Walden throws a pitch, we see Eldridge (Graham Patrick Martin) walk out the front door of Walden's beach house. Alan immediately loses focus and misses the ball.

Once Alan is able to compose himself, Eldridge tells Alan about his desire to become a professional baseball player. He dreams of attending college on a baseball scholarship and eventually playing in the major leagues. Alan offers to take Eldridge to a local batting cage to help him work on his swing.

At the batting cage, we are introduced to Jess (played by guest star Brooke D'Orsay), a beautiful woman who works there. Alan is immediately smitten with her, but when he tries to ask her out on a date, she reveals that she only dates professional athletes. This prompts Alan to take Eldridge under his wing and train him to become a professional baseball player, in the hopes that Jess will take an interest in him.

Meanwhile, Walden and Lyndsey (Courtney Thorne-Smith) are dealing with their own issues. Lyndsey is upset with Walden for not being romantic enough, and Walden struggles to come up with creative ways to impress her. Walden asks Alan for advice, but Alan is preoccupied with his training of Eldridge.

As the episode progresses, we see Alan take Eldridge to a local batting practice where they run into Lyndsey's ex-boyfriend, Larry (played by D.B. Sweeney). Larry is an ex-professional baseball player and offers to give Eldridge some tips to help improve his game. In a fit of jealousy, Alan kicks Larry off the field and tells him to stay away from his "nephew."

After a few more misadventures, including a mishap with Alan's car and a lack of funding for Eldridge's trip to a baseball tournament, the episode culminates in a sweet moment between Alan and Eldridge. While sitting on the couch of the beach house, Eldridge expresses his gratitude to Alan for all of his help. Alan tells him that he sees Eldridge as the son he never had, and that he would do anything to help him achieve his dreams.

Overall, "Four Balls, Two Bats, and One Mitt" displays the heart and humor that made fans fall in love with Two and a Half Men in the first place. It showcases the new dynamic between Alan and Walden, while introducing a compelling storyline for Eldridge. With each passing episode, it becomes clearer why the show was able to continue its success even after its lead actor's departure.