02x01 - Justice Sonia and Judge Alma/Justice Sonia and Umpire Alma
Posted: 12/31/23 12:03
♪ Waahoooa yay! [♪♪♪]
♪ Vamonos!
♪Lo le lo lai, lo lai lai lo le, ♪
♪ it's Alma's Way!
♪ Here she comes,
♪beaming with pride and something to say! ♪
♪ Hear those drums?
♪ Playing Alma's Way.
♪ From the Bronx,
♪ singing a le lo lai, lai lo lei! ♪
♪ Our island songs,
♪ saying Alma's Way!
♪So many questions, so much to explain. ♪
♪ Hoh! you hop on the train. ♪ ♪ Figure it out as
♪Hoo!♪ Junior and Abuelo, mi gente. ♪ ♪With Mami, Papi,
♪ I'll think it through and share it with you, ♪
♪ come on vente!
♪ There she goes!
her world every day. ♪ ♪Learning about
♪ The whole world knows,
♪ it's Alma's Way...
♪ Alma's Way!
♪i¡Wepa! ♪
♪♪
Alma: "“Justice Sonia and Judge Alma"”
Alma: We're on our way to meet someone Granny Isa
played with when she was my age!
Who are we meeting again, Granny?
Granny Isa: My old friend, Sonia Sotomayor.
Alma: Aren't those apartments called the Sonia Sotomayor Houses?
Junior: Your friend is named after those buildings?
Granny Isa: No, those buildings are named after my friend.
She used to live there.
And there she is.
Justice Sonia: Isa, ¿qué tal?
Granny Isa: i¡Todo bien, amiga!
Meet my beautiful, gorgeous grandchildren, Alma and Junior.
Kids, meet Justice Sonia.
Sonia's going to throw the first pitch at tonight's Sweat Sox game!
Alma: For real?! Junior: Ooh!
Justice Sonia: Uh-huh. Do you want to help me practice?
Junior: Yes, please! Alma: Okay!
Justice Sonia: i¡Vamos, niños!
Alma: Come on Junior!
Let's go!
Junior: Wait! It's my turn to press it!
Alma: Well, I got here first.
Junior: But that's not fair!
Alma: It is too!
Junior: Is not!
Granny Isa: Sounds like you two are having a disagreement.
[chuckle] That's perfect!
Alma: Huh?
Junior: It is?
Granny Isa: Yep '‘cause Justice Sonia can help.
Solving disagreements is her job.
She's a judge.
Junior: Um, excuse me.
What's a judge?
Justice Sonia: A judge makes sure that the rules are followed and people are treated fairly.
Alma: How do you do that?
Justice Sonia: When people disagree, I listen to both sides of the story.
then make a decision. Ask questions,
accept what I decide. And people
Alma: Wow!
Junior: Are you a judge for the whole Bronx?
Granny Isa: Sonia is a United States Supreme CourtJustice.
So, she's a whole country! judge for our
Check this out.
Alma: Woah!
Junior: Wow!
Granny Isa: Mhm!
Justice Sonia: When I'm at work in the courtroom, I wear a robe.
I'll be helping But today, you wearing my sneakers!
Alma/Junior/ Granny Isa/ Justice Sonia:[laugh]
Justice Sonia: So Junior, what are disagreeing about? you and Alma
Junior: I never get a turn to press the button because Alma always gets there first.
Alma: I can't help that!
It just happens.
Justice Sonia: Hmm, tell me.
Who's older?
Who's taller? Who has longer legs and is probably faster?
Alma: Oh that's easy.
Me. Me. And me!
Justice Sonia: So, what if someone taller, bigger and faster always beats you to the button?
Is it fair that they press the button every time
or should you get a turn too?
Alma: Huh. I never thought of it that way.
Justice Sonia: So, whose turn should it be to press thebutton?
Alma: Let's make a new rule. We take turns.
Junior's turn.So, it's
Justice Sonia: I think that's fair.
Thanks, Alma!Junior:
Yay! I get to push the button!
Granny Isa: Ha! Good job lady!
Granny Isa/Justice Sonia: [chuckle]
Yolette: Ooh! That cloud looks like a puppy.
Oops. Missed a spot!
like a hole in the sky. It kinda looks
André: Ahhh! Hold on tight!
I'll fill it up before we fall in!
Yollete: [giggles] André: [giggles]
Alma: Hi, André!
Hi, Yolette!
This is Justice Sonia.
André: Hi!
Yolette: Nice to meet you, Justice Sonia.
Justice Sonia: Nice to meet you too.
André, that's some beautiful work.
André: Thanks! Been working on this masterpiece all day!
quick water break. But I need a
Be right back!
Junior: Oh!
Justice Sonia: i¡Increíble! She's really good!
Howard: Lucas, pass!
[effort] I got it!
Alma/Yolette: [gasp]
André: [gasp]
Woah! Woah! Woah! Woah!
You're gonna ruin my art!
Lucas: What do you mean?
We were gonna play here.
André: Well I wanna to make art!
Howard: But we want to play basketball.
Alma: Sounds like you two are having a disagreement.
That's perfect!
I know who can figure this out.
Justice Sonia!
Junior: Yeah, Justice Sonia is a judge and she wears a robe.
wearing sneakers. But today she's
Alma: Justice Sonia, what do you think would be fair?
Justice Sonia: What do you think would be fair, Alma?
Alma: Me? Hmm.
Oh, I know!
Hey Everyone! I'm gonna be Judge Alma, and help you figure out what's fair.
André: Wha? Lucas: Hmm?
Howard: Wha?
Granny: Hm, this is gonna be good!
Junior: [clears throat] Attention everyone!
Here comes Judge Alma.
Howard: Oh, that's a Judge Alma. Lucas: Now I get it!
Justice Sonia: [chuckle] I never thought I'd see a basketball court turned into a courtroom.
Granny Isa: That's my Almita!
[spoon clonks on cardboard]
Junior: Everybody quiet, please!
Judge Alma is ready.
Alma: Let's get started!
Umm...
Uhh, Justice Sonia, what do I do?
Justice Sonia: Well, you're the judge.
rules of the basketball court. You have to figure out the
And then decide what's fair.
You can do this, Alma.
Alma: Hmm. How do I decide?
I gotta think about this...
Junior: But that's not fair!
I never get a turn to press the button.
Alma: I got here first.
Hmm. When Justice Sonia helped us figure out what was fair,
she listened to both sides.
Justice Sonia: Who's older? Who's taller? Who has longer legs and is probably faster?
Alma: And she asked us a lot of questions to figure out what was happening.
Let's make a new rule.
We take turns!
So, It's Junior's turn.
Justice Sonia: I agree. I think that's fair.
Junior: Thanks, Alma!
Alma: And then we made a decision.
Oh! I know what to do.
So I'm gonna listen to both sides and ask questions.
Then I'll figure out the rules of the basketball court.
And then decide what's fair.
Howard: Sounds good to me!
Lucas: Uh-huh!
André: Uh-huh! Yolette: Yup!
Alma: Okay, André, tell me what happened.
André: Well, this morning, my dad made me fresh squeezed orange juice with lots of pulp.
Lucas: I love pulp!
Howard: Not me.
Alma: [giggle] André, I mean what happened at the basketball court?
André: Gotcha.
Well, no one was around when I got here, so I started to draw.
But then I left for one quick little second.
And Howard and Lucas almost ruined my masterpiece!
Alma: Where do you usually draw?
Andre: Different places. Ya know, all over the neighborhood.
Alma: Got it. Thanks!
Howard, Lucas, tell me what happened.
Howard: So, we got to the basketball court.
Lucas: And André wasn't there.
André: Like I told you, I went to get water!
Alma; Okay, right. Um.
Justice Sonia: You're doing great, Alma!
Keep asking questions so you understand everything that happened.
Alma: Okay. So, Howard, Lucas, where do you usually play basketball?
Lucas: Right here, at the basketball court, where you play basketball.
Alma: Could you play later?
Howard: No, because I have to go home for a snack, and Lucas is going to his mom's house.
Lucas: Mhm.
Alma: Could you play without messing up André's art?
Lucas: No way! His art is in the middle of the court!
Alma: Is that everything that happened?
André: Hmm, let me think.
Oh, I know! Yolette saw the whole thing.
anything I missed! She can tell you
Yolette: Yup! I saw everything!
Justice Sonia: Yolette can be a witness. That's someone who saw what happened.
Go ahead and call the witness, Junior.
Junior: Calling the witness!
Hey, Witness! Where are you?!
Yolette: Here I am!
Alma: Yolette, what did you see?
Yolette: Okay, so André was drawing a sky with a hole in it.
take a water break. Then, he went to
But then, Howard and Lucas came and almost messed up André's chalk art!
And then.
Well, that's it. The end.
Alma/André/Lucas: [applause] Yolette: Thank you.
Howard: Hey, can I have a witness too, Judge Alma?
Alma: Sure!
Howard: I call...
Junior: Pick me! Pick me!
Yolette: Pick me!
Lucas: Me!
Junior: Pick me!
Howard: Yolette!
Yolette: Yes!
Junior: Calling the next witness!
Same as last witness!
Yolette: This is fun. I like being a witness.
Howard: Yolette, when you want to play basketball, where do you go?
Yolette: The basketball court.
André/Lucas/Junior: [gasp]
Alma: Thanks, Yolette.
Okay, André. I've got a question.
Do you think it'd be fair if someone played basketball in the sandbox
when you wanted to make a sandcastle?
André: No, I guess it wouldn't.
Alma: Okay. Umm.
Justice Sonia, what do I do now?
Justice Sonia: Alma, It's time for you to decide.
Alma: Okay.
I think I understand everything that happened.
Now I'll decide.
[dramatic music]
Junior: Ooh!
Alma: Hmm. Mmm...Got it!
Howard: So? What did you decide?
Alma: Since a basketball court is where you play basketball.
Howard and Lucas should be allowed to play there.
André: For real?! Howard: Yeah!
Howard: Awesome! Lucas: Yeah!
André: But I got there first!
Alma: Well, it's like you said, since you can draw anywhere.
André: Ah, I get where this is going.
If I'm ever drawing on the court and someone wants to play basketball,
I'll draw somewhere else.
Alma: Mhm.
masterpiece, I'll draw Justice Andre: For my next Sonia and Judge Alma on the sidewalk.
Alma: That sounds ah-may-zing.
Junior: Now can I take my bowtie off?
Alma: Yep! The court case is now finished.
[spoon smacks cardboard]
Junior: Ahh.
Howard: And now we can play basketball!
You too, Yolette and André.
Yolette: Yes! Andre: Alright!
Justice Sonia: You did a great job, Judge Alma!
Okay, who's ready to help me practice my pitch?
Junior/Alma: We are!
Justice Sonia: Then let's play ball!
Alma: That sounds fair to me!
♪♪
[♪♪♪]
♪♪
Alma: "“Justice Sonia and Umpire Alma"”
Great arm, Alma! Justice Sonia:
Alma: i¡Gracias, Justice Sonia!
Junior: Mmm-ah! I have a great arm too!
Granny Isa: Let's see what you got, Junior!
Alma: Justice Sonia's throwing the first pitch at the Sweat Sox game tonight.
Sa-weet, huh?
Junior: [effort]
Justice Sonia: i¡Lo hiciste! i¡Así es!
Rafia: Hi, Alma!
[gasp] Is that who I think it is?!
depends on who you think I am. Justice Sonia: Well, that
Rafia: You're Justice Sonia Sotomayor from the United States Supreme Court!
Born and raised in the Bronx.
throw a fierce curveball. And I hear you
Justice Sonia: Yes, that's me! You can call me Justice Sonia.
Rafia: My mom's a big fan!
She always tells me when she reads about you in the news.
Justice Sonia: Thank your mom for me!
Alma: Ya know Justice Sonia, Rafia can throw a sa-weet curveball like you.
Granny Isa: Wanna show the Justice?
Rafia: Yes please!
Mmf!
Justice Sonia: Wow! That's got some heat to it.
Rafia: Thanks, Justice Sonia!
Junior: Me next!
got lots of heat too! My curveball's
Rafia: Hey, Alma, I'm gonna go play kickball. Wanna come?
Alma: No thanks, I'm gonna stay here.
Rafia: Okay, see ya!
Alma: Bye!
Granny Isa: I think it's time we see that pitching arm of yours.
Whaddya say, Sonia?
Justice Sonia: Let's go Amiga!
Granny Isa: i¡Vamos, Sonia! Don't hold back!
Alma/Junior: Hey! Hey! Let's see you throw! Go Justice Sonia! Go! Go! Go!
Justice Sonia: Uhm!
Granny Isa: Nice one!
Justice Sonia: Mnh!
Granny Isa: i¡Wepa! That's what I'm talking about, amiga!
Is she good or what?!
Alma: That's what I was gonna say!
Rafia: Incoming!
Alma: I got it!
Foul ball!
André: Thanks, Alma!
Justice Sonia: Nice call, Alma! You would make a great umpire.
Alma: Is an umpire the person who stands behind home plate?
Deciding if the player is- safe!
Or- out!
Justice Sonia: Exactly. They know the rules, are fair to both sides, and they have an open mind.
Mmh! And, umpires have to call it like they see it.
Alma: Ohh.
Granny Isa: And I'm callin' for a water break!
Junior: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Alma: Hmm.
I would make an ah-may-zing umpire.
Oh!
I'm gonna ask my friends if they want me to umpire their game.
Justice Sonia: i¡Da-le! Alma!
Granny Isa: Love it!
Junior: Go Alma the umpire! Go! Go! Go!
Alma: Hey, everyone!
Can I be your umpire?
Emi: Yeah! Lucas: Okay! Beto: Sure!
André: I'm cool with it!
Howard: So, if you're the umpire,
does that mean you're gonna stand behind the kicker during the game?
Alma: Uh-huh.
Howard: And say if they're safe or out?
Alma: Uh-huh.
Howard: Do you know all the rules?
Alma: Yep!
Howard: Hmm. Uhh.
I like it!
game, Umpire Alma! Welcome to the
Alma: Let's play ball!
Kicker up!
Granny Isa: i¡Vamos, Alma! That's my girl!
Junior: Hey! Hey! Kick that ball!
So Umpire Alma can make a call!
André: Ack!
Alma: Strike one! André: Aww.
Junior: Granny Isa, can I take pictures?
Granny Isa: Sure!
Have fun!
Junior: Thank you!
Granny Isa: Ready to pitch some more?
Justice Sonia: Sí, vamos, amiga.
Rafia: Common, André! You got this!
Emi: Go, André!
Granny Isa: Euh!
[squirrel squeaks]
Junior: Ooh!
André: Oof!
Alma: Strike three. You're out!
André: Aw, man!
Alma: Nice try, André!
Beto: Let's go! Lucas: Kick it!
[Kids cheer]
André: Throw here! Throw here!
Howard: Oh!
Alma: Safe!
Junior: Go, Alma! You're totally winning at being umpire!
Rafia: Kick that ball!
Alma: Ooh! Good one! Andre: Great Becka!
Alma: Safe!
[cheering]
Justice Sonia: Wow! What a call!
Lucas: Urhh!
[cheering]
André: I got it! I got it! Ah!
Alma: Out!
Good try!
Safe!
[cheering]
Junior: Ooh!
Granny Isa: Ah!
Justice Sonia: Wow!
Granny Isa: Check me out! You're not the only one who's still got it.
Justice Sonia: [chuckle] Hey, maybe you should be the one throwing out the first pitch tonight!
Justice Sonia/Granny Isa: [laugh]
Rafia: C'mon, André!
Bring me home!
André: Oof!
[cheering]
Lucas: Oh no! Get the ball!
Yolette: Run run run run run!
Howard: I'm coming for you, Rafia!
Rafia: [panting]
Beto: Tag her! Tag her!
Howard/Rafia: Uh!
Alma: You're out!
[cheering]
Junior: Hey! That's right, she called you out!
sister an umpire shout! Let's give my
Go, Alma the Umpire!
Rafia: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
I definitely touched the base, before Howard tagged me!
So I was safe! Right?!
André: I couldn't really tell.
Could you?
Rafia: C'mon, Alma, are you sure?
Maybe I was wrong? Alma: [gulp]
Howard: I totally tagged you out first, Rafia.
I was there! I saw it!
Right?
Lucas: It was really close.
Beto: Um, I'm pretty sure I saw Howard tag Rafia first.
Emi: Me too!
Pretty sure.
Yolette: Well, maybe Rafia did touch the base first.
But it's also possible that Howard tagged her first.
But Rafia is super fast.
really go either way! So it could
Beto: Ya know, the more I think about it.
Howard tagged Rafia first, so she's definitely out.
Emi: Definitely out!
André: And the more I think about it, Rafia was safe.
Howard: Now way! She's out!
Lucas: Yeah, out!
André/Rafia: Safe!
Beto/Emi: Out!
Alma: Eep!
Excuse me, Justice Sonia?
What do you think?
Justice Sonia: Alma, you're the umpire. It's your call.
Alma: Um?
Justice Sonia: You got this, Umpire!
Howard: So?
Rafia: Yeah, was I out or safe?
Alma: Uhhh.
I'm not even sure anymore.
I'm feeling all confused.
Uhh, I gotta think about this...
You're out!
From where I was, I thought I saw Howard tag Rafia, before she crossed home plate.
Rafia: I definitely touched the base, before Howard tagged me!
André: And the more I think about it, Rafia was safe.
Alma: But other people saw it differently than I did.
Justice Sonia: Umpires have to call it like they see it.
Alma: Ahh! I know what to do.
I've gotta call it like I saw it!
So. [exhale]
Rafia is out.
Howard: Yes!
[gasps]
Rafia: Really?!
Alma: Uh-huh. That's what I saw.
Rafia: [sigh] I need a water break.
Granny Isa: ¿Qué pasa, Almita?
Alma: I'm not sure I did the right thing.
Justice Sonia: Tell me more about it.
Alma: [sigh] Well, I made a call and I stuck with it.
But, Rafia still isn't happy.
sometimes an umpire makes a Justice Sonia: You know, decision that not everyone likes.
But you called it like you saw it, and people need to trust that.
Granny Isa: I'm really proud of you for sticking to it.
That's my Almita.
Alma: [sigh] Thanks.
Junior: Look at this flower I saw!
Justice Sonia: Nice one! Granny Isa: Good find! Alma: Sweet!
So, Justice Sonia, are you ready to pitch tonight?
Justice Sonia: As ready as I'll ever be.
Granny Isa: Ah, she's totally ready!
Junior: Yeah! Totally!
See!
[cheering]
Beto: Tag her! Tag her! Rafia: Oof!
Alma: You're out!
Wait a minute!
Justice Sonia: Did you see that too?
Alma: Uh-huh!
Junior: See what?
Granny Isa: Yeah, what did we miss?
Alma/Justice Sonia: That!
Alma: I was right!
Granny Isa: You were right!
Justice Sonia: That was a great call, Umpire Alma!
Junior: Told ya you'd win at umpireing!
Alma: I gotta go show my friends!
This is the play. See?!
Watch it again.
There!
Rafia: Okay, you were right. Nice call, Umpire Alma.
Now back to the game!
We still have time to win this!
Alma: Time to umpire!
And after that, it's time for another ball game.
[stadium crowd cheering]
Alma: Go!
Junior: Go Justice Sonia!
[stadium crowd cheering]
Junior/Alma: [cheering]
Alma: I'm gonna call it like I see it.
The whole Bronx thinks the Justice is an ah-may-zing pitcher!
And I do too!
Go! Go! Go!
[stadium crowd cheering]
♪♪
♪ Vamonos!
♪Lo le lo lai, lo lai lai lo le, ♪
♪ it's Alma's Way!
♪ Here she comes,
♪beaming with pride and something to say! ♪
♪ Hear those drums?
♪ Playing Alma's Way.
♪ From the Bronx,
♪ singing a le lo lai, lai lo lei! ♪
♪ Our island songs,
♪ saying Alma's Way!
♪So many questions, so much to explain. ♪
♪ Hoh! you hop on the train. ♪ ♪ Figure it out as
♪Hoo!♪ Junior and Abuelo, mi gente. ♪ ♪With Mami, Papi,
♪ I'll think it through and share it with you, ♪
♪ come on vente!
♪ There she goes!
her world every day. ♪ ♪Learning about
♪ The whole world knows,
♪ it's Alma's Way...
♪ Alma's Way!
♪i¡Wepa! ♪
♪♪
Alma: "“Justice Sonia and Judge Alma"”
Alma: We're on our way to meet someone Granny Isa
played with when she was my age!
Who are we meeting again, Granny?
Granny Isa: My old friend, Sonia Sotomayor.
Alma: Aren't those apartments called the Sonia Sotomayor Houses?
Junior: Your friend is named after those buildings?
Granny Isa: No, those buildings are named after my friend.
She used to live there.
And there she is.
Justice Sonia: Isa, ¿qué tal?
Granny Isa: i¡Todo bien, amiga!
Meet my beautiful, gorgeous grandchildren, Alma and Junior.
Kids, meet Justice Sonia.
Sonia's going to throw the first pitch at tonight's Sweat Sox game!
Alma: For real?! Junior: Ooh!
Justice Sonia: Uh-huh. Do you want to help me practice?
Junior: Yes, please! Alma: Okay!
Justice Sonia: i¡Vamos, niños!
Alma: Come on Junior!
Let's go!
Junior: Wait! It's my turn to press it!
Alma: Well, I got here first.
Junior: But that's not fair!
Alma: It is too!
Junior: Is not!
Granny Isa: Sounds like you two are having a disagreement.
[chuckle] That's perfect!
Alma: Huh?
Junior: It is?
Granny Isa: Yep '‘cause Justice Sonia can help.
Solving disagreements is her job.
She's a judge.
Junior: Um, excuse me.
What's a judge?
Justice Sonia: A judge makes sure that the rules are followed and people are treated fairly.
Alma: How do you do that?
Justice Sonia: When people disagree, I listen to both sides of the story.
then make a decision. Ask questions,
accept what I decide. And people
Alma: Wow!
Junior: Are you a judge for the whole Bronx?
Granny Isa: Sonia is a United States Supreme CourtJustice.
So, she's a whole country! judge for our
Check this out.
Alma: Woah!
Junior: Wow!
Granny Isa: Mhm!
Justice Sonia: When I'm at work in the courtroom, I wear a robe.
I'll be helping But today, you wearing my sneakers!
Alma/Junior/ Granny Isa/ Justice Sonia:[laugh]
Justice Sonia: So Junior, what are disagreeing about? you and Alma
Junior: I never get a turn to press the button because Alma always gets there first.
Alma: I can't help that!
It just happens.
Justice Sonia: Hmm, tell me.
Who's older?
Who's taller? Who has longer legs and is probably faster?
Alma: Oh that's easy.
Me. Me. And me!
Justice Sonia: So, what if someone taller, bigger and faster always beats you to the button?
Is it fair that they press the button every time
or should you get a turn too?
Alma: Huh. I never thought of it that way.
Justice Sonia: So, whose turn should it be to press thebutton?
Alma: Let's make a new rule. We take turns.
Junior's turn.So, it's
Justice Sonia: I think that's fair.
Thanks, Alma!Junior:
Yay! I get to push the button!
Granny Isa: Ha! Good job lady!
Granny Isa/Justice Sonia: [chuckle]
Yolette: Ooh! That cloud looks like a puppy.
Oops. Missed a spot!
like a hole in the sky. It kinda looks
André: Ahhh! Hold on tight!
I'll fill it up before we fall in!
Yollete: [giggles] André: [giggles]
Alma: Hi, André!
Hi, Yolette!
This is Justice Sonia.
André: Hi!
Yolette: Nice to meet you, Justice Sonia.
Justice Sonia: Nice to meet you too.
André, that's some beautiful work.
André: Thanks! Been working on this masterpiece all day!
quick water break. But I need a
Be right back!
Junior: Oh!
Justice Sonia: i¡Increíble! She's really good!
Howard: Lucas, pass!
[effort] I got it!
Alma/Yolette: [gasp]
André: [gasp]
Woah! Woah! Woah! Woah!
You're gonna ruin my art!
Lucas: What do you mean?
We were gonna play here.
André: Well I wanna to make art!
Howard: But we want to play basketball.
Alma: Sounds like you two are having a disagreement.
That's perfect!
I know who can figure this out.
Justice Sonia!
Junior: Yeah, Justice Sonia is a judge and she wears a robe.
wearing sneakers. But today she's
Alma: Justice Sonia, what do you think would be fair?
Justice Sonia: What do you think would be fair, Alma?
Alma: Me? Hmm.
Oh, I know!
Hey Everyone! I'm gonna be Judge Alma, and help you figure out what's fair.
André: Wha? Lucas: Hmm?
Howard: Wha?
Granny: Hm, this is gonna be good!
Junior: [clears throat] Attention everyone!
Here comes Judge Alma.
Howard: Oh, that's a Judge Alma. Lucas: Now I get it!
Justice Sonia: [chuckle] I never thought I'd see a basketball court turned into a courtroom.
Granny Isa: That's my Almita!
[spoon clonks on cardboard]
Junior: Everybody quiet, please!
Judge Alma is ready.
Alma: Let's get started!
Umm...
Uhh, Justice Sonia, what do I do?
Justice Sonia: Well, you're the judge.
rules of the basketball court. You have to figure out the
And then decide what's fair.
You can do this, Alma.
Alma: Hmm. How do I decide?
I gotta think about this...
Junior: But that's not fair!
I never get a turn to press the button.
Alma: I got here first.
Hmm. When Justice Sonia helped us figure out what was fair,
she listened to both sides.
Justice Sonia: Who's older? Who's taller? Who has longer legs and is probably faster?
Alma: And she asked us a lot of questions to figure out what was happening.
Let's make a new rule.
We take turns!
So, It's Junior's turn.
Justice Sonia: I agree. I think that's fair.
Junior: Thanks, Alma!
Alma: And then we made a decision.
Oh! I know what to do.
So I'm gonna listen to both sides and ask questions.
Then I'll figure out the rules of the basketball court.
And then decide what's fair.
Howard: Sounds good to me!
Lucas: Uh-huh!
André: Uh-huh! Yolette: Yup!
Alma: Okay, André, tell me what happened.
André: Well, this morning, my dad made me fresh squeezed orange juice with lots of pulp.
Lucas: I love pulp!
Howard: Not me.
Alma: [giggle] André, I mean what happened at the basketball court?
André: Gotcha.
Well, no one was around when I got here, so I started to draw.
But then I left for one quick little second.
And Howard and Lucas almost ruined my masterpiece!
Alma: Where do you usually draw?
Andre: Different places. Ya know, all over the neighborhood.
Alma: Got it. Thanks!
Howard, Lucas, tell me what happened.
Howard: So, we got to the basketball court.
Lucas: And André wasn't there.
André: Like I told you, I went to get water!
Alma; Okay, right. Um.
Justice Sonia: You're doing great, Alma!
Keep asking questions so you understand everything that happened.
Alma: Okay. So, Howard, Lucas, where do you usually play basketball?
Lucas: Right here, at the basketball court, where you play basketball.
Alma: Could you play later?
Howard: No, because I have to go home for a snack, and Lucas is going to his mom's house.
Lucas: Mhm.
Alma: Could you play without messing up André's art?
Lucas: No way! His art is in the middle of the court!
Alma: Is that everything that happened?
André: Hmm, let me think.
Oh, I know! Yolette saw the whole thing.
anything I missed! She can tell you
Yolette: Yup! I saw everything!
Justice Sonia: Yolette can be a witness. That's someone who saw what happened.
Go ahead and call the witness, Junior.
Junior: Calling the witness!
Hey, Witness! Where are you?!
Yolette: Here I am!
Alma: Yolette, what did you see?
Yolette: Okay, so André was drawing a sky with a hole in it.
take a water break. Then, he went to
But then, Howard and Lucas came and almost messed up André's chalk art!
And then.
Well, that's it. The end.
Alma/André/Lucas: [applause] Yolette: Thank you.
Howard: Hey, can I have a witness too, Judge Alma?
Alma: Sure!
Howard: I call...
Junior: Pick me! Pick me!
Yolette: Pick me!
Lucas: Me!
Junior: Pick me!
Howard: Yolette!
Yolette: Yes!
Junior: Calling the next witness!
Same as last witness!
Yolette: This is fun. I like being a witness.
Howard: Yolette, when you want to play basketball, where do you go?
Yolette: The basketball court.
André/Lucas/Junior: [gasp]
Alma: Thanks, Yolette.
Okay, André. I've got a question.
Do you think it'd be fair if someone played basketball in the sandbox
when you wanted to make a sandcastle?
André: No, I guess it wouldn't.
Alma: Okay. Umm.
Justice Sonia, what do I do now?
Justice Sonia: Alma, It's time for you to decide.
Alma: Okay.
I think I understand everything that happened.
Now I'll decide.
[dramatic music]
Junior: Ooh!
Alma: Hmm. Mmm...Got it!
Howard: So? What did you decide?
Alma: Since a basketball court is where you play basketball.
Howard and Lucas should be allowed to play there.
André: For real?! Howard: Yeah!
Howard: Awesome! Lucas: Yeah!
André: But I got there first!
Alma: Well, it's like you said, since you can draw anywhere.
André: Ah, I get where this is going.
If I'm ever drawing on the court and someone wants to play basketball,
I'll draw somewhere else.
Alma: Mhm.
masterpiece, I'll draw Justice Andre: For my next Sonia and Judge Alma on the sidewalk.
Alma: That sounds ah-may-zing.
Junior: Now can I take my bowtie off?
Alma: Yep! The court case is now finished.
[spoon smacks cardboard]
Junior: Ahh.
Howard: And now we can play basketball!
You too, Yolette and André.
Yolette: Yes! Andre: Alright!
Justice Sonia: You did a great job, Judge Alma!
Okay, who's ready to help me practice my pitch?
Junior/Alma: We are!
Justice Sonia: Then let's play ball!
Alma: That sounds fair to me!
♪♪
[♪♪♪]
♪♪
Alma: "“Justice Sonia and Umpire Alma"”
Great arm, Alma! Justice Sonia:
Alma: i¡Gracias, Justice Sonia!
Junior: Mmm-ah! I have a great arm too!
Granny Isa: Let's see what you got, Junior!
Alma: Justice Sonia's throwing the first pitch at the Sweat Sox game tonight.
Sa-weet, huh?
Junior: [effort]
Justice Sonia: i¡Lo hiciste! i¡Así es!
Rafia: Hi, Alma!
[gasp] Is that who I think it is?!
depends on who you think I am. Justice Sonia: Well, that
Rafia: You're Justice Sonia Sotomayor from the United States Supreme Court!
Born and raised in the Bronx.
throw a fierce curveball. And I hear you
Justice Sonia: Yes, that's me! You can call me Justice Sonia.
Rafia: My mom's a big fan!
She always tells me when she reads about you in the news.
Justice Sonia: Thank your mom for me!
Alma: Ya know Justice Sonia, Rafia can throw a sa-weet curveball like you.
Granny Isa: Wanna show the Justice?
Rafia: Yes please!
Mmf!
Justice Sonia: Wow! That's got some heat to it.
Rafia: Thanks, Justice Sonia!
Junior: Me next!
got lots of heat too! My curveball's
Rafia: Hey, Alma, I'm gonna go play kickball. Wanna come?
Alma: No thanks, I'm gonna stay here.
Rafia: Okay, see ya!
Alma: Bye!
Granny Isa: I think it's time we see that pitching arm of yours.
Whaddya say, Sonia?
Justice Sonia: Let's go Amiga!
Granny Isa: i¡Vamos, Sonia! Don't hold back!
Alma/Junior: Hey! Hey! Let's see you throw! Go Justice Sonia! Go! Go! Go!
Justice Sonia: Uhm!
Granny Isa: Nice one!
Justice Sonia: Mnh!
Granny Isa: i¡Wepa! That's what I'm talking about, amiga!
Is she good or what?!
Alma: That's what I was gonna say!
Rafia: Incoming!
Alma: I got it!
Foul ball!
André: Thanks, Alma!
Justice Sonia: Nice call, Alma! You would make a great umpire.
Alma: Is an umpire the person who stands behind home plate?
Deciding if the player is- safe!
Or- out!
Justice Sonia: Exactly. They know the rules, are fair to both sides, and they have an open mind.
Mmh! And, umpires have to call it like they see it.
Alma: Ohh.
Granny Isa: And I'm callin' for a water break!
Junior: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Alma: Hmm.
I would make an ah-may-zing umpire.
Oh!
I'm gonna ask my friends if they want me to umpire their game.
Justice Sonia: i¡Da-le! Alma!
Granny Isa: Love it!
Junior: Go Alma the umpire! Go! Go! Go!
Alma: Hey, everyone!
Can I be your umpire?
Emi: Yeah! Lucas: Okay! Beto: Sure!
André: I'm cool with it!
Howard: So, if you're the umpire,
does that mean you're gonna stand behind the kicker during the game?
Alma: Uh-huh.
Howard: And say if they're safe or out?
Alma: Uh-huh.
Howard: Do you know all the rules?
Alma: Yep!
Howard: Hmm. Uhh.
I like it!
game, Umpire Alma! Welcome to the
Alma: Let's play ball!
Kicker up!
Granny Isa: i¡Vamos, Alma! That's my girl!
Junior: Hey! Hey! Kick that ball!
So Umpire Alma can make a call!
André: Ack!
Alma: Strike one! André: Aww.
Junior: Granny Isa, can I take pictures?
Granny Isa: Sure!
Have fun!
Junior: Thank you!
Granny Isa: Ready to pitch some more?
Justice Sonia: Sí, vamos, amiga.
Rafia: Common, André! You got this!
Emi: Go, André!
Granny Isa: Euh!
[squirrel squeaks]
Junior: Ooh!
André: Oof!
Alma: Strike three. You're out!
André: Aw, man!
Alma: Nice try, André!
Beto: Let's go! Lucas: Kick it!
[Kids cheer]
André: Throw here! Throw here!
Howard: Oh!
Alma: Safe!
Junior: Go, Alma! You're totally winning at being umpire!
Rafia: Kick that ball!
Alma: Ooh! Good one! Andre: Great Becka!
Alma: Safe!
[cheering]
Justice Sonia: Wow! What a call!
Lucas: Urhh!
[cheering]
André: I got it! I got it! Ah!
Alma: Out!
Good try!
Safe!
[cheering]
Junior: Ooh!
Granny Isa: Ah!
Justice Sonia: Wow!
Granny Isa: Check me out! You're not the only one who's still got it.
Justice Sonia: [chuckle] Hey, maybe you should be the one throwing out the first pitch tonight!
Justice Sonia/Granny Isa: [laugh]
Rafia: C'mon, André!
Bring me home!
André: Oof!
[cheering]
Lucas: Oh no! Get the ball!
Yolette: Run run run run run!
Howard: I'm coming for you, Rafia!
Rafia: [panting]
Beto: Tag her! Tag her!
Howard/Rafia: Uh!
Alma: You're out!
[cheering]
Junior: Hey! That's right, she called you out!
sister an umpire shout! Let's give my
Go, Alma the Umpire!
Rafia: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
I definitely touched the base, before Howard tagged me!
So I was safe! Right?!
André: I couldn't really tell.
Could you?
Rafia: C'mon, Alma, are you sure?
Maybe I was wrong? Alma: [gulp]
Howard: I totally tagged you out first, Rafia.
I was there! I saw it!
Right?
Lucas: It was really close.
Beto: Um, I'm pretty sure I saw Howard tag Rafia first.
Emi: Me too!
Pretty sure.
Yolette: Well, maybe Rafia did touch the base first.
But it's also possible that Howard tagged her first.
But Rafia is super fast.
really go either way! So it could
Beto: Ya know, the more I think about it.
Howard tagged Rafia first, so she's definitely out.
Emi: Definitely out!
André: And the more I think about it, Rafia was safe.
Howard: Now way! She's out!
Lucas: Yeah, out!
André/Rafia: Safe!
Beto/Emi: Out!
Alma: Eep!
Excuse me, Justice Sonia?
What do you think?
Justice Sonia: Alma, you're the umpire. It's your call.
Alma: Um?
Justice Sonia: You got this, Umpire!
Howard: So?
Rafia: Yeah, was I out or safe?
Alma: Uhhh.
I'm not even sure anymore.
I'm feeling all confused.
Uhh, I gotta think about this...
You're out!
From where I was, I thought I saw Howard tag Rafia, before she crossed home plate.
Rafia: I definitely touched the base, before Howard tagged me!
André: And the more I think about it, Rafia was safe.
Alma: But other people saw it differently than I did.
Justice Sonia: Umpires have to call it like they see it.
Alma: Ahh! I know what to do.
I've gotta call it like I saw it!
So. [exhale]
Rafia is out.
Howard: Yes!
[gasps]
Rafia: Really?!
Alma: Uh-huh. That's what I saw.
Rafia: [sigh] I need a water break.
Granny Isa: ¿Qué pasa, Almita?
Alma: I'm not sure I did the right thing.
Justice Sonia: Tell me more about it.
Alma: [sigh] Well, I made a call and I stuck with it.
But, Rafia still isn't happy.
sometimes an umpire makes a Justice Sonia: You know, decision that not everyone likes.
But you called it like you saw it, and people need to trust that.
Granny Isa: I'm really proud of you for sticking to it.
That's my Almita.
Alma: [sigh] Thanks.
Junior: Look at this flower I saw!
Justice Sonia: Nice one! Granny Isa: Good find! Alma: Sweet!
So, Justice Sonia, are you ready to pitch tonight?
Justice Sonia: As ready as I'll ever be.
Granny Isa: Ah, she's totally ready!
Junior: Yeah! Totally!
See!
[cheering]
Beto: Tag her! Tag her! Rafia: Oof!
Alma: You're out!
Wait a minute!
Justice Sonia: Did you see that too?
Alma: Uh-huh!
Junior: See what?
Granny Isa: Yeah, what did we miss?
Alma/Justice Sonia: That!
Alma: I was right!
Granny Isa: You were right!
Justice Sonia: That was a great call, Umpire Alma!
Junior: Told ya you'd win at umpireing!
Alma: I gotta go show my friends!
This is the play. See?!
Watch it again.
There!
Rafia: Okay, you were right. Nice call, Umpire Alma.
Now back to the game!
We still have time to win this!
Alma: Time to umpire!
And after that, it's time for another ball game.
[stadium crowd cheering]
Alma: Go!
Junior: Go Justice Sonia!
[stadium crowd cheering]
Junior/Alma: [cheering]
Alma: I'm gonna call it like I see it.
The whole Bronx thinks the Justice is an ah-may-zing pitcher!
And I do too!
Go! Go! Go!
[stadium crowd cheering]
♪♪