Ernest, a lovable loser who works as a summer camp handyman and dreams of becoming a guidance counselor, must find a way to inspire a group of juvenile delinquents while stopping a shady strip mining company from closing the camp as well.

Raised in a poor Pennsylvania mining town by his immigrant parents, Pete Grey lost his right arm while still a young boy. But through the encouragement of his father and the constant coaching of his older brother, Pete never gives up on his dream of playing professional baseball. Driven by anger, he finally makes it to the big leagues. But it isn't until he agrees to meet a handicapped youngster who idolizes him that Pete finally becomes a genuine American hero.