A Plot: Thinking he has a shot at his school's Student Athlete of the Year award, only to be dejected and embarrassed when it goes to a much more deserving classmate (Rubén Amaro Jr., who in real life grew up to be a professional baseball outfielder, coach, and executive), Barry resolves to be a champion at something. Inspired by English ski jumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, he sets his sights on multiple Olympic events...and when that fails, Adam suggests they try to make an official sport out of one of their home games, "Ball-ball".
B Plot: Murray has become a penny-pincher at home, and Beverly soon discovers that the furniture store is failing when she sees Murray's employee Vic working in a Photo Hut. Beverly suggests that Murray start selling futons, a hot new furniture item from Japan, but the too-proud Murray refuses her help.
- The Ace: Ruben Amaro Jr., who even plays Ball-ball better than Barry does!
- Beat Them at Their Own Game: Rubén Amaro Jr. turns out to be better at "Ball-ball" than its creator, Barry.
- Broken Pedestal: Adam has always looked up to his older brother's athletic "prowess", but reconsiders after Barry kicks him out of the "Ball-ball" club they made together. Erica convinces Adam to have a Rebuilt Pedestal later by showing how despondent Barry has become without his support.
- Call-Back: "Ball-ball" makes a return, having appeared in "Stop Arguing and Start Thanksgiving" and "A Christmas Story".
- Calvinball: Aside from the return of "Ball-ball" (which gets less Calvin-like as it's turned into something official), the episode ends with a series of these to boost Barry's spirits, including "umbrella boarding", "stationary peddling" and "stair luge".
- Cassandra Truth: Barry is so outclassed at "Ball-ball" by Rubén Amaro Jr. that Johnny Atkins, who Barry invited to get the club started, doubts that Barry was the one that invented "Rubén-ball".
- Laser-Guided Karma: Soon after Barry kicks Adam out of their "Ball-ball" club for being the worst athlete there, Student Athlete of the Year Rubén Amaro Jr. joins and soundly defeats Barry in every match.
- Sarcastic Clapping: Adam does it to Barry. Barry is confused by the concept and mistakes it for sincere praise, leading to them arguing about how much pause is needed between claps to properly convey the sarcasm.
