Forced to quit the bassoon after an unfortunate incident at his school recital, Tom joins the baseball team; after Nelson fabricates a fundraiser to help him earn ice cream money, Tom learns a series of lessons in money management.

Tom faces a moral dilemma after learning the real reason the principal forced him to join the school's spelling bee team; after lying his way into Dakota's birthday party, Tom finds himself in a reckless alliance with her dad.

When a pretentious photographer takes some serious liberties on picture day, Tom's mom demands a reshoot; Coach finds himself in hot water after Tom blows an injury out of proportion.

When Tom sets up a lemonade stand to help his mom pay the bills, unwanted business advice from his neighbor's PR agency threatens the entire operation; after rubbing the lunch lady the wrong way, Tom scrambles to make amends and oust her replacement.

At a baseball game, Tom's new shirt unleashes controversy that hits even deeper than the two teams' notorious rivalry; after fleeing a small fire, Tom attempts to rebuild his reputation by becoming a town hero.

After helping the principal land a date with his mom, Tom and Nelson discover the magic of blackmail; adopting an elderly gerbil helps Tom realize that having a pet may not be all it's cracked up to be.