episode_0230

“What, why did you fail to steal base?”

As I entered the dugout, the weatherman spoke first. He’s probably telling me this because he’s worried that I might be shaken by my failure to steal a base.

“Seniors.”

When I called the weatherman in a serious voice, the weatherman’s face, which had been wearing a playful expression to lighten my mood, also became serious.

“What?”

“Those bastards are a little weird today, aren’t they?”

“… As expected, it was a bit strange at bat.”

“Did you feel it too?”

“I wasn’t saying anything because I was afraid you might get upset, but it doesn’t look like you’re particularly upset?”

The weather chief also seemed to have noticed the strange current. Well, there is Jjambap, and I’m not blind, so there’s no way I wouldn’t notice it.

“Hey, am I going to get discouraged by this?”

“Well, you’re not that kind of character. “Then is that why you remove one hand when stealing base?”

“yes.”

“under… . these guys… .”

“senior. “Can I do whatever I want?”

“First of all, once Kwan comes in.”

“All right.”

The reason I said I would understand was simple. Although Woo Gwan-hyung was quite a gentleman, he was not the type of person to stay quiet when his colleagues were being suffered like this.

Perfect!

Choi Jin-cheol’s batted ball flew far away, and the left fielder was unable to catch the ball. Just like that, Choi Jin-cheol headed to second base and was filled with frustration.

‘Fuck, if I hadn’t been out, I would have followed.’

If those bastards knew they would come out like this, they would have gone in with bent-leg sliding (sliding with legs first) instead of head-first sliding and hit them with spikes. I was too complacent.

“Swing strike out!”

And unfortunately, Woo Gwan-hyeong failed to take advantage of the opportunity with one out and two bases on base, struck out, and retired.

“brother. “This way for a moment.”

The weather owner approached Woo Gwan-hyung as he entered the dugout and led him toward the dugout passageway that was not caught on camera. After a while, Woo Kwan-hyung returned to the dugout and looked quite angry. And Woo Kwan-hyung, with an angry expression on his face, started talking to the director.

“For some reason, Kim Seong-gyeol is not that kind of guy, but he stuck it in his body like that… .”

“I think they were probably trying to discourage me and make me cringe.”

“You can’t just sit there and suffer. “Tell Yoongi.”

“All right.”

Today’s starting pitcher is Jang Yoon. And there was only one thing worth saying in this situation. It’s revenge. Baseball is a very camaraderie sport, and it is not a sport that stands still when a teammate is almost injured.

Perfect!

“nice!”

“Seongtae! it was good!”

Yoon Seong-tae’s timely hit happened just in time. A situation was created where it was easy for Jang Yoon to throw a revenge ball.

‘Are you going to end it with that?’

Rossby, who understood the situation, spoke with regret. A tone of voice that subtly motivates me.

‘no? Are you saying I’m crazy and ending it like that? Retaliation is revenge, and you have to show who you messed with.’

And I didn’t particularly dislike Rossby’s impulsiveness. As Rossby said, the calculation was not right to end with a revenge ball. In this situation, it was obvious that if it ended up being a revenge ball, there would be a lot of bastards trying to get me involved in future games, so I had to let them know that I was not an easy guy.

“it was good.”

“Now, let’s turn around slowly.”

“Let’s gather together for a moment.”

“Seniors… ?”

After the inning was over and all the players gathered together, Woo Kwan-hyung called the players together.

“Did you guys see Meng Ho’s at-bat earlier?”

“yes. “My holiness was a bit shaken out of control, wasn’t it?”

“Do you think a bastard like that will be able to control his pitch from my at-bat? “I was watching from the stand-by batting box and thought something was strange.”

Choi Jin-cheol, who was watching my at-bat from the waiting box, added a word to Woo Kwan-hyung’s words.

“Did you also see Meng Hao fail to steal? Those bastards seem to have come out targeting Meng Hao today. “You all must be prepared.”

“… All right.”

The team’s slightly excited atmosphere cooled as they tied the score at Woo Gwan-hyeong’s words.

“And if Won Joo-hyuk comes out this inning… . “Do you know what I mean, Yuncheol?”

“okay.”

Won Joo-hyuk was UG’s second baseman who targeted me while I was stealing base. If the two batters coming out in the bottom of the second inning were outed, it would be Won Joo-hyuk’s at-bat with two outs, and if that happened, it would have been a perfect situation to throw a revenge ball.

“Then go and show us what happens if you mess with our team.”

Sometimes the words of the same player were better understood than the words of the coach, and if the player speaking those words was a player like Woo Gwan-hyeong, the team’s spiritual leader, the effect would be greater. Just like now. Looking around, it felt like other players were also excited.

Additionally, the players who made eye contact with me looked at me and nodded once or patted my shoulder.

‘You bastards, I searched.’

I also strengthened my resolve after receiving such silent encouragement.

*

[Jang Yoon, he gave up 1 point in the bottom of the first inning, but he looks in good condition, right? Easily catches two outs.]

[Jang Yoon has clearly shown improvement this season after transferring to AT Thunders through free agency. First of all, since Jamsil is used as the home stadium, we can throw the ball boldly, and it feels like that effect continues even on away trips.]

[That’s right. It can be said that the player who clearly has a large stake in AT’s good performance is Jang Yoon. Now, UG’s 8th batter, second baseman Won Joo-hyuk, comes to the plate.]

‘Write it. ‘I guess it can’t be helped.’

When Won Joo-hyuk came to bat, Jang Yoon, who was on the mound, took a deep breath.

In fact, Jang Yoon did not like this situation. For Jang Yoon, UG Overlords was his home team for 8 years, and UG’s players were colleagues who cried and laughed together, but that did not mean he could not throw revenge.

If a teammate on the same team is threatened, it is the role of the pitcher on the mound to provide the same threat.

‘Why, something like this happened during my game… .’

Jang Yoon, who had lowered his head in regret, gathered his strength and raised his head. And then I made eye contact with Won Joo-hyuk, who came to bat. Won Joo-hyuk, who saw Jang Yoon’s cold eyes, slowly shook his head.

‘Hyung, isn’t it?’

Conversation with eyes. Jang Yoon, who had a poker face, didn’t reply at all, but that was enough of an answer.

“Fuck… .”

Won Joo-hyuk cursed softly. And as expected, the ball flew toward my body.

“cheek.”

“Sorry, it was deep in the body.”

Jeong Yun-cheol’s dry tone while wearing a catcher’s mask. Won Joo-hyuk, who has been playing baseball since elementary school, instinctively realized that this situation would not end until he hit the ball. And Jang Yoon’s second ball was thrown.

puck!

“Ugh.”

Won Joo-hyuk accepted the ball with resignation as it came toward his hip.

[Did Jang Yoon’s control shake with two outs? Here, the ball that fits your body comes out. Now the runner is on first base with two outs.]

[Jang Yoon, you need to stay focused until the end.]

“Let’s play fair. Fair play.”

When Won Joo-hyuk arrived at first base, Choi Jin-cheol muttered, covering his mouth with his glove.

‘Fuck, I guess you noticed.’

From Beanball to Choi Jin-cheol. It seemed like all AT players noticed that they came out targeting Ji Maeng-ho today. Just when I thought I needed to be more careful, the dugout sent a signal to put in a pinch runner.

“yes?”

“Replacement of pinch runner, Kim Ki-beom.”

“Me?”

“Okay, come out.”

Although I was hit by a blank ball, it only hurt my butt and didn’t affect my ability to play, but I was replaced. Won Joo-hyuk walked into the dugout with a puzzled mind.

“Director, I’m okay… .”

Won Joo-hyuk opened his mouth to let the director know that he was okay, but Won Joo-hyuk soon had no choice but to close his mouth. Because director Moon Ki-taek’s eyes were unusual.

“What are you doing.”

And then the director’s ice-cold words fell.

“… yes?”

“What are you doing? “Since the defense.”

“… … .”

“are you kidding? “What did I say before the game started?”

“… “Make sure they don’t underestimate us.”

“But what is your play? Did you think I wouldn’t notice during defense? You threw the pitcher’s sacrifice on the ground. Do you know? huh?”

Won Joo-hyuk bit his lip at Moon Ki-taek’s words. Because what Moon Ki-taek said was true. It was a situation where Won Joo-hyuk could have injured Ji Maeng-ho if he wanted to. But my heart was shaken at that moment and I couldn’t see the end.

“And that play just now… . If I had been hit, I should have at least run. 내가 경기 전에 비루먹은 개새끼처럼 꼬리말고 도망치라고 말했었나? huh?”

“… no.”

“Everyone listen carefully! You coward who is not ready for war, tell me now. I’ll let you rest. “Does anyone want to rest more?”

“… … .”

“doesn’t exist.”

“Won Joo-hyuk.”

“… “Yes, director.”

“You should get off work today. “I don’t need any cowards on my team today.”

“… sorry.”

Won Joo-hyuk lowered his head and walked out of the dugout. Of course, that didn’t mean I actually left work. Because I wasn’t an idiot to leave work in this situation.

“It’s your last chance. If you’re not ready to fight, tell me now. “Is there one?”

“doesn’t exist!”

As Won Joo-hyuk left the dugout, the UG players, who had cooled off slightly, started to fire up again. As the two teams engaged in a strange war of nerves, all players maintained maximum concentration and the inning went by without a score, and Ji Maeng-ho came back to bat in the top of the 4th inning.

“Oh, I want to hit a home run.”

Ji Maeng-ho smiles and UG’s battery has a stiff face. Ji Maeng-ho paid no heed to the atmosphere and spoke to UG’s catcher, Baek Kyung-ho.

“In literature, if you don’t hit a home run, it’s a loss. Right?”

“Turn it off immediately.”

Baek Kyung-ho spoke through gritted teeth, but Ji Maeng-ho did not know how to stop. Ji Maeng-ho smiles and points to the left wall with his bat.

“I’ll go over to the left wall. “Okay?”

[uh… ! It’s out! Ji Maeng-ho’s predicted home run! Ji Maeng-ho’s predicted home run, which boasts a 100% hit rate to date, has now been released!]

[Ji Maeng-ho, it means he is confident of hitting a home run! It seems like the analysis of Kim Seong-gyeol has been completed!]

“Ha, this guy is going crazy.”

“That’s the crazy one.”

“Okay, let’s see how long you can joke about it.”

To Baek Kyung-ho, Ji Maeng-ho was someone he didn’t like from the time he was selected for the national team and played practice games.

‘You shameless bastard. A bastard like this who doesn’t respect his seniors deserves it.’

Therefore, there was no hesitation in asking for an empty ball. He was just a threat in the previous at-bat, but not this one.

‘Seonggyeol, insert one into your body.’

Kim Seong-gyeol did a windup, and the ball was thrown toward Ji Maeng-ho’s body. And Ji Maeng-ho swung his bat without even blinking at the ball coming towards him.

puck!

“Ugh!”

Also slower and louder than usual. Almost immediately after the ball hit Ji Maeng-ho’s body, Ji Maeng-ho’s chest turned so strongly that it almost turned towards third base, and a scream echoed through the stadium. And that scream was not Ji Maeng-ho’s scream.

[Huh? Ji Maeng-ho, swinging even though he was hit, ah! The tip of the bat is on the catcher’s arm… ! Baek Kyung-ho falls down!]

[Ah, Ji Maeng-ho, even though he was hit by the ball, he kept swinging all the way to the end, but his follow swing was too big, probably because he was too conscious of the home run. Baek Kyung-ho should not have been injured. Fortunately, Ji Maeng-ho looks okay even though he was hit by the ball.]

The tip of Ji Maeng-ho’s bat hit Baek Kyung-ho’s arm, and Baek Kyung-ho screamed and fell down, clutching his elbow.

“… strike.”

“Eh? I got hit by a ball, is it a strike? Isn’t this a sand dune? Hehe.”

And Ji Maeng-ho did not pay any attention to the fallen catcher and spat on the ground, appealing to Sagu.

The contrast between Ji Maeng-ho, who didn’t show any pain after being hit by a ball in the mid to high 140s range in the stomach area and appealing for a pitch, and Baek Kyung-ho, rolling at home plate with his elbows clenched, was starting to lose its sense of reality.

Ji Maeng-ho’s eyes turned to Baek Kyeong-ho, who was rolling on the floor.

“Oh, did you get hit by a bat? Sorry. “I liked the ball so much that I swung it even though it hit my body.”

Unfortunately, Ji Maeng-ho’s dry apology was not heard by Baek Kyung-ho, who was screaming and rolling on the ground while holding his elbow.