episode_0313

[Korean Series 6th game, with the away team Thunder leading 3:2, both teams are desperate for a win – Thunder needing one more for the championship, while Roses need one to strike back. The fate of both teams hangs on this 6th game. Today’s starting matchup is set between Kim Seong-gyeol and Bellingham.]

[In yesterday’s game, during the Korean Series, Thunder’s lineup, known for its explosive power, easily conquered UG’s ace Austin Webb, scoring heavily. Thunder’s lineup, once ignited, is hard to extinguish, so today’s game depends on how well Kim Seong-gyeol can contain Thunder’s lineup.]

[Let me introduce Thunder’s lineup. Leadoff batter Ji Maeng-ho, 2nd batter Kim Soo-ho, 3rd batter Ki Sang-joo, 4th batter Choi Jin-cheol, 5th batter Yoon Seong-tae, 6th batter designated hitter Han Sang-gyu, 7th batter Jung Yoon-cheol, 8th batter Kim Ju-yeop, 9th batter Baek Jeong-jin.]

[Putting the power hitter Han Sang-gyu as the designated hitter shows their strategy, right?]

[Also, Kim Ju-yeop, who usually played as 6th when Ji Maeng-ho was leadoff, has moved down to 8th. Any thoughts on the reason behind this?]

[Seems like they want to use Ji Maeng-ho as the focal point of their lineup. By placing Kim Ju-yeop, who batted before Ji Maeng-ho, and Baek Jeong-jin, who has been performing well in the Korean Series, around Ji Maeng-ho, they aim to enhance his hitting ability through the batting order.]

[Now, let me explain UG Roses’ defensive positions. Pitcher Kim Seong-gyeol and catcher Baek Gyeong-ho form the battery, and at 1st base is Gu Jin-mo…]

With only one win left until the championship, the weight of the crucial task of dominating the opponent fell upon the batter stepping into the plate, Ji Maeng-ho.

“Oh, what should I do, Coach Rosby?”

The issue was that Ji Maeng-ho wasn’t in his usual state. While outwardly he maintained his usual confident demeanor, internally, things were different.

“For now, keep your composure. Don’t act like a fool.”

“…Yes.”

A batter’s hitting mechanics were like a sophisticated clock. Just like a clock that stops working if one part malfunctions, hitting a ball over a 100m wall becomes impossible if there’s an issue with any part—be it the legs providing power, the pelvis increasing force, rotation, or the arms and wrists transmitting power to the bat.

Since the end of yesterday’s game, Rosby had been training with Ji Maeng-ho continuously. However, restoring the shattered balance within a few hours through training alone was a challenging task even for seasoned veteran batters.

Typically, it takes several years for batters to perfect their hitting form. Some batters retire without ever perfecting their hitting form even after over a decade of professional play.

In pursuit of perfecting their hitting form, batters constantly study. Some go as far as changing their hitting form for each game, each type of opposing pitcher, and each count situation. But Ji Maeng-ho was different. His hitting form, modified to suit his body based on Rosby’s memory, left no room for trial and error.

And the absence of trial and error meant not having information on how to regain balance in such situations.

“Well, he’s just a rookie after all.”

Behind his calm expression, Rosby hid his anxiousness as he observed Ji Maeng-ho.

“Can’t you give me some location hints?”

“Why should I?”

“Even though we’re just a step away from victory…”

“As I’ve said, developing the ability to adapt by observing the trajectory is more important than winning in a place like this.”

“…Yes.”

“In situations like this, gaining knowledge is more valuable, isn’t it? Concentrate as much as you can and take your swing.”

“…Understood. Tell me the pitch type.”

“It’s a fastball.”

[Kim Seonggyul’s first pitch! A breaking ball towards the body.]

“Wow, that was a sharp ball. It deviated slightly from the strike zone, but it was a good pitch.”

“The batter changes the sign. Second pitch. Strike. The count is one ball, one strike.”

Knowing that his hitting sensation wasn’t great, Jimaeng-ho patiently waited for a good pitch by observing the ball as long as possible. The game continued,

“It’s a fastball.”

In a two-strike situation, Kim Seonggyul chose a fastball.

“It’s outside!”

And Jimaeng-ho waited for that pitch. Unable to handle inside pitches at the moment, it was his best option.

Swing!

Jimaeng-ho’s hit soared high, but its speed was slower than his usual hits.

“Right fielder Choi Jaehyun! Chasing after it! Near the wall! He catches it!”

“Wow, that was close. Jimaeng-ho creates massive hits! But the result is an out. Great defense by player Choi Jaehyun. Jimaeng-ho almost had a hit stolen from him.”

“Darn, felt like I got a good piece of that… Ross B, how was my form?”

“It’s improving gradually.”

While Ross B calmly responded to Jimaeng-ho’s inquiry, he was somewhat surprised by the hit Jimaeng-ho made.

“Your power is always beyond human levels. Sending a hit that far with such a flawed form.”

In Ross B’s view, Jimaeng-ho’s current hitting form failed to transfer power from the lower body through the bat. It relied solely on upper body strength to send the ball near the wall. Despite spending nearly two years with Maeng-ho, witnessing such displays never failed to surprise him.

“How was the pitch?”

“You seem to be in good condition today. Nothing special other than that.”

“Got it.”

After conversing with Kim Suho, Jimaeng-ho returned to the dugout feeling dejected.

“Good job out there.”

Though he didn’t show it, Jimaeng-ho sat on the bench feeling defeated. However, there was no time to rest. To regain his lost balance, he needed to continue intense training similar to real-game situations. And Jimaeng-ho had a way to train even during games.

“What are you doing? Come in.”

“…Yes.”

As Jimaeng-ho closed his eyes, Ross B’s shared memories created a vivid baseball field. Combined with Jimaeng-ho’s experience, suddenly, today’s starting pitcher Kim Seonggyul was on the mound before him.

“What’s he doing with his eyes closed?”

“Leave him be. Maeng-ho does this occasionally. Probably meditating again.”

Initially taken aback by Jimaeng-ho’s meditation during the game, his teammates soon lost interest as it was not uncommon. Amidst the fading background noise, hitting practice continued.

Thud!

“It still doesn’t feel right.”

Yet, satisfying hits were still elusive.

“Sigh, this won’t do. The best way to find your touch is in real-game situations…”

If there was more time, he could have tried a new hitting form. But with just two games left in the season, there wasn’t enough time to fix his broken form. The hitting issue was also linked to mental struggles. Continuous poor hits subconsciously reinforced the flawed form, making his body less responsive. Unaware of the problem himself.

However, just as a rain-hit single could end a slump, finding his touch in real games might solve the issue more easily than expected.

“Well, he’ll figure it out on his own.”

Ross B found this situation oddly beneficial. While Jimaeng-ho had sailed smoothly through the season without major crises, there was no guarantee of the same in the Major Leagues.

The level of play was on a different dimension, so in Korea, even the timing that would result in a home run might not lead to one in the big leagues without more precision. Dealing with such situations, occurrences like this were bound to happen frequently.

“From now on, it’s probably better for that guy if I learn how to handle this.”

With the determination of a lion dropping its cub off a cliff, Rosby made up his mind.

The lion desperately wanted victory, but Rosby didn’t care about that. Achieving records like winning in this league held no meaning for him.

Though unspoken, he even entertained thoughts of settling for second place. Overcoming disappointment is how people grow. Rosby hoped that Maengho, who had started his player life smoothly, would experience setbacks and use them as fuel to become a better player.

…Just like he had done.

“To surpass that guy, I need to handle this myself. Considering Maengho’s physicality, the possibility is ample.”

Surpassing the man hailed as the god of baseball, Ruth. That had been Rosby’s lifelong dream. To achieve that, he needed to be able to surpass this level himself.

Crack!

This time, a hit with even more power disappeared into the outfield than before.

“How was that hit just now, Mr. Rosby?”

“Better than before. …Maybe it won’t take that long.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just shut up and focus.”

“…Yes.”

As the thought crossed his mind that Maengho might quickly recover,

“Hey, hey! We need to defend. Isn’t this guy asleep?”

A voice calling out to Maengho from outside could be heard.

“I was just thinking for a moment.”

“Hah, he seems close to getting the hang of it.”

With that regret lingering, they returned to reality, finding that the first inning was already over.

“What were you thinking about so deeply?”

“How can we win? That’s what I was thinking.”

“Got it, kid. We’ll try harder. He’s quite sharp. This kid.”

“No, I should do better.”

“…Huh? For once, he’s talking like that… Kid, you’ve grown up.”

However, despite Maengho’s vow to do better, the game was heading in a negative direction.

[Belingum is being tapped on the shoulder? Ah, the trainer is signaling for a change.]

Having strained throughout the postseason, Belingum left the mound due to injury, and

“The next pitcher is Kim Chanyoung. Can he handle this crisis… …It’s hit! High hit! Over the fence! 5-0! UG Overlords capitalize on the chaotic atmosphere to create a big inning!”

Kim Chanyoung, who hadn’t properly warmed up, gave up hits, and UG began dominating from the early stages of the game.

“As expected, UG Overlords! They can’t afford to collapse like this, right? Igniting the spark for Game 7.”

“AT’s counterattack! 7-4! But to turn the game around, more points are needed.”

“UG Overlords adding to their score! 10-5! Completely seizing the victory of today’s game!”

By the time Maengho stepped up to bat for the fourth time in the 8th inning, the score was 10-5. The outcome was already leaning heavily in one direction.

“Now at bat, player Maengho enters. Today’s stats: 1 hit in 2 at-bats, with one walk. On the mound, Song Hojun has taken over from this inning.”

*

“The game is already decided. If I just come into the zone, I’ll swing from the first pitch.”

Turning the game around today was already out of reach. With Belingum out due to injury, there was no point in hoping for a comeback. Deciding it would be more beneficial to finish quickly and focus on training, he resolved to swing from the first pitch.

“This guy’s pitches aren’t even that difficult.”

The pitcher standing on the mound is Song Ho-jun. It was true that he had an above-average bullpen for the UG league, but he wasn’t a pitcher who boasted about guaranteed victories. In other words, he was a pitcher who could be adequately dealt with.

“It’s quiet now, isn’t it? Well, there’s no time to talk.”

“Mr. Kyung-ho, what will you do if you give up a home run?”

“Deal with it.”

Furthermore, Baek Kyung-ho, who had been keeping his mouth shut until then, was starting to speak, making me want to shut him up completely.

“The first pitch is a curveball.”

“A curveball?”

Throwing a curveball. Even though my batting form may have crumbled, he hadn’t thrown a curveball until now, and now he throws one here. Perhaps because the score difference had widened, he seemed to want to see how much I had deteriorated.

“He won’t throw it outside, right?”

The single hit I made today was from pushing an outside pitch. With the score already widened, there was a high probability he would throw a inside curveball to assess my hitting sense.

“Phew, let’s focus. I can definitely hit this curveball.”

But I was confident too. The reason I couldn’t hit inside pitches was that I wasn’t handling fastballs coming inside well. Song Ho-jun was a pitcher strong with fastballs, but his off-speed pitches were average, so I could hit them easily.

“Yes. Swing with confidence. Hehe.”

With Rossby’s words, the curveball was thrown. As the ball started to drop with a slight rise as it left my hand, I swung my bat in sync with that rhythm.

Crack!

The exhilarating sensation rising from my knees as soon as I hit the ball electrified my pelvis, waist, and hands.

“…Huh?”

A long-forgotten exhilarating feeling. And the ball quickly disappeared.

“That didn’t take as long as I thought.”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

“Remember this feeling now.”

With Rossby’s words, the literary stadium was engulfed in cheers.

– Wow!!!

– Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho!

Some fans had left due to the tilted game, but there was still a loud cheer.

“What are you doing? Not running?”

“He crossed over, right?”

“Yeah. Let’s hurry. We need to head back too.”

And the umpire’s urging. Only then did I realize that I had hit a home run. The feeling of hitting a home run that seemed like just a few weeks ago in the playoffs. The tingling sensation that still lingered in my hands reminded me.

“Yeah, this is it.”

It felt like the forgotten sensation was returning.