episode_0430

“It’s okay! It’s okay! Don’t come over!”

Seeing Duk-ah-woot looking like he might bolt at any moment, Woo Kwan-hyung shouted at him. If a bench-clearing brawl were to happen here, it would be a big problem. Especially with Ji Maeng-ho in the dugout, looking like he might charge out at any moment with ghostly eyes fixed on something, such an event must never occur.

“Phew, yeah, I’d rather take the hit.”

As he stepped into the batter’s box, Woo Kwan-hyung knew. He knew that the pitcher would throw a wild pitch. The slightly trembling eyes of the pitcher, the apologetic look. And the unsettling atmosphere that had persisted since the first game. After over twenty years in the pros, Woo Kwan-hyung couldn’t miss that feeling.

And then the ball coming straight at him. He could have dodged it to avoid being hit. But feeling that he needed to take the hit to break free from the confines of this wild pitch, Woo Kwan-hyung didn’t dodge the ball but took the hit.

“Hey, let’s finish this now.”

“…It was a mistake.”

In response to the somber words of the senior player, NV’s catcher, Jung Tae-sung, spoke with a shaky voice. With over ten years’ age gap, no matter how well he managed to catch it, his voice couldn’t help but tremble.

[Woo Kwan-hyung walks to first base.]

[Woo Kwan-hyung, you endured well. That’s truly the demeanor of a veteran player. Some fans might enjoy bench-clearing brawls, but in reality, they should not happen.]

[The players from AT were about to rush out from the bench, right?]

[There has been tension between the two teams since the first game. Woo Kwan-hyung, like a true veteran, calmed down the players.]

[Now, the situation is runners on first and second base. Up to bat is Yoon Sung-tae.]

“Well, at least I prevented a bench-clearing brawl for now. Hopefully, nothing else will happen.”

Although his hip where he was hit by the ball hurt, Woo Kwan-hyung felt relieved that he had prevented a potential bench-clearing brawl. If a real brawl were to break out, Maeng-ho, who looked like he was ready to pounce out of the dugout, would likely swing his fists without hesitation.

“We’re only two games behind Volcano; if something happens now, it’ll be a big problem.”

[Park Do-kyun is getting ready to pitch. First pitch! It’s a ball. …Third pitch! A hit!]

Thud!

“The shortstop catches this ground ball! Out at second base! Three outs at first base! Yoon Sung-tae’s powerful sprint! The out count increases by one!”

*

With Woo Kwan-hyung on base with no outs, Yoon Sung-tae’s ground ball within the infield leads to a runner change.

“Wow, look at Yoon Sung-tae sprinting full force. He doesn’t usually do that.”

Shortstop is a position that consumes a lot of energy. Yoon Sung-tae, who doesn’t usually sprint like that, went all out and got to first base after the hit by senior Kwan-hyung.

“Kwan-hyung got hit and went out, in this situation, if he doesn’t sprint full force, is he even human?”

“Well, that’s true. If senior Kwan-hyung went out after being hit and then immediately got double-played, the mood would sour.”

As Woo Kwan-hyung, who reached base on a walk, returned to the dugout, the captain, Choi Jin-cheol, approached him.

“Hyung, what do you think, should we retaliate too?”

“Forget it. Let’s just end it like this.”

Woo Kwan-hyung’s words to end it there. But my thoughts were different.

“Hey, Jun-hoo! Come back behind the dugout.”

“…Hyung really didn’t learn baseball properly. Which player asks the starting pitcher to come over like this? Where did you learn baseball?”

“I learned it from Dad, you punk.”

Since Mr. Rosby was practically my second father, it wasn’t entirely wrong to say that.

“…Sorry.”

His eyes wavered as he offered an apology. His awkward reaction to the unexpected banter was slightly amusing, but it worked out well. I had something to ask of him.

“Alright, come here for a moment.”

“Uh… okay.”

I led Jun-hoo away

“Are you just going to stand there and watch the team match up? Are you abandoning your comrades?”

“Geez, what are you talking about? Hyung specifically told us not to do it.”

“Hyung will take responsibility.”

“…How is hyung going to take responsibility?”

“Well… club tonight?”

“Okay.”

…He was indeed an easy target. This fool completely forgot that today was the day he was returning to Seoul as he accepted my proposal without a second thought.

“But who are we targeting?”

“Just pick any damn bastard and guess. If they come running, I’ll cover for you.”

“Got it. Hey, but aren’t the other seniors going to say something about this?”

“Ah, until Gwanhyeong senior says something, the dugout was fierce. They didn’t say anything until then; want to dunk one of them?”

“For now, okay. But you know it’s a 2-point difference right now, right? Still, the losing pitcher is a bit…”

“I got it, man. I’ll make you the winning pitcher.”

While conversing with Junhu, Hwichul’s voice calling me could be heard.

“Mangho hyung, Yooncheol senior got out. You need to go to the on-deck circle.”

“Okay.”

I return to the dugout to grab my gear. Junhu’s words were correct. While throwing retaliatory pitches was necessary, winning the game was crucial. And for that, I was essential.

With two outs and a runner on first base, the 9th batter, Baek Jeongjin, was at bat. He was a decent hitter, so I step into the on-deck circle with some expectations.

“Strike!”

The NV starting pitcher aggressively attacks from the first pitch, seemingly not wanting to give me a chance.

‘Please, just hit one. Or even a walk!’

And then,

Thunk!

Baek Jeongjin reads the pitcher’s mind and swings powerfully.

“Nice!”

The hit goes past the second baseman towards right field. Except for a home run, this was the best outcome! Yoon Sungtae, who was on first base, runs to third, while Baek Jeongjin stops at first. Now it’s two outs, runners on first and third.

‘Alright, this makes it tricky to walk.’

With first base occupied, considering our showdown in the first game today, the likelihood of not walking was high. Of course, I could still be walked, but the batter behind me was Kim Suho. He was a reliable hitter in any situation, but especially with bases loaded. He had a good eye and could adjust his hitting according to the situation.

“No, seriously, are you trying to mess up the game from the first match? Do you realize how obvious it is?”

“Stop with the unnecessary talk.”

I tried to psych out the catcher, but the umpire sanctions me from the first word. Nothing to be done about it now.

“Yep.”

How will he throw the first pitch? His repertoire includes a fastball, curveball, changeup, splitter, and slider. Since the slider had lower quality and often resulted in mistakes, it was likely either a fastball or a splitter.

‘Since I got out on a forkball in my first at-bat, he might go with a forkball this time.’

If I sense an off-speed pitch, I’ll decide to lay off and wait for his pitch. And as the first pitch is thrown,

‘…Slider?’

There was something different about his arm angle compared to the fastball I saw earlier. It felt like a slider, so I held back my swing.

“Strike!”

“Ah, damn!”

Although I made contact with the slider, it didn’t break and went straight into the strike zone. A perfect pitch! Missing that was a perfect mistake.

‘Phew, but at least I can somewhat see it.’

Honestly, when I had Rosby’s help, I didn’t pay much attention to things like arm angles, but now that I’m batting alone, I could somewhat see the pitchers’ arm angles. However, it required more focus, leading to occasional mistakes like missing a pitch.

‘Alright, I can roughly distinguish the slider now. Um…, since he just threw an off-speed pitch, the probability of him throwing another slider should be low, right? Let’s be cautious of low pitches and aim for the fastball.’

Setting the scene, the batter confidently awaits the pitcher’s delivery after firmly deciding on his aim. The second pitch is a high fastball coming towards the body. Seeing its deviating trajectory, he relaxes his grip, waiting for the pitcher’s throw.

“Ball!”

‘Phew, now it’s one strike and one ball. The real challenge begins.’

Having shown a high fastball, the dilemma arises: will the pitcher throw a splitter or conserve it and go for another fastball? A difficult decision to make. Failure in choice could mean missing the opportunity for 1st or 3rd base.

While waiting for the pitcher’s next move, his arm swings from a lower angle than the fastball.

“A slider!”

Seemingly sliding away to the outside! I immediately extend my bat and decisively push back the pitcher’s ball.

Thud!

– Wow!!!!

“Run! Run!”

As the hit slightly surpasses the second baseman, Yun Sung-tae had already reached home plate, while Baek Jung-jin arrived at third base the moment the sound of the hit rang out.

“Phew, that’s the basics.”

“Nice batting! Great job, Maeng-ho.”

“Well, yeah.”

With this, it’s 2:1. Kim Soo-ho steps up to bat.

“Mr. Ji!”

“Ugh, if you can’t hit a home run, you’ll either be out or struck out. Annoying….”

Seizing the opportunity, he runs to second base with a changeup. The catcher, perhaps wary of a steal, fails to throw the ball to second base.

“Ball!”

“Ball!”

“Strike!”

“Ball!”

And Kim Soo-ho persistently picks his pitch, filling the vacant first base. Now, at bat is Ki Sang-joo… and at second base, me.

“It’s a fastball.”

“Okay.”

Sending a sign for a fastball to Ki Sang-joo after a long time. Understanding my signal, Ki Sang-joo tightly clenches his lips… and then,

Crack!

Ki Sang-joo’s hit cleanly splits the center field.

“Go back! Go back!”

“Is Song-gu coming in?”

“He should be.”

If Song-gu makes it too, that’s around two points. Since Song-gu hasn’t arrived yet, Williams gestures for him to keep running.

“Nice!”

“Mr. Ji, great baserunning! That was a stylish hit.”

“If you miss this one, I’ll really kill you. Okay?”

“Got it. Trust me.”

Although not a home run hitter, the guy had a knack for hitting, making him quite reliable.

“Hyung! Nice!”

“Hey, I promised to make you the winning pitcher.”

“…An underdog turning the tables is…”

“Just listen, got it?”

“Okay, if we widen the gap a bit more, I’ll pitch right away.”

“But who are you going to pitch to?”

“Me? Obviously, the mercenary.”

It was a natural choice. Among NV’s batters battling against Hyun-seong in the lower ranks, Spencer was the only threatening mercenary.

“Alright. I’m counting on you. The ace has to settle scores for the captain.”

“Of course. Hyung, trust only me.”

*

[Park Do-kyun allows a walk to Williams. The crisis continues with two outs and bases loaded. Now up to bat is the 5th batter, Choi Jin-cheol. …Choi Jin-cheol! Home run! A grand slam by Choi Jin-cheol creating a big inning! The score is now 7:3! AT’s lineup continues its formidable momentum today.]

“That’s why AT is a powerhouse. They seize opportunities and don’t let go.”

“Choi Jin-cheol’s tremendous home run! Oh… the pitching coach and catcher are heading to the mound. …Woo Kwan-hyung’s hit! Center fielder catches it! The long AT 2nd inning attack comes to an end. …Now, NV’s 2nd inning attack starts with the 9th batter, Han Seung-hyuk. …Out, 1st batter… Out. Now, Spencer steps up to bat.”

“NV’s strong 2nd batter, right? In the 1st inning attack, it was Spencer who ignited NV’s offense. Lim Jun-ho needs to be careful. All runs were scored after two outs in the previous inning, so they shouldn’t let their guard down just because there are two outs. Spencer is a player who can hit a home run at any time.”

[Lim Jun-ho’s first pitch!]

“Ahh!”

A ball that fits the body! Here, a ball that fits the body comes out as the pitch wavers! Uh, uh…! Player Im Jun-hu does not avoid the gaze of Player Spencer. In this way, the atmosphere becomes awkward! Player Spencer rushes to the mound.