Chapter 383 – Episode 375. Last of the First Half. (2)
Most players who have tried professional water will have at least some experience as an amateur pitcher. Usually, when people join a baseball team in elementary school, those with good athletic ability start playing as pitchers or shortstops. Or do both like me.
It may be a bit hard to say this, but I also started playing baseball as a pitcher. I was the typical fourth hitter and ace pitcher who threw the ball as a pitcher and played as a shortstop when I wasn’t throwing the ball.
From middle school onwards, I became more talented at hitting, so I gave up on becoming a pitcher, but there were times when I thought about turning into a pitcher while playing a batting ball pitcher in high school. At that time, he thought that even if he was a batting ball pitcher, he wouldn’t let him play in at least one game if he worked hard. Plus, I had some talent as a pitcher. It was a time when I seriously thought about it because it didn’t take long to learn each breaking ball that was taught, so I was able to put the national breaking balls, such as the slider, curve, and changeup, into the zone in just a few months.
‘Huh, it was like that back then.’
In those dark days, the dream I had as a batting pitcher was to go up to the mound of a professional and pitch at least one inning. There was a time when I thought that if I just worked hard, I could achieve my dream because my speed was around 140.
And now I was standing on the mound of the professional stadium of my dreams. The feeling of looking down on other players at the baseball field from at least 20 cm above them…
‘I guess that’s why pitchers aren’t so mean.’
Of course, I had been on the mound before last year, but the game was about to be canceled due to rain and there weren’t many spectators, so I didn’t enjoy it, but today was different.
Spectators filling up Gocheok Stadium. And the importance of the game being held once a year. Additionally, the batter standing in front of me was KBA League legend Choi Jin-cheol. 8 Golden Glove Awards, 3 MVPs, and 4 Home Run Champions. Although he is said to be slightly underperforming this year, he was a slugger who hit 16 home runs in the first half of the season, including a home run near the end of the first half.
I can’t believe I had to deal with such a heavy hitter. My heart was pounding, but I calmed down quickly.
‘Whoa, Mr. Rossby, what kind of ball is the batter going to aim for?’
‘Are you an asshole? Of course, it’s a fastball.’
‘Of course, right?’
But unfortunately, the catcher didn’t know that and was asking for a fastball.
‘Here, it’s a curve.’
A curve that falls outward. It was decided to put the ball in what was considered Choi Jin-cheol’s chronic weakness. Normally, I would skip these pitches, but now, when I’m aiming for a fastball, it’s a different story.
It’s been a while since I’ve held a curved grip. Familiar stitches welcome me. I touch the stitches every time I play defense, but the feel I felt on the mound was quite different.
‘Whoa, you can do it.’
Take a deep breath and then raise your legs. Then, he stretched forward and swung his arms like a whip.
‘It’s done!’
The sensation of hitting a baseball perfectly. It’s been a while since I’ve thrown a ball, but it felt like it was thrown perfectly.
“Strike! One out!”
And Choi Jin-cheol’s swing. It was a swing that was far from the trajectory of the ball, as if the curve was not expected at all. It feels like you can feel the wind blowing out of the bat all the way up here. I clenched my fists and screamed at that refreshing feeling.
“Nice!”
After the ceremony, I looked at Choi Jin-cheol, and he was looking at me as if I was dumbfounded. … He seems a little angry. No, it seemed right to be angry. Because Choi Jin-cheol was getting closer.
“What are you doing? This guy?!”
“Yes?”
“Don’t you throw the ball straight?”
He seemed angry at my perfect pitch. Is it true that geniuses have no choice but to live with jealousy?
“What?!”
“What? “You bastard!”
Choi Jin-cheol, who was slowly approaching, runs towards me. I threw down my gloves and prepared to fight, but being a Confucian boy to my core, I couldn’t swing a fist at Choi Jin-cheol. And Choi Jin-cheol’s forearms wrapping around my neck.
His massive forearm tightens around his neck, making him suffocate.
“Oops! Wow! Senior! Stop! Stop! Sorry!”
“It was a joke from the first pitch. “This bastard.”
“Oops! Tap! Tap!”
Just like that, my first bench clearing as a pitcher ended in a complete defeat for me, and I had no choice but to throw a fastball, unable to withstand the pressure from Choi Jin-cheol. The ball flew to the center in a clean straight line and collided with Choi Jin-cheol’s bat.
Ta – Aak!
The sound of the ball splitting is heard, and the batted ball disappears over the fence.
“Choi Jin-cheol’s first home run! Now the out count is 9. The number of home runs needed to win is 5. Everyone, please give us a round of applause!”
*
[Uh, did Ji Maeng-ho throw a curveball just now? In the Home Run Derby?!]
[Haha, Choi Jin-cheol swings at that ball. You look very angry, right?]
[Uh? Choi Jin-cheol runs to the mound! Bench clearing! Bench clearing takes place in the home run race.]
Haha, it looks like the two players have been preparing for a fight? I’ve seen a lot of bench clearing in All-Star games, but I think this is the first time I’ve seen bench clearing in a home run race. Haha, Choi Jin-cheol puts a headlock on Ji Maeng-ho.]
[It looks like they have prepared something to see for the fans who came to watch the game. Ji Maeng-ho’s expression of regret is exquisite, isn’t it? Choi Jin-cheol returns to the plate. Ji Maeng-ho’s second ball! Homer! Choi Jin-cheol’s home run that goes over the fence after being pulled! Jin-Hong Lee is in first place with 5 home runs, and I think Jin-Cheol Choi can surpass first place at this pace.]
[Ji Maeng-ho’s batting ball was perfect, right? The velocity is around 140, and the form is pretty, and the movement is clean, so you will enjoy hitting it.]
[Home run again! Choi Jin-cheol hits a home run in two consecutive at-bats. At this pace, I think Choi Jin-cheol will be the star of this year’s home run race!]
-Wow, Ji Maeng-ho’s form is gorgeous. I want to try him as a pitcher. With Ji Maeng-ho’s athletic ability, I think he could throw 100 mph if he learned it properly.
Haha, I guess you haven’t seen the legendary 5-game home run at-bats
What is that? I know that Ji Maeng-ho set a new record with 6 consecutive at-bats
ㄴㄴLook up last year’s at philately game haha. They put everything on their backs and play.
-Isn’t Ji Maeng-ho fouling in the Home Run Derby?
ㄴㄹㅇㅋㅋ They say if that bastard gets hit, everyone gets a long shot.ㅋㅋ
[Choi Jin-cheol! Let’s shoot the 6th! The protagonist of this year’s home run race is Choi Jin-cheol!]
-For humane purposes, ban Ji Maeng-ho from next year haha. If he gets hit, we’re all close to the fence haha
The All-Star Game, which kicked off with a home run race, started earlier than usual, but ended successfully with spectators filling the stadium. In the All-Star Game, a feast of stars, the brightest star in the All-Star Game was, of course, Ji Maeng-ho.
Ji Maeng-ho, who won the home run title in last year’s home run race, did not participate in the home run race due to poor batting skills, but lifted the mood by pitching the batting ball of his teammate Choi Jin-cheol, and on the day of the All-Star Game, he went 3 hits and 2 home runs in 4 at-bats, continuing his lead this season from last year. He also won the All-Star Game MVP award, earning the honor of All-Star Game MVP for two consecutive seasons.
-Now when will baseball start?ㅡ
Haha, there’s still a month left until the Olympics end.
What kind of Olympics is this? I just want to watch a fucking entertainment show.
ㄴㅅㅂ I hope I don’t get an exemption because I don’t win a medal
ㄴㄴfact) The members of this Olympic team are all exempt or have completed military service. We were already exempted from last year’s Asian Games.
There was almost a month left until the All-Star Game ended, and the league resumed, but that did not mean there were no baseball games.
[We will broadcast the friendly match between the LA Olympic national baseball team and the Hancheol Grizzlies. For help…]
Before the national team left the country, there were friendly games against top-ranked clubs to give the national team a sense of the game.
“Ha, fuck, why can’t I go to the athletes’ village this year? Last year, we slept and practiced there.”
“Hey, since the clubs didn’t rest last year, they called in the second-team kids to play. And it’s raining, so you won’t be able to practice unless it’s Gocheok Dome?”
“Ha… Last year was good. “Can’t train camp be held in the athletes’ village?”
“What are you talking about? Seoul is still better.”
In the process, there was one player who was disappointed because he could not enjoy the experience of the women in the athletes’ village that he had enjoyed last year, but the national team steadily accumulated victories and raised the expectations of baseball fans. And…,
-[LA Olympics] The baseball team leaves today! The goal is gold!
(OSEX Reporter Park OO)
The Korean baseball team participating in the 2024 LA Olympics departed for the United States on July 18. The national team plans to hold a practice game after adjusting to the time difference. Meanwhile, the Korean baseball team will play its first game against the Netherlands on July 30.
The way this Olympics will be conducted is as follows. It consists of 12 countries in 3 groups and 4 teams, and among the countries ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each group, the two countries with the best odds of winning advance to the next round. Afterward, the first-place country in each group and the second-place country with the highest winning percentage were assigned Pot 1, and the remaining countries were assigned Pot 2. Then, through a draw, Pot 1 and Pot 2 played in the quarterfinals…
… Meanwhile, South Korea was placed in Group C with the Netherlands, Cuba, and Panama. Group A consists of the United States, Australia, Mexico, and Taiwan, and Group B consists of Japan, Venezuela, Italy, and the Dominican Republic. …
Wow, this national team is the best ever. Let’s win one haha
No, but the other teams are all the best. It could be the last Olympic baseball game, so it looks like the roster has been assembled diligently this time. The U.S. Also features All-Stars
No, honestly, that’s not true. Until these players retire, there will be no baseball unless the Olympics are held in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, or the United States.
It’s time to win. Let’s go this time!!!!!
ㄴKang Han-beom and Seong-hyeon in Lee Geum-hyeon? This is a win haha
ㄴㄴIn addition, Joo Hyung-jin went as a hitting coachㄷㄷ All the heroes of Beijing gatheredㄷㄷ
ㄴㅅㅂ Last year, I came in runner-up, but honestly, I did well just to get 3rd place.
ㄴLet’s not just go crazy
ㄴㄴIt’s like a professional league, and they’re not idiots. Would they go crazy?
If you look at the list, don’t worry, it’s not a list to be wasted.
– Wow, this year’s list is so boring. The batters are Kang Han-beom, Choi Joo-tae, Ji Maeng-ho, Joo Seung-cheol and Gi Ki-joo, and the pitchers are Seong Hyeon, Jung Woo-sung, Jang Woo-joo and Go Young-hwan. Only the major level is like this. Honestly, this is the best ever.
ㄴㄹㅇ I think it’s the best since 2008. Honestly, I think Ji Maeng-ho, Joo Seung-cheol, and Jang Woo-joo will make it to the majors at least once
ㄴIf you look at the lineup, the meteorological stock is a bit low. Haha, it’s a major hit haha
ㄴㄴBut where have you ever reached a major level? And I played full time for two seasons haha
ㄴHa, I hope I do well this time and get Joo Seung-chul a good contract and go to the majors.
… The Korean baseball team, with high expectations from baseball fans, departed for the United States to regain the glory of 2008.