Chapter 92 – Episode 91. We Also Have to Beat Japan at Rock-Paper-Scissors. (2)

Widely!

‘Fuck, is this bastard a monster?’

Seungcheol Joo knew as soon as he hit Ohtani’s ball. This ball is not a hitable ball.

‘Miss it, please!’

A ball that lands high behind the catcher. Unfortunately, the sky did not grant Joo Seung-cheol’s wish.

Pug. With a cheerful sound, the foul hit ball went into the catcher’s mitt. Choi Joo-tae died after hitting the first ball, and Joo Seung-cheol died after hitting the third ball. Ohtani only used four balls against the Korean table setter.

[… Ohtani’s ball looks really good. Joo Seung-cheol was pushed out of his strength.]

[Ah, sorry.]

“Seungcheol-ah, how are you?”

“My hands are still tingling.”

“Looks like it’s still there.”

Joo Seung-cheol explained what he felt to the next hitter, Ki Sang-joo. And as I stepped into the plate, I realized once again what Joo Seung-cheol had said.

“Strike~!”

‘Is this really Ohtani?’

Ohtani’s soaring fastball. Of course, it wasn’t a baseball cartoon, and there was no way a real ball would rise. However, Ohtani’s ball seemed to rise because it did not fall below the average pitcher’s ball.

I knew. What kind of ball Ohtani throws? Although he returned to Korea, he was also a major leaguer until last year. There was a record of dealing with Ohtani with an analysis given by a major league analysis team that was more specialized and systematic than the Korean national team.

Not only that, but I’ve also faced him a few times in the national team.

But it was a ball that could not be hit. Ohtani’s ball.

Right!

“Foul!”

‘Are you pushed? I must have hit it at the right timing….’

I adjusted the angle of the bat while deceiving my usual sense of hitting the ball, but the result was a foul. And the ball count is two strikes.

‘Now the splitter will come flying.’

Ohtani’s splitter approaching 90 mph (144.7 km/h). A ball that can never be hit if the timing is right for the rising fastball. However, if you are aiming for a splitter, your ability to respond to other breaking balls is too weak. If he dropped even one ball, it was certain that he would strike out on a swing.

‘Wait for that? That’s nonsense.’

While thinking about it, Ohtani was preparing to throw the ball as if he had already matched the sign exchange.

“Get on, time!”

Unfortunately, the referee did not accept the time.

‘Let’s just aim for the fastball.’

In fact, he didn’t have the confidence to hit the splitter. In the end, the ball we aim for is the fastball, as we talked with the coaches.

Whoa!

The weatherman swung the bat at the timing of the fastball. And the sense of futility felt. The bat cut through the wind, so it was only natural that I couldn’t feel anything.

“Swing strike! Out!”

The ball passed through the zone faster than the bat. The result of a moment’s hesitation. The weatherman couldn’t help but lower his head.

[Ohtani! Do you throw balls like this even though it’s March? 161 km/h was recorded on the display board. Ohtani strikes out the kiwi with 3 balls! Enemy, but great pitching!]

[Ah…. That’s not good. It was a high fastball that fell high, but Ki Sang-ju could not stand it and swung it. I wish I could have endured it. I’m so sorry.]

[Shortstop grounder, catcher foul fly, strikeout on a swing. It is a pitch worthy of Ohtani’s name. Now, the game continues with Japan’s attack at the end of the first inning.]

[Ohtani is amazing. However, Korea’s starting pitcher is a pitcher with 95 wins in the major leagues. This is Seonghyun. In fact, Ohtani has been awarded the MVP, but when it comes to pure pitching skills, Seong-hyeon is not behind him either. Rather, it can be seen as ahead. However, one regrettable thing is that it takes a little longer for Seonghyeon to improve his form. Looking at the career record, the on-base rate per inning is quite high, right?]

[What could be the reason?]

[Anyway, since he is a pitcher who mainly pitches with control and good commands, it can be said that setting the zone in the first inning is a bit difficult, right? If you look at Seong-hyun’s game so far, when he collapses in the first inning, there are many games where even 5 innings can’t take responsibility? Instead, if he passes the first inning well, he will show a complete shutout.]

[You can see New York Yankees’ Sung Hyun pitching practice. I want you to show a good image from the first episode today. Now, I will quickly explain the defensive position. Seonghyun and Lee Yong-gi’s battery, and the infield starting from first base is Jin-mo Koo, Maeng-ho Ji, Joo-tae Choi, and Su-ho Kim. The outfield is left fielder, Ki Sang-ju, Joo Seung-cheol, and Lee Jin-hong.]

[Well. All of them are national players, so they are good defensive players. However, rookie Ji Maeng-ho and right fielder Lee Jin-hong seem a little uneasy.]

[Is that so?]

[Yes. I heard that Maeng-Ho Ji is not a very good defensive player. And as many professional baseball fans know, Lee Jin-hong is an outfielder with a huge body and his defensive range is not that wide. Instead, the shoulder is quite good.]

[Okay. Isn’t that dangerous then? Both Ji Maeng-ho and Lee Jin-hong are located on the right side, but there are also many left-handed hitters in Japan, right?]

[You’re right. I think Seong-hyun needs to send the ball to the left while playing as far out as possible.]

“Well, the fierce tiger defense isn’t that good.”

“Looks like it. By the way? Did you say fierce tiger?”

“Ah, since I’m young, it didn’t mean much. Grandfather.”

While the South Korean national team was fighting Japan, So-young was watching baseball with her grandfather, Chairman Cheon.

The reason Chairman Cheon took over AT Thunders was the thrilling victory over Korea and Japan at Dongdaemun Baseball Stadium. So, it was natural to watch the Korea-Japan match with So-yeong, who loves baseball the most among the family members.

“Saint…. What a poor pitcher. A pitcher like that should have come to us….”

“Iknow, right.”

Chairman Cheon was talking about Seonghyeon reflected on the screen, but Soyeong’s eyes were focused on the fierce tiger peeking out from behind the mound.

‘Well…. The hair style is a bit like high school. When I come back to Korea, I think we should go to a shop together.’

Yesterday and tomorrow, I remembered the face of Maengho talking with a smile, so I had to look at it. Just a little touch of his hair style on that face….

Right!

Soyeong, who was watching Seonghyeon’s helmet comfortably, stood up in surprise. This is because Japan’s No. 1 hitter, Genda Sosuke, pushed like a thunderbolt from the first pitch.

“Fierce Hoya!”

And the ball flew toward second baseman Ji Maeng-ho. Even So-yeong, who has been watching baseball for nearly 20 years, has no choice but to put her liver to sleep!

And Ji Maeng-ho, who was guarding second base, flew up.

[Genda’s first ball capture! The ball hit is on the right! Ji Maeng-ho! Catch this ball! A defense that is not like a rookie!]

[Wow…. Ji Maeng-ho, who was biased toward second base by shifting because he was a right-handed hitter, caught this ball. He thought it was an easy hit, but he’s a great motorist. Wow….]

[Sunghyun takes off his hat and says thank you! Good start from Korea! Ji Maeng-ho responds with a smile. In fact, after Ji Maeng-ho came home from the match against Australia, his smile became a hot topic among fans, right?]

[That’s right. I’m not saying this because he shows good defense, he’s really good looking. Look at that smile Even if you are a rookie, don’t you smile to comfort your seniors?]

*

‘Fuck, I can’t throw the ball like a fuck.’

Is that the right major leaguer? If you right-handed shift to the left, you should throw towards yourself, why are you throwing outwards?

However, I couldn’t express my feelings, so I forced a smile and looked at the pitcher.

“One out, one out!”

“It was a nice defense. You are the youngest!”

“Well, with this much. Senior, relax a little, relax.”

“Yes, yes. It was the first batter, so my pitch was slightly off.”

‘Starting from the next batter, pay attention. Because it’s Ohtani.’

Pitcher Ohtani was also an excellent player, but what I value more is batter Ohtani. Although he has a low batting average, he was the player who hit 40 home runs two years in a row in the major leagues. It was clear that he would not be able to expect the same luck this time with such soft control against the next hitter.

‘I’m talking smugly, but my hands are shaking?’

‘Shivering, shaking. I suddenly grabbed it and shuddered in pain.’

In fact, it was true that my hands were shaking without realizing it, as Rossby had said. This is the weight of the national team…. Senior, fuck. Have a good throw! Don’t bring me the ball!

Seong-hyeon, who is considered to have the best control in the majors, went into the catcher’s mitt against Ohtani, as if he had heard my earnest prayer.

Fain!

“Strike!”

Yes, this is the Seonghyun I know. A ball that accurately hits the outside low ball! My mind is a little relieved

‘I thought he was nervous after pretending not to be this bastard?’

‘Mr. Rossby.’

‘… ?’

‘I’m going to concentrate.’

‘…….’

I couldn’t stand listening to Rosby’s chatter in this shivering situation. Rossby didn’t talk to me anymore, as if he understood my feelings.

-Since you’re going to throw a changeup, a little more grounder defense.

Following the defensive coach’s instructions, I moved the position from closer to right field to the infield. Seong-Hyeon’s circle change-up surpasses the top spot in pitch value in the major leagues. I wish I could finish Ohtani with this ball….

Ta-evil!

To put that thought to shame, Ohtani’s lightning-like swing burst out. Shit, are you going? A batted ball that seems to go over the wall just by hearing the sound! I ran straight to right field.

‘Please don’t fall over!’

And, as if my prayer had worked, I fell after hitting the edge of the 4.24m high wall of Tokyo Dome. Done!

“Throw the ball!”

However, right fielder Lee Jin-hong fumbled the ball, and Ohtani was already on the verge of reaching second base. Damn, are you going to run to third base?

“Don’t procrastinate!”

At my urging, Lee Jin-hong threw the ball quickly, but Ohtani was already running to third base after stepping on second base.

‘Fuck! Look for it… !’

“… Aaaaah!”

After taking two steps, throw it toward third base with rotational power as if exploding all the power,

“Ugh.”

I just rolled the grass. What happened?

– Wow!

I hear cheers from the crowd, but I can’t tell who’s screaming now. Standing on the ground, I see Ohtani standing on third base.

‘Oh, fuck. I missed it.’

‘It was a good try. For you guys.’

‘Is it three leaves?’

‘Okay.’

“Ha….”

Even if Lee Jin-hong hadn’t fumbled the ball…. Lee Jin-hong’s expression looked quite dark.

“Nice try! Nice try!”

Joo Seung-cheol, who came on the cover, cheered up by shouting loudly, but there was no way he was cheered up that much. It’s like a dick. Fuck.

“Uh? Criticism (video review)?”

“Yes?”

“Oh, you must have fallen down and not see it. It was almost the same timing. It was a waste.”

“Then… ?”

“It could be overturned.”

And the scoreboard started playing the close game at third base. Even the scene where third baseman Kim Soo-ho catches the ball and touches Ohtani, who slides into third base.

“Wow…. It was a real skirmish.”

A close encounter that is difficult to see with the naked eye. And Ohtani’s sliding that stands out more than that. Even though he is a pitcher, the image of Ohtani sliding without hesitation caught my eye.

‘It’s stupid. A pitcher should behave like a pitcher.’

‘That must be the weight of the national team. What do you think of Mr. Rossby?’

‘Three leaves. Spike hit first. Tsk, the throw was too high. If it had been me, he would have been out.’

‘… What should I do with the distance?’

‘Well, it can’t be helped.’

Rossby spoke firmly, and eventually time passed and the centrifugal force was maintained.

– Woo-woo!

Korean fans booing the referee.

-Wow!!!!

And the Japanese home fans covering the booing. This is the home stadium. Hearing the cheers of the dome stadium, I felt my spirit being suppressed.

‘Calm down. It’s still episode 1.’

1 time yet. Rossby is right. It’s still round 1. However, the blow was too great for him in the first inning. It was because 1 company and 3 base and even the video reading consumed one.

“Now! I’ll strike out, so don’t be nervous.”

“Let’s just grab two!”

Seonghyeon, a veteran, encouraged the beasts, but Seonghyeon’s expression also looked dark.

‘It’s hard to give one point from the first episode….’

The crisis of desperation came from the first episode.