1 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:04,690 The final game... 2 00:00:05,750 --> 00:00:07,180 ...of my junior high career. 3 00:00:17,150 --> 00:00:21,670 My last pitch meshed the gears of my fate. 4 00:01:53,020 --> 00:01:57,440 Path, Eijun Sawamura to the Scorching Mound 5 00:01:58,570 --> 00:01:59,900 Nice to meet you. 6 00:02:01,150 --> 00:02:03,110 You must be Eijun Sawamura-kun. 7 00:02:05,350 --> 00:02:07,350 Rei Takashima Seido High School Baseball 8 00:02:06,510 --> 00:02:08,870 I'm the assistant director of the Seido High School Baseball Team. 9 00:02:08,870 --> 00:02:10,650 My name is Rei Takashima. 10 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:15,530 If you are actually aiming to go to the nationals, 11 00:02:15,980 --> 00:02:20,640 you should gain something from seeing a top-level practice. 12 00:02:22,150 --> 00:02:24,290 Is it just me? 13 00:02:24,950 --> 00:02:28,290 Or did she make fun of my junior high team? 14 00:02:28,620 --> 00:02:30,400 You better be kidding me! 15 00:02:31,830 --> 00:02:35,800 I went to Tokyo to watch the Seido High School Baseball Team's practice. 16 00:02:36,210 --> 00:02:39,050 If you don't want to get better, then go back home to your mommy! 17 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:44,970 I couldn't stand Azuma-san talking trash to his teammate, 18 00:02:45,860 --> 00:02:48,480 so I challenged him to a duel. 19 00:02:49,330 --> 00:02:50,480 And then he showed up. 20 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:53,360 This sounds like a lot of fun. 21 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:56,360 Rei-chan, 22 00:02:56,670 --> 00:02:59,610 can I catch his pitch? 23 00:03:00,970 --> 00:03:02,040 Who's he? 24 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:05,120 Kazuya Miyuki, a catcher. 25 00:03:06,030 --> 00:03:09,700 I'm Kazuya Miyuki, a second-year at Seido. 26 00:03:10,430 --> 00:03:13,210 My first impression of Sawamura was... 27 00:03:13,210 --> 00:03:16,020 Well, a guy with a big attitude 28 00:03:16,020 --> 00:03:19,080 but not the skills to back it up. 29 00:03:20,650 --> 00:03:25,470 But Rei-chan herself brought him here, so I figured he must have something. 30 00:03:25,470 --> 00:03:27,100 That's why I volunteered as catcher. 31 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:29,020 The best pitches 32 00:03:29,020 --> 00:03:32,060 are works of art produced by the pitcher and the catcher working as one. 33 00:03:32,490 --> 00:03:33,810 Works of art? 34 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:38,150 Let's get cracking, partner. 35 00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:41,120 Partner? 36 00:03:42,450 --> 00:03:45,570 Sawamura's pitch far exceeded my expectations. 37 00:03:48,250 --> 00:03:50,170 Fastballs for life? Yeah, right. 38 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,210 I'm sure he doesn't realize it, 39 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:56,750 but his pitch moves at the plate. 40 00:03:57,340 --> 00:04:01,760 His pitch was a natural moving fastball that changed its path at random. 41 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:09,410 Just clear your head... 42 00:04:09,410 --> 00:04:11,460 and give me your best shot. 43 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:14,140 I'll catch it with everything I have. 44 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:17,520 Right down the middle. 45 00:04:19,830 --> 00:04:20,900 What is this feeling? 46 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:25,160 I can hear my heart beating loud and clear. 47 00:04:25,770 --> 00:04:27,030 Oh, man... 48 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:29,200 I know I can throw my best pitch here. 49 00:04:31,530 --> 00:04:33,710 I just gotta trust his mitt, 50 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:35,710 and it'll be the best ever. 51 00:04:36,110 --> 00:04:38,460 The best pitch I've ever... 52 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:40,960 ever thrown! 53 00:04:41,450 --> 00:04:45,050 I'll hit it outta the park, you stupid kid! 54 00:04:55,750 --> 00:04:56,900 Nice pitch. 55 00:04:57,640 --> 00:04:59,650 This moment... 56 00:05:03,010 --> 00:05:06,470 ...I think I opened the doors to a new world. 57 00:05:08,410 --> 00:05:09,910 Seido Spirit Dorm 58 00:05:09,340 --> 00:05:13,470 The pitch I threw at Miyuki-senpai wouldn't get out of my head, 59 00:05:13,820 --> 00:05:17,420 so I decided to join the Seido High School Baseball Team. 60 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:17,420 Nice to meet you. 61 00:05:18,350 --> 00:05:21,020 But even after I joined, 62 00:05:21,420 --> 00:05:24,730 there were many obstacles in my way. 63 00:05:25,780 --> 00:05:27,610 I'm Kataoka, the head coach. 64 00:05:28,270 --> 00:05:30,550 Is this all the new members this year? 65 00:05:30,790 --> 00:05:31,790 Yes, sir! 66 00:05:34,820 --> 00:05:36,810 I can't walk out in this atmosphere. 67 00:05:36,810 --> 00:05:37,390 Damn it! 68 00:05:38,790 --> 00:05:43,860 He came here late, but he's trying to sneak into the line! 69 00:05:51,770 --> 00:05:55,090 A guy who can't even apologize for being late to practice... 70 00:05:55,420 --> 00:05:58,040 is not a member of the Seido Baseball Team. 71 00:06:00,530 --> 00:06:02,800 If you don't like how I do things, then don't show up. 72 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:05,760 Ever. 73 00:06:15,770 --> 00:06:20,270 I overslept because I was naive. 74 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,030 I have no excuse. 75 00:06:23,540 --> 00:06:27,530 But I'm... I'm... 76 00:06:28,010 --> 00:06:29,200 I'm... 77 00:06:32,350 --> 00:06:35,200 I'm here to become the ace! 78 00:06:35,580 --> 00:06:39,920 And I'm confident that I want it more than anyone here! 79 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:52,260 And then, I was forced to form a battery with... 80 00:06:53,260 --> 00:06:56,520 ...someone I didn't know instead of Miyuki-senpai. 81 00:06:56,870 --> 00:06:59,390 I'm Chris Yu Takigawa. 82 00:07:00,010 --> 00:07:03,250 Nice to meet you, loser pitcher. 83 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:14,930 What is he doing? 84 00:07:15,580 --> 00:07:19,130 He didn't move the mitt a single inch. 85 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:21,680 What's wrong? 86 00:07:22,550 --> 00:07:23,980 This is where my... 87 00:07:23,980 --> 00:07:25,590 mitt is. 88 00:07:26,230 --> 00:07:31,120 A head-to-head battle of powers is the best part about baseball? 89 00:07:31,340 --> 00:07:33,970 Maybe for your own self-satisfaction. 90 00:07:36,250 --> 00:07:37,680 I would never... 91 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:40,980 want to entrust the three years we spent here to you. 92 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:48,020 I couldn't understand Chris-senpai, 93 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:50,240 and my urge to retaliate only grew larger. 94 00:07:55,480 --> 00:08:00,340 Switching out Tanba-kun for the pitcher, Furuya-kun. 95 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:31,190 It's hard to believe he's a first-year like us. 96 00:08:31,330 --> 00:08:35,010 One of his pitches can crush a batter's heart. 97 00:08:36,180 --> 00:08:40,010 This is the difference between Furuya's talents and yours. 98 00:08:45,780 --> 00:08:47,060 You... 99 00:08:47,060 --> 00:08:48,130 I told you. 100 00:08:48,410 --> 00:08:51,360 You'll never be the ace on this team. 101 00:08:52,560 --> 00:08:55,970 As long as he's in your grade. 102 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:04,700 What about you? 103 00:09:04,700 --> 00:09:06,520 You're a second-string like me. 104 00:09:07,420 --> 00:09:11,280 Aren't you frustrated that you lost to a second-year? 105 00:09:11,890 --> 00:09:15,070 You finish practice so early. 106 00:09:16,170 --> 00:09:20,370 If you want to go up, don't you have to practice harder than anyone else? 107 00:09:22,410 --> 00:09:26,750 You've just given up on getting better! 108 00:09:33,210 --> 00:09:35,850 Give up on aiming higher? 109 00:09:37,100 --> 00:09:40,590 For the idiot that you are, you're sharp. 110 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:49,020 Don't end up like me... Sawamura. 111 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:00,490 Back then, 112 00:10:00,490 --> 00:10:02,070 I didn't know anything. 113 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:03,760 National Training Center 114 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:06,750 How naive I was or anything about Chris-senpai. 115 00:10:07,790 --> 00:10:08,900 We're here. 116 00:10:09,890 --> 00:10:12,250 Next, one-hand rowing. 117 00:10:12,250 --> 00:10:13,100 Ten reps. 118 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:17,490 Don't rush. Go slowly. 119 00:10:18,510 --> 00:10:19,760 Go slow. 120 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:26,390 He ruptured his subscapularis and pronator teres muscles. 121 00:10:28,230 --> 00:10:30,080 On our team, with so many players, 122 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,670 being away from the team for a year 123 00:10:32,670 --> 00:10:35,050 is the same as quitting the team. 124 00:10:35,650 --> 00:10:41,160 Even Coach Kataoka asked him to support the team as a manager. 125 00:10:42,060 --> 00:10:45,830 However, he clung to a small chance, 126 00:10:45,830 --> 00:10:49,860 and he never gave up on finishing as a player. 127 00:10:51,500 --> 00:10:52,830 You're kidding. 128 00:10:54,630 --> 00:10:56,170 Are you... 129 00:10:57,120 --> 00:10:58,780 kidding me? 130 00:11:00,180 --> 00:11:02,800 Hey, Sawamura-kun! 131 00:11:04,300 --> 00:11:05,760 Why? 132 00:11:05,930 --> 00:11:09,700 Why did you let a stupid first-year like me mouth off to you and not say anything? 133 00:11:11,140 --> 00:11:12,100 Damn it! 134 00:11:12,250 --> 00:11:13,760 Are you kidding me? 135 00:11:14,100 --> 00:11:15,320 Damn it... 136 00:11:16,150 --> 00:11:17,760 I look like... 137 00:11:19,290 --> 00:11:21,780 ...a stupid moron now! 138 00:11:30,180 --> 00:11:32,100 I have an impossible request. 139 00:11:34,550 --> 00:11:35,460 Please... 140 00:11:36,940 --> 00:11:37,980 Please... 141 00:11:38,990 --> 00:11:41,100 Please teach me baseball. 142 00:11:44,670 --> 00:11:48,440 On the Seido Baseball Team, there's another pitcher... 143 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:50,220 ...who's a first-year. 144 00:12:03,050 --> 00:12:04,070 Sorry. 145 00:12:04,300 --> 00:12:06,040 I threw a little too hard. 146 00:12:07,670 --> 00:12:13,460 This... is how I met the one who will be my rival pitcher on the team, 147 00:12:14,140 --> 00:12:16,270 Satoru Furuya. 148 00:12:23,540 --> 00:12:24,650 What are you doing? 149 00:12:24,650 --> 00:12:26,180 He's a first-year! 150 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:30,600 Don't swing at those high fastballs! 151 00:12:32,790 --> 00:12:36,690 Furuya is a fastball pitcher who gets strikeouts by power. 152 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:38,450 But... 153 00:12:38,830 --> 00:12:40,690 Furuya, I'm sorry. 154 00:12:41,310 --> 00:12:44,360 I can't catch your pitch... 155 00:12:44,820 --> 00:12:46,780 He's a monster. 156 00:12:46,780 --> 00:12:47,820 Damn. 157 00:12:48,020 --> 00:12:50,830 What does he want from us? 158 00:12:51,110 --> 00:12:52,950 I'm sorry, Furuya. 159 00:12:53,110 --> 00:12:56,560 The upperclassmen don't want to play baseball with you. 160 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,030 Furuya's pitch was too fast, 161 00:13:00,300 --> 00:13:03,530 and he couldn't play baseball like he wanted to in junior high. 162 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:07,780 By the way, did you hear the word about the first-string team? 163 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:11,890 Twenty players can be registered for the summer Tokyo District tournament. 164 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:11,910 Super Baseball Theory: The Logic of Batting 165 00:13:12,460 --> 00:13:16,650 Basically, two second-string players will be moved up by the summer. 166 00:13:17,460 --> 00:13:18,640 You serious? 167 00:13:19,290 --> 00:13:23,400 So the scrimmages will be good opportunites to show off. 168 00:13:23,860 --> 00:13:24,910 Two players? 169 00:13:24,910 --> 00:13:26,400 Yep, two players. 170 00:13:26,770 --> 00:13:29,440 So we're moving up to the first-string! 171 00:13:29,590 --> 00:13:32,140 No, nothing's final yet... 172 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:37,210 In the practice game against Kokudokan, 173 00:13:37,210 --> 00:13:38,960 which doubled as the last first-string tryout, 174 00:13:39,870 --> 00:13:43,960 I finally got the chance to form a battery with Chris-senpai. 175 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:47,470 Switching out the catcher, Ono... 176 00:13:50,430 --> 00:13:51,610 for Takigawa. 177 00:13:53,220 --> 00:13:57,650 My job was to open the doors for Sawamura 178 00:13:57,650 --> 00:13:59,480 with the kind of talent he has. 179 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:02,980 And in the duel against Zaizen of Kokudokan, 180 00:14:03,420 --> 00:14:05,990 I saw how much potential he really had. 181 00:14:12,270 --> 00:14:15,140 I've only been pitching for three innings, 182 00:14:15,580 --> 00:14:18,400 but was I able to show Chris-senpai... 183 00:14:18,730 --> 00:14:21,800 that I've improved, even a little? 184 00:14:23,580 --> 00:14:28,810 Was I able to get even a little bit closer... 185 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:35,220 to the crown, the ace number, that's still miles away? 186 00:14:42,260 --> 00:14:46,440 For now, I'll just throw my best pitch into his mitt! 187 00:14:59,610 --> 00:15:04,560 The infinite possibility to shine as much as you polish... 188 00:15:04,860 --> 00:15:07,460 ...like polishing a diamond in the rough. 189 00:15:08,610 --> 00:15:11,470 And then, as the summer tournament closed in, 190 00:15:11,470 --> 00:15:14,470 the members of the first-string team were announced. 191 00:15:15,370 --> 00:15:17,470 The new first-string players... 192 00:15:17,850 --> 00:15:20,230 are first-year, Haruichi Kominato, 193 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,180 and another first-year, Eijun Sawamura. 194 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:27,570 That is all. 195 00:15:28,330 --> 00:15:29,760 Wait a minute... 196 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:33,070 What about Chris-senpai? 197 00:15:34,670 --> 00:15:36,070 I have no regrets. 198 00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:38,240 In my last moments, 199 00:15:39,510 --> 00:15:42,530 I was able to receive the best pitch... 200 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:45,420 I've ever had as a player. 201 00:15:51,030 --> 00:15:53,720 There's only one thing we can do. 202 00:15:55,530 --> 00:15:57,860 We have to get stronger, 203 00:15:58,240 --> 00:15:59,680 so we can fight for those who can't! 204 00:16:04,950 --> 00:16:06,210 Now... 205 00:16:06,580 --> 00:16:08,920 You don't have any time to look back. 206 00:16:09,980 --> 00:16:11,040 Not just you... 207 00:16:11,990 --> 00:16:13,140 Me, too. 208 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,000 I'm going to fight till the very end. 209 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:24,200 The fight Chris-senpai couldn't. 210 00:16:25,820 --> 00:16:27,220 This goes for both of us. 211 00:16:28,330 --> 00:16:29,590 So get stronger. 212 00:16:31,820 --> 00:16:33,230 Stronger. 213 00:16:36,390 --> 00:16:40,390 Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium 214 00:16:37,780 --> 00:16:40,390 National High School Baseball Championship, Tokyo Qualifier 215 00:16:38,470 --> 00:16:40,390 Then the summer tournament began. 216 00:16:41,630 --> 00:16:45,960 There are many strong teams in our West Tokyo District. 217 00:16:47,250 --> 00:16:51,860 Ichidai Third High with Manaka-san as the pitcher. 218 00:16:52,150 --> 00:16:53,220 Let's get another run! 219 00:16:53,220 --> 00:16:54,360 Yeah! 220 00:16:55,230 --> 00:16:56,320 And... 221 00:16:59,100 --> 00:17:04,620 The ones who robbed us of our ticket to nationals last summer. 222 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:10,010 Inashiro Vocational School with Mei Narumiya as the ace. 223 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:15,510 But on our team, we have amazing upperclassmen, too. 224 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:20,470 The quiet, cleanup hitter and captain, Yuki-senpai. 225 00:17:21,490 --> 00:17:23,560 He sucks at shogi, though. 226 00:17:24,150 --> 00:17:27,400 Miyuki, let's pick up from where we left off yesterday. 227 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,940 The roaring three-hole and strong-shouldered center, 228 00:17:31,940 --> 00:17:33,440 Isashiki-senpai. 229 00:17:33,910 --> 00:17:36,200 Don't tell anyone, but his nickname's "Spitz." 230 00:17:38,260 --> 00:17:40,450 Who's a Spitz? 231 00:17:41,230 --> 00:17:44,080 Kind to others but strict to himself, 232 00:17:44,220 --> 00:17:47,190 a power-hitter five-hole, Masuko-senpai. 233 00:17:47,420 --> 00:17:49,080 His family owns a liquor store. 234 00:17:53,630 --> 00:17:55,380 One of my roommates at the Seido dorm, 235 00:17:55,910 --> 00:17:59,470 the cheetah-legged, lead-off man, 236 00:18:00,570 --> 00:18:01,970 Kuramochi-senpai. 237 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:05,730 He's a second-year like me. 238 00:18:07,270 --> 00:18:10,310 A fellow first-year who made the first-string, 239 00:18:10,730 --> 00:18:12,410 a baseball prodigy, 240 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:15,830 Kominato Haruichi, also known as Harucchi. 241 00:18:15,830 --> 00:18:18,110 There's no easier pitch to hit than this. 242 00:18:20,610 --> 00:18:23,790 His brother and second baseman, 243 00:18:23,790 --> 00:18:25,410 Ryosuke Kominato-senpai. 244 00:18:25,830 --> 00:18:29,690 He doesn't even come close to Ryosuke-san yet in terms of both fielding and batting. 245 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:31,960 Haruichi, you're in the way. 246 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:33,840 As for the pitchers, 247 00:18:34,750 --> 00:18:38,140 we have our ace, Tanba-senpai, looking to come back from an injury, 248 00:18:39,540 --> 00:18:42,470 and Nori-senpai, the second-year sidearm pitcher. 249 00:18:43,980 --> 00:18:46,850 The reason people say we don't have an ace is because... 250 00:18:48,250 --> 00:18:49,350 Ball four! 251 00:18:53,140 --> 00:18:57,110 Tanba-san couldn't overcome his weak mentality. 252 00:18:58,990 --> 00:19:03,240 But Tanba-san overcame his weakness with effort. 253 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:05,870 Yes! A fastball! 254 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:12,710 It dropped? 255 00:19:15,460 --> 00:19:18,510 At last, we can go into the tournament in our best state possible. 256 00:19:18,510 --> 00:19:19,800 Or so I thought... 257 00:19:20,490 --> 00:19:23,800 Everything is about getting to the stage. 258 00:19:24,750 --> 00:19:28,190 We're definitely going... 259 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:29,450 ...to nationals. 260 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:55,960 We were forced to go into the tournament without our ace. 261 00:19:58,020 --> 00:19:59,930 Until Tanba-san comes back, 262 00:19:59,930 --> 00:20:03,730 Furuya, Sawamura, and Nori's pitching are our only hope. 263 00:20:04,780 --> 00:20:06,550 Strike! Batter out! 264 00:20:07,180 --> 00:20:08,520 Game set! 265 00:20:11,390 --> 00:20:13,270 Akikawa Seido 266 00:20:13,730 --> 00:20:16,550 In the fourth round against Akikawa Academy, 267 00:20:16,550 --> 00:20:19,280 we're now facing our first pinch. 268 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:24,210 I asked for forkballs, but you couldn't relax, 269 00:20:24,450 --> 00:20:26,590 and your fastballs are only getting higher. 270 00:20:28,030 --> 00:20:31,160 Even if you keep throwing, you'll drag the team down. 271 00:20:31,870 --> 00:20:33,410 Now hurry up and get off the mound. 272 00:20:35,810 --> 00:20:37,040 Furuya. 273 00:20:39,070 --> 00:20:42,050 I'll carry on your frustration. 274 00:20:43,470 --> 00:20:45,200 Leave the rest to me! 275 00:21:09,730 --> 00:21:11,370 We've inherited... 276 00:21:12,180 --> 00:21:13,830 ...your spirit. 277 00:21:18,780 --> 00:21:20,840 We can't afford to lose. 278 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,340 Not for the people who didn't make the team, 279 00:21:25,060 --> 00:21:27,410 nor for the pitcher who walked off. 280 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:32,350 I'm here with everyone's will on my shoulders. 281 00:21:33,030 --> 00:21:35,100 Give me a four-seamer to the inside. 282 00:21:38,380 --> 00:21:39,860 You can, can't you? 283 00:21:46,370 --> 00:21:47,250 Come! 284 00:21:57,970 --> 00:21:59,600 Yes! Yes! Yes! 285 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:01,210 Yes! Yes! Yes! 286 00:23:35,970 --> 00:23:38,130 Sawamura finally stands on the mound. 287 00:23:38,310 --> 00:23:41,130 We enter the mid-game with Akikawa. 288 00:23:41,260 --> 00:23:43,210 Seido is definitely strong, 289 00:23:43,210 --> 00:23:46,240 but Yeung-kun has a reason he can't lose as well. 290 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:51,840 Mine-san, is that because he and Miyuki-kun both wear glasses? 291 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:53,020 No... 292 00:23:53,140 --> 00:23:56,070 Next time on Ace of the Diamond: Neck and Neck. 293 00:23:55,720 --> 00:24:00,020 Neck and Neck 294 00:23:56,230 --> 00:23:58,600 Let's win the national title!