Original subtitles

It'll be impossible to win this year as well, Miss.

At least with Shigeno we have a really good closer.

We improved our fielding in training camp.

And our offense, as usual, is strong.

However, we can't win with just that.

Putting aside teamwork, the main problem is that

no one aims for the championship in the Minors.

It's normal for the owner of a team, like you, to aim for the championship,

but most of the players on the Bats are

looking for a shot to rise up to the Majors.

"We can win in the Minor League as many times as we want,

but if we can't rise to the Majors, then there's no point."

That's what all the Triple A players are really shooting for.

Isn't that what you're after too, Shigeno?

Y-Yeah, pretty much.

Y-Yeah, pretty much.

Isn't it the same way for you?

I'm already 34.

I threw away my dream of rising to the Majors a long time ago.

In the Minors, these are my final hours.

If that's the case, then I'd like to taste victory just once

with the Bats, as thanks for taking care of me for seven years.

Even so, it's impossible to convince the youngsters.

It's not impossible!

I understand now.

No wonder I thought I'd teamed up with a bunch of half-hearted guys.

Because they don't go for the win, they just sit around and rot.

I'm going to help you, old man!

Let's make sure the Bats win the championship this year!

Shigeno!

Together with Sanders, aiming to win the championship,

a series of eight games to start the season awaited us.

We won the first game, but...

After that...

Before we could show off our vaunted batting power, losing came first.

The result was...

two wins and six losses.

With a miserable result that made us known as

the last-place team in the Eastern Division,

we flew from Rhode Island to Albuquerque.

Boss! What's the deal with that meeting just now!?

What do you mean?

What do you mean "what"?

When the team's been faltering since the beginning of the season, don't say:

"Don't worry about it. Go with high spirits

and make sure you don't get hurt today either!"

You still call yourself the coach after that?

If you don't hold a more serious meeting, we'll be in last place by a huge

margin!

A serious meeting, huh?

Well, aren't things fine as they are?

If we agitate them with something like that, they'll

be pressured and become even worse at hitting.

Well, sooner or later we'll be able to win...

If the pitching and batting get in gear.

Did you understand what we talked about?

Yeah.

Most of it.

We go on a losing streak every year,

but this year we're on one right off the bat, so it's serious.

Well, even if we try to change things,

the coach is like that.

If only the two of us aim for victory,

it won't be easy.

Well, I guess both you and I will have to do our jobs perfectly.

The score in the Vipers-Bats game is 2-2.

It's the top of the ninth inning, and the Bats are up to bat.

The Bats' hitting is cold today as well,

but this inning they start at the top of their lineup.

Now hitting, number 2: Kelloge!

Kelloge! Put your spirit into it!

Okay, let's win this!

Since we came all the way here,

I won't forgive you if you lose!

Okay!

He did it!

Now hitting, number 1: Buter!

Foul!

Boss! Why are you telling him to hit here?

Buter's batting average this season is .100. He's in a slump!

In the ninth inning, with the score tied, no outs, and a runner on first...

No matter how I look at it, the natural thing would be to sacrifice bunt!

He's got a lot of pride,

and he's bad at bunting.

Making him do something like that just because he's in a slump...

won't help him.

Look.

Kelloge! Don't overdo it!

Go back!

Out!

What is that idiot doing!?

Damn!

Damn you, what are you doing!?

This is no time to be reckless!

Shut up!

I didn't think the right fielder had such a good arm.

Don't screw around!

You didn't even check up on something like that!?

Shut up and stop complaining, Sanders.

That right fielder is a newcomer this

season, who was just promoted from Double A.

We couldn't know something like that since it's only the start of the season.

We know now.

And also, if the ball had strayed a little, he might've been safe.

You've been constantly criticizing our strategies for a while now.

What's with you, damn it?

If you'd watched them practice before the game, or checked his scouting report...

you could have easily found out that he's got a good arm.

Buter's hit was a good result too.

If we could've at least gotten a runner in scoring position,

our opponents would've become very hesitant.

Out!

Wha-!

Wha-!?

Out!

This can't be...

Victory...

No matter how good they are at hitting, it'll stay a dream like this.

Don't mind, don't mind.

As long as we continue to play such tasteless baseball, this is impossible.

Yes?

Hey, Kaplan, it's your turn.

Oh dear, I have to pitch today too, huh?

Wait a second!

What did you say?

Hey, Boss!

Attention please, pitching, number 56:

Goro Shigeno!

Shigeno!

Are you sure, Boss?

The score's still tied; are you really going

to put in the closer, Shigeno, already?

Well, he himself said he wanted to pitch.

Kaplan was feeling tired too, so it's perfect.

What are you intending to do, Shigeno?

The score is still tied.

You guys are playing a game that's irritating to watch.

I couldn't stand sucking my thumb and watching from the bullpen any longer.

You...

Now hitting, number 12: Garand!

That Shigeno...

Stepping onto the mound when the score is tied...

What in the world are you trying to accomplish?

Strike!

Strike two!

Strike out!

Strike out!

So that's it, Shigeno.

You're trying to strike some spirit into our guys with soulful pitching.

With that last hit I've gone one for four, huh?

Have I risen to .200 now?

I've got to hurry and rise to .300 somehow.

Damn!

Wait! Even if you throw, you won't make it!

He's done it again, that idiot!

Sorry, sorry!

Now hitting, number 38: Herid!

Third!

All right, all right!

Out of the way!

Out!

D-Damn you... What are you doing!?

Sorry about that.

I wanted to play along nicely with you guys in the beginning,

but I realized that if I count on you, neither

the Bats nor I will ever be able to soar.

Listen clearly, you guys as well!

I'll make the Bats win this season and rise to the Majors no matter what!

I won't show any mercy to anyone who gets in the

way of that ambition by playing half-heartedly!

Prepare yourselves, you bunch of Minor Leaguers!

Shigeno...

This is a free fansub.

Not for sale or rent.

Y-You bastard!

If you try to start a fight in Japanese, we won't understand you!

Stop it, Buter!

It's because you were screwing around...

that Shigeno went to catch that pop fly himself.

If you wonder why he did that, try asking your own heart!

What!?

What was with that play, Shigeno?

Why did you go yourself...

to catch a routine pop fly to third?

Boss!

Shigeno acted like that as a protest against Buter's play.

Even with the sloppy attack in the top of the ninth inning,

he volunteered to take the mound...

because the team was slacking off!

Now hitting, number 3: Morgan!

I'm still asking, what was that?

Even if we, for argument's sake, say that Buter's

play was half-hearted-still, what was that?

If Buter got injured when Shigeno did a thing like

that, would he be able to take responsibility for it?

It's because you, the coach, aren't doing anything!

When the team is in such bad shape,

why are you just sitting here making a careless pose!?

If you want to win that badly,

go by yourself to another team, or another independent league as you wish.

When it all comes down to it,

the Bats' role is a Major League regulation place for the Hornets.

You should've known that fact for a while now.

A victory in the Minors is nothing but a decoration.

Out!

When summer ends, I'll call a meeting to

enlarge our main force, the Major League Roster.

To hell with teamwork.

The task I've been requested to carry out from the higher-ups is...

to ensure that the players in my care aren't

injured, and to make use of their strong points.

I'm only doing what the voices from the Majors are telling me to!

Ball!

Ball four!

Go.

It's your turn at-bat.

Now hitting, number 8: Sanders!

I understand, Boss.

But...

I wonder if guys who don't desperately focus on every victory-

No.

Every ball, every throw, every at-bat...

Can they really rise to the Majors?

Play!

Strike!

Foul!

When I was incited by Shigeno, I understood too.

What we on the Bats, unable to rise to the Majors and rotting away here, lack...

What's even more important than better fielding or a closer...

is the attitude to really aim for victory!

Not yet!

I'm not out yet!

S-Safe!

All right!

Safe! Safe!

I wonder if guys who don't desperately focus

on every ball, every throw, every at-bat...

can really rise to the Majors?

Okay!

Now hitting, number 56: Shigeno!

Boss! Aren't you going to send out a pinch hitter?

Play!

Your feelings have been conveyed well enough, old man!

As I thought, there's no meaning in playing a game if the team...

doesn't win!

Foul!

So close!

T-That bastard...

despite being a pitcher, he bats so well!

Damn it, this guy's dangerous!

If I go easy on him for being a pitcher, I'm done for!

Okay, scare him with one high and inside!

Dead ball!

Shigeno!

H-Hey!

Are you all right, Shigeno?

Are you hurt?

Okay, okay! No problems!

An injury like this will heal with just some spit.

Forget about that, the bases are loaded.

I'm counting on you, Roy!

Y-You...

Y-You...

It can't be that you didn't dodge it on purpose?

Geez, a southpaw allowing the ball to hit his left arm...

Normally, you'd evade that unconsciously.

It doesn't matter that there's no meaning in winning the Triple A championship.

But, if everyone tries their best...

to win the game,

we'll naturally get closer to our goal.

What we on the Bats, unable to rise to the Majors and rotting away here, lack...

is the attitude to really aim for victory!

Now hitting, number 4: Roy!

What we on the Bats, rotting away here, lack...

Okay!

I just have to aim to win.

Roy bunted!?

They did it!

Yes!

All right! Well done, Roy!

Nice squeeze!

Who would've thought that swing-loving Roy would bunt?

It's the first time I've seen it.

How uncool!

That was totally out of character.

Now hitting, number 2: Kelloge!

All right!

Keep it going, Kelloge!

Ball!

Ball!

Ball! Ball four!

All right!

Damn it!

Okay!

Now hitting, number 1: Buter!

Hey!

He's choking up on the bat!

Buter is?

Victory, huh?

It can't be helped.

I guess I'll really aim for it!

I have a good feeling about this!

This year... it feels like it could actually work!

What!?

Coach Ando has strained his back before the game against Yokohama Little again!?

Komori,

you've got to be the coach in his place!

Make that sunglass-sporting old man speechless!

Next time, on Major:

Liar!

Run to the stage of your dreams!