Original subtitles

"The Memphis Bats: Their pitching and batting has gotten in gear,

and they've moved up to second place in the Eastern Division."

It seems like us being in bad shape at the beginning of the spring wasn't true.

P-Pull over for a second, Gordon!

P-Pull over for a second, Gordon!

Hey, Miss!

What are you guys doing? There's a game around the corner!

What do you mean "what"? It's running.

Since we needed to warm up, we thought that maybe we should run.

Warming up already?

Shigeno and Sanders were yelling at us to complete our warm up...

before coming to the stadium so we could do some special fielding training.

Well, we have to hurry, so bye!

I see.

Even though I batted clean-up and was a pitcher in high school,

all I've done is fetch balls every day since starting university.

It can't be helped. We're still only freshmen after all.

Then what's with him?

All right, Takeuchi.

Step onto the mound.

Yes, sir!

He's coming!

Kiyo-kun! Kiyo-kun!

Kiyo-kun! Kiyo-kun!

Takeuchi Kiyoharu.

He has the ability to throw a 150 km/h fastball,

and was one of the stars of Koshien last year.

He's special.

He's that good after all.

It's not just Takeuchi.

Most of the newcomers to the team this year have participated in Koshien.

That's true, but...

Hey!

Ball boys!

Don't stand there talking!

I-I'm sorry!

Not only next year... even the year after that...

I can't become a regular.

Maybe I should quit?

Hey, Kiyoshi!

You're exerting yourself too much!

Y-Yes, sir!

Yeah, that's the spirit!

Komori-kun?

Oh, it really is Komori-kun!

I see.

Since it's you, you'll be aiming to be a

starter in university even as a freshman, right?

Y-Yeah, well...

Y-Yeah, well...

B-By the way, those children seem to be at a high level!

You think so?

Yes.

That pitcher seems to have good control and a variety of pitches.

If they keep it up, it seems like we can

count on your team in the spring tournament.

Oh, I know!

This is the former captain of Mifune High School's baseball club, Komori-kun!

He's your great senpai!

I-I'm Komori.

Nice to meet you!

He was the famous catcher from the only

time Mifune Little defeated Yokohama Little!

And now he's joined the baseball club at Japan Education University!

Ed U?

The same place that Takeuchi went to!

And even as a freshman, he's already become a starter!

- C-Coach Ando, what are you...? - Incredible!

A Mifune Dolphins' old boy has become such a great player!

You guys must work hard too!

Yes, sir!

This isn't good...

I didn't have time to correct him yesterday, but...

Well, I guess it's for the best if I'm an encouragement to those children.

We'll cover for you until the bottom of the inning!

Sorry for the inconvenience.

I'm telling you not to worry about it.

Driving away the mass media is very...

Hey, freshmen!

You dropped a ball!

I-I'm sorry!

Hi!

You're the pitcher, Yoshino Shinji-kun, right?

What!?

Coach Ando strained his back!?

I see.

So practice has been suspended.

And just when the tournament was going to begin soon. It's a pity.

I don't care about the tournament anymore.

What is it?

Look there.

Isn't that our ball boy?

It does matter!

Even if your coach's body has broken down...

It's not that.

Yo!

Ikegai-senpai and Ooki-senpai!

You live around these parts, huh?

W-Well, yeah.

You're a pitching coach to a child?

No, not really...

Well, if you just pick up balls all day, I suppose it gets boring.

Ikegai, think a little!

Ending up in that position is something that happens now and then.

I shouldn't have said that!

Do your best to be a good coach for him!

And teach him some tricks for fetching balls too!

"Fetching balls"...

It was a lie that you were a starter then?

Y-Yeah...

But it wasn't my intention to deceive you guys!

Shinji-kun!

Oh my, what a pathetic state I'm in.

Don't you know anyone who can fill in as the coach?

Even if I try to find one, no one would be able to so quickly.

There's someone right here!

M-Me?

M-Me?

It doesn't matter if you win or lose.

Please teach them the importance of doing your very best in a game.

If it's you, Komori-kun, I'm sure you can do it!

C-Coach Ando...

Having fought to the bitter end together with

Shigeno-no, Honda Goro, you can definitely do it!

I understand. It's only during the weekend anyway.

I accept the job as the substitute coach.

Um...

U-Until Coach Ando's body gets better, I-I'll be your substitute coach.

U-Um...

That's how it is, so let's get along.

Let's get along!

Then we'll start with...

everyone pairing up and stretching.

Yes, sir!

Coach!

Hey, Coach!

What, are you talking to me?

Next time, can you get Takeuchi's autograph?

I'm sorry. That's not allowed.

But you're both starters and buddies!

So that's why you should get it stealthily!

Katsuyoshi!

Stop talking about stupid things and come over here!

Sorry, sorry.

As I thought, this team is quite good!

Okay, next!

Um... Coach?

What is it, Kiyoshi-kun?

It's about time to go home.

Huh, already?

H-Hey, you guys! There's still time left, so let's practice a little more.

But we haven't told our parents that we'll be late, and also...

Even if we practice now, it's pointless.

Yeah.

Shinji-kun, I'd like to extend the practice time next weekend a little.

I don't think anyone wants to do that.

The tournament starts the week after next!

Even if it's only a little each time, we have

to pratice a lot, or we won't have a chance!

Hey, Coach, haven't you heard?

Our first opponent is Yokohama Little.

Yokohama Little?

Since we can't win anyway,

there's no point in exerting ourselves with training.

It's true that they are strong, but...

it's not good to decide that you'll lose before even playing!

Before their opponent was decided, they were

improving and continued practicing until it got dark.

I see.

I was enthusiastic the other day and forgot about this essential matter.

I'm sorry-ah, ouch, ouch, ouch!

No, even if I'm just a substitute, I'm the coach right now.

I'll do everything in my power...

to draw forth their fighting spirit!

I said that to Coach Ando, but...

what would Honda-kun do in this situation?

This is a free fansub.

Not for sale or rent.

In the game before we played Yokohama Little,

I, the catcher, hurt my hand.

You hurt your hand?

Didn't you have a back-up?

At that time, there were only nine people on the Mifune Dolphins.

Nine people!? That's too few.

That's horrible!

Do you know how such a team defeated Yokohama Little?

Even in that kind of situation, we all did our best and practiced together.

Believing that we could really win!

If we compare how we were to you guys, you'll be

able to fight on par even with Yokohama Little.

I-Is that really so?

I-Is that really so?

Yeah, I guarantee it!

H-Hey, maybe we should try our best?

That's right, let's work hard!

It's an Ed U starter that's telling us this, after all.

Yeah.

A-Anyway, we'll extend today's practice.

Is that okay?

It's useless.

Shinji-kun, what are you saying?

You practiced on your own even when there wasn't a coach, after all.

In reality, you really want to win the game, don't you?

With your skill, you're good enough to be on Yokohama Little!

You think I can trust the words of a lying coach!?

What did he mean by liar?

Dunno.

What do you mean by liar, Shinji?

Why don't you ask the coach?

Geez, what's this?

I believed him since he said he was a starter,

and then I found out that he's just a ball boy!

I bragged about him to my mother too!

I'm sorry!

Sorry I'm late.

Yo, it's been a while.

How've you been?

I met Yamane-kun here by chance.

While we two were talking, we thought why not invite everyone over here.

In the end, none of us could keep away from baseball.

Well, Oobayashi and I joined our university's club.

Him and I are on our company's grass-lot ball club though.

And Komorin's on Ed U's baseball club.

You're great!

No...

Someone like me...

Wait, me too, I'm so great that I'm known as the team's secret weapon.

In your case, you're not a secret weapon for the game, but for when it gets rough.

Yeah, yeah, for when it gets rough...

You prick!

Komori...

Frankly, I was able to do my very best because you were always there

doing your best.

Even now, I still remember every single pitch...

with you in the game against Honda.

I'm really thankful to you!

Komori?

I've remembered something I need to do!

H-Hey!

I can't get depressed from something like that!

I've got to work hard!

For those children-

No,

for my sake too!

Let's start!

Ooki, what's the matter?

No, it's nothing.

Coach!

Komori...

I-I have a request.

I-I have a request.

What's that guy thinking?

Maybe he thinks he's something due to being a Little League coach?

I-I have a request.

I-I have a request.

I-In the next practice game, please use me!

I-In the next practice game, please use me!

Can you hit Takeuchi's ball?

If you can do that, it's not impossible that

I'll consider using you as a pinch-hitter.

I'll do it!

I'll definitely hit it!

It's fast!

But...

it isn't a pitch that I can't hit!

Everyone!

Tomorrow my university is holding a practice game.

If you've got time, I'd like you to come and watch.

Even though he won't play himself, why is he telling us to "come and watch"?

Shinji, what should we do?

Let's just go and check it out.

Are you serious?

Takeuchi might be playing.

Oh, I see!

Then there's a point in going.

Takeuchi!

Kiyo-kun!

It's totally a pitcher's duel.

Takeuchi is amazing, but the opponent's pitcher isn't losing either.

Two outs, with a runner on second and third, and they're in the lower

part of their lineup.

This is a chance for a pinch-hitter.

Komori.

Yes, sir!

H-Hey!

H-Hey!

Yeah.

Play!

Strike!

Fast!

Damn, he can't hit that!

Coach...

If there is anything I can teach you guys,

it's this!

Safe! Safe!

He did it!

Timely double!

You did it!

Well done!

Next week is the game!

Let's do our best!

Yeah!

Let's go!

Continue like that!

Okay!

Shinji-kun.

Time for the final pitching practice.

Y-Yes, sir!

Y-Yes, sir!

Okay, come!

Here I go!

Strike! Batter out!

Change!

Nice pitching! Good going, Shinji!

All right!

Out!

Okay!

We're counting on you, Shinji!

Stay cool!

The coach... worked so hard.

I have to work hard too!

Safe! Safe!

You did it! A triple!

Kiyoshi-kun.

Safe!

Good job! We scored the first run!

Coach, we scored the first run against Yokohama Little!

Yeah.

That's...

I see.

He was on the team the same time Honda was.

Letting down your guard is taboo, huh?

Chief umpire, we're changing pitchers.

They're already putting in their ace!

It's all right!

Go with your chests out!

Y-Yes!

Y-Yes!

Bow!

Thank you very much!

A brutal loss!

Damn it!

You've all done your best.

It's okay to cry.

If you're ashamed, you'll be able to win for sure next time.

Even though the coach worked so hard for us, we couldn't...

Coach?

Even the coach is crying!

But it's not because I'm ashamed.

That one run is like a treasure from all of you.

I'm really grateful!

You're thanking us even though we lost? You really are a strange coach.

Honda-kun...

I am going to work as hard as these children too!

And then...

one day...

The Bats and I are in great shape!

During this time, a new catcher joins the team.

Huh?

A catcher!?

Hey, what are you going to do, old man Sanders?

A rival has appeared, right?

Next time, on Major:

A Stupid Bet.

Run to the stage of your dreams!