Original subtitles

Joe Gibson Jr, huh?

For now,

if this could be called my preliminary before facing Gibson,

I can't lose to his kid here!

W-Wait a moment!

This is inconvenient, really inconvenient for me!

Double A-No, Single A is okay! Please don't fire me!

It's an order from the owner.

It's a pity, but it's already been decided.

Though, there are still some other teams that

are holding special Minor League tryouts.

It's in Tennessee though, but I've prepared a letter of introduction.

Take this with you and visit them.

I hope to see you shine on a new field.

After our quarrel,

it seems you worked on breaking balls.

What? You got a problem with that?

You're still young.

Rather than imitating an old man, concentrate on your fastball more!

If you can gain true control over your serious fastballs,

you'll be able to strike out even Bolton and Gibson Jr!

It's huge.

America is too huge.

It takes three hours by plane from Phoenix to Memphis!

And, on top of that, I don't know what time it is because of the

different time zones, even when I'm still in the same America.

Attention all passengers.

We are now arriving at Memphis International Airport.

Believe in yourself and do your best, boy!

If you add accuracy to your fastball,

the day when you rise to the Majors will definitely come!

Don't be impatient.

Make sure you get stronger playing in the

Minors, and then we'll meet again at the top.

I'll do this!

Let's see...

First, I'll go to the Memphis Bats' headquarters.

I think Fox gave me a note that says where to board the bus.

I'm sorry! Are you all right?

No... I'm fine. I'm fine.

Okay, okay, no problems!

Huh? Are you Japanese?

What? You are too?

Is this fate?

Well, I'll be!

This is dangerous! I was almost tricked again!

That trick won't work on me again!

T-Trick? What do you mean?

Where's your partner?

What are you doing?

Don't play dumb!

You damn luggage stealing crime gang!

While the woman distracts the victim,

her partner walks away with their luggage; that's how you do it, right?

Walking away with someone's luggage?

Why in the world would I try to steal your small dirty luggage?

Shut up! I'll take you to the police!

It hurts! Let me go!

I won't let you go, you sneaky thief!

Huh?

I-I'm sorry!

Very sorry!

So he wasn't trying to kidnap you after all?

Well,

you could say he was trying to do something similar to that.

Whatever the case is, please don't act on your own at the airport.

If anything happened to you, Miss Alice,

as your bodyguard, my head would be the one that rolled.

And I was the one who thought I could sneak

away behind your back to lay down and relax.

Come on. Let's go.

A car is waiting for you.

Yes.

I was really scared.

Who are those people?

Wha-!?

G-Gone!

G-Gone!

My luggage is gone again!

This is bad...

They even took my letter of introduction for

the tryouts that I got from the Cougars' boss.

The money and card that I got are safe, but still...

I'll have to take the tryout empty-handed again.

I'm telling you that if you call them and ask, you'll know!

Telephone the Cougars!

I am Goro Shigeno!

Tryout please! Please!

I haven't heard anything.

I can't let someone in without an invitation.

Get out of here!

I'm begging you; let me in!

Do you want me to die by the roadside here!?

You're getting on my nerves!

I'll call the cops!

I'm telling you...

What's wrong?

Huh?

Miss Alice?

What? Why are you here?

Hey, you jerk!

Where's my bag!?

And where did your huge companion go!?

I'm sorry!

I see.

Who'd think that you, who called me a luggage

thief at the airport, would be Shigeno Goro.

H-How do you know my name?

H-How do you know my name?

Don't worry.

Miller-san, from the Salmons, told me about you.

He said that you'd be coming to take our tryout.

"Our," you say?

You two really aren't luggage thieves?

That's rude. Of course we aren't!

He's my bodyguard,

Kevin Gordon.

B-Bodyguard?

I am Jinnai Alice.

I'm acting as an agent, but for now I'm the owner of the Triple A Memphis Bats.

O-Owner!?

O-Owner!?

Acting as an agent, though.

You're saying your name is Jinnai Alice?

Why is a Japanese girl a substitute owner for a Minor League team?

I didn't say a word about me being of Japanese nationality.

My father is of Japanese descent and lived in America, but my mother is American.

My mother's father, in other words, my grandfather, manages the Triple A Bats.

Grandfather?

My grandfather's physical condition has become worse,

so I've been working as an agent since last year in his place as the owner.

Well anyway, welcome.

Even if I say owner,

I'm just barely earning enough profit to support myself.

Just like for the players,

the money and the circumstances are incomparable to the Majors.

But...

When it comes to passion for baseball, we're all the same.

Strike out!

What are you doing, Garrett?

When will you stop swinging at that high pitch?

I'm going out to the field now.

Answer me right now! When will it be? Tomorrow? The day after that?

Try to think of yourself in my shoes, who keeps playing you!

Captain, the field, the field!

Mister Carter!

Alice!

I'm sorry to barge in here in the middle of a game.

Oh no, no worries.

I've shown you an embarrassing scene again.

Might he be the one the Salmons told us about?

Yes.

This is Goro Shigeno.

According to Mr. Miller his qualities are sufficient.

If it weren't for the owner's decision, they'd regret losing such a player.

If it's possible, could you let him take the test after the game is over?

No, I can't do that.

Huh? Why?

Hurry up, change into your uniform, and get to the bullpen, Shigeno!

It's an exhibition game.

There aren't any special regulations for it.

Show me your abilities.

Safe!

What are you doing, you idiot?

You should be able to get him out in that situation!

Shut up!

You should be thankful that I even caught it, you halfwit!

They're at it again.

What was that?

What are you saying, you bastard?

Ball! Ball four!

Damn it!

Don't mind! Don't mind, Franco!

You!

It can't be helped if you get hit,

but you're too afraid to face the batter, you damn chicken.

Hurry up, pack your things, and go back to your country!

Hey, boss!

We're changing pitchers!

That Sanders, he's deciding these things on his own again!

Hey, have you gotten word if he's ready in the bullpen?

He says "okay"!

All right!

Attention please, pitching, number 56:

Goro Shigeno!

Goro... Shigeno?

Who is that?

Taking the mound in a game is a tough situation for a rookie to take a test in.

During this time, when the curtain rises before his very eyes,

if he's got the firepower to produce results, he'll pass.

If he can't, he'll just fail.

I see.

You're Japanese? Do you understand English?

That's an amazing beard.

Okay, I get it.

Then I'll just show you the signs.

This is fastball.

Second is slider.

No thank you.

This is only!

I love fastball!

Now hitting, number 7: Muller!

Oh my.

It doesn't seem like he's intending to strengthen our front.

Play!

When I came to America, to be honest, I was in a hurry.

I just thought about producing results and rising to the Majors,

so I lost myself.

Don't be in such a hurry!

Slowly, but surely, rise up to the Majors!

But I'm no longer lost!

I'm going to challenge this huge country with who I am!

Strike!

This is a free fansub.

Not for sale or rent.

Ball!

Ball!

Two balls!

One strike!

This guy...

His control is another matter, but...

he's fast!

I can clearly see his attitude of fearlessly

facing the opponent, unafraid of being hit.

Out!

Okay!

Unbelievable!

Maybe I've found a real treasure!

He's good.

Now hitting, number 28: Nixson!

The fourth one, huh?

Against people who've got power, pitching high is taboo.

I'll concentrate on aiming low...

and swing my arm!

Strike!

Not bad. A good pitch!

Even though he's only got one player out so far,

he somehow seems really impressive.

Even though he, a rookie, has to take a test

in a situation like this without warning,

he's not agitated at all.

Strike two! {Not sure, sounds more like struck though.

But you can't say it like that anyway, I think?}

Yeah. He's indeed calm.

These last years, we've always made the playoffs, but...

every year victory eludes us, leaving us in second place.

Because of our Achilles' heel, the lack of a closer.

But... that might be solved now!

Strike out!

All right!

Just one more!

Okay!

It's true that he may be able to fit in as the closer, but...

the problem isn't that simple.

After all, the reason we haven't raised a good closer...

is because of everyone except the pitcher.

Okay!

I got it!

I got it!!

I got it!!!

No!

Look, there it is.

Where are you looking, you bastard!?

Shut up! You were the one who ran into me!

What are you doing, you idiots!?

Back home!

Damn it!

It's both of your faults that the score was tied!

I won't forgive you guys if I don't make it in time for my date with Jenny!

Shut up, you halfwit!

T-This can't be!

It was supposed to be game over with the last player getting out...

Now hitting, number 12: Winston!

This is bad.

Their bad habit has surfaced again.

Wait a minute! If they can't field at this

important time, the closer will go to waste!

The goal of this camp was to improve the team's fielding abilities.

Their effectiveness hasn't improved at all!

It can't be helped.

This is all a part of the Bats' color, after all.

What a careless thing to say.

We'll be the worst team in the league at

fielding and number of errors this year too!

Okay!

We got him!

A comeback...

You guys!

If you can't field, then I won't bother with you!

Strike out!

Damn!

This is unbelievable!

Hey, Shigeno!

Huh?

You're not responsible for losing the game.

You pass the test!

Congratulations!

He said that you passed the test!

I didn't think you'd pitch so well.

Your contract will tie you to the Indiana Hornets,

but do your best with the Bats and try to aim for the top!

Oh, is that so?

What is it?

Well, I'm thankful to you for evaluating me, but...

please let me think a little before deciding on the contract.

Huh?

This isn't the only tryout that the Salmons introduced me to.

Sorry, but I want to improve myself on a better team.

What did he say?

Now hitting, number 4: Roy!

The other Triple A teams I saw, the Cougars...

and the Falcons,

weren't weak teams like this one.

I want to take my time and get experience...

at a place with a level as close as possible to the Majors.

Safe!

Huh? He's fast!

Now hitting, number 2: Kelloge!

Weak team?

I can't ignore that, Shigeno-kun.

What?

Now hitting, number 1: Buter.

It's true that...

the Bats have problems fielding,

and without a good closer, victory always evades our grasp.

But they're strong enough to make the playoffs every year.

It's a top-class Triple A team.

Safe! Safe!

He did it!

First, we tie it up!

Now hitting, number 13: Danston!

A-A hitting team?

A-A hitting team?

Exactly.

They're a clumsy...

and rough bunch, with bruises all over their legs, but...

my grandfather and I love this totally dramatic team!

Testee! Come join in too!

Delicious!

Shigeno-kun...

I thought that maybe he would stay with us, but...

But I guess it can't be helped!

U-Um, yes?

It's Kevin.

A homeless person is waiting in the lobby to see you, Miss.

Come on, who is it at this time?

I don't have any homeless acquaintances!

Yo!

Shigeno-kun...

What happened?

Didn't you leave to take the tryout for the Panthers?

Well...

No motels were vacant.

So...

If it's okay, can I stay here tonight?

Of course, not for free.

If you're okay with having me,

I'll lend my strength and work for the Bats'

victory together with those eccentric fellows.

Welcome to the Memphis Bats!

While I'm running around in America,

pro baseball camps have begun in Japan too.

Toshiya!

Show them your skills!

Next time, on Major:

Debut!

Run to the stage of your dreams!