Original subtitles

Eijun's in Tokyo?

I hate to admit it, but the mound feels really good on my feet.

It fits better in my hand than the rubber balls.

You should be warmed up now.

Let's get started.

Your pitching's a joke.

You sure talked big, but it's average, at best.

I'll send it flying out of the park!

He's still in junior high.

Maybe go a little easy on him?

In your dreams!

I always swing with everything I have!

Doesn't matter if he's in junior high.

I really like that about you, Azuma.

Shut it!

Partner

You look way too serious, kid!

Just throw it!

He looks really stiff.

He won't be able to pitch with even half his strength.

Let's try to loosen you up.

You're so scared that your arm's not swinging through!

If you're so afraid to pitch, just say so!

That's not it.

He changed his aim the moment he let go.

Time out!

What? If you needed a plan, you should've said something before we started!

You threw that one into the ground on purpose.

Why?

I felt like he would've hit if I threw there.

Interesting.

Let me get this straight. You'd rather throw a ball than have him hit it?

You got a problem?

You're absolutely right!

You see, that was actually Azuma's favorite location.

You were so stiff,

so I thought you'd loosen up if you got obliterated once.

If you had thrown there, he definitely would've hit it.

I like you, kid.

Let's slay that monster together from here on out.

Together? Yeah, right!

I bet you're on his side!

Learn to accept the good will of others.

Shut up! Don't touch me!

Anyway, what can you throw?

I pitch fastballs for life!

Serious?

This is great!

I'm even more motivated now!

Damn it!

You're making fun of me!

Just leave it all to me.

I know his batting habits well.

It's got nothing to do with you!

This is between me and him!

What?

Is that how you see it?

Then... Do you plan to play baseball by yourself?

You can't play baseball by yourself!

I don't know what kind of baseball you've been playing,

but the best pitches

are works of art produced by the pitcher and the catcher working as one.

Works of art?

I'll draw out your full potential.

You just need to trust my mitt and throw your best pitches.

It's that simple.

We'll be great partners.

Let's get cracking, partner.

Partner?

O-Okay.

Seidou High School Baseball Field

Thanks for waiting.

That took forever! I was falling asleep!

The best pitches...

are works of art.

Wait! We just met today, and he's already calling me "partner"?

I accidentally answered, too.

Now then, let's get this monster-slaying started.

Works of art, huh...

I've never thought of it like that.

His shoulders loosened.

Now, bring it here.

That's a strike... right?

Nice pitch!

Batter couldn't even move!

You stupid?

I'm just making sure he can throw a strike!

That sound of the ball hitting the mitt...

I'm throwing well today.

We can work on his speed in the future,

but it's a pretty good pitch with little deceleration.

Okay, give me one here.

Wait! There?

The same pitch?

Whoa! That was close.

Damn.

Wow! He swings fast.

I've never seen someone hit such a strong ball into right field.

But the catcher...

He made it look like it was the same pitch,

but he was sitting a little off to the side.

Nice control.

That pitch was only going to be hit foul, at best.

Watch closely.

He underestimates you,

so he won't hesitate to hit pitches that might be balls.

We don't need to pitch him anything in the strike zone.

Your control sucks.

How do you expect me to hit pitches like that?

Keep it up, Azuma.

Lose your cool.

But something's odd about his pitches.

Is it getting faster the more he throws?

No, rather...

It's decelerating less.

His pitches are a bit peculiar.

I see.

His shoulder's flexible, and his arm is supple like a whip.

His flexible wrist allows him to put a lot of spin on the ball

at the point of release.

That was a ball.

Fastballs for life? Yeah, right.

I'm sure he doesn't realize it,

but his pitch moves at the plate.

Looks like he's finally showing his true colors.

A natural breaking pitch that changes its course at random.

He was probably unconsciously restricting his own strength in the team back home.

But that last pitch in his last junior high baseball game...

He threw that pitch with all his talent.

It's no wonder the catcher couldn't catch it.

What's more, there's only one person who's really confused about his pitching.

And that's Sawamura himself.

It's like I'm in the zone today!

Hey, put those sparkles in your eyes away.

Do you know how hard it is to catch a ball when I have no idea where it's going?

Though... I guess that's what my job is.

Just clear your head...

and give me your best shot.

I'll catch it with everything I have.

Right down the middle.

What is this feeling?

I can hear my heart beating loud and clear.

Oh, man...

I know I can throw my best pitch here.

I just gotta trust his mitt,

and it'll be the best ever.

The best pitch I've ever...

ever thrown!

I'll hit it outta the park, you stupid kid!

Nice pitch.

This moment...

I think I opened the doors to a new world.

What happened to Eijun?

He's been spacing out since he got back from Tokyo.

I think you did Azuma a good favor today.

I wanted him to be less complacent before he went pro.

There are many strong schools in Tokyo, and it's a hard-fought tournament every year.

Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium National High School Baseball Championship Tokyo Qualifying Matches

There's no guarantee that you'll do well no matter how hard you train.

Despite that fact, if you want to give it a try at our school, give me a call.

The decision is all yours.

Tenth-grade catcher may become savior for prestigious Seidou

So he was an amazing person.

He's in a magazine even though he's only a year older than me.

Nice pitch.

If I played baseball with him, how would I grow?

Stop! What are you thinking?

Leave this town and go to Tokyo?

That's impossible.

I'm the one responsible for dragging them into baseball

because I wanted to do something with everyone before we graduated.

Some of them didn't even like sports,

but nobody gave up or quit.

I can't betray them now.

There's no way I can.

Hey. Morning!

Damn. I couldn't sleep at all last night.

Oh, Ei-chan!

Congrats!

You got an offer from Seidou High, right?

That's so amazing.

How do you know?

Your grandpa came to my place and told me.

He came to my place, too!

Mine, too.

Eitoku!

I never said I was actually going to Seidou!

What? Why?

"Why"?

I'm gonna go to Tokyo just to play baseball?

Are you crazy?

It's the Seidou.

You have to challenge yourself!

I'm sure you'll do fine.

B-But I...

More importantly...

You're all brawn and no brains, so I don't think you have a choice.

Shut up!

If I really try, I'll pass the exam! No problem!

Don't stress yourself studying.

Your grandpa told me that...

since you've been back, you've been acting weird.

That you were probably moved by the baseball you experienced in Tokyo.

We've found your weakness, Ei-chan.

You're a pitcher, but you can't hide your emotions.

Don't worry!

We'll be cheering for you, no matter where you go!

Yeah!

You're representing us when you go to Tokyo!

Congrats, Ei-chan!

You're wrong...

What are you all saying?

I want to play baseball with...

I...

Hello?

Eijun!

How long are you gonna keep that face?

It's time you—

Gramps.

You told everyone about the offer from Tokyo.

Oh, I got carried away.

I couldn't tell them...

because they looked so happy.

I wanted to scream so many times

that I was going to play baseball here with them.

But I couldn't say anything.

What's wrong with me?

Honestly, I still can't make up my mind.

It made me want to test my strength for the first time in my life.

But... they're all my dearest teammates.

I'm so lost!

I should've never gone to Tokyo in the first place!

Eijun.

Get off your high horse!

What's with that look when all your friends are wishing you luck

on your new journey?

Did you think they'd cry and try to stop you?

Or are you saying that your friendships won't last

if you're not in the same place?

Hey, Eijun.

I bet you're just scared to go to Tokyo alone.

A-Are you crazy, Dad?

I'm not scared!

Then why don't you go?

Don't you want to test your abilities?

True, Seidou's not a normal high school.

Seidou High School

Almost everyone there probably batted fourth and was the ace at their junior high.

You're gonna go to a place like that by yourself.

I'd be scared, too.

But if you don't follow your heart,

you're gonna regret it forever.

If you fail, just come back home.

Even if that happens, we won't let anyone laugh at you.

Dear, you're thinking back to the time you went to Tokyo to be a rock star, aren't you?

Ah, yes!

You left for Tokyo saying you'd never be back, but you came back in three months!

You were crying, too. Saying that Tokyo was a scary place.

Shut up!

I don't regret doing it!

Why do you think I inherited the farm business?

Your hairdo makes it look like you haven't given up!

This is just a policy I live by!

I'm so pathetic.

Dad's right.

I was...

Damn it, you knuckleheaded son!

Shut it!

I'm gonna go.

I need to tell everyone how I really feel.

I'm leaving now.

Wait!

It's already late today.

Why don't you go tomorrow?

No.

I need to go now.

I can't have everyone thinking I'm still wishy-washy.

All right!

Here I come, guys!

That idiot...

If he's visiting everyone's houses, he's not gonna finish till way into the night.

I wonder who he takes after.

He's a little too straightforward.

But now we'll have some peace at home.

6 Months Later

I was so surprised when he showed up.

Seriously.

He came to my house in the middle of the night and asked me to slap him.

It's already been six months since then.

"Inject all your power into me."

Only you, Ei-chan.

Shut up! It's a family tradition.

Passengers boarding the 15:30 train to Tokyo,

the train will arrive momentarily on Platform 2.

Please wait behind the yellow lines.

Thank you for looking after my son.

Of course.

If you feel like you're about to fail, give me a call.

I'll send you my power.

Hurry up and go, you stupid kid!

At least email me... or something.

Ei-chan, this is from us.

Thanks!

Good luck, Ei-chan!

Ei-chan, good luck!

Good lu—

Y-You idiot, stop crying.

Huh?

You're making it hard for Ei-chan to say goodbye.

I'm sorry.

But I didn't have strong shoulders, and I couldn't catch some pitches,

so I thought I was just holding you back.

Nobu...

You idiot.

At first, I was running straight to third base after I hit,

and he had his batting hands mixed up.

But you never made a face at us ever.

When I made a really bad error, you cheered me on from the mound.

I love how you're always so optimistic.

Ichiro and Matsui can't even compare.

You're our hero, Ei-chan.

The train is departing.

I'm sorry we couldn't be any help to you.

But...

to be honest...

We all wanted to play more baseball with you, Ei-chan.

Good luck, Ei-chan!

Wait a minute...

Good luck, Ei-chan!

Are you kidding me?

We're cheering for you all the way!

Idiots!

None of you said anything like that these past six months.

It's too late.

It's too...

Come on.

Let's take a seat.

Is this the determination that you were talking about?

I... can't lose.

I'm representing them.

I have to go to the nationals.

Sawamura is finally joining us at Seidou High.

He'll meet lots of older teammates and the head coach.

I'll teach you the harsh reality of high school baseball!

I only just started here, and I'm already in trouble?

You won't let me be a pitcher?

You kidding me?

I came here to be the ace!

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: Not Qualified to Be a Pitcher?

Ace of the Diamond: Not Qualified to Be a Pitcher?

Let's win the national title!