Original subtitles

Don't give up!

The catcher dropped the ball!

Run through!

Safe!

Wow!

That's the first guy to be on base!

Though it's just an uncaught third strike.

Whose voice...

was that?

I definitely wouldn't have made it without him.

Was he always here?

Didn't even notice...

Head to Head!

Sorry.

I take all the blame for letting him get on base.

Don't worry.

We won't give up a single run to the first-years.

Not to mention that

none of the other first-years look like they're here to actually play.

I'm gonna run!

Not bad.

I wouldn't expect anything less from this school.

You're pitching already?

Strike! Batter out!

I'm trying to steal...

but no openings.

The first-years are terrible.

They're not trying to advance the runner,

nor are they showing any effort to score.

We don't have a coach.

How are we gonna figure out this new pitcher's pitching patterns?

It's too late even if you get on base now!

Ouch! That's two outs in a row.

They're gonna leave their runner hanging.

Excuse me.

I don't have anything to do, anymore.

May I go train on my own?

Hey, we're still in the middle of a game!

Coach, is that all right?

It's fine.

This is the last inning, anyway.

There's no reason to go further.

You sure about that, monster rookie?

Not gonna watch until the end?

It's already over.

Don't give up!

The game's only just begun!

A single man can't lead the team to victory.

Baseball isn't that simple.

Damn.

What's with him?

Does he not care about the game now that he's passed?

It's not as if we like playing this game, either.

So...

What exactly did you come here to do?

The coach only wants to see results.

How good you were in junior high is irrelevant.

It's about time you figured that out.

If you don't want to play, then let me.

Excuse me!

I'd like to call for a change of players.

I'm playing as the pinch hitter.

Is he copying Furuta?

A guy who wants to leave before the game ends,

a guy who calls himself into the game...

This season's got some crazy first-years.

Who made you the boss?

Wait! He's using a wooden bat.

Looks like there's another interesting guy.

Let's have a good fight.

A sign?

What?

When did they come up with signs?

We never did.

The point is to try to distract the pitcher.

Wait! What's that?

What does it mean?

You never briefed me!

Hey!

There goes my plan.

What was he trying to do, anyway?

They're not on the same page.

Okay.

I guess I'll have to do this without tricks.

I'll definitely get you back to the plate.

Let's score a run together!

He just declared a run.

Who is that kid?

Way too much of an optimist.

I bet he's stupid, too.

Get him back to the plate?

He doesn't look like a hard hitter!

If he holds the bat that short, he won't reach for the outer pitch!

Who is that boy?

Did he stand out in the physical ability tests?

He's from Yoko Junior High in Kanagawa.

Haruichi Kominato.

What's he trying to do?

Should we throw a ball to the outside to see his reaction?

His batting average in junior high was .635.

What?

.6?

He changed his grip on the bat!

A ball to the outside against an unfamiliar batter.

There's no easier pitch to hit than this.

He was aiming for that pitch!

That's going very close to the foul line.

If it goes in, it's a long hit.

Fair!

Shoot.

He started running the moment the pitcher threw.

Hurry!

He's passed second base!

No way we're giving any runs to the first-years!

Whoa! He's going past third!

He's running straight for the plate.

Go!

My teammate promised to send me home.

I have to score!

That's impossible!

He won't make it!

I'll blow you away!

Safe!

Wow! The first-years finally scored a run!

The batter was good, but I also gotta hand it to the runner who didn't stop!

Yay!

Damn! He did it!

Way to go!

I made it.

The timing was completely on my side,

but he dodged my glove

and twisted his body

to put his hand on the plate.

I made it!

How could he twist his body in that situation?

He could've injured his hip or shoulders.

He really made it...

What a guy.

We've got a run.

The game's only just begun!

Seido High School Practice Field

Out!

1st Year 2nd-3rd Years

Coach, are you really stopping the game after this inning?

Can we please keep playing?

We can't let it end right after the first-years scored.

Both teams, line up!

C-Coach!

Wrap it up.

Even if we keep playing, the gap will only get wider.

1st Year 2nd-3rd Year

Bastard...

However...

If everyone on the first-year team wants to continue,

it's a different story.

Well?

What's wrong with you?

Are you just gonna let it end here?

Who knows when we'll have another chance like this!

Did you really play all out today?

Can you swear that to your heart?

Shut up.

Stop acting so big when you just got on base by luck!

He's right.

Your bad plays are one of the reasons we're so behind!

We didn't join this team out of sheer envy.

We're frustrated, too!

Also, who put you in charge?

I'm pretty sure I'm better at everything you can do.

You weren't even officially on the team until today.

Don't act like you're the team captain!

What'd you say to me?

Wait! Does everyone hate me?

These people just have so much pride...

Looks like the first-years still have a lot of energy.

We want to keep playing, Coach!

Please, Coach!

Please!

Why couldn't you play like that from the start?

In high school baseball,

you don't get a second chance.

Kid.

Starting this inning, you're pitching.

Get up on the mound.

I've already gone through all the first-year pitchers.

If you want to keep playing, then you need to pitch.

Nice going.

Despite his method,

he is the guy who lit a fire in everyone's hearts.

He deserves this chance.

The coach isn't mean just to be mean.

Whoa! What's going on here?

What's with this turnout against the first-years?

You should be up by 200 runs!

Jun, that's impossible.

What an embarrassing game.

Makes me sad.

Switch with me!

I'll play!

Jun, stop!

You just finished lifting!

Were they...

training on their off time?

Be quiet and watch, Jun.

That's the kid who struck out Azuma, the man you respect.

You missed it when it happened, didn't you?

What?

That was him?

I get to stand on that mound?

Your favorite is finally going to be pitching.

You can do it, Ei-chan! Go to the nationals! Show your Akagi spirit!

These guys are always watching me.

I can't do a half-assed job.

Here I go, guys!

Hey. What do you throw?

You've been talking big all this time.

If your pitching turns out to be a joke, you're gonna get it.

Don't worry.

I won't run or hide!

I'll throw it all right down the middle!

What?

I'm gonna be giving a lot of hits away, so it's all up to you, fielders!

Oh...

He's that kind of person.

An idiot?

Definitely.

1st Year 2nd-3rd Year

Play!

They just had a meeting out loud...

Throwing everything right down the middle?

If that wasn't a bluff, then he's crazy.

The middle?

You better be joking me!

A home run right off the bat?

That's a no-brainer.

There's no way a pitch that slow could work against a third-year!

What?

Yeah!

Nice going, left field!

Gotta hand that one down to the left-fielder who was defending a little back.

It's just a matter of time until he starts taking a beating.

That's the kind of fastballs the third-years are familiar with.

The fastballs they're used to, huh?

If they don't figure out what Sawamura's pitch actually is,

they've got another thing coming.

Nice, third base!

It just flew into his glove!

Wow! Two outs with two throws!

We're so lucky!

First-years...

Miracles don't happen a third time!

Wh-What?

He jammed it.

But it landed in a nice spot.

The second baseman got it!

Out!

Wow!

Did I just see you go... twisty?

Nice, second!

Nice, second!

That second baseman's not bad.

We didn't give them any runs this inning!

Awesome!

What are you doing?

You just gave the first-years more momentum!

Sorry.

I didn't mess up.

I thought I completely had it, but...

what is with his throw?

A moving fastball that curves right at the plate, huh?

That's gonna be tough.

Of course you would figure it out, Tetsu.

His pitch is only gonna get wilder from here.

What?

All right!

The game's not over yet!

Let's start by getting on base!

Look, no one put you in charge!

The first-years are looking more energetic.

When nice plays happen at defense, the entire team gets excited.

It looks like a completely different team from the start of the game.

Not to mention... Sawamura is the pitcher, right?

His moving is pretty good.

Yes.

But that's not the only reason he caught my eyes.

At a countryside district tournament I chanced upon,

the junior high team he was on was basically composed of complete novices.

The catcher couldn't catch flies,

and his teammates made errors in critical situations...

He faced many pinch situations

when a normal pitcher would've given up the game.

Yet, when I saw him lead his team tenaciously

without making a face,

I saw a true ace in him.

Hit one big!

You can do this!

Let's attack like we're here for war!

Be aggressive in your swings!

Furuya, I'm sorry.

I can't catch your pitch...

He's a monster.

Damn.

What does he want from us?

I'm sorry, Furuya.

The upperclassmen don't want to play baseball with you.

Sorry.

Out!

That was close!

All right!

We're starting to make some contact!

We do stand a chance!

Let's do another no-run inning!

Yeah!

He made an error yesterday, so he banned himself from talking.

Nice to meet you.

Just a single error,

and he's off the starting line-up.

Asuka.

Sawamura.

I'm determined to be back in the first-string.

Give me your all.

Yes, sir!

This will be good!

A roommate battle!

How's Masuko been doing this game?

Really well.

Three hits and six RBIs.

He's on track for coming back up.

I'm sure he's noticed what Sawamura's pitch is.

Should be a good match to really see Sawamura's ability.

He's huge...

He's the guy who's on a roll today.

Throwing down the middle's not gonna work for...

Wait! Wait! Wait!

To him, too?

Head-to-head! The only way!

The catcher miscaught a fastball down the middle.

Sorry!

What was that pitch?

It looked like the ball moved at the plate.

He's holding the bat short and standing at the front of the batter's box.

What is he thinking?

Yeah, Masuko knows what's up.

He's made his swing smaller,

so he can hit the ball before it starts to move.

This tension...

I love it!

Foul!

He used to bat fifth with us.

He could destroy the fence like that.

He hits hard even when he holds the bat short.

What will you do now, Sawamura?

He isn't like Azuma, who underestimated you and hit everything you threw.

Three weeks since that error.

I was such an idiot back then.

What was that play you just made?

You were thinking about your at-bat at the defense, weren't you?

I'm sorry.

You might stand in the batter's box alone,

but defense is something you do with nine people!

Stop putting the team at risk with your petty emotions.

Go cool your head in the second-string.

I won't make another mistake like that.

Now, I only do my best every moment I can.

No balls, two strikes.

We've got an advantage here.

Let's throw a ball here to theoretically...

Again?

I can't be the ace if I run away here.

Damn it!

Go die however you want, then!

How did it feel...

when I struck out Azuma?

Gotta remember...

that mitt!

Go!

It's in!

That's a home run!

Didn't he jam that pitch?

Yeah, he hit that over the fence with pure strength.

If I was even a little bit more off,

I would've been out.

It was a nice throw with all your heart in it, Sawamura-chan.

The pitcher completely lost the battle of power.

I bet he's taken quite a bit of damage from that.

I...

I completely lost.

That was my best pitch with everything I had.

So that's what a battle of power is.

So this is

top-ranked high school baseball.

Awesome.

I want to pitch more.

Way more.

He's...

smiling.

All right!

Let's switch gears and do this again!

He's not fazed at all!

Does that mean...

Head-to-head! No other way!

I knew it!

So you get even more excited after getting utterly defeated?

It's like you're a baby who's just learned baseball.

Furuya's moved up to the first-string,

and he's been assigned to form a battery with me.

On the other hand,

Sawamura joins the second-string

and is assigned to receive coaching from a certain person.

His name is Chris Yu Takigawa.

Wh-What is with this guy?

I have no idea what he's thinking, and he's scary.

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: The Two Batteries.

The Two Batteries

Let's win the national title!