Original subtitles

In the next game,

please catch my pitches.

I want

to form a battery with you!

I don't have speed or breaking balls.

Just like Chris-senpai told me,

all I can do is throw the best I currently can.

The right-hand wall.

Store all my energy for as long as I can,

and release it at once!

Chris To The Field!

What was that?

A wild pitch right off the bat!

Don't be so nervous, first-year!

Can you see the catcher's mitt?

Go home!

No one wants to play against a second-string loser!

That pitching form...

What just happened?

I couldn't see his throwing arm with his body in the way,

and then the ball just shot out.

Hey! What's wrong, pitcher?

What are you so afraid of?

He's completely different from the previous game.

Crap...

It feels a little different than the towel drill.

I need to get it quickly.

Just like the drill.

That one felt good.

Go home! You suck!

Come back when you can throw a strike!

What's going on?

He's gotta throw strikes to play.

I'm scared.

His throwing speed didn't increase.

I just can't see where he's throwing from,

so I don't know where to catch it.

That boy...

When did he learn to throw like that?

By creating a wall with his right hand, he's keeping his body closed.

By doing so, his left arm comes out much later than normal.

How can he throw in such a tight form?

It wouldn't be possible without his flexible shoulders.

Well, I told him to hone his moving fastball,

but it's only been a week since then.

In just one week...

He's about to attain an amazing weapon.

Ball four!

Wow! 4-0 to the first batter!

Oh, no! What have I done?

It was in the book that walking the lead-off batter is bad!

From the catcher's point of view,

I don't think there's any pitcher as difficult but attractive.

Drawing out his true potential is really up to us catchers.

I want

to form a battery with you!

Damn it.

What the hell is he throwing?

Can I really catch his pitches?

Ball.

He's really no good.

It's not even about being too tense.

Does he plan to abandon the game right in front of us?

Damn it.

I almost have it.

Hey, get it together!

Yes, sir!

Well, it's good that you're energetic.

I really don't get him...

Don't rush.

I gotta do the best pitching I can.

Don't throw in a way you'll regret, Sawamura.

Stronger!

Faster!

Where's his arm?

Hey, what are you doing, Sasaki?

You should've dodged that one!

Shut up!

I would've dodged it if I could.

I'm sorry!

His pitch looks completely different

from the batter's box.

Oh, man.

He walked the first, and then hit the second guy!

It's about time they switched him out.

He's definitely being more offensive than the last game,

but it wouldn't be a surprise if he got called off the mound.

What should we do, Coach?

His speed has definitely increased,

but it may be too soon for his new style to be used in a game.

He hasn't gotten any results,

but he's definitely shown us his potential for the future.

He...

He's thinking on his own

and is trying to grasp something in this game.

Please let him pitch a little more.

Chris-kun.

Is this just the beginning?

Is this the limit of his talent?

From a small hint, he figured out his own way,

and his talent blossomed.

I've seen many players who've done so in the past.

For the past two months, he's pulled tires running every day.

He has a tough heart and never gave up to pursue his goal.

Those who improve do so in an instant.

Chris, you've been catching his pitches

this past month.

Can you help him make the most of his strength?

What are you saying, Coach Kataoka?

He hasn't played for a year due to his shoulder injury,

and what about the others who've worked much harder?

True, I asked him to stay with us as a manager,

but he's never given up his desire to play on the field again.

Even if that meant he would be treated as an outcast.

This is the last chance I can give you.

It's up to you to play or not.

But you know, he's waiting for you.

Before he graduates,

I want to show him the fruits of my training.

Ball four!

No outs and bases loaded?

What's that pitcher doing?

He hasn't thrown a single strike!

We're here to root for a strong Seido team!

This isn't what we want to see!

Get off the mound!

Yeah! Get off!

Get off the mound! Get off the mound!

Put on your guards.

The coach just gave you a chance.

Or are you feeling sorry for us?

If you are, we'll jump you.

I don't know what the first and second-years think of you,

but we know how hard you've been working.

Whenever we were in a slump, you even gave us advice.

You're also part of this team.

So go out there with your head held high!

Yeah, go out there, man.

Show the ignorant first-years what you can do.

Guys...

Get off the mound! Get off the mound!

Wow! They're mad.

I warned you!

This is what happens when you play so poorly!

Well, we can't have a game if you can't get strikes.

This may make me a failure as your battery mate,

but I don't know how to lead you.

I'll definitely get us out of this.

What?

Just how are you gonna do that when you can't throw strikes?

Calling for a change in players.

Me?

Of course it's you.

Switching out the catcher, Ono...

for Takigawa.

Chris-senpai!

What?

What's he doing in a game?

I thought he was just a manager all this time.

Is the coach serious?

Why is he sending in a guy who hasn't played for a year?

It's the pitcher who needs to be switched.

Chris-senpai!

I'm sorry, Chris-senpai.

His pitching is just wild.

It's too much for me to—

I know.

Good job not letting the ball go past you.

It's thanks to you that we haven't given up any runs yet, Ono.

Leave the rest to me.

Yes, sir!

It'll be an honor to learn from you.

Thank you!

What's the coach saying?

I'm sorry to say this,

but I don't think this switch was meaningful.

Yes, we're still in a bind.

But we can also change this pinch into our momentum.

With no outs, bases loaded, and a pitcher who can't throw strikes,

the opposing team is feeling relaxed, thinking they'll score a few runs here.

But what if we make it through without giving up a run?

No more pinch,

and we can deal them a mental blow

by giving them a run for their money.

B-But how?

We can't do anything if he doesn't throw a strike!

I have a plan.

Come around closer and hide your mouths with your gloves.

What are they doing calling the outfielders over, too?

It's still the first inning,

so just play the infield halfway and concede a run.

Hurry up.

There's no point doing anything unless they switch out that pitcher.

Are you serious?

I understand it's a very risky play.

But we need everyone's cooperation

to prevent giving up any runs.

This person is crazy to have come up with this.

This is going to put a lot of stress on the fielders.

But it sounds like fun.

It's up to you.

Can you do it, Sawamura?

Yes, sir!

At least you have energy.

They're playing the infield in.

They're bringing everyone in for this play?

Is it to prevent a squeeze play?

Look!

The outfield is right behind the infield.

I see the logic against a walk-off run,

but if the ball goes past the outfield, it's a three-run hit!

This infield shift is way too risky here.

Coach, this shift...

It's the top of the first inning!

Shouldn't we give up a run and aim for a double play?

I don't care.

I left Chris in charge.

Coach...

It looks reckless at first, but it's a logical strategy.

This is how Chris-kun decided to make full use of Sawamura-kun's strength.

Are they making fun of me?

I'm a cleanup, and they're not expecting a long shot?

Go ahead and throw a light pitch.

I'll hit it way over your heads!

For your first pitch...

We're up against a strong power hitter.

So throw with your new form.

Don't hesitate.

Just believe in yourself and swing that arm down.

No matter what you throw,

I'll catch it.

What the?

It's faster than I thought.

He tapped it!

And the runner?

He can't move.

That catcher knows how to play.

He tapped it forward, too!

What a pitch...

I can't see where it's coming from,

and it moves much more.

But we showed him how the ball moves, and that's what counts.

For the second pitch,

don't throw your wild pitch with your new form.

Throw a fastball right down the middle.

The head-to-head battle of strength you love.

Don't worry.

That's also a fine weapon you have.

Then, just leave the rest to the fielders.

Down the middle?

Are you kidding me?

He only tipped it!

The ball's path was completely different!

Out!

A force-out at the plate!

No one's covering first base!

What?

Right field covering for first?

Are you kidding?

A 4-2-9 double play at the plate?

Is this what they were going for?

No outs and bases loaded

turned into two outs with runners on first and second!

Who is that catcher?

Hey, Chris is playing in the second-string's game!

What?

Seriously?

Wait, is his shoulder okay?

Let's go see!

If he's back, your spot in the first-string might be...

Huh? What?

Where's Miyuki?

He already left.

Before anyone else, in fact.

That play was awesome.

I've never seen anything like it.

That small second baseman's pretty good, too!

They gained momentum with just one play.

Damn, it was a ball down the middle.

I got too tense.

Listen up, guys.

We can still score from here.

Don't swing at balls,

and only swing at easy strikes!

Right!

Yeah, his pitches are wild.

The catcher might drop the ball behind him.

I'm gonna run if I get the chance.

Could it be that Chris was aiming for this from the start?

Well, he got lucky there,

but what if the ball had gone over?

By provoking the batter with a super close-up shift,

he strained the batter,

and then planted Sawamura's new pitching trajectory.

Then the moving fastball down the middle.

Chris set layers of trap down.

And the fielders responded with their best plays.

It was, by no means, pure luck.

Out!

Wow!

A fast throw to the runner who was too focused on scoring!

He got out of that devastating situation with just three pitches!

The game's turned around since he came in.

Wow!

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Chris-senpai, your shoulder's fine!

In fact, I didn't do a thing!

Did he really injure his shoulder?

Who is he?

Is this really his first time playing in a year?

Wow...

Why is he in the second-string?

This is how you need to be, Chris-senpai!

Miyuki-kun.

Learn today

Devote every moment

What's this?

Not going to see the game, Miya-chan?

Not interested in a second-string game.

You don't need another catcher fighting for first-string, huh?

Don't read my thoughts.

A shadow that chases after you at full speed...

I know, first-hand, how scary that is.

It's through!

A hit to the center field!

He got the first hit right after that hell of an inning.

That lead-off batter knows what's up.

Wouldn't expect any less.

Nice batting!

Your'e awesome, Harucchi!

Harucchi?

The last fielding, too!

You're actually pretty amazing!

Why are you just cheering?

Get in the bullpen right now.

Your new form isn't complete yet.

Yes, sir!

I can't throw any strikes!

What you gain in practice isn't at all like what you gain in games.

Make sure you learn well, Sawamura.

It's a bit awkward with him...

I'm...

I'm in the middle of a game, so...

Don't run away!

Miyuki, you should join us at the bullpen.

As the primary catcher, you should take a look at his pitch.

You'll get to see something interesting.

All right!

With Chris-senpai and me forming an awesome battery, Seido's in the lead!

Stay on your toes, Sawamura!

You never know what will happen in the future.

You're pathetic.

What are you all doing against a first-year pitcher?

Fine, I'll go out of my way to let you know.

Seido has a weakness.

Who is he?

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: Target.

Target

Let's win the national title!