Original subtitles

Calling for a change in players.

Switching out the catcher, Ono...

for Takigawa.

Chris-senpai!

Out!

Are you kidding?

A force-out at the plate?

Is this what they were going for?

No outs and bases loaded

turned into two outs with runners on second and third!

Who is that catcher?

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

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.

Target

Kokudokan Seido

First base!

A calm sacrifice bunt!

Runner's on second now!

Aggressive when they need to be,

and careful when they need to be.

That's right!

This is Seido baseball!

Sawamura.

In your new form,

what do you think about when you throw?

Or even what you feel.

Tell me anything.

What do I think?

I guess the right-hand wall?

But I didn't know how to build the wall, so...

I've been clenching my glove like this when I throw.

When I tried it, it somehow worked.

I see.

The right-hand wall?

Makes sense.

By being conscious of your right hand,

you're able to keep your body closed and increase your ball speed.

Toward Home Plate

However, you're too focused on the wall,

and your right foot is turned in.

If your body grows accustomed to it, you might start throwing strikes that way,

but it won't give you any ball control today.

While still focusing on the right-hand wall,

try to lunge with your right foot pointed straight to the plate.

We're short on time.

Throw as many as you can.

Right foot pointed to the plate...

Watch closely, Miyuki.

I'm getting really nervous with these two watching.

The right-hand wall...

Right foot pointed to the plate.

The left arm is so late!

This...

It's in!

No, it's just barely out.

What?

A game?

Are you crazy?

Also, I'm filming right now!

I probably won't be able to play.

But tomorrow is the last second-string game.

Can you come watch, Dad?

That's quite a gallery for a second-string game.

Despite the cultural differences between Japan and America,

there seem to be the same baseball enthusiasts everywhere.

Not to mention, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the Japanese fans.

Kokudokan Seido

One out and runners on first and second.

They scored first with a sacrifice fly and a hit,

but he's put himself in another pinch.

He's still pretty inconsistent.

Ball!

Sawamura!

His first impression was really bad.

The umpire's making every close call a ball.

Yeah, keep it up!

Don't swing at balls!

Only at the easy strikes!

Man, I can't figure out the timing for his pitch...

All right!

First base!

Out!

All right!

Two outs!

You idiot!

There are still two runners on base!

Don't lose focus!

Sir!

I thought it was an easy pitch...

Did the ball move?

No matter what anyone says, he still hasn't given up a decent hit.

Oh, my god!

Is that crazy boy starting?

Didn't expect him to throw a moving fastball. That's so uncommon in Japan.

It's Animal!

It's the comedian Animal!

What's a famous comedian doing here?

Also, he's huge!

Who's a comedian?

I'm a baseball player!

Yu!

Why are you playing?

I had a bad feeling.

This school is trying to destroy you!

Thanks for coming.

Dad.

Hey, Yu!

We're just getting started here!

Let's stay focused!

Yu...

Why are you...

Chris-senpai, I didn't know you could be so loud!

Your voice cracked a little, though.

Shut it.

Just focus on throwing at my mitt.

Yes, sir!

I have reliable teammates behind me.

I just have to

throw my best pitch

at Chris-senpai's mitt!

What?

I swung late?

The pitch wasn't even fast!

No way!

Is that catcher going for the fly?

Yu! Don't be reckless!

Dad, I'm sorry for breaking our promise

even though it's just a practice game in the second-string.

I may not have been able to play,

but I wanted you to watch this game.

Because this...

is my last official game.

No!

Is he okay?

He... He got it!

He jumped right into the fence!

Is he not afraid of getting hurt?

A-Are you okay, Chris-senpai?

No need to worry.

I'm not as fragile as you think I am.

Man, way to make us worried.

Way too close a play for a guy just out of rehab.

He hasn't changed.

He'll do anything for even just a single out,

and he guides the team to victory.

That...

is how Chris-senpai plays.

Hey!

Hey, Animal. You've gotta stop!

You have another game tomorrow!

It's my life!

Leave me alone!

If I don't swing,

I can't sleep!

All right, let's score!

Gonna swing with my heart on the bat!

Eijun-kun, you gotta relax.

You can't swing well if you're so stiff.

It's through! To left field!

That was an amazing hit!

You got on base, so I could bring you home, Chris-senpai!

Probably not.

Well, look at that.

He still hits as well as he used to.

Two slots open in the first-string.

Get yourself up here, Chris.

Sawamura just did a bunt!

Completely killing the speed of the pitch, too.

Chris-senpai is easily safe at second.

Nice bunt!

Nice bunt!

Nice bunt, Sawamura!

Though it was probably just luck.

I'm surprised he remembered the signs.

Damn it.

What does everyone think I am?

I wanted to hit a big one and bring Chris-senpai home.

For some reason, he's an amazing bunter.

One out, runner on second.

And they're back to the top of the line-up.

Kokudokan Seido

Can they open up the lead right here?

Might turn out to be the early-game climax.

Harucchi!

You gotta relax!

You can't swing well if you're so stiff!

Um... That's what I told you...

But the Eijun-kun and Chris-senpai battery

created this chance.

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

He's at .530 so far.

How will he do playing the lead-off man for the first time today?

His stats easily meet the requirements

to be in the first-string.

Now, to test if he has what it takes to make full use of this opportunity.

The outfield is rather close.

Do they think I can't hit long?

Foul!

Did you see him swing with that tiny body?

H-He can hit pretty far!

I was trying to scare him,

but he hit that high inside pitch pretty far.

That didn't go as far as I thought.

You little...

Oh, crap! Shouldn't we go a little further out?

We're only a little bit into the game,

so we should watch out for big ones.

A slider to the outside.

Right field! Home!

You idiot!

Who told you to back up?

He's a little devil.

Safe!

He controls the bat at his will.

He's a batting prodigy.

In terms of talent,

he may excel his brother.

All right, our third run!

My bunt played such a huge role!

This is a run we scored with the three of us!

Right?

My bunt was awesome.

Is it really that important to you?

We don't have time to rejoice.

Hurry up and get in the bullpen.

This will be our final inning together.

Throw me your best pitch.

What are you talking about?

We've only just started as a battery!

Let's all get to the first-string together!

You, Harucchi, and me!

There are only two spots open.

I guess he's completely forgotten.

Enough with your stupid laugh.

Let's go.

Yes, sir.

But I think I owe a lot to his optimism.

Hey, Yu!

Wait just a minute!

Dad...

Don't rush. Go slowly.

That's right...

That's how it is.

That's enough!

You gotta stop!

Only the player himself knows how he feels.

In an unfamiliar environment and culture,

I used to just swing the bat all the time.

So that I could prove myself in this foreign land.

Good...

...luck.

Good luck,

Yu...

Just do whatever you won't regret.

Good luck.

Thanks...

Dad.

Why?

I was trying to hit it out of the park!

Maezono-senpai, you gotta relax!

You can't swing well if you're so stiff—

Shut it!

He swings wide and lacks in consistency,

but his power is of definite value.

Kominato has all-around prowess.

Sawamura, with his moving fastballs, is intriguing, too.

And there's Chris.

Plus there are other second and third-years who could be moved up

to the first-string.

But just two people...

Who is he going to pick?

All right!

Let's send more balls flying!

I'm counting on you, guys!

Stupid!

Say that after you throw more strikes!

Yes, sir!

You're getting shut down by a mere first-year pitcher?

Pathetic.

You won't get to the nationals again like this.

Zaizen.

Did I say that out loud?

Hey,

I'll let you guys in on a little secret.

Ball!

Safe!

I'm getting tired of your stupid bunts!

The second guy in a row doing bunts...

Are they trying to mess up Sawamura?

Stop being so distracted!

You let the first batter walk again!

Eijun-kun, calm down!

Just let them bunt.

We'll get outs one at a time.

Yes, sir!

Um, I'm not your upperclassman.

That's right. Mess him up.

Show no mercy.

That idiot...

He's completely lost his rhythm.

Strike!

Safe!

That was close.

But this is working right, Zaizen?

A third-strike bunt?

Focus!

Just swing your arm!

Damn, he messed up.

What a waste.

All right!

One out!

That's right.

That's how you should throw.

Sorry.

That was plenty.

You made him throw quite a bit.

We're not putting pressure on the pitcher.

We're doing it on the catcher.

He was like a monster in junior high,

but that guy broke his shoulder once.

Just make him throw more, and he'll fall apart eventually.

Bunts again?

Go!

A steal!

No one saw it coming!

Can I make it?

Safe!

What happened?

Did his finger get caught?

That catcher made a bad throw?

What was that?

He used to throw like a sniper, but not anymore!

I knew it.

He's not fully healed.

Keep stealing!

Steal all you want!

His shoulder's still...

Chris-senpai!

Don't worry.

I'm fine.

Yu...

One out!

Outfield! Throw straight to home!

Infield! One out at a time!

Yes, sir!

Don't worry about the runner!

Just give me your best pitch, Sawamura!

Yes, sir!

Bunt all you want!

I'm only looking at Chris-senpai's mitt.

I'll get it!

I got it!

I can make it to third!

You won't make it!

Safe!

A fielder's choice to third!

Both first and third bases were safe!

His control's suddenly going haywire!

Ch...

Chris-senpai...

In just two-and-a-half years of high school baseball,

a year of time off is a huge deal.

Your time's already over.

As your rival from the senior league days,

I think it's my duty to finish you off.

Eh, Chris?

Z-Zaizen...

One out and runners on first and third...

That catcher's mess-up was huge.

They're going to let you throw for three innings.

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

Damn it...

What am I doing?

It's been my dream to form a battery with Chris-senpai,

but I'm giving him trouble with my own failures.

I...

haven't done...

anything for Chris-senpai yet!

Naoyuki Zaizen.

I see.

So you guys were going after me.

I'm so irritated.

That first-year with sparkles in his eyes,

and how much faith you have in him pisses me off!

I want to keep pitching with Chris-senpai even after today!

I'm going to win this game, no matter what, and...

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: You're in the First-String.

Let's win the national title!