Original subtitles

There's only one thing we can do.

We have to get stronger,

so we can fight for those who can't!

Stronger.

Training Camp Begins!

So your shoulder wasn't fully healed yet, huh?

Yeah, I think it'll take some time until it is.

But I don't regret anything.

I'm grateful for the coach who used me as a player.

Now, it's your turn.

It's up to you to make our summer long.

I'll support the team from behind the scenes.

Idiot...

Don't tell me you don't regret anything...

In my last summer,

I wanted to form a battery with you.

I understand Ryosuke-san's brother making the first-string,

but how did Sawamura get in?

He was basically trash without Chris-senpai in that game,

and he's so bad at pick-offs.

There were other more qualified second and third-years.

The coach is so mean.

I bet we'll eventually be tossed aside, too.

Are you guys stupid?

Zono...

We're a team that's always playing to make the nationals.

It's not uncommon to promote key players in preparation for next year.

Yeah, we know!

But... don't you wish it was you instead?

Of course I do!

But...

All the third-years who wanted it even more

showed up to practice this morning, and I mean all of them.

We still have another year of opportunities,

and you're still talking about the past?

If you want it, you gotta work for it!

I gotta work for it.

Just watch!

I'll definitely make the cut next year!

Miyuki!

What are you looking at so seriously?

The score book record of that Kokudokan game?

Is reading that your favorite pastime?

Well, it's part of my job.

Honestly,

I didn't expect Sawamura to get so good in such a short time.

Though I'm sure it's all thanks to Chris-senpai.

I'm more worried that he won't recover from the damage.

He was still crying all night last night.

Shut it!

Quit crying, already!

He's the type who throws well when he feels well.

I just hope it doesn't affect how he plays.

He'll have to recover.

I'm the catcher.

You're so cocky!

That's what I can't stand about you.

Thanks.

It wasn't a compliment!

Whoever's in charge today, I'm low on red chalk.

Tsurezuregusa, written by Yoshida Kenko, whose real name was Urabe Kaneyoshi,

is one of the top three zuihitsu works,

along with Makura no Soshi and Hojoki.

This is classical Japanese literature.

It feels like Sawamura-kun has changed a bit since making the first-string.

He's always been yelling about becoming the ace,

so I thought he'd look more happy...

But he's been in class since morning,

and he isn't sleeping like always.

Looks like my passion in teaching has finally gotten to him.

There's only one thing we can do.

We have to get stronger,

so we can fight for those who can't!

Stronger...

Stronger...

I have to do everything I can right now.

It's the only way to express my gratitude for Chris-senpai!

I can't lose!

Not to myself!

And not to baseball!

Eijun-kun's so motivated.

Once his mind is set on something, he goes through with it.

That's what I admire about him.

Hey, he got a little faster.

I can't lose either.

In the end, my brother didn't once look me in the eyes.

Is he saying that I'm not ready for the first-string?

Let's go!

Ten more!

Looks like you were worried for nothing.

He's even more motivated than ever.

Damn.

It'd be a problem if he wasn't.

Always having a positive attitude.

That's his strongest quality.

Chris-senpai.

But he's going a bit overboard.

There's still a plethora of things he needs to learn.

We have to keep him on a leash,

or he'll push himself until he breaks.

Absolutely.

He's too stupid to know how to hold back.

Yeah.

He's an idiot who can't hold back.

Is that supposed to be a compliment?

Coach Kataoka,

is it because Tanba isn't doing so hot

that you took another pitcher into the first-string?

The number of strikeouts...

or the number of hits is irrelevant.

In high school baseball, where one loss is the end,

we're not looking for the numbers.

No matter how bad the pitching looks,

it's fine if it makes us win.

That's the kind of ace I'm looking for.

So if you ask me, we don't have an ace on our team.

We'll have to turn them into aces during the upcoming camp

and throughout the tournament.

If the pitcher's on a roll,

I'll let him play, regardless of his age.

Seidou Spirit Dorm

You running today, too?

Don't. It's raining outside.

You've been overworking yourself lately.

The camp starts tomorrow,

so you gotta know when to rest.

I'll be back.

Hey!

Did you hear what I just said?

Don't worry.

The rain can't beat me down.

Stupid!

That's not what I'm—

It's exactly as Chris-senpai said.

...he'll push himself until he breaks.

Shoot.

He's really going overboard.

Is your finger better now?

Oh, yes.

It's healed.

I want to start pitching immediately, but the coach won't...

You keep a cool face, but you're not hiding anything...

I'm sure Miyuki's already told you,

but if you don't take care of your nails, it'll happen again and again.

Yes, sir.

Also... you need to build endurance and ball control.

Endurance...

I hear it everywhere I go.

I have to push myself.

I don't have a choice.

Hey.

Come with me for a bit, Sawamura.

Don't run away.

What do you want from me?

I want to go run right now!

Just follow me.

Follow you where?

Oh, no!

Are you guys mad about me taking Chris-senpai's spot on the team,

and you're all going to jump me?

Yep, you're spot on.

I knew this day would come!

No!

I know very well that I'm far from being worthy!

Hey, I brought him over.

He was trying to run in the rain like you predicted.

I'll take you all on!

I'm not surprised.

G-Good morning, Chris-senpai!

Wow, you didn't treat me with the same respect.

Devote every moment

I wasn't expecting you to personally teach me a lesson!

So this is what being in a strictly hierarchical society is like!

Learn today

What are you talking about?

I called you here because I wanted to tell you what you need to do before summer.

Furuya, Sawamura, listen.

Every play in baseball starts at the pitcher.

That's why it's such an important role.

Pick-offs with the infield,

late base covering,

or any other little mistake could cost the game.

Basically, as the ones who have the ball longer than anyone else,

you have to be more familiar with baseball than anyone on the team.

M-More familiar...

Than anyone...

On this team?

You can't win the summer tournament on momentum alone.

Relax.

That's why we're here.

You can't practice team plays by yourself.

Sorry for making you help, Zono.

You crazy?

I can't say no to Chris-senpai.

I'm not doing this for you!

I came along, too.

Sawamura, I told you, didn't I?

Practice isn't about aimlessly working hard.

You have to learn to rest.

Do you want to end up like me?

N-No...

National Champion

It's not bad to have the responsibility of a first-string player.

However, you don't need to shoulder everything by yourself.

So do a light workout today.

Okay?

Geez, you're quite a handful.

Chris-senpai...

I...

I...

You crying again, Sawamura?

Man, you're so hard to work with!

Fine, we'll help you out, too.

For five cups of pudding, that is.

Kuramochi-senpai!

Masuko-senpai!

All right, let's start with pick-offs.

You gotta get the slide stepping down.

Sawamura, don't get the wrong idea.

Training you two to be full-fledged pitchers

is something I'm doing for the team.

I haven't given up on being a baseball player.

Yes, sir!

I'm looking forward to working with you!

Just a heads-up, but it'll be hell starting tomorrow.

Y-Yes, sir!

Damn...

I wish I could've competed with him for the catcher position.

Thai kick out of the blue!

Why?

Ow! What the hell was—

Oh, are you talking back?

What are you doing?

Can't get into their circle?

Well, he's surprisingly always surrounded by people,

and you're always off doing your own thing, so you two are different.

But...

Well, I think you're fine the way you are.

You lead the team with strength.

That's your style.

To be frank,

I can't have fun if you all have the same pitching style!

Um...

I've been thinking this for a while, but...

Learn today

you have a twisted personality.

I get that a lot.

I won't give up the ace number to anyone.

Miyauchi.

Can you join me at the bullpen later?

You gonna throw today?

Yeah, there's a pitch I want to try.

You hit so cleanly.

You okay, Makihara?

Shut up!

Don't be concerned.

Yeah, Tetsu.

We're on standby, too.

Just hit until you've had enough.

You ready?

Guys...

Thanks for your thoughts, but can you throw harder?

Merciless!

Wow! Look at those two.

They move like ninjas.

He's a first-year, and he's keeping up with Ryosuke-san.

I bet it's not fun for Ryosuke-san to be competing with his brother.

But...

We should be able to see a difference later.

Hey! Sawamura!

Do you have any idea where the runners are?

Tell me!

First and second.

Then you gotta cover the plate for outfield hits!

That's right!

So don't just stand there on the mound!

Don't look lost!

Furuya, don't miss such an easy catch!

Are these guys going to be okay?

They haven't improved one bit.

They won't get any better when they have to think about it.

Don't worry about it.

That's not for you to say!

They need to be able to imagine multiple scenarios before throwing,

then act accordingly, like it's second nature.

Tanba, Kawakami,

go in the bullpen first.

What about us?

You two are going to do this until you perfect it.

Shouldn't surprise you.

After this, you're going to catch outfield flies.

Outfield?

I didn't sign up for this.

It doesn't end at catching.

You have to throw back to the plate afterward.

Got it?

Makes sense.

They have to run to catch flies, and then have to throw far.

They'll need to throw dynamically to throw far.

What a perfect menu for them.

Though they don't seem to understand.

Both the coach and Chris-senpai are thinking with open minds.

Furuya's batting skills are too good to keep in the dugout.

Oh, Tanba-san,

if you're going to the bullpen, I'm open.

No.

I'll ask Miyauchi to catch.

I want to focus on that pitch again today.

Okay.

With this camp happening,

it really feels like summer's approaching.

I sure hope there won't be any quitters again this year.

That would be best.

Becoming one with the team.

That's the goal of this camp.

What are you doing?

You better not do that in a game!

Damn it!

Crying won't get you off the hook!

Let's not think about him...

Wow, food!

Did you make all of this?

Awesome!

Well, time to dig...

Don't start before your upperclassmen!

Where's my fried chicken?

This training camp doesn't feel that much different from normal practice.

The only difference is that people who commute also stay in the dorms.

But the practice amount more than doubles

since we use two fields for only twenty people.

You better thank everyone for helping us out!

Yes, sir!

Also, don't hold back on eating.

We have practice even after the sun sets.

Oh, awesome!

Oh, then here.

We made plenty, so eat up!

Thanks to this, I can go all night long!

He's gonna barf.

For sure.

He's dead.

Poor thing.

Jun-san made me eat until I died last year.

The training camp of hell has only just begun!

I'm so glad he's not older than me.

Twenty sprints from pole to pole!

Let's go!

– 20 Pole-to-Pole Dash –

I do this every day with tires on.

This is nothing.

Ninety-second interval's up.

Go, Sawamura!

– 100 Base Running –

100 base running!

Stop resting, first-years!

Get ready.

I can't breath.

Sawamura, go!

Are you serious?

Go, Furuya!

What the hell?

It's paced too fast!

And the lack of people...

The ten people at Field B are almost done!

You want to start over from scratch?

We're doing this every day...

for one week?

All right, that's enough for the first day.

Th-Thank God...

Finish up with twenty laps around the field!

Everyone's running, and everyone's yelling!

Let's show some spirit!

Hoorah!

One, two!

One, two, one more time!

One, two, three, four, one!

Let the pre-summer training camp of hell begin!!

Hoorah!

Let the pre-summer training camp of hell begin!

Two!

Hoorah!

Three!

Hoorah!

The pre-summer camp has finally begun!

Are the first-years already dead from the hellish training?

I can't go down from something like this.

More importantly, catch my pitch!

No, Miyuki-senpai will catch my...

All right, come to my room later.

What? Your room?

Just come, okay?

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: Lead With Your Plays!

Lead With Your Plays!

Let's win the national title!