Original subtitles

What's wrong?

Can't get up, Yuki?

One more.

One more...

Please...

Coach...

Wow...

They're going to be defending for us...

...in the game on Saturday.

You're doing that this late?

I'm not good enough yet, so I can't stop practicing.

This place isn't as easy...

as you think.

There are many people who want to take your place.

Excuse me.

Can I practice with you?

What?

Y-You crazy?

You need to stop practicing!

Please!

Don't be self-centered!

Damn it.

I was a fool for coming here.

You just need to tell me about my swing.

Besides, you have a game tomorrow!

It's not like I'll play anyway.

Idiot!

Be more confident!

Challenge

Seido

Kiryu

Coach Matsumoto.

Thank you for coming from so far away today.

The summer's right around the corner.

Let's have a nice, productive game.

A nice game?

Your starting pitcher is a first-year.

In preparation for the summer season,

I understand you want to try new things.

However, you're bringing a first-year up against us?

I hope it means you have high expectations for him.

Or could it be...

You want to keep him a secret from the other teams in your district?

Seido High School Practice Field

Either way, we'll be having some fun as well.

Bow!

Have a good game!

Kiryu Seido

Furuya, go get obliterated today.

With fatigue from the camp, don't expect to do well.

Get obliterated?

Has he lost his mind?

You're banned from throwing for two weeks.

You can run in the second-string practice field.

I haven't pitched from the mound...

for more than two weeks now.

Play ball!

I'm not letting anyone get a hit.

Well, then...

What's wrong?

Scared before we start?

Even if you go down, I'm right behind you!

Wait! Give me the mound right now!

H-Hey!

I'm not scared, nor am I giving you the mound.

Osaka Kiryu High,

the runner-up for last year's summer nationals.

They can each lift an average of 180 kilograms using just their backs,

and they're known as the strongest batters in the country.

With fatigue from the camp and no breaking balls,

this is going to be a tough game for Furuya-kun.

Kiryu Seido

Ball!

A bases-loaded walk!

That pitcher's having a really bad day.

That's three runs already.

And, you know, no one's swinging at his high balls.

Damn, I can't throw at all.

What the hell is he doing?

What do you think about that first-year pitcher?

He has speed, but his balls and strikes are easy to distinguish,

so it isn't hard to get a hit.

It shouldn't take long to figure him out.

He told me they were in the middle of a camp...

Don't hold back even if they aren't doing well!

Hit until the pitcher faints!

Yes, sir!

Don't blame me, Kataoka-han.

We might break your special rookie.

Even with the fatigue, I didn't think he'd do this bad.

Shouldn't we switch him out before he begins to doubt himself?

Furuya's pitching until the fifth inning.

C-Coach!

In tomorrow's game,

how would you two control the two first-years?

If it were me,

I'd let Furuya plow through with his powerful fastballs.

And Miyuki?

I don't plan on doing anything with him.

He's going to be tired.

He'll take a lot of hits tomorrow.

What?

At the moment,

he doesn't care about pitching patterns and combinations.

I want to take tomorrow's game,

and teach him, through experience, about how important ball control is.

So cruel...

Miyuki, you're catching tomorrow.

We'll be up against Osaka Kiryu.

It's going to be a tough game, but stick with me until the end.

Yes, sir!

Ryo-san!

H-He stopped it!

That center-field hit turned into a double play!

How did he catch that?

H-He flew!

So you aren't just a Street Fighter master, Kuramochi-senpai!

Nice, Ryo-san!

Nothing can get past those two!

Amazing...

How can they move like that after the camp?

Man, my body's so heavy.

You're not alone.

The infield saved you there.

I guess, in your current condition,

keeping it under ten runs will be a job well done.

I'm not...

giving up...

any more runs.

Whoa!

There's something around you.

He didn't lose his temper on the mound.

But the more frustrated he gets,

the slower he pitches.

This where your real challenge starts.

I hate this...

I wonder when he's going to come to terms with himself.

What's so funny about this game?

Help him pitch like Chris-senpai would!

Wait...

Why are you losing your temper?

Didn't you want to switch with him a moment ago?

You're right!

He doesn't like not being able to pitch,

but he also doesn't like it when Furuya, pitching in his place, gives up hits.

Hey, ready to switch?

Stop ignoring me!

Need a towel?

That means he acknowledges Furuya quite a bit.

Kiryu Seido

Wow!

He has a really scary glare.

A pitch I like!

That's heavy!

Wow! He's fast!

Out!

He almost made it with a hit to third?

What the hell?

His legs are crazy!

Damn.

That was a hit I could've gotten!

Damn.

Give up already!

Ball four!

Hey, how many fouls did he hit?

Pretty sure it was at least ten.

You throw nice, heavy balls.

We're all tired over here,

so it's only fair you get tired, too.

Take that!

Go through! Damn it!

Nice bunt.

A hit to the right even with a big swing.

That's the difference between Jun-san and Zono.

Shut up!

They all seem to have individuality,

but they aren't moving very well today.

I don't mind it a single bit.

It'll give my guys a lot of confidence.

All right!

The stage is set!

Hit it hard!

Tetsu!

There it is!

A hit straight to the left-field fence!

That's it, Tetsu!

Always reliable!

Sh-Shoot!

He's on a different level.

We can't pitch to him.

Wow! What a waste.

They only scored one run this inning.

But that had a lot of power.

I've never seen such a high fly to the pitcher.

He still can't hit breaking balls well.

Indeed.

You need to relax more, Masuko-senpai.

No more runs.

So do you.

You can't take out Kiryu like that.

I'm sorry I took so long.

I went back because I forgot to buy tape,

and then again to buy barley tea packs.

And on my way back, there was an abandoned cat, and...

Is something wrong?

Ball four!

No way.

Kiryu Seido

We've lost 11 runs in four innings?

With Furuya-kun pitching?

What's going on?

That pitcher's ruining the game.

I was looking forward to how they were going to play against Kiryu.

I don't even have the energy to jeer.

Let's go home.

We don't want to see Seido like this.

Kiryu's batters are good.

They noticed Furuya's poor ball control,

and they're not swinging at all.

What's his pitch count?

It's the middle of the fourth, and he's thrown over 100 pitches.

I've warmed up plenty!

Let me pitch, Shades—

I mean, Coach!

Hey!

You'll throw in the sixth inning.

Just shut up and watch.

I can't do that!

You're so mean, Kataoka-han.

I'm sure you have your reasons,

but you're going to destroy him at this rate.

The fielders are being cold, too.

They're not saying anything to the pitcher.

I feel sorry for the pitcher.

You're quite a guy.

You've given up so many walks,

yet you haven't thrown a single pitch purely for control.

Excuse me. Time out, please.

Crap.

I guess he's at his limit.

Miyuki-senpai.

How can I...

avoid giving up runs?

I hate to admit it,

but I'm not pitching well today.

But I don't want to walk away pitching like this.

Please give me some advice.

Well, damn...

Scrap the limit.

He isn't even close to giving up.

Not to mention, he's suppressed his frustration

and asked me for advice.

Hurry up!

He could be a little more polite.

I'm sure of it now.

He...

has what it takes to be the ace.

Wh-What?

Why is he laughing?

All right, Furuya.

Calm down and think.

You've given up seven hits.

Kiryu Seido

You're losing runs mostly from base on balls.

Despite that,

do you know why Tetsu-san and Jun-san haven't said anything?

It means you...

have their trust.

It's actually just what we decided to do last night.

I'm about to burst, Miyuki.

The pitcher's job isn't just to get strikeouts.

You need to start pitching with a little more trust in your teammates.

That's all.

And remember to look at my mitt when you throw!

Trust...

Shut up!

We're tired of you.

What are you saying in this cold weather?

If you want to play baseball, do it elsewhere.

Hey, that monster's practicing on his own.

Forget him.

He's not our problem, anymore.

Hey, Furuya! Hey!

You awake?

Say something!

What's wrong? Already done?

Switch? You wanna switch?

Pipe down a bit, Sawamura.

Chris-senpai!

That's right.

This isn't...

where I used to be.

It's finally starting to get fun.

Now it's really time to play ball.

The pitcher's job isn't just to get strikeouts.

You need to start pitching with a little more trust in your teammates.

That's right.

I just need to trust his mitt and throw.

His mitt...

Center!

Got it!

Be ready to tag up!

Go!

Go to hell!

Out!

Isashiki-senpai!

You're not just a rowdy upperclassman!

Nice, Jun-san.

Would've been safer if it had bounced.

Shut up!

And Furuya!

You forgot to cover home!

What would've happened if my throw was off a little?

Stop playing baseball by yourself.

Idiot.

That center fielder threw better than we thought.

More importantly,

why did you hit the first pitch?

The plan is to wait until we're at two strikes.

I-I'm sorry.

It came so close to my face, and I accidentally swung.

Furuya.

Understand now?

Getting frustrated and tensing up isn't how you throw fast.

What a fastball pitcher like yourself needs

is ball control and endurance management.

Now then, let's go score.

All for a certain someone.

Crap! Straight to the pitcher!

He's so lame.

That's zero hits from him so far.

That idiot...

Miyuki does much better with runners on base.

He's too inconsistent.

Furuya's already done for,

and that catcher with the goggles is useless.

This means I have to play!

Shut up, Sawamura.

But I can't!

Pipe down.

B-But...

Let's keep it down, Eijun-kun.

Not you, too, Harucchi!

Their pitcher looks so scary!

But he's laughing.

The hellish running and pitching...

They were all for this very moment!

Hey, you're up, Sawamura!

It'll be the first time since you faced Azuma-san that I'll be catching for you.

All right!

Balls will go flying, so—

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: Games Are Fun.

Games Are Fun.

Let's win the national title!