Original subtitles

West Tokyo Tournament Semifinal One Year Ago

Yamada!

You've got this!

We're just getting started!

He's going to throw it low!

Eyes on the ball!

Please get a hit!

Come on!

Bring it on!

There's no point.

The game's already over.

I told you.

You'd regret going over there.

That Summer

We'll need to have a meeting when we get back.

I'm gonna explode if I can't practice soon.

Do we have everything?

Whose bags are those?

Uh...

Where are the three first-years?

Miyuki-kun took them to the restroom.

He took them?

Very Good Job!

As a chaperone?

Hurry up!

You didn't have to follow us!

You guys always get lost.

Shut up!

You always have something unnecessary to say!

Eijun-kun, manners!

I'm going.

Hey! No cutting!

Narumiya was amazing!

Inashiro's batters are great, too.

They're going to take it again this year.

Well, that's true.

Our pitchers need to be able to hold down their powerful batters.

Not to mention...

We have to score off Mei, or we can't win.

Either way, it's going to be a tough game.

Hey, it's Miyuki!

What? You guys are still here?

Looking down at us from the bleachers?

Were you able to take valuable data?

Data?

I was speechless after that perfect pitching.

Wow! Kazuya just complimented me.

Hurry it up, guys.

I don't really want to talk to people I'm playing in two days.

Oh, hey.

Remember the last time all of us got together?

Oh, yeah.

Well, well...

What's with the gathering of the all-stars?

Carlos from Jonan Senior League.

Shirakawa from Marugame Senior League.

Yamaoka and Yabe from Takahira Senior League.

Did you call them all here,

Mei?

Yeah.

And you, Kazuya.

If you come with me, I can form my ultimate team.

I don't really care if you're not the catcher.

But Narumiya wants you.

Inashiro invited you, too. Right, Kazuya?

So why don't we make the ultimate team together?

If we all get on the same team, we could take nationals.

Inashiro's coach has a lot has a lot of experience under his belt,

and they have the best equipment in Tokyo.

It's a great environment, too.

Not to mention, you won't have to play against Narumiya.

You're in, too. Right, Kazuya Miyuki?

I'm sorry,

but I already got an invite from Seido a while ago.

I can't join you guys.

What?

Are you being serious right now?

Seido, huh?

They've only gone to nationals once since their old coach quit.

Compared to what Coach Kunitomo has achieved,

Coach Kataoka is just way too green.

Well, it's not really about that.

Inashiro's a team with a bunch of all-stars like you guys, right?

So... I want to face you as an opponent.

This is Kazuya.

Despite being on the underdog team,

Are you stupid?

he's always thinking of ways to take down his opponent.

Oh, you're too kind.

It's not a compliment!

That's what I like about him.

Kazuya.

I'm gonna ask you one last time.

Sorry. No.

Damn, you're cool.

But you're gonna regret going there.

In the end, you were the only one who didn't join me.

But...

Even without you, we have the ultimate team this year.

We're going to nationals.

Just live with regret for not joining us.

Ten years, or even twenty years, down the line.

Well, see you at the game.

Yeah.

I feel so much better.

It's that white-haired guy!

What were you talking about with them?

Nothing.

Nothing?

We're playing them in two days!

Furuya-kun, we're not playing them yet.

Hey, let's go back to the bus.

Everyone's waiting.

Meiji Jingu Stadium

D-Don't say you told them all about me!

Why would I?

What were you talking about with that white-haired guy?

You're so persistent.

You saw Narumiya?

He can't be trusted!

He might've told Inashiro all about our team.

I'm not you.

I heard you were also invited to go to Inashiro.

I knew it! You're a spy!

Sawamura, shut up!

But it's an emergency!

Just shut up!

Yeah, but...

Chris-senpai.

Rei-chan.

If I hadn't met you two, I might've gone there, too.

On that day, if I hadn't said I'd play catcher,

or if I hadn't meet these two...

In hindsight,

maybe it was just destiny.

Anyone in here want to play catcher?

Catcher?

I want to be pitcher!

Why don't you do it?

You look like a catcher.

No way!

It looks boring.

And people can't see your face.

I guess you kiddies can't quite understand yet.

Get this.

The catcher is a critical position who acts as the leader on the field

and is a key player in fielding.

Me!

I want to do it!

I'll be catcher!

A catcher's mitt was unlike any other gloves,

and it's the only position

that squats down on the field, looking at everyone.

I was incredibly enticed by that.

That was how I became a catcher.

Out!

Wow! Awesome!

It's his first year in junior high, right?

His shoulder is crazy good.

Two outs!

Wow! He's really good.

With his shoulder, maybe he could even play pitcher.

But he's only interested in playing catcher.

I see.

What a strange kid.

What?

What did you just say?

Say that again!

Okay.

The base covering for second base is too late.

The pitcher can't throw any pick-offs like that.

Hey, Kazuya.

Who made you the coach, first-year?

On the field, everyone is equal.

Grade doesn't matter.

Just kidding!

Stop it, Kazuya!

You little...

You want to fight? Is that it?

Just because you made first-string, don't get too cocky!

Oh, you're too kind.

It wasn't a compliment!

You don't seem to know your manners.

Let us help you understand.

Are you serious?

Why didn't you call us over?

Maybe I'll teach him a lesson today.

I doubt he's here today.

'Sup!

You guys are all late.

I-Is he for real?

That little...

I don't care if I'm a first-year or whatever.

I made first-string because of my ability.

Making calls for the pitcher,

making pick-off plays with the fielders,

and being a coach-like presence on the field.

Second baseman, you're too slow!

Shut up!

Like I'd give up such a fun position to anyone.

Miyuki Steel

We're playing against Marugame Senior League tomorrow, right?

They make regionals almost every year.

I wonder if we'll even stand a chance.

Hey, don't feel like you've lost before you've even played.

I'm super excited.

It's really fun thinking about ways to beat strong teams.

I guess I can count on you, then.

'Cause he's super serious about baseball.

Don't just admire him.

You should try to be like him.

I can't do that.

You never know until you try!

Let's do some bat swings once we get home!

Oh, no.

Not "Oh, no." "Yeah!"

Yeah!

I'm home.

Toku-san, the deadline's tomorrow.

Can we make it?

We don't have a choice.

Now, let's look at the answers.

Animal-san!

Okay.

It's Fried Chicken Ambassador!

They have the son of an ex-pro ball player, right?

I wonder how I'll beat him.

Wow! This is good!

I'm a genius!

That's Animal, right?

Yeah.

I've seen him on TV.

That's the cleanup and catcher...

Nice pitch!

Chris Yu Takigawa.

Oh, so that's Animal-san's son?

He's tall like his father.

His father is a former pro, and his future looks bright.

I'd love to have him on our team.

Edogawa Marugame

Shirakawa!

Careful not to get the runner out!

Strike!

Another one to the inside?

Will the next one be to the outside?

He's leading!

He's running!

Strike! Batter out!

Out!

What an aggressive play.

He has a good shoulder, too.

Two outs!

Kazuya Miyuki

Let's stay focused!

Kazuya Miyuki, huh?

I bet the next one will be a fastball to the outside.

I knew it!

What?

A slow curveball?

Strike!

Batter out!

Figured you were gunning for that outside fastball.

Edogawa Marugame

Good luck.

Just you watch.

You won't win just 'cause you're bigger.

Wow!

A home run!

He took a low and outside ball that far?

Nice one, Yu!

Damn it.

It's not over yet.

He made me swing.

Is that catcher going for the catch?

No!

He caught it!

Right at the fence!

He dove for it with no hesitation!

He could've gotten hurt!

Edogawa Marugame

Thank you for the game.

He makes aggressive calls and tries to read the catcher when he's at bat.

What an interesting kid.

Marugame Senior League was strong.

We didn't even stand a chance.

Yeah, their catcher completely outplayed us.

Yeah, he's a monster.

He crushed the pitcher with his bat.

His plays made the best of the pitcher.

He has a sharp sense for reading the momentum of the game.

There's a ton of great players in this world.

I completely lost today.

I mean, what's with his name?

Chris?

He's the son of a foreigner?

I was born and raised in Old Town Tokyo!

For now, I'm glad I lost today.

Because it means I can be even better.

Even stronger.

I don't really care, so long as baseball's fun.

A catcher-to-catcher battle of reading each other's minds.

I never thought

I'd get to see such a high-level game at the senior league level.

What decided the game today

was the difference in your teammates.

You have high ideals and a drive to improve.

Have you ever wanted to be surrounded by teammates like that?

You should play baseball at a much higher level.

I see.

That sounds like fun, too.

Wait! Who are you, Miss?

I'm a soon-to-be associate manager

for the Seido High School Baseball Team, Rei Takashima!

To be direct with you,

I came here to scout you for our team.

Though I originally came to watch Chris-kun.

You're scouting me?

I think you're rushing it a bit.

I'm only a first-year.

You're only a first-year?

No wonder you're so short!

Look!

Are you really a scout?

Four years since I met them...

Maybe it was destiny

that I'd end up here.

And maybe...

...me playing...

...with these guys at my side...

...was destiny, too.

Seido High School Practice Field

Well,

congratulations on advancing to the final.

Thank you.

You're doing well so far.

It's all about the next game now.

Do you think you can win the next game?

Does he have to be so blunt?

To be honest, our opponents are strong.

Narumiya had some rough edges last year,

but he's become very stable over the past year.

So you're saying he's perfect?

Didn't they have a game today?

They sure work hard.

Shouldn't you stop them?

They're all too excited for the game.

They've also grown over the past year.

Seido High School Practice Field

We couldn't beat Narumiya last year, but we can do it this year.

Let's play our baseball until the end.

A pitcher relay?

It means he has many good pitchers,

but it also means...

I want to tell you something.

Tanba-san.

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: At the Dorm

At the Dorm...

Let's win the national title!