Original subtitles

I have to say, his pitch is peculiar,

and he's a different kid from a year ago.

But he's still very rough.

I can't imagine him wearing the ace number.

You're quite a harsh judge.

Are you kidding?

Do you even know what the third-years were like in their first year?

You were head and shoulders above the rest,

but everyone else was just trash.

Compared to you, everyone's trash—

No way.

They were actually really bad.

The third-years used to be trash?

How much you can improve is really up to you.

Tell him I said that.

Footsteps to Tomorrow

Nice pitch!

Seido High School Practice Field

Oh?

Did he leave?

Yeah.

He left you a few words.

I haven't apologized for hitting him yet.

Kawakami.

He left you words, too.

I only yell at people I like.

He's a good pitcher,

so he should pitch with more confidence.

Azuma-san.

Chris.

Have all the pitchers stretch.

They're done.

Yes, sir.

Yuki!

Pre-game field practice!

Pretend it's the real thing!

Yes, sir!

Let's go!

Let's go!

Let's do this!

Outfield!

To second base!

Let's go!

Got it!

Here!

Infield!

To first base!

First base!

Got it!

Wow! This is intense!

Yeah!

Infield, double play!

You were head and shoulders above the rest,

but everyone else was just trash.

These people were trash?

You can't believe what Azuma-kun said, can you?

You've only seen them as third-years,

so it may be unimaginable for you,

but what he said is true.

"The hopeless year."

When they joined our team,

that's what some people called it.

"Hopeless"?

What are you talking about?

The third-years are human, too.

No one is great from the start.

- Spring – Two Years Ago -

Ichiro Sakai from Kazama Junior High!

I want to play outfield!

I'll do my best!

Okay, next!

Sir!

Jun Isashiki from Ayagami Senior League!

I want to be a pitcher!

Nomo is my hero!

The first baseman I like is Ochiai!

The second baseman is Nishi!

The third baseman is Nakamura! The shortstop—

Wait a minute!

Are you going to do that for all the positions?

May I not?

We don't care about you that much just yet!

I'm sorry, sir!

Stop staring!

Stop staring!

Next!

Tohru Masuko from Oura Junior High!

I want to play infield!

I gained 10 kg from cramming!

I don't want to hear your excuse!

...ro Tanba from... High.

You're so quiet for how big you are.

Ryosuke Kominato from Yoko Junior High!

I want to play infield!

I won't lose to people who are just big!

Tetsuya Yuki from Akado Junior High!

I don't care where I play!

I can play anywhere!

Well said.

My favorite TV show is Lone Wolf and Cub.

No one asked.

What the hell?

He totally took my idea.

Chris Yu Takigawa from Marugame Senior League.

I'd like to play catcher.

Oh, so this is the rookie we've heard so much about.

He's Animal's son, right?

Chris? As in...

You may have everyone's attention now,

but I'll be the first to join the first string!

Hey, you! What are you doing?

Seido Practice Field

Don't get out of line on your own!

Get back in line!

I'm sorry!

What do you think?

Like my bazooka ball?

They're nowhere near the strike zone, idiot!

He has a strong shoulder,

but with his lack of ball control,

he can't really play pitcher.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Don't apologize every time, Tanba.

You're much closer to the zone than your neighbor!

O-Okay.

I'm sorry.

What do you mean you can play anywhere, Yuki?

You can't play anywhere!

Odd.

It's not the glove's fault!

Miyauchi, you need more muscle.

You're gonna get smashed away by the runner.

Drink some protein, man.

Aren't those a little too big for you?

Don't worry.

I'll grow into them soon enough.

First-years!

I still see some balls out!

Make sure you clean them up!

A-Are they going to be okay?

Damn it.

I just want to pitch.

I need to work on my fielding.

It's hard to move in these.

Meat bun... Red bean bun...

I need to look people in the eyes when I talk.

You'd better eat it all!

What's wrong, first-years?

Your chopsticks aren't moving!

You don't need to eat!

I'm so sore.

What's wrong, boys?

Come in and enjoy the bath like Yuki here.

Good job, everyone!

Wow! Did you make this, managers?

Looks delicious!

Well...

Those were done by the senior managers.

These are from me.

This'll definitely get me through the day!

There are plenty more, so eat as much as you'd like!

Yeah, don't hold back!

Practice is far from over.

Yes, sir.

He's gonna puke.

For sure.

He's dead.

Poor kid.

You need to stop eating!

Crap.

I ate too much.

In the end, he joined the first string first.

Hey, Chris!

You're gonna have a hard time on this team.

Your year's full of losers.

Those guys are terrible.

They're hopeless.

I wouldn't say that.

If I'm going to play baseball in high school,

I want to join a team that aims for nationals.

Nice, Chris.

Nice play!

Join the first string as a first-year,

be on the starting roster as a second...

And as a third-year,

I'll go to nationals as an essential member of the team.

Don't cut me off!

Everyone shares the same ambition...

And the same worry.

Those two are so stupid, getting themselves more tired.

Don't you think?

You little...

Get back here!

Don't run in front of me!

The first-years must rise to the occasion

Game set!

Seido Ichidai

4-5!

Seido High School falls short of reaching the semifinals!

Their rival school, Ichidai Third High, advances to the semifinals.

The first string...

...lost?

The summer break begins all too early

for the teams that can't reach nationals.

We put together a new team immediately

in preparation for next summer.

You have a strong shoulder and an aggressive batting style.

Those can be a big help for the team.

A-An outfielder?

It's not that I thought it would be easy here.

Please... give me some time to think.

You okay, Sakai?

I'm done. I can't go on.

The difference between reality and ideal only grows.

Do we give up here?

Or...

Do we keep walking?

Isashiki.

You're not the only one...

...having a tough time.

In order to survive,

we must continue walking.

We can't stop.

What are you doing?

Lower your hips!

If you can't catch it with your glove, catch it with your body!

Keep your eyes on the ball!

Don't look around so much!

Focus on your pitching when you're on the mound!

Are you even focused?

If you're not here to work, then get off the field!

The coach is harder than usual.

Well, yeah.

All the first-years are terrible.

Seido High School Practice Field

I can't stop here.

There's no way I can give up here.

Sure, I'll play outfield.

If that's what it takes to survive,

then that's what I'll do.

Yuki?

What are you doing at this hour?

Don't you live at home?

Wait a minute.

Do you do this every day?

Hey, what do you want for dinner tonight?

I'm feeling like ramen.

What?

Five hundred swings a day?

Three hundred at school and two hundred at home.

Are you serious?

It's been my training regimen since the day I decided to come here.

If I can't do it every day,

then I can't survive here.

He's crazy.

I was thinking about doing more once I got used to it.

Don't do more, stupid!

I take it we all came to this school...

...with some kind of a solid plan in mind.

Can we join you, too?

I can't sleep with my roommates snoring.

Kominato.

Masuko.

"I want to be the best."

That kind of motivation spreads like wildfire.

C-Could someone take a look at my towel drill?

Looks like they get together after the upperclassmen finish their practice.

Hey.

I... made these.

If you'd like.

Those looks good!

Thank you!

I'm starving!

You got the shape down this time.

Thanks, manager!

Wow! This is really good!

Nice salt rice ball.

Wait.

Did you get taller, Tetsu?

Did you lose weight?

No.

I'm back at full strength!

Hey, can you put cod roe in next time?

Tuna mayonnaise, too!

Bonito slices.

Cheese for me!

Bonito.

Cheese!

Bonito!

Cheese!

Bonito!

Cheese, you idiot!

Okay!

Hey, someone walk the manager home!

Why don't you do it?

You're blushing!

They were able to meet people who could encourage each other.

And together, they swung every day.

Practice makes permanent

Yeah!

A... home run.

He did it!

He really did it!

His first at-bat on his first game as a starter,

and he hits a home run?

Yuki.

That was awesome, Tetsu!

Nice home run, Tetsu!

Look at his small fist pump!

You've gotta be kidding me, Tetsu!

We're gonna follow right behind you!

Yuki-kun hit a home run in a scrimmage,

and they were all so happy

like they'd done it themselves.

They can work hard themselves because they acknowledge their peers.

Everyone in that grade

came to our team with a strong heart.

Outfield! Back home!

A strong... heart.

Of course.

It should've been obvious.

No one is good from the start.

They all got this far...

...because they continued to work hard.

Infield! Back home!

We still have...

...so many things to learn...

...from these guys.

Catcher!

We did everything...

...we could've done.

Now, we just have to give our all...

...in tomorrow's game.

After spending three years with this field,

let's come back once more...

...with smiles on our faces.

Thank you!

It's an all-out battle tomorrow.

We need everyone in the dugout to win.

We're going to win!

Don't yell in my ear!

He's really pumped, it looks like.

I just hope it doesn't make him tense.

These guys are really annoying.

I want to take them to nationals.

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: The Battle Begins!

The Battle Begins!

Let's win the national title!