Original subtitles

October 13

Just listen to me!

We should have a "second-year only" meeting!

We can have everyone tell us things they can't usually say!

Their honest opinions!

You want to hear everyone rant at us?

Not rant! Honesty!

It'll be really scary.

What do you think, Kuramochi?

I was up all night thinking about this!

I think having the "second-year only" meeting is a good idea.

Right?

Miyuki, I'm sorry for putting all the blame on you.

I'll help you out from now on!

What's with the silence?

Wouldn't we just argue more?

Hey, guys.

Sorry to interrupt whatever you're arguing about,

but we have the data on the batters.

Thanks, Nabe.

I bet he heard about our surprise meeting.

If it was a secret, you should've been more quiet.

Zono, you should take a look, too.

Their left-handed batters hit to third a lot.

O-Okay.

Also...

It looks like you're all really worried about me,

but I'm fine.

Hmm?

I enjoy doing the scouting work,

and I don't plan to quit, either.

Anyway, I'll hand this out to everyone.

Did you do something again?

I did not!

I only have about a year left with the team.

So I want to do everything I can for the team and for myself.

Hey, you're late, second-years!

I've gotta start pitching a lot today, so get moving!

The game's in four days!

Are you guys even awake?

Shut up!

Hey, Furuya!

Why are you wearing practice clothes?

Whispers of the Devil?

Let's go!

They're really going at it.

They're both fighting for the same spot.

I wonder who the coach will choose to start the next game.

Okay!

Nice play!

Nice one-two!

Kominato.

Are you going easy on me?

In some situations, being careful is fine.

But this is practice, so take more risks.

It happened last game, too.

The double play we missed near the end.

We would've gotten it with Ryo-san.

That time?

If we don't play to our limits every day,

we're not gonna get any double plays in the future.

I hope I wasn't too harsh on him.

Can you show me what you're really worth?

I'm falling asleep.

No, Ryo-san was way harsher.

He's used to playing with Ryo-san.

I can understand why he feels your plays are lacking.

I've been chasing after Ryo-san this past year, too.

I don't plan on giving up the starting roster.

Wow!

My brother is incredible.

I won't lose.

I've been chasing his back all my life.

Even after he's retired,

he still stands before me as an obstacle.

In the past couple of days,

Furuya's ankle has healed well.

He may be able to pitch in the next game,

but I don't plan on using him.

You're rightfully mad.

The semifinal and the final will be back to back.

In order to be able to pitch there without worry,

I want him to focus on healing his injury.

No Furuya, huh?

We'll be short a good batter, too.

So who's starting the next game?

In Sunday's game,

we'll go with Sawamura.

There's the annoying Sawamura.

I live on my recently learned out-low

and some insides here and there.

Please watch over this boy, Sawamura's way of life!

Okay, let's calm down first.

He has momentum, and I agree about starting him,

but I'll have to make sure he doesn't get overconfident.

His luck should be running out soon.

Seido Spirit Dorm

Don't feel down, Nori.

Sawamura's only able to pitch freely because you're on standby.

That's right.

But it's true I haven't really been consisent recently.

Nori.

Hey, what are we gonna do with you so blue, man?

After three more games, we'll be at nationals!

It's our year, so let's make it good with our hands!

Let's really have the "second-year only" meeting!

Captain, get everyone together!

Let's hit the bullpen tomorrow, Nori.

It's not just for the quarterfinal.

We're definitely going to need you for the semi and the final.

Let's turn this frustration into power for the actual games.

Nice, catcher.

You know how to work up a pitcher.

Well said!

Well said, our dear captain!

I don't need that kind of help!

Only stretching today.

Furuya Monitors

No weights!

Sawamura's been getting way too much attention lately.

Yeah. He's been pitching a lot, too.

I know he's doing well at the games,

but he had the yips not long ago.

Who knows when that'll show up again?

You guys think so, too?

I give him credit for his strong fearless mentality,

but it's not exactly a reliable trait.

The last game could've rolled either way,

so his luck is bound to run out soon.

Baseball is an ever-changing sport.

Leaving it all to fate won't get you to nationals.

You have to be more logical and efficient,

build the proper muscles with proper training,

and increase the quality of every play.

It's about time you guys learned how to win in baseball.

Three more games.

Three more games until nationals.

I need more.

I need much more.

I'm still way too weak!

I can confuse the batters by pitching in and out,

but what if they just focus on one side?

I'm not all that clever.

I'll look like I'm pitching out, then straight to the inside.

I'll glare right into the batter's eyes, and then outside and low!

Hey, what are you doing in the middle of the hall?

Hnnnnn

You're a public nuisance.

The original "Hnnnnn"

Don't cause people trouble.

Big brother!

Muscle-paisen!

Good morning! Long time no see!

"Paisen"?

It hasn't been that long. You doing well?

Yes, sir!

Haruichi-kun gives me the cold shoulder sometimes,

but we're getting along.

Maybe he doesn't like you?

I think it's a rebellious phase.

I didn't know Sawamura talks like that with the upperclassmen.

The athletic team culture.

I heard you're starting next game.

Good luck.

You're climbing the ladder fast.

I'll show you my original protein mix sometime.

If you make it to the final, we'll all go watch.

I'll go to practice sometime.

Too bad I don't know where I'm going yet.

Thank you!

Good luck with your examinations, as well!

Just say "exams"!

Okay! Nice pitch!

Looking good, Nori!

Give me another one, same place!

It is actually good.

Sidearm isn't exactly a popular style,

and he uses the corners well.

But since his main pitch is the slider that runs away from righties,

it's like telling the world that he's scared.

I would teach him a sinker that goes into right-handed batters' feet.

Ah, damn!

I was a little off!

It was way off!

You're stiff in your shoulders.

Oh, I am? I'll be careful, sir!

I don't have anything to say for this guy.

He overcame the yips,

but he has an aggressive pitching style without the speed to back it up.

If he gets rolling, it could work,

but if he doesn't, it's game over right there.

I wonder what the catcher thinks about that.

I don't use my legs this way, so there shouldn't be any problems.

I don't want to forget how it feels on my fingers.

I see he's really frustrated.

But I can understand.

He gave up seven runs in eight innings,

and then was told he couldn't pitch next game.

Both Sawamura and Furuya...

They really hate losing.

Furuya, your ankle doesn't hurt much anymore, right?

I'll teach you how to tape it up later.

Tape it up?

You might not be able to pitch,

but maybe you could field instead.

You're a strong batter, too.

Do the best for ourselves.

I know that's important,

but we really want to support these guys one hundred percent.

Why couldn't you tell me sooner?

Because you would push yourself too much!

Oya High School

Give me a line drive!

Hey, don't pop a fly!

They're hitting toward the back net.

I see.

That's why no one's defending in the outfield.

They're batting really fast, too.

One after another, like they're short on time.

Don't pop it! You suck!

Sorry!

Both soccer and track teams need the field as well,

so after thirty minutes of fielding practice in a bit, we'll be done.

Already?

Part-time students are taking classes later in the day, as well.

It's only so short because you're in season, right?

We always have short practices.

Although we play many practice games during the weekends.

We're an academic school first.

So we can't let failing students play, either.

Then you went to nationals seven years ago with these short practices?

Well, it's not easy to win games with the short practices.

The players themselves know it very well.

What can we do in our limited time?

Be creative, brainstorm ideas, use our heads.

If practice time alone determined the winner, we would lose.

But it doesn't, and that's why baseball is fun.

What do you think?

Think we can use this shoot ball?

If you can control it to the inside, sure.

But if you'll hit the batter, it's gonna be useless!

I wouldn't use it as the final pitch.

It's if someone wanted to hit to the right or hit a bunt.

Oh, I see!

Then we can use it!

Right?

We can make them hit fouls with it, too.

So we'll have to be creative.

Oh, but the catcher and cleanup.

I'm still not sure how I can get him out.

I think he knows what the pitcher will throw next.

Though, worst-case scenario, we can just walk him.

It's rare for you to give someone so much credit, Go-chan.

Against that lineup, we could easily concede five runs.

But in order for us to win, we can't give more than three.

I still can't figure out how to do that.

Oh, but you can hold them to just five runs?

But the ace can't give up five runs!

So they're really good?

Your game predictions are always spot on.

Oh.

Sumi-chan, get ready.

He must've thought of something.

I'll change up the shoot ball a bit, and...

What do you think?

I'm sure it won't work the entire game,

but I bet I could use it a few times.

Go-chan.

Are you serious?

We gotta use whatever we can, even if we haven't practiced it much.

We need to raise our chances of winning as much as we can.

I'd hate to lose against the baseball gorillas who practice all day,

all year long at their private schools.

I think Oya will just focus on a pitch.

I figured.

I really want to get strikes at a good tempo.

But I'm sure

the Oya batters will have a hard time against Sawamura's moving fastball.

Yeah, about that.

I think it's because he learned the four-seamer,

but the pitch doesn't move as much as it used to in his previous form.

But his pitch is faster, and you can't see his throwing arm,

so it's still not that easy to hit.

I didn't know.

So his control over the ins and outs will be key.

To be honest, my biggest concern is him messing up his control.

Yet you still asked for an inside pitch in the Ugumori game?

Yeah. Just between you and me,

I was kind of on the edge.

Well said, Captain. So you knew.

You only got really lucky last game.

You were hiding there?

You won't get very far by leaving every game to fate.

At the level of this current team, you won't get to nationals.

Let's talk with complete honesty, Captain.

If this team were to go to nationals,

it would be because of luck.

It'd all depend on Furuya.

Right?

Miyuki.

The team is improving as we win every game.

One win at a time.

No one on the team thinks we'll lose the next one.

What a textbook reply from the team captain.

I'm honestly very disappointed.

I thought you could analyze your own team's strength,

but maybe I gave you too much credit.

Or is your position as the captain clouding your vision?

What's he saying?

You're just not suited to be the captain.

I bet you actually find it a burden.

Tell me straight up, Kanemaru!

What do I need in order to get better as a pitcher?

Please!

Help me out!

What do you need?

You sure you want to hear it?

Bring it on!

First and foremost, you're stupid.

You're too emotional.

Your pitch is slow.

Your control isn't very good yet.

You try to hide it by sounding excited.

You can't do pick-offs.

You get way too carried away in class.

Okay! No more!

Sorry about that.

I told you.

I won't let it get to me!

I'm in dire need of a new weapon!

Hey!

The game's in two days!

You can't change your pitching in two days.

You've been chosen as the starter, so it means you're good enough.

Don't be greedy, and just be yourself.

Well, but...

In fact, I'm glad you aren't elated

and are calmly able to see yourself.

No, you're definitely lacking.

He's already realized it, so words like that aren't going to help.

What you need is a breaking ball.

The strikeout pitch.

If he had a breaking ball to break the batters' timing,

it'd make your job easier.

W-Well, yes, but...

Can we do that with very little time until the game?

Want me to teach you?

Want me to teach you a breaking ball?

Do you have a ball?

Y-Yes, sir.

Let me borrow it.

Are you serious? It's right before a game.

That's precisely why I'm serious.

We need as many tools as we can get.

Sawamura's pitches are in pretty good condition right now.

I don't want him to overthink about breaking balls and break his rhythm.

You think I don't know that?

You don't trust me at all, do you?

When it comes to breaking balls, there are compatibility issues,

and everyone's sense of touch is different.

It's not like everyone learns everything they're taught.

I mean, who only throws fastballs as a high schooler?

I know that thing's not the crafty type.

"Thing"?

It'd be nice if he could at least pitch a slider,

but if he could, he already would, right?

A curve ball requires a lot of finger dexterity, so we can rule that out.

Though it comes naturally to some.

He's just saying whatever he wants.

Well, they're all true.

He knows that much?

That means the only thing left is the change-up.

That's it, I think.

Ch-Change...

...up?

You really don't disappoint.

It's Narumiya-san's strikeout pitch.

That pitch isn't just slow; it drops like a screwball.

That half-assed pitch?

You want me to throw half-assed, too?

"Half-assed"?

Where do I even begin?

The arm swing is the same as your fastball.

That's the key.

You don't need to try to twist or turn.

Just try some and see if you can use it.

If this pitch proves useful,

he'll make your job easier.

So you won't have to rely on luck so much.

Adding a change-of-pace pitch to his in and out...

It's something I have been thinking about.

I'm sure the coach thinks the same.

Here.

Make the "okay" sign with your hand.

Okay?

Then you grab the ball like this.

The change-up.

This is the most basic grip.

You can grip the ball with the middle and ring fingers,

grip it with all five,

take the index and middle fingers off the ball...

So long as it slows down the pitch, it doesn't matter.

You can do whatever.

Do whatever?

However, you have to swing your arm properly.

The faster your arm swing and slower the pitch,

the more confused the batters will get.

You know the relaxation pitching you've been focusing on?

How you make a dumb face?

Where you focus only when you release.

Just pitch like that.

He knows quite a bit about him.

We can start by just playing catch.

Okay. I'll catch.

That works best.

Sawamura, try a bunch of different grips.

Find one that works for you.

Yes, sir!

Seriously?

Right before the game?

Miyuki-senpai's going with it?

Let's start with your usual fastball grip.

I can grip as I want?

I used to do that before I learned the four-seamer.

But no one liked that pitch, so...

Throw gently!

I can't tell where your pitch goes, and it's scary!

It comes naturally to some.

If it doesn't, then it means he doesn't have talent.

I can grip as I want!

S-Sawamura's throwing breaking balls?

It's just something he learned overnight.

It might not be all that effective in a real game.

Overnight?

The quarterfinal game is next, and Sawamura's starting on the mound.

Play ball for the spot in the semifinals against Oya High School!

Next time on Ace of the Diamond Season 2: Winging It.

Winging It

Let's win the national title!