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Saturday, October 16

Seido Spirit Dorm

I can't believe how well Sawamura pitched against Oya.

He pitched all nine innings!

I've only seen our pitchers do that in practice games.

Not to mention, he only threw 109 pitches.

I got so excited when he got three strikeouts in a row in the seventh inning.

Could it be that you knew

Sawamura would perform this well if he learned a breaking ball?

No, I didn't have any expectations for him, actually.

I taught him the change-up through a process of elimination,

and I didn't think he'd use it in the game just days after.

In fact, there was a higher risk of breaking his form.

Sometimes, it's better to know something is impossible

than to have a small doubt in your mind about a small possibility.

In fact, that's why I taught it to him.

In any case, if we ignore his slip-up in the first inning,

I was genuinely surprised he was able to pitch the change-up

in a critical moment.

That pitch really closed the game.

Furuya couldn't play due to an injury,

but I'm sure seeing Sawamura's performance

will greatly enhance his motivation.

It makes sense.

"When the team grows as a whole, the players strive to improve."

I can see now why you kept Sawamura on the team.

Step By Step

Yes, I'm fine.

Doctor Higuchi said it's better now.

I could've pitched yesterday's game, too.

Okay, great.

Let's get back to training, then.

His fastball looks good.

Did it get faster?

I don't know.

It looks like it's faster on the plate, at least.

It must be because he can't feel the ball on his fingertips

when he throws the change-up.

A change-up that makes the fastball even better.

It couldn't be better.

Can I try a lot of different things?

Something I didn't try yesterday!

Hey, don't get greedy!

Hone the two you have first.

Pitching is so fun right now!

So I have to get greedy.

My goodness.

If I don't keep him in check, he's gonna pitch until he dies.

We have a game next weekend. Don't wear yourself out!

Yes, sir!

The other bracket is Yakushi vs. Ichidai.

It's the summer rematch.

It's really fortunate for us that we only have to play one of them.

I'm sure you all watched it from the stands,

but what really stood out was their power.

Their strong batters got four home runs from Sensen's Maki.

They lost really quickly in the summer,

but their team looks solid.

A lot of people figured they'd come up this year.

They reacted well to Maki's curveball, as well.

They wait and then outpower you, unlike Oya.

They just use brute force for everything.

They don't care about a little jam.

Looks like they're your arch nemesis.

I beg to differ!

Since everyone swings hard every time,

we can't feed them any high balls.

Keeping the pitches low will be key.

They have two key pitchers.

The ace, Kojima, and a first-year southpaw named Ogawa.

Ogawa pitched in the summer, as well.

He didn't last an inning then, though.

Is the slider his best pitch?

No, he has a screwball.

But he's a first-year and doesn't have precise control yet.

Their ace's fastballs start to come in high in the second half.

So looking at it this way, they throw a lot of meatballs.

If we don't get distracted by their momentum

and can get them on their meatballs,

then we can take them down.

You're the best! So simple!

So easy to understand!

You have that "it's up to me to hit" face,

but you didn't get any hits yesterday, either.

Let's think about the next game first.

We can talk about the final after we win.

Yeah!

Sawamura, the coach wants to see you.

Ogawa's huge.

Is he from the Nishikawa Senior team?

What? The boss?

Next week will be back-to-back.

Furuya was hurt, so Sawamura's transformation really helps.

Yeah.

He's more consistent and reliable now.

Oh, it was Coach Ochiai who taught him the change-up, right?

Wait. Really?

He gives me advice sometimes.

Hey! Me, too.

And he's accurate, too.

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.

Zono-san, are you hitting the cage?

Yeah, right now.

Aso, you wanna come, too?

No, I'm using weights today.

Weights?

Aso, you, too?

Spirit

I know how you feel!

You can't lose to the Seiko guys, right?

They got nothing to do with it!

Damn. Since when...

Since when have I felt inferior to people working harder than me?

I used to bat cleanup in junior high.

I'm not gonna admit defeat here.

I'll go with you.

Same here.

Me, too.

They've been using the weights a lot lately.

Really?

Maybe they read about it somewhere.

Who cares?

They're training on their own.

Two more wins until nationals.

We're all after the same objective.

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

If this team were to go to nationals,

it would be because of luck.

It'd all depend on Furuya. Right?

Back then, I couldn't say anything in response.

But now...

Miyuki.

A breaking ball?

You're asking me to teach you?

Excuse me!

This is Sawamura!

Boss!

How may I help you today?

What's up, Nori?

It's rare for you to come to me for something.

I'm thinking about throwing sinkers again.

In the fall tournament last year,

he hit the batters three times in one inning and banned the sinker.

I wonder if his wounds have healed now.

Did Coach Ochiai talk to you?

No, it's my own decision.

With the first-year pitchers getting better so quickly,

I have to do something to keep up.

Okay. I'll join you, then.

Let's pitch until you get it down pat.

Is it because Sawamura pitched the change-up?

That doesn't happen for everyone, you know?

The change-up just so happened to be his perfect match.

It might've been just a fluke yesterday.

But you still want to learn?

You may not know, but you're a prodigy.

The fastball you pitch is a true gift.

However, speed alone won't get you anywhere.

Breaking balls, control...

Pitchers are required to be good in all aspects.

Slider, change-up, shootball, curve ball...

If you can mix them all in and bring your fastball to life,

you can become the best pitcher in Japan.

However, I don't want him getting the attention until next summer.

Best in Japan.

What should we start with then?

The slider?

I hope he'll gain a lot of bitter experiences this fall.

Great job pitching the other day.

Are you rested?

Yes!

Grandpa always told me that I've always had a lot of energy.

I owe it to my parents!

Yeah, that's true.

I think I'll write them an e-mail message!

So tell me.

Did getting three strikeouts in a row in the seventh inning feel good?

Yes, it felt great!

I didn't know I could pitch like that.

I can't stop thinking about it.

However,

I want to highlight your pitch count more.

One base on balls in the first inning,

and only three hits in the game.

One hundred nine pitches in nine innings.

You built the offensive rhythm with your well-paced pitching.

This is an incredible talent as a pitcher.

An incredible talent.

You picked up a breaking ball, and it worked in an official game.

This must be an exciting time for you as a pitcher,

but don't get greedy.

Now that you have visible improvement,

you have to find some solid ground, and walk.

Step by step.

That's how you've come this far, after all.

It's the path I've walked to get here.

And the path that'll take me

as far as I want to go.

This isn't your final destination.

Don't lose yourself here.

Yes, sir.

So you're saying,

"It may have all been a miracle yesterday."

"Don't get carried away, brat."

Right?

To be blunt... yes.

Thank you, sir!

To be honest, I was gonna start trying new breaking balls.

I'll reflect on the last game,

and sharpen the tools I have right now.

Oh!

I hope you're ready, Boss!

Two more wins until we make the nationals!

We won't let you leave after we win!

That's been our plan all along.

Well, excuse me!

Good night!

Those boys...

That's what they're up to.

Come on!

Let's go, Kuramochi!

Kijima-kun, defense!

Miyuki!

He's got it!

Strike

I got it!

Miss

Shirasu, goal!

Why are you there?

Good pick up!

Why are you skipping class and playing soccer?

Have you become delinquent from playing too much baseball?

Don't be so loud!

Of course not.

Everyone in our grade's on a school trip,

so we have mostly free time.

I see!

That's reassuring, then!

You guys are so bad at soccer, it was hurting my eyes!

Shut up!

Hey!

You're in season still! Don't get hurt!

They'll probably show you a movie next.

A violent action movie that the Ota Manager likes.

Create the 21st Century

Seriously?

And he'll talk on and on about friendship between men.

Um...

Is that round person in the back Masuko-senpai?

Don't say that!

Faculty Office

It sure is quiet in here when we're missing an entire grade.

How are the third-years progressing in their college applications?

Mr. Kataoka, how are the third-years doing on your team?

Well, we have colleges that have invited them,

but it's up to the students to decide if it's a good match.

Everyone wants to go to the Big 6 or the Tohto League, right?

They invite your kids out of respect for you, I'm sure.

And you're in the middle of the season right now.

Congratulations on making it to the semifinals.

You were just one step away in the summer.

I hope it works out better this time.

We're all rooting for you.

With two more wins, we'll make it to the invitational.

What are we gonna do about his resignation if we make it to nationals?

Well, those two games are always hard to win.

And I doubt he'll take back his resignation.

Nice catch, but what was that throw?

There's no need to rush unless the batter is really fast!

Yes, sir!

Kijima!

You're not Ryosuke!

Play like yourself!

Yes, sir!

There's something wrong with them.

Their plays look rough.

No, they're moving just fine.

In fact, they're trying too hard to sell themselves.

Let's go!

That's the spirit!

They're hungry.

They want to play.

It's still high.

Once you get comfortable, try to pitch them low.

Yes, sir!

Nice pitch!

Good one, Nori!

That's a good sinker.

Why haven't you been using it?

It's a long story.

What a waste.

Pitch more.

Coach Ochia's turned into the king of the bullpen.

Miyuki, you have a second?

Yes, sir.

Furuya wants to try some breaking balls.

Can you catch a few?

Furuya's throwing breaking balls?

Let's start with a vertical slider.

Vertical?

Does that mean he has a horizontal one, too?

Calm down, Sawamura!

He can't do horizontal yet.

Index and right fingers on the seams.

Keep the wrist upright.

And throw it like a football.

It broke.

He has a fast fastball as the base.

If he doesn't mess up the grip and the wrist,

the ball will break on its own.

Don't try to make it break.

Don't try to make it break?

I don't know why, but it sounds so convincing!

Is he good at teaching the key points?

Or does he only teach what they can do?

Coach Ochia's taught another breaking ball.

Maybe he's an incredible instructor.

Wednesday, October 20

What? An intra-squad?

Yeah.

The second-string guys are hungry for attention.

I don't want to leave them hanging.

I see.

That'll light a fire under the first-string.

An intra-squad?

Yes.

And I'd like to have you take the first-string team.

I'll take the second-string team.

Does that mean

I can make them play however I want them to?

That's perfectly fine.

However, we're in season,

so I'd like to keep the same batting order.

Well, that limits what I can do,

but I'll do my best.

Thank you.

The first-string team's starting pitcher will be Furuya.

Kawakami, Furuya just came off an injury.

Pitch from the sixth inning.

Yes, sir!

Sawamura, you'll start for the second-string team.

For the second-string.

Maybe this intra-squad is a test to determine the starter for the next game.

Since you pitched so well last game.

I see.

I see what the boss is trying to do.

Boss!

I'd like to personally offer to start for the second-string team!

That's what I said you'll do.

Yes, Boss!

Are you gonna be the umpire?

Yeah.

The coach asked me personally.

A game against the first-string team.

I wonder what the coach is up to.

We won't try anything funny since we're in season,

but it's difficult to play when you're expected to win.

We'll be a laughingstock if we lose, too.

So win.

Is that all?

Then win like a first-string.

We've been advancing well so far,

but there's no 100% in sports.

You get your chance when you least expect it.

Are you all ready to play?

I'll call the plays like an official game.

Let's take them down!

Yeah!

Let's show them what we've got!

Boss!

I'd like to personally offer to start for the second-string team!

I couldn't make perfect contact with the pitch.

So this is Eijun-kun's pitch.

Kominato, this is an order.

Use this.

Wow! Haruichi.

You're gonna abandon your soul, just like that?

Next time on Ace of the Diamond Season 2: The Resilient Second-String.

The Resilient Second-String

Let's win the national title!