Original subtitles

An intra-squad?

Yes.

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

I'll take the second-string team.

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.

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!

The Resilient Second-String

Line up!

Team A will bat first, and Team B will follow.

This is an intra-squad, but don't take it easy, Team A.

Team B's looking strong.

Way to put pressure on us.

Bow.

Good luck!

Team A Team B

What do you want to do about the change-up?

You want to try different grips?

No.

In this game, I want to review my performance from the last game.

So I want to hone the pitches I have right now.

Play ball!

We're right here!

Let's do this!

Sawamura!

One at a time!

It might be the first time I face Sawamura seriously.

Careful of bunts, third base!

He'll do it!

Strike!

Out!

One out!

Nice play!

Shut up!

They're showing their skills.

I got it!

Yamaguchi stopped it!

Two outs!

He didn't make perfect contact, either.

Two outs!

So this is Eijun-kun's pitch.

Kominato.

This is an order.

Use this.

A metal bat.

Double-check.

Take actions.

Then put into practice.

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.

This isn't your final destination.

Don't lose yourself here.

Master the new pitches I've learned.

This is rare.

Kominato's using a metal bat.

Wow, Harucchi!

You're gonna give up your ways just like that?

You should get this one.

It's metal, so it's light.

You're weak and short.

You're ten years too young for a wooden one.

I want this one!

I can't catch up to you if I just do what's normal.

You're unusually stubborn about this.

Don't come crying to me later.

But...

If you can master the wooden bat,

you'll be an amazing batter.

C-Center!

So close!

It went right to center field.

He timed that really well.

Three for three in the first inning.

Sawamura's off to a good start!

Though it looked like he panicked for a second.

It was a pretty good hit.

The ball flies with a metal bat, even if you don't make perfect contact.

It's probably better for him than a wooden bat.

How was it?

Not too bad?

If you get used to it, it should feel even better.

Let's stay focused!

We have an opportunity to test things in a real game.

So let's throw a lot of sliders.

Okay.

But first things first.

Let's start off strong.

Foul!

He's fighting strong!

He's keeping up with Furuya's fastball.

His batting form is

looking more and more like Ryo-san's.

You didn't look very energetic out there.

Did something happen?

No.

I just finally realized my place after coming here.

I don't have a strong build, and I'm short.

And I don't have talent like you, Ryo-san.

What?

Are you serious?

If you don't want to lose to people bigger than you,

then practice twice as hard.

Stop blaming it on talent.

It's about putting in the work.

I always play yelling "suck it" in my head.

Yeah!

He fought for a walk!

Kijima, nice job!

His early game's still weak!

Still weak?

Pressure him!

Ball!

Focus on the batter!

Let 'em hit, Furuya!

Whoa! Perfect!

We have another bunt master!

Runner on second!

Team B has a man in scoring position.

Not bad, but more hips.

More!

More! More!

This is your moment, Ono!

Do whatever it takes to show off!

Ono focuses on one type of pitch.

I bet he'll swing for the first pitch.

This is a precious practice game before the semifinal.

Let's make the best of it!

The slider!

So that's his new pitch!

H-He's already mastered it.

Angle and speed are pretty good for his first time.

However...

Ball four!

He's not able to follow up.

You're too stiff!

What's this? Did you get greedy?

Or maybe it was a fluke!

You sound sincerely happy.

Let's do this, Yamaguchi!

Be the hero!

Furuya, focus on the batter!

Same age and same position.

I thought I was better than him when I joined here.

But he's now a vice captain and the five-hole.

When did he get so far ahead?

No...

I can still see his back!

He jammed the first pitch, but it went into center field!

I won't lose in terms of power!

Yamaguchi's RBI!

Team B scores first!

Team A Team B

Ball!

The count's 3-1 now.

His slider's not working well.

Only the first one was good.

He's thinking too much about the slider,

and it's messing up his game.

The semifinal game's in two days.

Is he gonna be okay?

It's not that easy to learn a breaking ball.

I see.

So he put this game together to make him understand that.

Personally, I would've been fine if he'd learned it in the semifinal.

Kanemaru!

Double play!

Wow! That third baseman moves well!

Damn, that felt good.

I see why he's on the first-string as a first-year.

Higasa.

Were you aiming for that fastball?

You switched your aim, depending on the count.

Although you got out, it was a good idea.

Hey, you're so stiff that you're not swinging your arms.

In Coach Ochia's words, I bet you were trying to break the ball.

So I'm right?

Team A Team B

It's not the same as throwing in the bullpen, is it?

What's important here is technique, not emotion.

Let's take it slow and learn a little at a time.

It's not that easy to get what you want.

I need to make sure I teach that to this guy, too.

He's been getting overconfident lately.

He hit the change-up into left-center field!

He didn't miss the pitch that came a little high.

Damn.

There it is!

Into left field!

That was close.

I thought I jammed him, but it still went really far.

Pitching against them makes me realize how scary they are.

I can't relax for a single moment.

Out!

Two outs!

Nice one, Sawamura!

He's staying calm even with runners.

Yeah.

He gained confidence from pitching all nine innings last game.

Out!

Yeah!

Nice!

He gave Miyuki a hit, but he stopped the rest and didn't allow a run.

Sawamura's keeping the first-string team in check!

I thought he was getting overconfident,

but it looks like that's not the case.

He's throwing a lot of high pitches.

Go after his change-up.

If you can't exploit such an easy weakness,

you won't win at nationals.

It's not the newest trick to raise morale,

but you guys like this stuff, don't you?

Wow!

Two strikeouts in a row!

What power!

He's completely changed styles, and he's using brute force now!

Oh, so you do understand.

There's nothing wrong with using brute force.

It's your greatest strength.

He's good.

Oh, an intra-squad?

Tesshin sure knows how to keep practice intense

during the fall tournament.

Come on!

Damn it, Haruichi!

You betrayed me!

Three outs! Change!

Furuya was really consistent this inning.

He got back in the game with his fastball.

But Sawamura just hit a good one.

Don't worry about it.

He's just unpredictable.

The height was good.

Team A Team B

Do you have games like this often?

Yes.

We frequently play realistic games.

However, we don't usually do this during a tournament.

I live close, and I've heard a lot about this school from my brother.

However, what I really wanted to know

was if this school could prepare me to go pro.

If I were my brother, I would go pro without a second thought.

You'll have to come see that for yourself,

Masashi Yuki-kun.

Straight to third!

Damn.

One out! One out!

They're all hitting well.

Is it going a little high?

But this is the best opportunity to practice this pitch.

I want to pitch as many as I can.

For the next game.

That was a sharp inside pitch!

He's going all out, too!

I see. I see.

You had the yips not long ago,

but you're not afraid of hitting me, huh?

I see.

Don't look down on me!

Nice pitch!

Nice rhythm, Sawamura.

Two outs!

Pitch to contact!

Kuramochi-senpai's batting left?

He bat right last time.

Say, why are you a switch hitter?

Why?

That's because it's c—

Hm?

W-Well...

I've just been doing it since junior high.

Then here's an order.

Never bat right ever again.

You should bat left to be as close to first as possible.

Is this a joke?

Does he think anything the coach says goes?

Why am I a switch hitter?

Because...

...it's cool. That's why!

Kazuo's my hero!

Whoa!

Kuramochi got on base at two outs!

Sawamura's keeping him in check!

He steals anyway!

That's not a person! That's a cheetah!

He's a damn cheetah!

Well said, but this is not the time!

He shines best when he's on base.

He needs to focus on getting to base, no matter what.

And this guy.

He's not flashy, but he's effective.

I'd put him in the three, four, or five-hole position.

They got the change-up again!

Kuramochi's running straight for home!

The game's tied after two hits!

Damn.

Ono, you've gotta mix up your pitches.

The batters are figuring out your pattern.

They see through it.

I know you want to practice the change-up,

but let's mix it up right here.

If you ignore the result of the game,

it could mess up your rhythm.

It looks like his faster pitch is more useful.

I think the change-up will be effective to get a strike, too.

It'd be problematic if the first-string team didn't score,

but it's also a problem if Sawamura can't hold his own.

I'm also worried...

...that this game looks like Coach Kataoka is giving Coach Ochiai

a place to communicate with the team.

It's like he's slowly preparing to leave the team.

I thought I'd stop by to see my former student, but...

C—

Coach Sakaki!

I'm here.

This team is as reliable as the first-string team.

I want to be acknowledged by them.

What an interesting game.

You can't make a truly strong team

without everyone having the same high motivation.

We still have a chance.

Don't let them get away! Fight back!

Next time on Ace of the Diamond Season 2: Demon Child.

Demon Child

Let's win the national title!