I must be tensing up somewhere.
But where?
My shoulder? Fingertips?
He was thinking about a lot of things, despite how quickly he gets through pitches.
This is what it takes to pitch for a team that goes to Koshien Stadium.
Um...
Furuya-san.
You haven't pitched enough for your liking today, right?
We can practice any time you like.
Huh?
What happened with Furuya?
He...
He said he was going for a walk...
and left.
I see.
You're gonna take a bath, right?
Yes, sir.
I'll go now.
I'll pass.
I do want to pitch,
but when I do, I want Miyuki-senpai to catch.
I want to feel comfortable when I pitch.
Is that right?!
Yes, sir.
For real? You can throw a curveball?
Kuramochi-senpai, Asada and I are gonna play a little catch!
This late?
I hope you're not forcing him into this.
Of course not! I'm offended!
It was actually Asada's idea!
I had forgotten about it.
Let's get going!
Yes, sir.
I see. No wonder they come back so late every night.
They're out here practicing in secret. I see...
This kind of practice gets a team to Koshien Stadium, so if I do it, I can be a regular.
Here it comes!
Yeah.
What are they doing?
Is that the first-year in Sawamura's room?
They're playing catch.
Catch?
Yep.
Sounds like fun.
Komadai Fujimaki
Wins!
Masamune Hongo
You can become the best pitcher in Japan.
Seido Spirit Dorm
Asada. Asada.
Asada.
Asada!
Up and at 'em! Time for practice.
Oh...
You're not usually the last one up.
Whoa, I can't believe it.
I didn't even hear my alarm.
But...
That's the best I've slept in a while.
Time for another day of hard work!
Let's take it to the next level!
You seem to be in good spirits.
What is it?
What a terrible way to start the day!
4:00 PM Afternoon practice
Masashi really knocks 'em flying.
He got that home run in his debut game, after all.
I thought they'd be hitting fast pitches to prepare for Amahisa,
but they're also hitting softer pitches to center and right field.
They're not just swinging all-out, either.
They're waiting for the ball before swinging.
They're working the fundamentals.
There's one guy who's perfectly comfortable hitting it to left field.
Hey, this isn't a contest for who can hit the farthest!
Wait for it to come to you and hit to center or right field!
He's trying to
Yui.
He can hit it right to center field.
The ball just flies off his bat.
He's short, but he's got power.
Kaoru Yui? He's a perfectly good player.
But his parents are both short.
He might not last long in high school if he doesn't get taller.
I'm sure a lot of high schools will want him.
We didn't reach out to him, though.
I honestly thought my skills would shut anyone who commented on my height up.
But he came out and said it.
I want to feel comfortable when I pitch.
He doesn't think I'm good enough.
That I don't have what it takes.
Fine by me!
That's all the more reason for being here!
They send it flying so effortlessly.
First-year or not...
It doesn't matter.
I don't want to lose to them!
Damn it, we want to hit, too.
I heard you and Sawamura have been going at it.
What's eating you?
I want to ask why you mouth off at me, too...
But I'll let that slide.
The issue is your behavior as a catcher.
It's a catcher's job to help the pitcher throw his best.
Even if you're not playing in games, you're still a catcher.
What if Sawamura does poorly in a game because you upset him?
You might not think it's much,
but what you did might've affected the whole team.
That's something that you need to think about as a catcher.
Well, you'll learn what Sawamura is like once you catch for him.
You're pitcher and catcher, so use baseball to communicate.
Damn it.
My behavior as catcher...
Think about it?
Having him tell me what to do ticks me off the most!
His pitches are rough and heavy.
He's gone back to the Furuya of old.
It's drifting up! Keep it low!
He doesn't throw where I ask for it,
and the ball isn't spinning how it should.
But I feel an incredibly strong will in each of his pitches.
Nice pitch, Nori!
Your fastball's looking good.
Nice pitch, Sawamura!
You're looking good!
That jerk. Why does he have to be so loud?
Splitter next!
Damn. I want Miyuki-senpai to catch for me.
I need to work more on my pitches.
I want to work on the numbers more!
Gonna use the cage?
Yeah.
I'm gonna do some batting drills.
I'll go, too.
Miyuki-senpai.
Would you catch for me after you're done?
Hey, hold on!
He caught for you in the bullpen!
I already asked him to catch for me!
Don't be so selfish, Furuya!
You want to throw?
Yes, I do.
H-Hey...
Okay, just for a while.
Thank you.
I want to focus on the fastball.
Hey, hold on! You said you'd catch for me, Kazuya Miyuki!
Sorry!
Why did you have to butt in, Furuya?!
I want to pitch.
It's what the great ace wants.
I'll catch for you later, okay?
The great ace?!
Really, though, I need to figure out what Furuya's set his sights on.
It'll affect his performance in the next game.
Let's go. Now.
That attitude...
Furuya-san, can I come to watch you practice?
Sure, if it's just to watch.
Yes, just to watch!
Just to watch? Hey...
Merciless, isn't he?
That's fine.
Really?
What the hell?
I know the ace is more important...
But still...
Baseball Journal No. 4
Furuta Masataka
Baseball journals.
You certainly accumulate a lot with so many players.
Expressing thoughts in one's own words.
Being encouraged by others' words.
Even a single goal can be unique and interesting to read.
The third-years are especially good at writing specific goals.
Goals: Get on the roster for summer. Hit a home run in a practice game.
The first- and second-year players grow by watching their seniors.
I want to be a goal for them.
The practice I'm doing now will help me in the summer.
My personal goal for this month is to make strong hits at a wide angle.
My personal goal for this week is to make strong hits on outside pitches.
I'm frustrated at not being able to play the way I want.
I want to play in a game.
I want all of the third-years to have a spot on the bench!
Words have weight, both heavy and light.
You can ask yourself questions, give information to others...
All with words.
Words express one's thoughts.
Instead of being forced to write, it's a chance for them to improve themselves.
Spoken like a true language teacher.
Between teaching and coaching, when does he find time to sleep?
What do you think about the starter for the next game?
Or rather, about how Furuya has been acting lately?
It's like he's trying to attain something.
Or trying to change everything.
It's clear to me he isn't paying any attention to those around him.
Not that I think it's a bad thing.
It can be beneficial to be fully absorbed sometimes.
We had the experience of playing in a national tournament at Koshien Stadium.
It affects every player, so I don't think it's unexpected.
It's whether those changes can be turned to the team's benefit or not.
W-Wow...
His pitching is nothing like it was with me.
This is how he pitches when he's serious.
And the person getting him to pitch that way...
Um...
Aren't you going in?
It'd be frustrating to stand around watching them practice!
Is that how it works?
Yes, it is!
He said he'd catch for me first, that jerk!
What makes him a great ace?! He's the shame of captains everywhere!
He's really upset.
Yeah, he said he'd catch for me first!
You're making sure he hears you.
I'll catch for you.
You're going to pitch after this, right?
I can help you warm up.
Wh... Wh-Wh...
What are you after, jerk?!
Is this a trap?! Are you usurping me?!
Never mind.
No, no, no, I can't be so hasty!
Hang on! Let's talk!
But what made you change your mind, wolf boy—young Okumura?
I just said I'd help you warm up.
And I'm saying I don't get it!
You should know, pitching is an art performed by the pitcher and catcher!
Are you sure you want to do this?
Will you create that art with me?
Art? That's not a word I expected you to use.
Huh?
Ah, did the captain say that?
I could see him saying that.
What?!
Y-You call it an art, right?
Everyone says that, right?
No, not really...
What's wrong with calling it an art—
Satisfied?
No, not yet.
Then, throw it like I ask.
Okay.
There's so much tension, even though they're just practicing.
This is Seido's main battery!
Furuya...
What did you see at Koshien Stadium?
Are you chasing after that game you pitched against Hongo?
Control, speed, and focus...
Only four hits allowed in nine innings.
It was the best I'd ever seen you pitch.
Honestly, I got a little scared of your potential.
But we lost.
We lost because of the runs I gave up.
I want my pitching to be even better than it was that day.
Aiming even higher...
You push yourself to walk a thorny path, huh?
I get you!
Let's wrap up for today!
Miyuki-senpai, I'm not done...
Maybe not, but I am!
Catching for someone with his head in the clouds is pretty tiring!
Ugh!
Catching for him isn't any fun, right?
Tiring...
No...
I have my hands full catching for him.
I can't think about enjoying it.
Our next game is against Ichidai Third High.
As the ace, it's job to bring your best to the semifinals and the final, right?
Getting worked up and throwing the ball isn't the same as pitching.
If you can't do that...
Sawamura, you're still there, right?
Come on in!
This guy might be starting the next game, too.
Sorry you had to wait, Sawamura.
Shall we get to it?
What are you trying to do?!
After you put me on the backburner?
Are you done entertaining the great ace now?!
Entertaining? Nice one.
Okumura, let's go!
You're gonna help me warm up, right?
Oh, what's this? I thought you two weren't getting along.
Shut up! He offered to!
Oh...
I see.
Wow...
Don't smirk like that!
I'll have my shoulder loose in ten pitches!
That's not enough.
It's enough for me!
Damn it!
I don't intend to give up the mound.
You don't get to decide that.
The coach does.
I'll head up.
Make sure you eat so you can recover.
And don't forget the icing and massage.
I get it.
I'm telling you because you don't get it.
It's a catcher's job to help the pitcher throw his best.
Even if you're not playing in games, you're still a catcher.
You're not following your own advice.
Huh?
He wanted to keep pitching.
Yes, he did.
Pitchers are troublesome creatures.
That's what makes this fun.
"Selfish"
"Selfish."
Okay, I'm feeling good!
I'm ready to pitch, Miyuki-senpai!
This isn't gonna be like warmups, young Okumura.
I'm looking forward to it.
I love that sound!
That was a ball, unfortunately.
Carve a hole out of the right-handed batter's chest.
These guys think swinging a thousand times a day for a year
will let them call forth the bat fairy or something.
This is great!
On the next episode of Ace of the Diamond Act II:
"Batting First."
Next Time
"Batting First"
Let's win the national title!
Color illustration / Yuji Terajima