Seido Spirit Dorm
What? We're having the intrasquad game today?
Why, when we just had a game yesterday?
Because we lost.
It's a chance for the other players to show what they can do.
If we focus our training, some players may evolve, as they did last year.
Yes.
1st-Years
2nd, 3rd-Years
Let's promote players who show promise.
We're playing the first-years this afternoon?
Mimura and the others are really fired up.
Kawashima is gonna start.
Obviously. If you can't show what you've got now, when are you gonna do it?
I'll go cheer for you.
Zono, we don't really need you to come...
Why not?!
An intrasquad game?
Yep!
The main players are off today, right?
So it's the second- and third-years playing the first-years.
Pretty intense timing, with the spring tourney's final going on.
This is the game where Furuya made his mark with one pitch.
The score wasn't even close.
1st-Years
2nd, 3rd-Years
It's like an initiation for the first-years.
But there are some pretty good players this year, right?
Man, I'm nervous.
And the coach is going to be the umpire.
I guess he wants an up-close view.
Twenty players can be on the first string roster,
and another twenty can be on the second string.
Seido Baseball Team Full Roster
First String, 20 People
Second String, 20 People
A Team
B Team
If you get on the second string, you'll have more opportunities to play in practice games,
and since all the jersey numbers have been discarded,
you even have a chance to make the first string.
First, we need to get on the second string.
Yeah.
Good luck with your start.
Thanks.
I was looking forward to forming a battery with you, Koshu Okumura.
Batting Ninth Lead-off pitcher Yohei Kukki (first-year)
Masashi Yuki and Kaoru Yui are first-years and already have spots on the roster.
Batting Fifth Shortstop Takeshi Mogami (first-year)
Batting Fourth Right fielder Kota Kagami (first-year)
Batting Second Second baseman Hikaru Asahi (first-year)
We'll have our own chances, too!
Wow, Kukki-kun is amazing.
This is his first game in high school, yet he doesn't seem scared at all.
Be careful where you put the ball.
Even the team members who aren't on the bench take practice swings
and their hits go faster than any other team's.
To them, we're a big, giant target...
for them to show their skills.
The intrasquad game.
Masuko-senpai hit a homer off me last year,
but I still remember how good it felt to play in a game.
I joined the second string after that, too.
I'd like to go cheer Asada on,
but I know what it means to the other second- and third-years.
Dang, I want to go see the game, but I can't!
Hey, Kominato!
If you don't hurry, there won't be any food left!
Okay, I will!
Did you see Kominato's drill?
He's trying different pitches, like some right in front of his body.
He was saying he wants to up his bat speed, since he doesn't have a large body.
I think he could just use a metal bat, but I guess he has something else in mind.
I need to learn that attitude of always trying to accomplish something.
Tojo, what are you doing during afternoon practice?
Want to watch the intrasquad game?
We got overwhelmed by the upperclassmen's intensity last year.
First!
I can get the out at second!
Whoa, he's already that close?
Safe!
A wild throw to first!
No outs and runners on first and second!
Crap.
Batting Third Center fielder Ryota Mimura (third-year)
Third-year Mimura is up next.
He didn't make the Invitational roster,
but he's a good hitter.
He's showing bunt, too. That could be tough.
Then, I'll get the easy out!
The second-base runner is going for home!
The upperclassmen have struck first!
He was desperate for the out.
Batting Fourth Shortstop Takatsu Hiroomi (second-year)
Now the cleanup is batting with runners on first and second.
Kukki-kun...
Damn it! I need to stop their momentum!
It got behind the catcher!
Uh-oh...
The runners are advancing!
Takatsu's the cleanup?
The count's two balls, one strike.
Here's the fourth pitch!
Right between the center and right fielders!
The second-base runner made it home and scored their third run!
A two-RBI hit from the cleanup Takatsu!
That four-hole did well. He's been hitting consistently.
Takatsu has always had good instincts, but he lacked the body.
He used the winter to bulk up and improve his prowess.
I've been waiting in the shadows for this chance.
You first-years won't get any spots before I do.
That guy's been swinging well lately.
Yohei...
First-Years
Second, Third-Years
Seido is crazy...
Players who aren't even on the roster are this good?
Whoa, the upperclassmen are really serious!
Will I really have to pitch to them?
Don't worry.
His slider isn't bad.
If he can get it into the strike zone, they won't be able to hit it.
The catcher just needs to call for it with confidence.
I'll help you warm up. What pitches do you have?
The shortstop couldn't grab it!
That's the second error this inning!
The upperclassmen have scored eight runs!
First-Years
Second, Third-Years
This is how a national-level team plays.
That wasn't my fault. It was an exception.
Two outs! We're gonna shut them down!
If the ball comes your way, take care of it!
Y-Yeah, let's stop 'em!
Get them to hit it my way!
Focus on the batter! Infield, get in close!
Two outs!
Keep it up, Kukki-kun!
He's not discouraged.
Yeah.
They're committing errors, and he's given up eight runs in two innings.
That should weigh on him mentally...
He reminds me of Sawamura.
Batting seventh Catcher Wataru Kariba (Second-year)
He doesn't show his frustration on the mound.
Tojo-senpai, of all people, is playing outfield instead of pitching.
I thought I knew how good Seido was.
But if these guys aren't on the roster, just how good are the main players?
But a team that wants to be national champions
has to be at least this good.
That's what makes this game worth playing!
This battery tends to throw a breaking ball after two fastballs in a row.
It broke harder than I expected!
The first baseman gets the out himself!
That's three outs!
He did it!
Oh, they held them to two runs this inning.
They covered the bases quickly, so they're improving.
He's doing well mentally.
If he could use that slider more effectively...
He joined the team late because of a broken leg.
It will be fun to see how he grows.
That was a great slider!
But they keep making contact.
These guys are really good.
Yohei Kukki...
I really wanna play in a game.
First-Years
Second, Third-Years
Strike! Batter out!
Kawashima is really on fire.
Yeah!
He wants his spot on the roster back.
He's pitching perfectly against the first-years.
Can he do what Tanba did?
Nice pitch, Kawashima-senpai!
Two outs!
Let them hit some my way!
Let us show what we can do, too!
Let's finish this!
We're lucky to have a chance to show our skills.
There are some third-years who aren't able to play.
A game this afternoon?
Yeah, the second string will play the new recruits.
Nabe, you can come with us tomorrow.
Okay.
This is a game to find players who can help the team win.
I can't let all of you third-years play.
We understand. We'll take turns as the base umpires.
We can help the main players when they're practicing on their own, too.
And I'm going to thoroughly analyze the final,
to improve our team's chances in the summer.
Nabe...
Okay. I'm counting on you.
Yes, sir!
Shortstop!
It's deep!
We're out here representing them. We have to play our best!
Three outs! Change!
Yeah!
Damn, they're good on defense, too!
As can be expected, the upperclassmen Coach Kataoka trained
play together much better than the new recruits.
They each know their role.
Kawashima, you're still throwing meatballs.
They just haven't made you pay!
Pitch another inning!
Yes, sir!
When you take the field in the fourth inning, first base and left field will switch!
Yes, sir!
First-years, you'll be switching batteries and defense!
Pitcher: Asada! Take the mound!
Yes, sir!
Catcher: Okumura!
Third base: Ito!
Yes, sir!
Second base: Seto!
Yes, sir!
Let's go!
Good luck out there, Asada!
You're looking stiff!
A-Already? But I'm not ready...
You'll be fine.
You're a tall southpaw.
If you can curve it from that angle, it will catch them unawares.
Let's show the second- and third-years how the guys who stay in the cafeteria play.
Knock it off.
Your idiotic shouting has made me lose my appetite.
I feel sick.
Huh?
Even though he eats slowly, he finishes everything.
That day, I thought he was bold to talk to an upperclassman like that...
But maybe he was really trying to stop him from making me rush.
Maybe he thought of me as a friend.
Wait!
Okumura-kun...
I don't know if I can pitch how you expect me to,
but I'll do my best!
Asada's in a battery with Okumura!
Is he okay? Is he scared?
Is he being criticized?
Sawamura.
Why are you hiding?
We could see you from over there.
If you're gonna watch the game, then just watch it!
First-Years
Second, Third-Years
Right over the base...
And he throws faster than me!
Asada, give it all you've got!
Don't worry about what I expect.
He rejected it.
We're facing the second- and third-years.
Let's get each out as it comes.
Y-Yeah.
It's only the third inning.
If we keep getting outs and give up as few runs as possible,
an opportunity will present itself.
O-Opportunity?
You see, Koshu is always serious, no matter who he's playing.
That's why he's too dangerous to leave on his own.
Taku, what was that?
Oh, nothing!
Just saying he'll never be bored pitching to you!
Make sure you call out to the infielders, Taku.
Huh? Huh?
We need to get into a rhythm on defense.
Wait, do they plan on beating the upperclassmen?
Wow, this is it. It's time.
That catcher has a good arm.
What about the pitcher, though? He's kinda scrawny.
He doesn't look like he can throw 120 km/h.
But with his height, it's just a matter of control.
This is an unfair game.
The first-years haven't been in a real practice,
and they haven't played together, either.
They have to play the upperclassmen while they're feeling their way around.
The coaches aren't even in the dugout.
They really don't stand a chance.
But I guess he's looking for players who shine even in this situation.
This is the eighth batter, but the upperclassmen are really good, Asada!
Stay on guard!
Quit hiding!
Ow! Stop that!
Call the right pitches, wolf boy!
Asada's an innocent guy.
An outside fastball for the first pitch.
I thought he'd be more aggressive, but that's just normal.
I see. He's nervous.
He doesn't know how I pitch.
Hirofumi Asada is making his high school baseball debut!
It's high to left field!
I'm already dead!
Lead-off batter Kawashima hit a double on the first pitch.
Thank goodness it was only a double.
The catcher was on the outside, but he threw it down the middle.
Yeah. If that's the fastest he can throw, he's gonna have a tough time.
If he's not careful, they'll hit all his pitches.
Timeout, please.
Sorry, I tensed up and threw it down the middle...
No, it wasn't bad.
It was actually a relief.
Huh?
If you were really panicking, it wouldn't have been in the strike zone.
Do it again, but swing your arm through.
That'll make the curve stand out more.
Let's go!
Yes, sir!
Don't be formal.
Oh, yeah. It slipped out.
Asada's finding his voice.
He may not look it, but Koshu is really good at motivating pitchers.
Bottom of the third inning No outs, runner on second
He's showing bunt.
But last time...
They might not just give us an out.
Focus on the batter. Swing your arm through.
He's been pitching from the stretch since before there was a runner.
A lot of pitchers do that these days.
Tall pitchers with big windups get run on a lot.
I was so upset when my middle school teacher said that.
I researched and developed this style.
Strike!
Because pitchers like me, with no remarkable features,
often have to pitch with runners on base!
Nice pitch!
That sounded so good in his mitt.
Did I swing my arm through?
He's calmer than I'd expect.
He bunted the second pitch!
First!
Get the out!
The sacrifice bunt worked!
Now there's one out and a runner on third!
Good, we got an out.
Batting First Right Fielder Kenichi Oka (second-year)
Okay, they're back to the top of their order.
The upperclassmen should be able to score.
I want to see how they do it.
Move in, move in! Get in closer!
Are you serious?
The infielders are playing in close?
Hey, hey, you're down by eight runs!
Even if you prevent one run...
No, they want to show they've got a competitive streak.
That they've got the will to stay on the attack.
"Competitive Streak"
"Competitive Streak."
I'm not worried about the defense.
I just want to pitch my best.
Think deeper.
That jerk! He's really on fire!
I want to meet Okumura-kun's expectations!
Go, Asada!
I want to hit that mitt with my best pitch!
On the next episode of Ace of the Diamond Act II:
"Self-Assertive."
Next Time
"Self-Assertive"
Let's win the national title!
Illustration / Yuji Terajima