The third-base runner is heading home!
The first-years got one run back!
The two of them scored a run!
Show us your stuff!
Yeah!
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
The game's just getting started!
Let's beat them down until there's nothing left!
Sawamura...
We can get another twenty runs!
Sawamura-senpai...
Let's drag that pitcher off the mound!
He wants them to pulverize me!
And he's got a scary look in his eye!
Exploding bats!
He was on our side a little while ago.
Huh?
He was watching you from behind that pillar like he was really worried.
First he's worried about him, now he's dissing him.
I wonder what he's thinking.
Get ready, Asada!
Now the cleanup is up to bat.
Let's get one out at a time!
First Years
Second, Third Years
Should the players go see the Kanto tournament next month?
The two finalists from the Tokyo tournament, Inashiro and Ichidai Third High,
as well as Yakushi, who were semifinalists in the Invitational, will be playing.
Three teams from the western division?
That's an intimidating block.
We'll be able to study them in detail.
Ever the optimist.
So, how did the intrasquad game go?
Did any players look ready for the first string?
I ended up allowing three runs.
I don't think I lived up to Okumura-kun's expectations.
Three hits and four RBI.
That's how the cleanup is supposed to bat, Takatsu.
April 28th
He's joining the first string? When?
Mimura and Kawashima are on the first string as of today.
That second-year, Takatsu, too.
Ah, those two got back on the roster.
Takatsu had an impressive performance, too.
You make it sound like it doesn't affect you.
If three people got spots, it means three others will lose them.
We're in no position to be laughing.
Incredible!
You feel good just watching him swing.
But he has to hit the ball.
He hit it.
I've been hearing about how good this batch of first-years are,
but those two are really something else.
I can see why they immediately became part of the roster in the spring.
Still, we can't let them beat us!
We just can't!
Man, this sucks.
"The pride of an upperclassman"?
There's no lamer expression out there.
Damn it.
I don't care if you call it putting on airs or whatever.
I don't want players younger than me taking my number!
I don't want to give it up!
Man, I need to get it together.
If only I were good enough not to have to worry about this...
Hey, Aso, you're blocking the way.
Could you not stand around the door?
Oh, sorry!
Is that the May game schedule?
Oh, yeah.
Schedule
May 3rd (Sat)
Yamaga Daido
Keishu
May 10th (Sat)
May 4th (Sun)
Hakuryu
Ichidai
Counting the games we've been invited to,
our schedule for Golden Week is packed.
Honestly, it's a relief that Kawashima is joining us.
Planning the pitching rotations a month in advance sounds like effort.
Plus, you'll be off to play in the Tokyo Invitational at the end of May, right?
Is that gonna throw off your batteries' rhythm?
No problem. I'll only be gone for three days.
You sure about that?
The Tokyo Invitational itself is new, and they're trying some things out this year.
They're only having it in May because they've invited some American teams.
It'll be in the fall next year.
Still, there's so much that needs to be done.
Furuya and Sawamura are both starting to have ideas of their own.
That gives me a chance to teach them some things, but there's a balance to keep.
If I give them too much stuff, their heads will freeze up.
Striking the right balance is the hardest part.
You sure are talking a lot.
Am I?
Well, I know overthinking things doesn't do any good.
That's what's up with Furuya, right?
Yeah.
The coaches are probably pretty worried about it.
I want to finish developing the numbers with Sawamura while I'm still around, too.
There's a lot to consider.
Honestly, no amount of time would be enough.
You seem to be enjoying this.
No, I'm not!
You're talking so much, I find that hard to believe!
Are you done?
Hang on.
Don't turn the page! I'm still reading!
You're taking too long.
You lost at rock-paper-scissors, so just wait until I'm finished.
No!
Those two are rivals, right?
They're getting along?
Their pitchers and catchers have been getting together often recently.
That book is one that Miyuki-senpai lent them.
Okay, I've got it! Give me each page after you read it!
Should we really tear this book up?
Sure, we can tape it back together later.
Okay, on the count of three...
One, two...
No, don't!
You need to take care of books!
But this is the best way!
That jerk...
You got to show the coach what you can do.
You might make first string.
Oh, shut up.
Who are you to talk down to me?
Don't talk like you're better just because you made first string before me.
What does that mean?!
Hey, wait! Takatsu!
Seido Spirit Dorm
He still doesn't like you.
I didn't do anything wrong, though!
Maybe he didn't like how you said it.
Shinji, you tend to upset people without realizing it.
Wait, wait, wait, what does that mean?!
Damn it.
Unease
I just wanted to congratulate Takatsu because I know how hard he's worked!
That would be talking down to him.
Upset people without realizing it?
Do I really do that, Tojo?
A guy who makes the first string sure does paint a pretty picture.
It's so inspiring, seeing him gaze into the distance!
What do you want? What's—
Now you can waltz into the indoor practice area, Hiroomi.
Good luck.
Yeah, I'll go stir things up.
What kind of books does Okumura-kun read?
Is Okumura-kun half-Japanese?
Okumura looks like a game character.
What kind of food does Okumura-kun like?
Several of you are not yet physically ready.
I want you to take your time and focus on building a strong base.
To that end, I'm putting four of you on the second string.
Kukki.
Kagami.
Seto.
Okumura.
You will practice with the second string and gain experience in the practice games.
This isn't right. This isn't right.
It must be a conspiracy. How could he not choose me?
This isn't right. This isn't right.
That is all. Dismissed!
Yes, sir!
Second string?
I'm going to make it to the first string.
Second string!
Grrr...
There's no time.
I heard you did well in the intrasquad.
Congratulations on making the second string.
The games will be a hoot!
Grrrr...
If I don't hurry, he'll end up retiring.
Psychological Attack on K
Understanding how the main character in this piece
interacted with the character named K
is paramount to understanding it.
First, the jolt the main character gives K could be considered a psychological attack.
Now that I'm a second-year, the coach has become one of my teachers.
Then, K declared that he was an idiot.
If I fall asleep, I'm dead.
Want to do another box?
Sure!
I brought Yui.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah.
Kuroda, the star pitcher, wrote that book?
Yes. I'll be done reading it soon. Do you want to read it, too?
Yeah, I do.
There are more guys in the Miyuki cram school every day.
I didn't know you guys were meeting like this.
I'm jealous you've been here from the start.
Hey, Okumura!
Quit standing in the corner and come over here!
It gets crowded, but it's easy to hear.
Aren't you making yourself at home.
I'm fine. I can listen from here.
Enhanced hearing! You really are part wolf!
What are you talking about?
Does he always listen from over there?
Yeah, usually.
What a waste.
Okay, let's get started.
Today, I'll talk about pitching with a runner on first base.
When the other team's bench will want to advance the runner,
and knowing what they're thinking based on the count.
Another tricky topic!
Obviously, if you fall behind in the count,
it gives the oppositions more options.
If the count is in their favor, you need to watch out for a hit and run.
We'll start with one ball.
I need to take a bath... and do laundry...
Oh, is Sawamura still in Miyuki's room?
Y-Yes, sir. I believe so.
That was close... I almost fell asleep.
Were you practicing on your own?
Yeah. Zono and the others are still at it.
I couldn't focus, so I called it a day.
You always stay out pretty late.
L-Look at his abs!
How much does he train to look like that?
You threw some nice curveballs in the intrasquad.
Once you get a good fastball, you'll be unstoppable.
You were watching me?
I know you wish you'd made the second string, but don't rush it.
Keep eating and build up some muscle.
Practice is going to get harder to get us ready for the summer.
Why was I picked for the second string?
Aren't you happy?
But I gave up eight runs in just two innings.
Maybe because you had the right mindset for a pitcher.
In fact, a lot of those runs came from errors and mistakes,
and all of the fielders were pretty tense.
I didn't even last two innings last year.
Huh?
Each out felt like an eternity.
It felt like the inning would never end.
Really? Even for you, Tojo-senpai?!
The Matsukata Senior team only went to the national semifinals
because of how good the older players were.
I didn't have any misconceptions about my own lack of ability.
I felt like I was being forced to stand on the mound.
But the people around me only saw the results.
They wanted me to pitch like a national semifinalist every time.
Tojo-senpai...
Looking back, I may have been a victim of my own success.
I pushed myself to pitch better than I could...
and as a result, I fell apart.
I lost sight of who I was.
Compared to me, you were a much better pitcher today, Yohei.
Maybe that mental strength was what the coach was looking for.
Whether you work hard or not,
Devote every moment
someone else gets to play in the game instead of you.
That's how this team is.
We'll see which of us will stand on the first string's mound first, Yohei.
I still want to be a pitcher.
Seido Spirit Dorm
Good night.
Thank you for inviting me.
Miyuki-senpai, please practice with me tomorrow.
Hey, hang on!
He's catching for me in the bullpen tomorrow!
I hadn't heard that.
Because I didn't say it.
No cutting in line!
I feel like taking a few swings. Wanna come?
I need help practicing, too.
Did you understand what I explained today?
I understood the main points.
I understood the nuance of it!
I see...
Well, there's no substitute for learning through experience.
We need to learn by doing!
You both need to practice with catchers besides me.
Preferably a first-year.
If you don't understand something, you can't explain it to someone else.
It will be a good way to review our meetings,
and you'll be able to see what works best for you.
Well, I get your point, but...
You know?
Are you abandoning your responsibilities?
Yeah, that!
If you don't think you're up to teaching a first-year, I won't force you.
After all, we have some baseball geniuses this year, including Yui and Okumura.
Yes, of course we can!
We've been exemplary Seido players for a whole year now!
You underestimate us!
Then, get to it.
Get a deeper knowledge of every play
and learn why you throw each pitch.
That's what I need from you.
Sure, but...
I want you...
On another note...
If you want to pitch, come see me.
I'll do my best to help.
You guys decide the order.
I need to stop you two from pitching too much.
"Out of Time"
"Out of Time."
I can't beat him by just pitching outside.
With two outs, you really need to focus on the batter all the more.
Okay, I'll run! I'm gonna run!
The ace is the one who pitches to win, even if he's off his game.
I was planning to go all-out with the signs during the Golden Week practice games.
Bore a hole into the right-handed batter's chest!
You're starting for the practice game against Hakuryu in three days.
On the next episode of Ace of the Diamond Act II:
Next Time
"Designated"
"Designated."
Let's win the national title!
Illustration / Yuji Terajima