Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

"This is it!"

The pitching records on the scorebook are extremely detailed.

In the two practice games, Matsumoto was the catcher.

President Ota was too kind and gave Matsumoto all the opportunities.

The pitchers were three players: one third-year and two first-years.

Among the two first-year pitchers was Asada, the Kohai who shared the same dormitory as Sawamura.

Partnering with three completely different pitchers, the opponent wasn't weak either.

If the catcher doesn't have a certain level of skill, it's impossible to prevent any runs.

Coach Kataoka felt a bit of a shock in his mind.

Could it be that during the Orientation Game earlier, he missed something because the game was so short?

If that's the case, then once Miyuki and the others retire, the competition for the catcher position at Seidou will be very interesting.

Not only are there players like the national team captain and super geniuses like Okumura Koushuu, but there's also Matsumoto Jun, an unexpected dark horse.

The three-way competition—who will emerge victorious in the end?

It felt like a fog was shrouding everything, and even Coach Kataoka couldn't figure out the situation.

These thoughts flashed quickly in Coach Kataoka's mind, and he began carefully studying the record in front of him.

After finishing reading the record of the two matches, the impact on Coach Kataoka was still considerable.

Previously, he had underestimated Matsumoto. He had thought Matsumoto had no talent in game calling or leading.

But now, it seemed that wasn't the case.

This guy has his own way of pitch-calling and guiding the pitchers.

It's clear that his philosophy in game-calling is to play to strengths and avoid weaknesses.

He uses the pitcher's best pitches to attack the batter's weakest points. It looks simple and crude, but it's very effective.

No wonder he was hit hard in the Orientation Game.

Kuki Youhei, by nature, is someone who refuses to back down, and his fighting spirit is double that of others.

In that case, Matsumoto used his strengths and avoided weaknesses, allowing him to confront the seniors head-on.

It's no surprise the game turned out like that.

As for Matsumoto's game-calling, it's not particularly sophisticated.

Compared to Yui and Okumura, there is still a gap.

But what's interesting is that his style of game-calling should be very well synchronized with Seidou's pitchers.

'Especially with Furuya.'

Furuya himself is a pitcher who crushes everything with his ball speed.

Having Matsumoto as his catcher is enough to show most of his power. However, once someone reaches base, the situation becomes worrying.

Sawamura's situation is similar.

If Matsumoto could fully guide Sawamura's pitching, more than 99% of the batters in the country wouldn't be able to touch his pitches.

From this perspective, Matsumoto can already be considered a combat asset.

'Considering this player hasn't received much professional training and has grown entirely through his own exploration, it's quite impressive.'

After all, Sawamura is just an amateur coach, and compared to a professional one, there's still a gap.

In the end, Coach Kataoka concluded that if Matsumoto is properly trained, he has great potential.

And at his current level, putting Matsumoto in the catcher position would definitely not fall short of Yui or Okumura.

"It's fine to promote him to the Second String. But what about his batting prowess?"

The three catchers are currently on a level playing field, and they need to be evaluated comprehensively.

In this comprehensive evaluation, batting ability is, of course, a very important factor.

President Ota nodded confidently.

"In the two games, he had a total of nine at-bats. He got four hits, with one Walk."

'That's impressive…'

Coach Kataoka couldn't believe it.

Though the Third String's practice competition opponents aren't as strong as the Second String's, those numbers are still dazzling.

It looks like Matsumoto really has something.

"Focus on the assessment!"

Now that four players are already practicing with the First String, and the Kanto Tournament is approaching, no one can be added to the First String at this point.

Promoting players to the First String is a very simple task—just a matter of speaking up for the coaches.

However, removing someone from the First String isn't as easy.

Right now, the most important task for Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai is to re-select the First String roster.

"First, pick out the absolute must-have players who cannot be eliminated. Then, we'll choose from the rest."

Though this task isn't easy, Coach Kataoka doesn't find it difficult.

He has done similar work many times before and isn't bothered by doing it once or twice more.

Before the summer tournament begins, they'll need to do this again.

"No. 1, pitcher—of course, Sawamura Eijun."

Coach Ochiai has gradually become familiar with Coach Kataoka's work rhythm and quickly understood his point.

Over the next few days, the candidates will be picked one by one.

Now, after selecting those who absolutely won't be eliminated, the rest of the work will be much simpler.

"No. 2, catcher—Miyuki Kazuya."

Though President Ota isn't the sharpest, he has been working with Coach Kataoka for many years and understands his habits well.

"No. 4, second baseman—Kominato Haruichi!"

"No. 6, shortstop—Kuramochi Youichi!"

"No. 9, right fielder—Shiratsu Kenjiro!"

Several people originally thought this would be a very simple task, but once they started doing it, they realized it wasn't as easy as they thought.

After selecting, the only five players who could be picked were the ones above.

Other positions aren't as solid.

"There's no need for major adjustments to the lineup. The Spring Koshien just ended a month ago, so if we make large-scale changes now, it would be like tearing down the Royal Palace. When selecting candidates, there's no need to be overly strict. We don't need to mention specific jersey numbers. As long as you feel the player has the ability to stay in the First String, propose their name."

Coach Kataoka noticed the rhythm was off and immediately adjusted the rules.

If they picked out one player at a time by jersey number, who knows when it would end?

No time to think too much—let's first select the general lineup.

With Coach Kataoka setting the tone, the rest of the task became much simpler.

"The remaining players who must be added to the First String are: Maezono, Toujou, Asou, Higasa, Kanemaru, Furuya, Kawakami, and Takatsu."

Coach Ochiai, stroking his small beard, smiled as he spoke.

Clearly, these candidates had been brewing in his mind for quite some time.

Which players are qualified to join the First String directly?

He knows it very clearly.

***

"Have you heard? The selection list for the Kanto Tournament has already started."

"Where did that crawl out from? You could have figured that out with your butt."

"Who do you think will be selected?"

"Well, you'd have to ask Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai. How would I know?"

For the next two days, the players of Seidou High School's baseball club couldn't think about anything else. They were all speculating about this matter.

To be honest, no one could blame them.

After all, this was the hottest topic at Seidou Baseball Club right now.

Several players were practicing alongside the First String, and now the entire First String lineup was seriously exceeding the needed number. Even though the Kanto Tournament was different from Koshien, there were still 20 spots available.

It was impossible for everyone in the First String to participate in the Kanto Tournament.

Only those 20 players were destined to get a back number.

Who would get a substitute number?

Who would get a starting spot?

These were the questions that every player was focused on now.

During training, everyone's eyes were on the players in the First String.

Each one was working harder than ever, doing their best to stand out.

But it was Sawamura Eijun, Miyuki Kazuya, and Lee-Hyun who ended up being the most relaxed.

The positions of Sawamura and Miyuki were very stable. Even if they slacked off a little (which they wouldn't), no one could take them out of their starting positions.

So naturally, the two of them didn't feel the same pressure as the other players.

Those who had secure spots wanted to win the starting role, while those whose positions weren't as firm were aiming to get into the top 20.

They all had their own pressures, but Miyuki and Sawamura had become spectators, making them feel out of place among their teammates.

Fortunately, they weren't alone—there was one person who accompanied them.

That person was Lee-Hyun.

Lee-Hyun wasn't worried either.

But unlike Sawamura and Miyuki, who were firmly seated, Lee-Hyun had a sense of self-awareness.

With his current rookie skills, it was impossible for him to be selected. Even during practice games, he was just a spectator.

As a spectator, he understood the mindset of one.

Lee-Hyun knew very well how much he was capable of, and that was the same whether he watched from the stands or not.

Once he thought about it that way, he relaxed.

"How can you be so complacent? You have to have dreams. What if they come true?"

Lee-Hyun didn't feel any pressure himself. On the contrary, it was his Shisho, Kuramochi Youichi, who couldn't bear it anymore.

He chased after Lee-Hyun, giving him earnest advice.

Even a lazy crab needs to struggle a little.

As a dreamer, you naturally need to have the mindset of being a dreamer.

Lee-Hyun could only reluctantly follow and work hard.

But honestly, he didn't believe his efforts would make any difference. In fact, being busy now wasn't necessarily a good thing for him.

One must have self-awareness.

Lee-Hyun, who had only been seriously learning baseball from the inside for a little over a month, knew very well where he stood.

Although he learned baseball quickly, compared to his teammates who had been playing since childhood, the gap between them was still considerable.

In this situation, how could Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai possibly select him for the First String?

Going to practice games with the First String was merely to familiarize himself with their game rhythm as quickly as possible.

When the official Kanto Tournament games started, he could watch from the stands. Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai shouldn't have specially selected him for the First String.

After all, compared to the less important Kanto Tournament, the Summer Tournament was the real focus.

Especially for Seidou High School, where the Summer Tournament in West Tokyo involves several deadly rivals.

It was only in such situations that he—the secret weapon—could really come into play.

Wasting a spot on him right now didn't make sense.

One trick to rule them all.

When it came to overall strength, there was no way he could compare to his teammates. At least in the short term, it was impossible.

So, it was better to grab what he could control first.

Lee-Hyun's way of thinking wasn't entirely wrong.

But his current mindset was completely at odds with his Shisho, Kuramochi's philosophy.

Kuramochi wanted him to improve his overall strength as soon as possible.

Lee-Hyun had the urge to argue, but the Senpai had always been kind to him. He couldn't bring himself to reject his good intentions.

So, he could only work hard privately.

Not everyone's mindset was as mature as Lee-Hyun's. Take Hirota, for example, Sawamura's younger teammate.

He eagerly sought out Sawamura.

He believed his current strength was enough to challenge the First String, at least not worse than the other freshmen in the First String.

He asked Sawamura Eijun if he could suggest to Coach Kataoka another orientation game.

Sawamura looked at his younger teammate as though he were a lunatic.

He really wanted to have an x-ray on Hirota's head to see if the guy's brain was filled with mush.

"Who do you think I am? You're overestimating me."

"But Senpai, aren't you the Ace of the team?"

"The Ace doesn't have that much say, idiot!! I am just a player! Do you think I decide who plays? Or do you think we're still at Akagi? Are you out of your mind?"

Sawamura sighed deeply.

He couldn't tell if the kid just had a simple mind or if Hirota was just a typical oddball.

Could a prestigious school like Seidou High School really be compared to their ragtag Akagi Middle School baseball team?

In Seidou's baseball team, everything had to be done by the rules.

The decision about who would join the First String was completely up to Coach Kataoka.

Others had the right to give suggestions, but they had no power to make decisions.

The current First String lineup at Seidou High School should have been shuffled a long time ago. Hirota wasn't the only one who knew that; in fact, everyone in the Seidou's Baseball Club knew.

But even if everyone knew, it didn't matter.

Coach Kataoka still had to start from the bigger picture to select who would play in the competition.

Who are the best choices for Seidou High School right now?

"I've told you more than once, that the most important thing in baseball is your own strength. As long as your strength is good enough, Eventually, it will show. Don't worry!"

Sawamura reassured his younger teammate.

Hirota's personality was like a sunflower; give him a little light, and he would follow.

Sawamura just gave him a glimmer of hope, and the young man lost his bearings.

He kept nodding and swore he would become a First String player sooner or later.

"That's up to you!"

Sawamura casually said these words and didn't want to engage with him anymore.

This guy was like a weed; he would grow on his own sooner or later.

As for the specific list, it should be out now.

On the fourth day after the First String returned to school, which was May 11th.

After a day of training, Coach Kataoka gathered everyone together.

…

T/N: So many things are happening in the background!

As always, Thank you all for reading!!

And I hope you all have a good day!

You also can check my Patre0n for extra Chapters.

https://www.patre0n.com/ColdColt

There are +150 Chapters there.