Chapter 206: Ochiai's Suggestion

Early the next morning, during the Baseball Club's morning practice, Coach Kataoka introduced Ochiai Hiromitsu to everyone.

Upon learning there was an additional Technical Head Coach, everyone watched Ochiai Hiromitsu with great curiosity; the man with the small mustache maintained his usual inscrutable expression, and after morning practice began, Huangqian Yangyi noticed Ochiai Hiromitsu walking around the field with a small notebook, stopping from time to time to say something to someone.

"Huangqian, did you know this person was the new coach?" Miyuki asked while carrying his bat beside Huangqian Yangyi.

Huangqian Yangyi shrugged, "I knew when the coach called me to the office earlier; otherwise, why do you think I was dragging you to do waist strength training?"

"I see, so you were following his advice," Miyuki realized.

"Yeah, if you have any doubts about technique, you can go ask him; this Coach Ochiai is actually quite impressive," Huangqian Yangyi said.

Although Ochiai Hiromitsu might have some shortcomings in leading a team, looking purely at technical guidance, this man's eye for talent was truly sharp.

"I got it."

Miyuki nodded; Seido was currently reinforcing itself, and although the First Year players could not yet form an effective fighting force, Seido was seeking reinforcements in terms of coaches.

It wasn't just the coaches; not long after training began, everyone noticed transport trucks arriving at the parking lot outside the field, and all kinds of new training equipment were moved in by workers.

"Yo, not bad, new gear," Huangqian Yangyi looked at the equipment with pleasant surprise; although the Seido Baseball Club had complete facilities and almost everything needed for training, the human tendency to prefer the new over the old was universal.

"Hehe, our Seido is really rich," Miyuki said, his mouth almost watering as he looked at the various new devices.

Huangqian Yangyi nodded in agreement; ever since winning the Summer Koshien last year, the School Council's investment in the Baseball Club had visibly increased.

"It seems the higher-ups attach great importance to a consecutive Summer Koshien championship; first a new coach, then new equipment—it would be even better if they could raise the meal standards too."

Kuramochi appeared behind the two of them at some point.

"Uga, I want to eat seafood!" Masuko Toru also chimed in.

"Yahahaha, Senior Masuko, if you keep eating like this, you'll catch up to Senior Azuma, and then running the bases will be a real struggle," Kuramochi Yoichi said, turning back to tease him.

A large part of Masuko Toru's face turned red; his physique had indeed lost some shape, a point Coach Kataoka had mentioned many times, but there was no helping it—if he didn't eat, he was hungry.

"Well, don't listen to Kuramochi, he doesn't know what he's talking about," Huangqian Yangyi said while reaching out to pat Masuko Toru's stomach.

"Senior, your flesh is so firm; this isn't fat, it's muscle."

"I say, Huangqian, your words aren't much better than mine," Kuramochi shook his head, speechless.

Huangqian Yangyi smiled, then turned to Masuko Toru and said, "Senior, I'll treat you to seafood, you treat me to pudding, deal?"

"Uga!" Masuko Toru nodded vigorously, "10 of them!"

"Haha, Senior is so generous," Huangqian Yangyi laughed; pudding wasn't expensive, but it was truly Masuko Toru's lifeblood.

Looking back a few days ago, when Sawamura ate one of Masuko Toru's puddings, the hulking man had actually shed little pearls of tears.

Of course, Sawamura could not avoid a round of loving scissor-kick discipline from Kuramochi.

The workers moved the equipment in one by one to install it, and the team members, after looking out of curiosity at first, continued their training.

In the evening, when Huangqian Yangyi was preparing to start simulated live practice with Chris, Fujiwara Takako walked over.

"Huangqian, the coach wants you to come over," Fujiwara Takako said.

Huangqian Yangyi nodded and looked toward the Dugout; Coach Kataoka and Ochiai Hiromitsu were discussing something.

"Coach." Huangqian Yangyi jogged over.

Coach Kataoka gave a hum, then turned to Ochiai Hiromitsu and said, "Coach Ochiai, you explain it."

Ochiai Hiromitsu nodded and said, "Student Huangqian, I have been observing your pitching practice simulations for a while now."

"Oh? Is there anything that needs improvement?" Huangqian Yangyi asked; he knew that since Coach Kataoka had called him over, there must be some discovery.

"The idea is good; I heard this method has been going on for a year, and it certainly has its effects, but the efficiency is still too low," Ochiai Hiromitsu said while stroking his small mustache.

"I suggest that starting today, we target the fixed First String starters for training, once every two days, 10 pitches per person, and calculate the batting average after each session."

After hearing Ochiai Hiromitsu's suggestion, Huangqian Yangyi frowned; indeed, training only the fixed starters would certainly be much more effective, but what about the others on the First String? Would it be a bit too cruel? After all, the current model had been in place for a year, and changing it rashly might cause others to have thoughts.

He hadn't expected that Ochiai Hiromitsu's first act as the new coach would be directed at him.

"Huangqian, let's do it," Coach Kataoka said.

Huangqian Yangyi nodded; since Coach Kataoka had made the decision, he had nothing more to say.

If he only targeted the starters, his pitch count wouldn't be too high; previously it was three pitches per person, nearly 60 pitches a day, but now, excluding himself, even counting Chris and Miyuki and rotating them, it was only 9 people, totaling 90 pitches, which wasn't a burden for him; after all, with it being every two days, he had enough time to rest and recover his strength.

Training started quickly, and all the First String members, upon learning of Ochiai Hiromitsu's suggestion, were indeed somewhat confused, especially those who were not starters; why were they being excluded for no reason?

In this way, the gap between them and the starters would widen again; looking at each other, they didn't expect this coach to start targeting them as soon as he took office; because of this, they would have to work even harder to strive for a stable starting position.

And the fixed starters were already lined up, waiting for their turn.

Half an hour later, 8 of the starters, including Miyuki, had each finished 5 pitches.

Everyone's batting data was clearly recorded by Fujiwara Takako.

Days passed, and in the blink of an eye, Seido had easily advanced to the top 8 of the Spring Metropolitan Tournament, and in the fourth and fifth rounds, Huangqian Yangyi still hadn't taken the mound to pitch, but he had collected 3 Home Runs.

Returning to school, after the evening training that day, Coach Kataoka announced the data recorded by Fujiwara Takako of the Seido starters vs. Huangqian Yangyi's pitching over these past few days.