Chapter 73: Jersey Numbers

The moment the baseball left his hand, Huangqian Yangyi had a strange feeling.

This pitch was different from the sliders he had thrown in the past; the ball speed wasn't as fast, and not enough spin was applied, likely still due to his physical fatigue.

Yet, unexpectedly, the ball landed steadily into Chris's glove.

"Not bad. Next, throw it here." Chris threw the ball back, then placed his glove at the low outside corner.

Huangqian Yangyi caught the ball, nodded, and once again threw it with all his might.

If it were before, throwing a pitch with full force—let alone a slider he hadn't mastered yet, even a four-seam fastball could have been a ball—but now, throwing with full force, the ball seemed to have navigation, hitting exactly where he aimed.

"Very good, again."

This time the glove was placed at the inside corner, and Huangqian Yangyi threw it in again.

"This is strange; I've never been this accurate when throwing sliders before." Huangqian Yangyi was somewhat delighted.

Seeing this, Chris stood up, threw the ball back, and said, "Don't overthink it. You can throw it in now because you can't exert your full strength. Once you've rested for a few days, if you still throw with full force, it will just be like before."

"Then, what should I do?" Huangqian Yangyi asked sincerely.

"I don't know."

Unexpectedly, Chris said this.

"I just feel that doing this helps you master the slider."

Hearing this, Huangqian Yangyi gave a wry smile; after all that, even Chris himself couldn't explain the ins and outs of it.

However, this method should be useful. After throwing three pitches, Huangqian Yangyi did indeed feel something different; perhaps it was just as Chris thought—something that could only be grasped intuitively and not expressed in words.

"Let's go again. Don't rush the rhythm; try to feel it with your heart," Chris said.

The two stayed in the Bullpen for nearly an hour, yet Huangqian Yangyi threw less than 30 pitches. Before throwing each one, Huangqian Yangyi had to compose himself for a good while.

The pitching practice ended, and the two sat in the Bullpen for a long time discussing.

"Senior, the Summer Tournament is starting in a few days. Do you think I should try this slider in the games?" Huangqian Yangyi asked, feeling a bit restless.

Chris shook his head and smiled: "Whether you can use it or should use it, that is for you and Miyuki to decide. He is your partner, not me."

"Mm, I understand."

That evening, at the Seido High School Baseball Club, in the Director's office.

The team members, who had rested for the day, all began their self-training this night.

Under the dim lights in the distance, figures were swinging their bats. Director Kataoka stood before the window, watching these youths sweating, and for a moment, he felt dazed, as if he had returned to his own high school days.

Regarding the dreams of these youths, Director Kataoka knew very well: Koshien, a place enough to make all of high school baseball in Japan go crazy.

To get in there, especially in a fierce battle zone like West Tokyo, one needs both great strength and some luck.

Especially in the Semi-finals, if two powerhouses meet, there is bound to be a fierce battle, while a powerhouse in the other bracket, if they can reach the finals, will have the advantage of waiting for the exhausted victor.

This statement is not looking down on other schools, but for so many years, similar situations have happened too many times.

Whether Seido encounters Ichidai Sanko or Inashiro Industrial in the Semi-finals, it will be a bitter fight. If they luckily pass, they will lose in the finals; this is also one of the reasons why it has been difficult for Seido to enter Koshien in recent years.

Because of the decline in performance, Seido has been unable to recruit more so-called geniuses or good prospects in recent years. However, even so, the young Director Kataoka can still build a formidable team every year. Even though this is a fierce battle zone where the three major powerhouses slaughter each other, it is not as if Seido has no chance of entering Koshien.

It is just that Seido has never seized such an opportunity.

If it were in other regions, perhaps they could build a powerful team based on a mature tactical system and training methods, and the chance of entering Koshien would be much greater.

But not in West Tokyo; without a team with a true ace, even Seido finds it difficult to break through the blockade of Inashiro and Ichidai Sanko.

For the current Seido, to enter Koshien, they must seek change, especially at that position.

Director Kataoka is very conflicted now. Third-year Nanjo Taishi is in good condition, and he has shown the expected performance in practice games.

However, in terms of pitching alone, Huangqian Yangyi's performance on the Pitcher's Mound is indeed more eye-catching. Even if he is still green and perhaps immature in some aspects, Director Kataoka's heart, which longs for a true ace, is already stirring.

Comparing the two, Nanjo Taishi is experienced and has a higher level of chemistry with the team. His sharp High-speed Slider is enough to deal with the vast majority of Batters in West Tokyo, and coupled with the Cutter he hasn't mastered for long, he is not without the strength to fight against powerhouses.

Without a doubt, choosing Nanjo Taishi is a safe plan.

However, Seido has used such a safe plan for many years, and the results have not been bad—they almost always make it to the final four of the regional tournament—but that is as far as it goes.

Director Kataoka turned around and picked up a copy of Huangqian Yangyi's training data on the table.

Perhaps it is time to change.

Thinking of Huangqian Yangyi's top speed of 155, that Changeup with a huge speed drop that he has kept hidden until now, and the aura and drive of "there is no one but me" on him, Director Kataoka finally made his decision.

The next evening, just after the afternoon training ended, Director Kataoka gathered everyone from the Baseball Club.

Under the sunset, the youths stood straight without saying a word. In front of them, Director Kataoka's expression was solemn.

And beside the Director, Department Head Takashima Rei held a thick stack of white fabric in her arms; everyone knew clearly that those were the jersey numbers!

Is it finally here? The members of the First String stood in the first two rows, able to see the jersey numbers in Takashima Rei's arms more clearly, and they couldn't help but feel some anticipation.

Huangqian Yangyi turned his head to look at Nanjo Taishi, who was a few positions away from him. The other party happened to turn his head to look at him as well; both were strong contenders for the ace jersey number.

Especially Nanjo Taishi; although he had long been prepared for the jersey number to be taken by Huangqian Yangyi, how could he not want a perfect summer in his heart? Otherwise, he wouldn't have practiced the Cutter so diligently.

Smiling at Huangqian Yangyi, Nanjo Taishi adjusted his mindset and looked at Director Kataoka.

Director Kataoka's gaze swept over the First String members in the first two rows, paused when it passed over Nanjo Taishi, and then shouted.

"Starting now, I will distribute the jersey numbers. Those whose names are called, step forward!"