Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 30

#29. Why Did I Even Want to Be a Two-Way Player?

The team’s performance plummeted to the bottom. The fans vanished like a mirage.

People looked at you with pity when you said you supported the Warriors.

For the die-hard fans who had steadfastly supported the Warriors through these hardships, Min Ye-rin’s visit to Jamsil Baseball Stadium today was a huge event.

﹂Goddess nimㅠㅠㅠ

﹂Where have you been…ㅠㅠ

﹂Was it when she was fifteen that she last threw the first pitch? She was a real baby back then in a uniform.

﹂She has grown up wonderfully. In many ways.

﹂Shhh, not so loud.

Many fans remembered the image of that little girl who took the mound at the tender age of fifteen during the Warriors’ last autumn baseball season.

The fans who remembered the team’s former glory days were lost in nostalgia, and the few new fans who had recently joined the Warriors were simply happy to see Min Ye-rin’s face.

Min Ye-rin bowed her head to the tens of thousands of spectators gathered at the stadium and the countless fans watching the broadcast on the internet and TV.

At that moment, Jamsil Baseball Stadium shook as if it were about to collapse.

“Ahn Chi-wook.”

“Huh, uh?”

“Stop staring at celebrities and concentrate on the dugout. If you miss even one ball, you’ll be doing fungo drills [a fielding drill where a coach hits balls to fielders] until you puke.”

“……”

Ahn Chi-wook, who now twitched and trembled slightly at the sound of my voice, flinched.

I wasn’t kidding. If he made a mistake because he was distracted by a celebrity, I would really make him run until foam came out of his mouth.

“Strike!”

Min Ye-rin, the celebrity who was properly dressed in a uniform and wearing a cap pulled down low, finished her ceremonial first pitch and was hopping around, looking happy.

Hmm, that’s not an amateur form. Did she learn baseball properly somewhere?

Because her hat was pulled down so low, her entire face wasn’t visible, but even from the dugout, she had a pretty face.

But what’s important now isn’t a celebrity’s face.

It’s the opening game.

The first game of the 144 games this season. Such an important game that could determine the direction of this season.

Today, our team’s starting battery [the pitcher and catcher] is Ryan and Jang Deok-soo.

Instead of Hwang Seong-min, who injured his little toe, Senior Jang Deok-soo is wearing the catcher’s mask and working with Ryan Stark.

I wonder what the practical chemistry of that battery will be like.

Ryan is sensitive to who he’s working with, the condition of the ground, and even the noise coming from the stands.

In other words, he’s an especially sensitive type, even among pitchers who are already sensitive.

In that sense, Senior Jang Deok-soo might be a better fit than Hwang Seong-min.

His catching is stable, he doesn’t get easily excited, and above all, he doesn’t miss breaking balls and get angry.

Well, it’s a little sad that I have to see such obvious things as advantages.

Pa-pa-pa-pang!

“Ah, that scared me!”

While I was lost in thought, the ceremonial first pitch ended and the singer Min Ye-rin’s congratulatory performance began.

The intro to the Warriors’ cheer song, which she composed herself, began to play from the performance speakers temporarily installed in the outfield.

The Warriors’ legendary cheer song, which couldn’t be used for several years due to copyright issues after Min Ye-rin declared her anti-Ogang stance [referring to a controversial figure or incident, needs more context to fully adapt].

The Warriors fans began to get excited just by hearing the intro to that song.

And the next moment.

Pa-pa-pat

The lights that had been illuminating Jamsil Baseball Stadium went out all at once, and laser lights began to replace them.

Various laser lights of red, green, and blue formed their own patterns and stretched out to every corner of Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

The baseball fans, who had not expected a congratulatory performance after the ceremonial first pitch to be of this quality, watched the spectacle with bewildered expressions.

And the moment her mouth finally opened, thick shouts erupted from the dark men in the audience.

Whether they were Warriors fans or Titans fans was no longer important.

The laser lights were aimed at the excited spectators, and Jamsil Baseball Stadium began to be filled with madness.

“Hey.”

“……”

“Ahn Chi-wook.”

“Uh, uh, why? Why are you calling me?”

“…Is this how opening ceremonies are usually done in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization]?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen anything like this before. Don’t talk to me. Let’s listen to the song.”

“Hmm.”

I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this in the big leagues either.

Should I watch a little more?

* * *

‘This is the best!’

The laser lights that had been scattered here and there were focused on her.

Min Ye-rin closed her eyes, feeling the elation rising within her.

The Warriors’ official cheer song, which had once been designated as a song prohibited during the college entrance exam period, was finally revived.

The hot shouts and energy emitted by the 25,000 spectators.

Min Ye-rin, who received that energy as it was, finally began her full-fledged choreography to the intro.

Hop this way, and hop that way.

This is the team’s official cheer song that she wrote as soon as she learned how to compose.

It’s a song that she can sing with her ears closed and dance to with her eyes closed.

Doo-doo-doo-doong

The intro part was all over. The time had finally come.

The first verse flowed from her mouth.

Peo-beo-beo-beong!

“Waaaa!”

“This is crazy!”

Every time the word ‘Warriors’ came out, the prepared fireworks exploded.

The vast Jamsil Baseball Stadium began to be filled with laser lights and the smell of gunpowder.

Even the visiting team fans, who had been forcibly closing their mouths due to an instinctive sense of rejection, were assimilated into Min Ye-rin’s passionate performance and began to sing along to the opposing team’s cheer song.

﹂Warriors! Ciba… This song’s rhyme is awesome.

﹂It was the official song prohibited during the college entrance exam period for the first two years after it came out.

﹂Why does Min Ye-rin like a team like the Warriors ㅠㅠ

﹂Anyway, today’s stage effects are amazing. What’s going on? Did the Warriors spend some money?

﹂I guess Director Park Jae-cheol is from the major leagues, so he’s definitely different.

That can’t be.

All the equipment and staff costs used for today’s stage were paid for by Min Ye-rin out of her own pocket. She didn’t receive a penny from the club.

What’s the big deal about spending a few hundred million won at a place commemorating the revival of the Warriors?

What’s important now isn’t money.

Hop this way, and hop that way.

The cheerleading uniform that Min Ye-rin is wearing is soaked with sweat.

It’s just one song, but she put so much effort into singing it that her vocal cords are even slightly trembling.

But it doesn’t matter.

Min Ye-rin was so excited at this moment that she felt like she could die while singing.

In that way, her three-minute performance finally raced toward its climax.

And the last verse flowed from her mouth.

The last remaining fireworks were fired all at once, beautifully decorating the sky above Jamsil.

Even the spectators who were sitting down all stood up and gave her a standing ovation.

In that way, Min Ye-rin’s passionate performance was all over.

It felt like singing one three-minute song today was harder than performing a two-hour concert, but Min Ye-rin was just happy.

“Uaaaaaa!”

At her last words, the men in the audience responded with a voice similar to an animal’s cry.

It was fortunate that the electronic display was broken. If her face had been enlarged and shown on the electronic display in this situation, some of them might have tried to rush onto the ground.

As the spectators’ excitement subsided a little, the emcee grabbed the microphone and began to sort out the situation.

Min Ye-rin, who had finished her performance, left the ground to change into her cheerleader uniform, and the staff quickly ran out to start cleaning up the stage.

The staff’s hands are busy grooming the ground.

Only then did the spectators realize that they had come here to watch baseball.

* * *

It feels like something huge has swept through.

At first, I didn’t understand why they were doing a congratulatory performance at a baseball stadium, but seeing my fellow players’ spirits lifted by one cheer song, I thought that was okay too.

Except for this guy.

“You must never take your eyes off the ball during night games. The moment you pause, the ball will fly right in front of your eyes. And be careful of the lights when you’re fielding pop flies.”

“Huh? Uh, uh. I got it.”

What do you know? His face is white with tension.

“The humidity is quite high compared to the daytime, so bunt balls may not roll well, so always keep that in mind.”

“Yeah. I’ve heard it ten times already. I understand.”

After pouring out nagging to Ahn Chi-wook, who had almost no experience in night games, I turned my gaze to home plate in the distance.

The umpire, who had received the baseballs to be used today from the bat girl, was muttering something to the catcher while putting them in his pocket.

The start of the game is approaching.

Without realizing it, I looked back at my teammates standing on the ground one by one.

Senior Jang Deok-soo, who is wearing a mask and preparing to catch with a calm attitude as always.

Captain Jo Seong-oh, who is slightly away from first base and spinning his ankle.

Senior Lee Chang-mo, who is crouching with his back bent on my left and glaring at the batter with fierce eyes.

And Ahn Chi-wook, who is almost attached to third base and trembling.

“Hey. Ahn Chi-wook.”

“Uh, uh?”

“Stop trembling. The infield is shaking.”

“What are you talking about? Who’s trembling?”

“I’ll catch most of it, so trust me and stop trembling.”

“…Just you wait. I’ll catch it all.”

Fortunately, it seems that the tension has eased a little after hearing my voice.

Like the effect of a lost child suddenly stopping crying at the sound of their parents’ voice somewhere?

Heh.

Did I tremble like that when I first debuted in the big leagues?

I only remember that shortstop son of a bitch kept picking on me, and strangely, other memories…

Hmm, when I think about it, the veterans in the team came to me and kept talking to me back then.

Yeah, when I think about it, I did receive consideration.

Thinking of my old teammates, whose faces I can’t even remember well now, I turned my gaze back to Ahn Chi-wook.

“What’s that on the back of your uniform? Did you pee your pants?”

“Wh, what? Re, really? Is there something on me? That can’t be?”

“I’m kidding.”

“…Yo, you, you crazy bastard.”

Everyone has a rookie season.

And those rookies need someone’s help.

I have now become a veteran who can reach out to inexperienced rookies.

Of course, to others, I only look like a rookie who is just making his debut.

“I’m going to trust you and throw it today, friend. Please take care of me.”

Ryan, the starting pitcher who was muttering something with his head bowed on the mound, suddenly ran to me and whispered in my ear.

Looking at his face, he is full of tension.

The pressure that today’s opening game gives to a mercenary [a foreign player hired for their skill] who hopes to have a good season this year and return to the big leagues will be considerable.

There is only one answer I can give to such a person.

“Throw with confidence, Ryan. I’ll catch it all.”

“Good. If we win today, I’ll buy the best pizza.”

Ryan, whose expression had improved as if he had been comforted by my words, returned to the mound.

Looking at the back of the team’s first starter, who is responsible for the team’s opening game and has taken the mound, I thought.

Why did I even want to be a two-way player?

Did I want to succeed quickly? Did I want to make more money?

Of course, there was that too. But considering the risk of injury, sticking to one position rather than being a two-way player is much more advantageous for building a career.

Then what was it, something…

Ah, I remembered.

Compared to other ball sports such as soccer and basketball, baseball has a relatively small proportion of one player affecting the game. It means that carrying, as they commonly say, is very difficult.

Even if you hit home runs in all four at-bats as a batter, it’s over if our team’s pitcher gives up more points than that.

Conversely, even if you pitch a shutout as a pitcher, it’s a tie at best if our hitters don’t score.

But being a two-way player is different. Theoretically, I can control the game alone.

I can strike out all the batters on the mound and hit a home run in the batter’s box.

Of course, that’s never as easy as it sounds.

Yeah, when I think about it, I didn’t have any faith in my fellow players.

I had such an arrogant thought that it would be better for me to do it alone than to trust those idiots.

“Okay, fighting!”

“Fighting!”

“Fighting!”

I, who am like that, am trusting my teammates, who are far short of my old big league days, and preparing for the start of the game like this.

Surprisingly, I’m not very anxious.

In terms of skill, they are at a level that cannot be compared to my former big league teammates, but I am surprisingly trusting these people.

Why?

Is my judgment clouded by human emotions and relationships?

I don’t know. I may still be a rookie to find the answer.

“Play ball!”

Finally, the sign announcing the start of the game came from the umpire’s mouth.

Swoosh

Ryan, who had been carefully exchanging signs, slowly began his pitching motion.

Stop thinking nonsense now.

It’s time to focus on the game in earnest.

“Ahn Chi-wook, focus.”

“I know without you telling me.”

As soon as my signal dropped, Ahn Chi-wook glared at the batter with a nervous expression.

And the next moment, Ryan’s first pitch was fired with all his might toward Senior Jang Deok-soo’s mitt.