On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 81

“What should we do in situations like this? If we keep him in check all the time, won’t the pitcher lose his rhythm?”

“While keeping him in check is important, the pitcher needs to be mindful of the runner attempting to steal second with an outside fastball. Any other pitcher would make that outside pitch predictable, but James is good with his cutter, natural sinker, or two-seamer. It’s a tough pitch to hit even if you know it’s coming.”

Seo Il-hyeok signaled.

‘Changeup, outside.’

James hesitated for a moment.

Changeup.

Throwing a slow pitch here is a sign to disrupt the opponent’s strategy.

It was a creative call, but he wasn’t sure if a slow pitch could prevent a fast runner from stealing second.

James naturally glanced toward the bench.

Song Seok-hyun, the twenty-year-old rookie.

That kid could induce a steal stop even with a changeup, but Seo Il-hyeok didn’t have that much faith in him.

‘Okay.’

He was dissatisfied, but there was no choice.

If the signs take too long from the first inning, it only benefits the batter.

James immediately threw the changeup.

“Batter swings and misses! First base runner to second! To second! Successful steal of second!”

“He was a beat late. The throw is late. The slow timing changeup caught them off guard, but the Wolves are pushing through with more aggressive base running.”

“Now it’s a runner on second with no outs. A scoring opportunity right away.”

Even James, a devout Christian, couldn’t smile this time.

Just as he thought.

It’s difficult for Seo Il-hyeok to catch an A-class runner with his arm.

He regretted not throwing a sinker instead.

“Sigh.”

Manager Ham Seong-hoon sighed on the bench.

Seo Il-hyeok’s pitch selection wasn’t bad.

Baseball is a sport of probability.

Success and failure coexist, so luck is bound to play a part.

Seo Il-hyeok’s move turned out to be a misstep, and the Wolves carried on their momentum from the first inning.

The only reason Seo Il-hyeok was playing, even in this tight battle for rankings, was for a showcase.

Showing that Seo Il-hyeok is a competitive catcher would give them a slight advantage in any trade.

Seo Il-hyeok is definitely a top-tier backup catcher, and he has the potential to be a starting catcher.

The important thing is the packaging.

How beautifully you package it to make it look plausible.

“This is going to be difficult……”

With a runner on second, James threw his second pitch.

A cutter that hugged the batter’s body.

The batter swung anyway.

“The third baseman catches the ball and tags, tags, ah! He missed the tag! Kim Ha-gyun’s exquisite base running! He reached out with his left hand and immediately touched the base with his right. Third baseman Choi Jae-wan couldn’t tag the runner or throw the ball to first! Now there are runners on first and third with no outs, and the number three hitter is coming up. Jeong In-ha’s bat has been hot lately!”

“The Goat isn’t having an easy time from the start. It’s all twisted from the beginning. The Wolves’ fine play was good, but the Wolves have luck on their side today.”

James put his hands on his hips.

The Goat’s infielders started looking at each other.

Seo Il-hyeok got up to try and turn the atmosphere around, but once the mood had soured, it didn’t lift easily.

“Our Wolves! Victory Wolves! Energetically, strongly! Wolves! Shout it out, Wolves! Our Wolves! Victory! Victory! We will win! Wolves!”

As the Wolves took the lead, the Wolves fans raised their voices in response to the Goat’s cheer in the top of the first.

When the official cheer ended, the fans shouted in unison.

“Always losing!”

“Goat!”

“The burden of Jamsil [a stadium in Seoul]!”

“Goat!”

“Defeat’s!”

“Goat!”

“Get lost!”

“Goat!”

Although it wasn’t an official cheer, a chant that had been passed down like folklore among the fans began to emerge.

The Goat fans were provoked by the cheering, and sporadic shouts erupted from the Goat fans.

“Hey, you Wolves, @x$@x%@!”

“Those sons of bi%$&x$@@@$!”

The players wore embarrassed expressions at the fans’ shouts.

The leaders and cheerleaders of both teams led the official cheers, suppressing the swearing, but the atmosphere was already heated from the top of the first inning.

“The atmosphere at today’s game is really hot, haha.”

“Hasn’t the Goat’s record against the Wolves been bad recently? The Goat fans have been very disappointed about this, but with the KS duo, expectations have risen sharply. It’s an important game to decide fourth place in the first half, and they thought it was an opportunity to get revenge on the Wolves, but things aren’t going well from the start, so how frustrating must it be for the fans?”

“Still, it’s 0-0. And it’s the first inning. There’s a long way to go before the game is decided.”

Like a veteran pitcher, James calmed the rising tension with a few exhales.

Even with his regained composure, he couldn’t prevent the bases loaded, no-outs situation from turning into a scoreless one.

“James gave up two runs in the first inning, but he only threw fifteen pitches, making it an economical outing.”

“James’ ability to induce ground balls shone in a situation that could have led to a major crisis. But consecutive hits are not a good sign. We need to keep a close eye on whether it’s just luck or if James’ pitches have lost their edge.”

Ham Seong-hoon crossed his arms and looked at Seo Il-hyeok.

Seo Il-hyeok’s pitch selection isn’t bad, but his chemistry with James MacKenzie isn’t very good.

Ham Seong-hoon called Seo Il-hyeok closer.

“You know James needs to pitch aggressively. Don’t overthink it, go for a quick out. Got it?”

“Yes, I understand.”

The top of the first inning was disappointing.

Two runs weren’t a big score, but the Goat was the one trying to take the lead from the start.

They even adjusted the lineup, pushing the KS duo to the 2nd and 3rd spots.

There’s a lot to lose if they lose today’s game.

Seo Il-hyeok’s value could actually drop.

What about the criticism for adjusting the lineup?

His leadership could be shaken.

The current Goat is a house of cards.

If the leadership falters, nothing will work.

Since they’ve put out such an unconventional lineup, they need to show at least a strong impression, even if they don’t succeed.

“With a two-run deficit, the Goat’s offense continues. The Goat has brought a very aggressive lineup, haven’t they?”

“Yes, that’s right. They’ve moved hitter Seol Jin-il to number one, and Kim In-hwan and Song Seok-hyun to numbers two and three. It’s an unconventional lineup. By placing the KS duo, who boast the best scoring ability, at the front, they’re showing their determination to catch up as quickly as possible.”

“Hitter Kim In-hwan at number two. Haha, it’s a rare sight to see.”

“From the starting catcher to the lineup, Manager Ham Seong-hoon’s moves are bold.”

The Wolves’ starter is Jang Gye-seong.

He was one of the best starters in the country and had even been on the national team.

He’s a left-hander, and his pitches are fast.

In addition, his horizontally curving hard slider was as sharp as a cutter.

“Number one hitter Seol Jin-il. It’s an experimental lineup. Seol Jin-il did very well in the Phoenix series, but the opposing pitcher is Jang Gye-seong. The weight of the starter is different from Phoenix, isn’t it?”

“Whether Seol Jin-il gets on base or not will be a watershed moment in today’s game. If the table isn’t set in front of the KS duo, even if they hit a home run, it’ll only be one run, right? Seol Jin-il has to do the work that the number one and two hitters have to do all by himself.”

The hitting coach approached Manager Ham Seong-hoon and asked.

“Are you sure about this? Jin-il is the type to swing aggressively from the first pitch.”

“We need a hitter who won’t be intimidated by the name Jang Gye-seong and will just go for it. Isn’t Seol Jin-il the type to swing his own way no matter who comes out?”

“But if he gets out from the first pitch, wouldn’t that be a complete failure?”

“The first inning is stressful for both the hitter and the pitcher. Then the less stressed side has the advantage.”

Jang Gye-seong exchanged signs with the catcher.

First pitch of the first inning.

The hitter is aiming for the first pitch, and the pitcher has to throw it knowing that.

You have to choose one of two options: avoid the hitter’s aim or face it head-on.

‘Fastball, outside.’

Jang Gye-seong’s choice was a head-on match.

There’s no need for a national team starting pitcher to avoid a late-blooming hitter who just came up from the minors, is there?

“Throw it, throw it.”

Seol Jin-il vigorously shook his bat and licked his lips.

He’s a leadoff hitter, but he doesn’t take a narrow stride.

Full swing from the first pitch.

Clang!

“He hit it! A hit that splits the left-center field! Seol Jin-il steps on first and goes straight to second! To second! He goes all the way to second standing up! Seol Jin-il aggressively goes for it from the first pitch! Both leadoff hitters from both teams are attacking the first pitch today!”

“Usually, the number one hitter tries to see as many of the pitcher’s pitches as possible, giving the hitters behind them time to adjust to the pitches, but it seems like the leadoff hitters from both teams have different ideas today. I’m not sure if it’s okay to be this aggressive?”

Jang Gye-seong pushed the ball with his tongue.

He was hit hard on the first pitch by a hitter he had never even heard of.

Any pitcher would find the first inning difficult, but seeing Seol Jin-il celebrating on second base made the back of his neck tingle.

“Hoo…”

Hitter Kim In-hwan stepped into the batter’s box.

The Wolves’ catcher, Shin Min-ho, signaled for an outside slider.

Bang!

-Ball, outside.

“Kim In-hwan is picking the balls well.”

“What’s even more surprising than Kim In-hwan’s grand slam in the three-game series against Phoenix is his on-base percentage. He’s getting a lot more walks. He’s not the Kim In-hwan who would just swing at anything.”

Jang Gye-seong received the catcher’s ball with a stiff face.

Things are getting twisted from the first inning.

It’s not a good sign.

The catcher asked for an outside changeup again.

Jang Gye-seong shook his head.

Head-on confrontation.

Coincidence only happens once.

The catcher hesitated but decided to follow the pitcher’s lead.

‘Fastball, inside.’

The meeting between left-handed pitcher Jang Gye-seong and left-handed hitter Kim In-hwan.

The left-handed pitcher’s 145 km/h fastball dug into the left-handed hitter’s body.

-Strike!

“Kim In-hwan! He swings and misses.”

“Jang Gye-seong’s pitch is good. And he has a very good record against left-handed hitters. Left-handed hitters won’t be able to see Jang Gye-seong’s pitch very well.”

Kim In-hwan stepped out of the batter’s box and swung his bat.

In the waiting batter’s box, Song Seok-hyun was mimicking the pitcher’s rhythm with his usual slow swing.

Kim In-hwan stepped back into the batter’s box.

‘Fastball, inside.’

-Strike!

“Kim In-hwan! He swings and misses again.”

“His timing is off. Jang Gye-seong’s pitch is fast, but it wasn’t over 150 km/h. This means he can’t catch the timing.”

Kim Jeong-ryul, who was watching from the bullpen, clicked his tongue.

“He’s lost all his feel because he hasn’t been hitting.”

Jang Gye-seong’s next pitch was a hard slider.

It was a pitch considered untouchable for left-handed hitters.

Whoosh!

-Strike! Out!

“Strikeout! It’s a strikeout! Kim In-hwan swings and misses! The bat completely missed the ball!”

“Kim In-hwan can’t handle Jang Gye-seong’s pitches.”

“The weight is definitely different from the Phoenix starting pitcher.”

“He’s a national team starting pitcher. And he’s a specialist against left-handed hitters. It’s difficult for Kim In-hwan to handle.”

“The K of the KS duo is dismissed in vain. That leaves only the S. I’m curious to see what Song Seok-hyun will show against Jang Gye-seong.”

“If it’s the first time facing each other, the pitcher has the advantage. And if that pitcher is Jang Gye-seong, there’s no need to say anything more. Song Seok-hyun needs to look at the long term and focus on getting used to the pitches in this at-bat for the next at-bat.”

Song Seok-hyun stepped into the batter’s box with his usual long bat on his shoulder.

The catcher turned his eyes to Song Seok-hyun’s unusually long bat.

If that bat connects, any ball will be smashed.

Jang Gye-seong’s pitches are fastball, slider, and changeup.

The pitches he throws to right-handed hitters are usually fastball and changeup.

Catcher Shin Min-ho was a catcher who knew better than anyone how to handle rookie players.

‘Fastball, inside.’

Jang Gye-seong also understood Shin Min-ho’s sign.

Inside fastball.

Not just moderately, but completely sticking to the body.

And that’s…… on the high side.

Bang!

-Ball, inside.

“Woooo!”

Boos immediately came from the Goat cheering section.

If one more ball had gone in, it would have been a beanball [a pitch deliberately thrown at the batter’s head].

Song Seok-hyun took a breath, turning his body slightly.

The opposing catcher threw the ball straight to the pitcher without even looking at Song Seok-hyun.

Rookie hazing.

If Jang Gye-seong’s fast ball comes in like that, the hitter freezes.

Jang Gye-seong is a pitcher who even throws inside sliders to right-handed hitters.

He was a pitcher who knew better than anyone that you have to attack the inside to take the outside.

“That last ball was dangerous.”

“Did the ball slip? It went in a little deep.”

“Song Seok-hyun, this is a bit of a test, isn’t it? Any hitter would have to step back from the plate if a fastball came in like that.”

Song Seok-hyun’s eyes turned to Jang Gye-seong.

He could see the corners of Jang Gye-seong’s mouth slightly smiling.

Song Seok-hyun also twitched the corners of his mouth in response.

Who said baseball was a gentleman’s sport?

Baseball is a sport where the opponent’s animosity threatens your very life.