Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 13

Pitcher Done, Batter Up -12

“Winter? What do you mean?”

“They’re training in Miami this time, and they want you to join.”

Paharo hesitated.

He seemed interested in learning the two-seam fastball.

Maybe Miami was the problem.

“I’ll take care of the room, board, training facilities, and equipment. You just need to throw the ball.”

Paharo was silent.

His expression twisted.

Then, he said with a serious face.

“Lee, I know you’re offering with good intentions, but it’s okay.”

From his words, Lee Jung-woo realized that Paharo’s pride was deeply hurt.

‘I made a mistake.’

Paharo probably thought Lee Jung-woo was pitying him.

Because he couldn’t find a proper training place and his honed horizontal slider wasn’t great.

He thought it was out of pity.

It was too hasty.

He was looking at Paharo as younger because he had regressed at an old age.

He was just trying to help him.

But it was different from Paharo’s perspective.

‘It’s no different from showing off because I’ve recorded some decent results lately.’

To put it bluntly, it was natural to feel bad about someone younger than him suddenly pitying him.

‘I was mistaken.’

Lee Jung-woo calmly admitted his mistake.

No matter how good the intention is.

If there is nothing to back it up, it is difficult to accept it unconditionally as goodwill.

‘I’m not in a position to teach or help anyone right now.’

Lee Jung-woo himself is not yet someone with the status or authority to help others.

He was acting the same way he did when he helped young players before his regression, based on those memories.

Unlike then, when he was an old veteran with a lot of experience even though he was a failed pitcher.

Now, he’s just a fledgling who’s just transitioning to a batter.

He’s at the same level as those kids he used to teach.

‘I acted foolishly.’

Just because I’ve been getting some good results lately.

Just because I’ve established myself as a batter.

I was being arrogant.

Even though I’m not even a half-baked batter yet.

‘Right now, I’m just a player playing in Single A. I mustn’t forget that.’

So, before helping someone else, I should properly learn myself first.

I should establish my own position first.

‘Yeah, who am I to teach anyone in my current state? I need to focus on myself.’

Lee Jung-woo re-evaluated his situation.

‘I’m already getting full of myself.’

####

After an immature offer strained his relationship with Paharo.

Lee Jung-woo’s surroundings became quiet.

Because he was achieving good results.

There were some players who approached him to become friends.

“Lee! How about a cold beer after training today? I’ll pay.”

“I have personal training planned for today. I’m sorry, but let’s do it next time.”

“Okay? Well, alright.”

He focused on training.

He could realize it from Paharo’s unpleasant face.

He still had a long way to go.

After regressing and transitioning to a batter.

As he learned about talents he didn’t know he had.

He took it too easily as he continued to succeed.

‘I must have unconsciously thought it was nothing.’

I shouldn’t be satisfied already.

Andrew Lavin, who fixed the eat-and-run [a strategy where a runner on first base attempts to steal second as the batter bunts the ball].

The high-level training facilities in Miami that Mark would prepare.

He relied too much on those things.

So, he became complacent.

Even with those things.

No matter how good the training is in winter.

If his mindset is like this, nothing will change.

‘I could become a decent player. If I adapt to hitting and gain experience, I might become quite good.’

Since he has the advantage of being good at attacking vertical movements.

Maybe he could even go up to the big leagues.

He would become what is commonly called an AAAA-level player [a player who is too good for Triple-A but not good enough for the Major Leagues].

That would be a better life than wandering around from team to team while struggling.

‘But I can’t just end up like that. If I regress and end up like that. I’ll have the same regrets as before the regression. I should have worked harder then. I should have tried a little more.’

Then, nothing will change in the end.

He would be more affluent.

He would be more confident.

But inside, he would still end up as a loser full of self-blame and despair.

He realized that again.

So, Lee Jung-woo swung the bat again until his palms were torn, just like the first moment he transitioned to a batter.

‘I need to at least know how to deal with fastballs. After all, the most common pitch a pitcher throws is a fastball.’

The goal is the fastball.

Among them, the hard fastball.

Even if it’s not to the extent of easily attacking it like vertical movements.

At least, I wanted to stop just staring blankly like I am now.

“Just one at-bat is fine. I’m begging you.”

“Well, if you put it that way… just two at-bats.”

So, he asked the pitchers to throw only four-seam fastballs all the time.

The result was ambiguous.

‘I hit the slow fastballs moderately, but the fast ones are hopeless. I couldn’t even graze them.’

It was no different than before.

He faced quite a few pitchers.

He saw a lot of balls.

But there was no improvement.

‘That’s how strangely I hit. I threw away all the other balls and only aimed for the falling balls. It would be stranger if my skills improved.’

The talent he found by chance slowed down his growth.

Lee Jung-woo, who was quietly lamenting, asked hitting coach Scott.

“Is there a way to deal with fastballs?”

“The best way is to increase your bat speed. But you know that, Lee, and it’s hard to do right away, so let’s put that aside. It’s still about relaxing.”

Relax.

It’s a word I’ve heard so much it hurts.

Because that’s the most common thing coaches say to batters when giving advice.

“It sounds like a cliché. But that’s the answer in the end. If you’re too wary, your body will stiffen. That will make your movements sluggish. Then it will be difficult to deal with fastballs.”

“Wouldn’t that reduce the distance of the batted ball?”

“Relaxing doesn’t mean hitting weakly. It means swinging smoothly. Relaxing doesn’t reduce the distance. It actually increases it.”

Scott said it easily.

But that was as difficult as increasing bat speed.

Because even among experienced veteran players.

Not many have figured out how to swing smoothly while relaxing.

‘It’s going to be hard right now. Sigh. I guess I have to look at this in the long term.’

Scott encouraged Lee Jung-woo, who was exhaling a long breath in frustration.

“Don’t think too hard. There will definitely be a moment when you suddenly get a feel for it! It’s more important not to miss that feeling then. Don’t stress out for no reason.”

“Yes, I should.”

Lee Jung-woo said in a slightly low voice, but he didn’t know.

That the moment Scott mentioned would come sooner than he thought.

In a somewhat funny way too.

####

While Lee Jung-woo was regaining his initial mindset and pushing his body to the limit.

The Rome Braves brought the visiting team to their home.

The Charleston RiverDogs.

The Single-A team of the New York Yankees, arguably the most famous club in Major League Baseball, is the opponent for this series.

In that game, Lee Jung-woo started as a designated hitter from the first game.

Even with the trust of the manager, he steeled his will.

‘Don’t just aim for curves. Let’s properly face other balls this time.’

Until now, he had just let other balls pass by to get results.

He just aimed for curveballs or other breaking balls.

By maximizing his strengths.

The results were naturally good.

From August 5th to 26th. He played in 16 games and had 41 at-bats.

Because he switched between designated hitter and pinch hitter depending on the pitcher, he didn’t have many opportunities.

But the results were amazing.

He recorded a batting average of 0.366 with 15 hits, 4 home runs, 2 walks, and 18 RBIs. With an on-base percentage of 0.395 and a slugging percentage of 0.756.

He was recording an OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging] of 1.151.

But Lee Jung-woo didn’t see this as skill.

‘It’s a fluke. The results are good right now, but when the bubble bursts, I’ll hit rock bottom.’

To put it bluntly, they can just not give it to him.

In fact, as he showed good performances, the number of opponents responding that way gradually increased.

The results showed a downward curve.

Although it wasn’t many games.

The opposing team also realized.

That Lee Jung-woo is not that great except for having a strength in one type of ball.

‘There are also hitters who don’t even have that, so I could be satisfied with this much. But I don’t want to end up with just that.’

That’s why Lee Jung-woo didn’t obsess over immediate results.

To fill his weaknesses, he would rather see one more ball properly.

He decided to swing one more time.

He wanted to grow.

A new goal beyond simply wanting to play baseball again was born for him.

‘Since I’m starting over anyway. I should go all the way once.’

So, he made up his mind.

To see the maximum he could do in order not to leave even a shred of regret.

To do that, he needs to grow more.

‘Don’t obsess over falling balls. I’ll hit anything that comes into a hittable course.’

Originally, he waited patiently.

He waited until the opponent threw a falling ball, but not today.

It is often said that to become a good player, you should maximize your strengths.

But he wanted more than that.

He wanted to create new strengths.

Or at least fill in what was lacking, so he entered the plate with a different mindset than usual.

Lee Jung-woo, who had fierce eyes, scanned the field and then narrowed his eyes.

‘They’re shifting.’

The opposing team deployed a defensive shift from the 1st inning, targeting Lee Jung-woo, who hits by pulling the ball as much as possible.

A web-like encirclement spread densely towards the right fielder’s side loomed before Lee Jung-woo.

‘A spray hitter [a batter who can hit the ball to all fields] who knows how to push the ball would have laughed, but I can’t.’

He is quick to admit it.

Until now, he had only honed pulling the ball and lifting it.

For Lee Jung-woo, pushing the ball is not that he can’t do it.

It’s completely impossible.

So, the only way for him to overcome that barrier.

Is only one.

‘To hit it over. So that the defense can never catch it.’

There is no other way.

Lee Jung-woo thought.

Can I hit a ball that isn’t falling over the fence?

‘But I have to do it.’

A real hitter hits a good ball.

That’s why Lee Jung-woo entered the plate with a firm determination.

“How is it? Isn’t it awesome?”

The catcher speaks.

Lee Jung-woo ignored him.

But he kept talking without paying attention.

“They’re doing that because of you. You must feel good?”

A teasing tone.

A scoff comes out.

‘I’ve become a master at ignoring things because of Paharo.’

Thanks to the guy who was constantly chattering next to me, I have a mysterious ability to concentrate no matter who is talking.

He just focused on the pitcher.

Perhaps because the opponent didn’t react, the catcher soon closed his mouth.

‘A right-handed pitcher, it would be nice if he threw aggressively. But he won’t.’

There are not many right-handed pitchers who give a good ball to hit to a left-handed hitter who is raising his stock.

Unless they are monsters who dominate the big leagues.

So, Lee Jung-woo excluded hittable courses, middle or inside full balls for now.

‘There are a lot of strikeouts. He said he cooked opponents with a high fastball that fascinates hitters.’

High fastballs are the specialty of those with high speeds.

The pitcher in front of him also has an average speed of 94 mph (151.2 km/h) and a maximum speed of 97 mph (156 km/h).

The opponent is definitely a fireballer [a pitcher who relies on throwing fastballs].

So, he’s pitching aggressively.

Because there aren’t many power pitchers who throw slow balls except for oddballs like Maddux [Greg Maddux, a famous pitcher known for his control and movement rather than pure speed].

‘It’s difficult for me to hit over 95 mph right now. There’s also a runner on first base, so if I swing awkwardly and a ground ball comes out, a double play will come out because of the shift. So, I have to lift it before the high fastball comes out.’

Four-seam. Slider. Curve.

Lee Jung-woo nodded.

The opponent knew how to throw one of each type of pitch.

Among them, what Lee Jung-woo can aim for is a slow four-seam, a slider, and a curve.

He tries to hit all the balls.

But it would be ridiculous to send away a curve that is good to hit.

‘Well, it’s funny to change my mind right away. But I should use it as much as possible.’

After finishing his thoughts, Lee Jung-woo looked at the pitcher with sparkling eyes.

The pitcher also looked at him intently without backing down, and then began pitching in earnest.

The sidearm pitcher’s horizontally laid arm was swung like a whip.

Deception that hides the ball until the end.

Lee Jung-woo couldn’t see the ball.

‘He’s bold.’

A 95 mph (152.8 km/h) four-seam fastball was stabbed almost in the middle.

I don’t know if it’s a mistake or what.

If it’s an intentional pitch, he’s a natural Big Ball [a term for a pitcher with great stuff].

‘There are a lot of home runs. He’s originally that kind of guy. It’s difficult.’

If he were a hitter who knew how to attack fastballs properly, he would be a delicious prey.

But it’s a difficult guy for Lee Jung-woo, who lacks experience with it.

That also came out as a result.

The pitcher only showed Lee Jung-woo the four-seam fastball he threw with all his might.

The four-seam fastballs that were thrown openly were very fast.

The count was pushed to two and one with all the fastballs recording over 95 mph.

‘I still can’t see it well.’

It just passed by quickly.

Lee Jung-woo, who lacks plate discipline, only peeked at the tail of the ball slightly.

I’ve already prepared myself.

But I can’t help but feel bad.

‘One ball is a control miss. He’s practically throwing it into the zone openly.’

So, it’s even more annoying.

His expression is the same as usual, indifferent, but inside, he was seething.

‘I’ve really become a hitter. Seeing how upset I am because of the opposing pitcher.’

Lee Jung-woo, who was strangely amazed by himself, who had changed his mind in a short time, tapped the floor with the end of his bat and thought.

‘I don’t know if it’s the coach’s instruction. It’s all about the four-seam fastball. It will be the same this time.’

Fortunately, the control is not good.

They all came in clustered together.

But on the other hand, it was difficult to predict the course.

Even if I predict the opponent’s mind.

I can’t see through his body.

‘If I hit it wrong, it’s a double play. But so what. I’ll swing with confidence no matter what.’

Lee Jung-woo, who made up his mind and stopped unnecessarily abusing his bat, stood at the plate again.

Then, the pitcher showed his bright yellow teeth and smiled, then mouthed.

‘Get ready to strike out? He’s a funny guy.’

It is not something a pitcher should do to unnecessarily arouse the hitter’s alertness.

Lee Jung-woo, who scoffed at it inwardly, unlike what the pitcher wanted.

Rather, he relaxed.

Seeing that clumsy appearance.

Somehow, the strength drained out of him.

That was expressed in the swing.

As expected, the pitcher threw a great fastball again.

It’s faster than ever.

It must be the highest speed, 97 mph.

But Lee Jung-woo twisted his body gracefully with a relaxed body.

A lightning-like swing.

The ball pulled in tightly.

The batted ball that was hit well with a bang stretched out.

If it were usual, it would have been a clean hit that passed the right fielder and hit the fence hard.

‘Damn shift.’

It was caught in the shift.

The right fielder, who was guarding the position, moved back and caught the batted ball in front of the fence.

Fortunately, it’s not a double play.

But ironically.

His eyes looked beyond the fence.

‘This… it’s doable?’

I don’t know why.

I can’t see the ball at all.

But I felt like I could hit it enough.

If I gave it a little more impact or the course was better, I could have hit it over enough.

‘Is this what Scott was talking about?’

The moment he suddenly realized.

Lee Jung-woo turned his head slightly and looked at the pitcher as he walked to the dugout.

‘I found a clue thanks to you.’

####

The game tilted towards the RiverDogs.

As if they weren’t in first place for nothing.

The RiverDogs mercilessly beat the Braves.

By the bottom of the 6th inning, the score between the two teams was a whopping 11 to 1.

You have to hit two grand slams [a home run hit with all three bases occupied, resulting in four runs].

It was possible to reverse the score.

The players had already given up on the game.

‘Not me. I have to grasp the feeling as much as possible.’

He gave up two at-bats.

Both were outs caught in the shift.

The opposing pitcher looked at him confidently.

He must have felt good because he had tightly blocked a hitter who was doing well in the league.

‘There are no runners, so he’ll do the same as before. I wish he would. Please do.’

Lee Jung-woo prayed inwardly to such a guy.

To grasp this feeling.

Please do the same as before.

“Are you just going to go in this time too? You’re going to strike out anyway, so why don’t you just go in advance? It’s easier for both of us.”

The catcher trash-talks as if it were natural.

Lee Jung-woo, who would have thoroughly ignored it as usual.

He opened his heavy lips.

“Tell the pitcher I said thank you.”

“What?”

“Tell him I said thank you.”

The catcher’s face became bizarre at the opponent hitter who suddenly said thank you.

He seemed to be thinking, did he take some kind of drug?

Because it is incomprehensible unless it is that kind of thing for a hitter who has blown two at-bats to thank the pitcher who has blocked him tightly.

‘Is it a new kind of trash talk?’

The catcher was confused.

But Lee Jung-woo was sincere.

If the pitcher hadn’t mouthed to make him lose strength.

He wouldn’t have grasped the feeling this quickly.

‘I haven’t completely made it mine yet. But I know what it means to take the power out of the swing.’

Lee Jung-woo looked at the pitcher with sparkling eyes full of gratitude.

Then, the pitcher thankfully mouthed again.

Seeing that, the strength drained out of him again.

‘Sigh, I liked this. It’s very interesting.’

Lee Jung-woo, who couldn’t hold back his laughter, prepared a reward for him.

The pitcher who throws the four-seam fastball with all his might as before.

Lee Jung-woo hit the ball that came low into the center of the zone with poor control with a smooth swing.

Bang-

The sound of splitting a watermelon with a club on a wavy beach on a hot summer day.

Filled State Mutual Stadium.

Lee Jung-woo threw the bat over his shoulder.

He was also a pitcher.

He also knew the feeling of being hit with a lot of home runs, so he didn’t react much even when he hit a home run.

But it was different now.

It wasn’t just a home run.

He was incredibly happy that he had grasped a clue to a new leap forward.

“Make sure to tell him. I’m really thankful. And tell him to keep his mouth shut if possible.”