A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 105

29. On the Threshold of Autumn (2)

Department Head Cha Jong-min’s words rang true.

As the regular season schedule drew to a close, the KH Cannons were deep in their postseason preparations.

“So… this lift goes all the way up every time there’s a change of offense and defense. The cheerleading captain gets on it and waves the flag like crazy.”

“It’ll definitely catch the eye… but is this going to be okay? I heard Director Park has a fear of heights.”

They were introducing new cheering equipment, devising engaging events for the fans, and bringing in the necessary personnel.

Of course, these preparations weren’t exactly smooth sailing.

Like a seasoned diner knows how to savor a steak, those experienced in postseason preparation excel at it.

As the Cannons faced ‘fall baseball’ [Korean term for postseason baseball] for the first time in 12 years, various challenges were inevitable.

“Team Leader, we have a problem! The Yeongsan City Facilities Management Corporation says we can’t install the lift!”

“What?! Why?! Other teams do it every year!”

They even found themselves in heated discussions with city officials over the new cheering equipment.

“This cannon-shaped inflatable… why isn’t it getting any bigger? It’s been inflating for quite a while now.”

“It seems like it’s riddled with holes. Apparently, it’s been used for over 10 years….”

A significant portion of the equipment stored in the baseball team’s warehouse was deemed ‘unusable,’ forcing them to belatedly purchase replacements.

“Damn it, why does it cost so much to set up a single cheering banner? It used to be half this much!”

“Hey, you can’t compare it to 10 years ago. The hourly wage for part-timers has gone up a lot! The safety regulations have been strengthened, so we need more staff.”

Due to costs far exceeding the allocated budget, they had to repeatedly revise their cheering plans.

“Fall baseball… it’s not easy.”

“…That’s what I’m saying.”

While these ‘tumultuous’ preparations unfolded inside and outside the stadium, Ji-seop met with the marketing team a few days later.

On a Tuesday afternoon, a game-free day due to the season’s end, the marketing team leader visited the manager’s office with Director Seo Chang-gi.

“In a way… we’re facing the most crucial task right now.”

After a brief exchange of greetings, the marketing team leader addressed Manager Arthur Freeman directly.

“It’s about deciding on the slogan for this postseason.”

Ji-seop took a sip of his coffee, and the marketing team leader continued.

“Some people see it as just a cheering slogan or an advertising phrase… but I see it differently.”

What is the KH Cannons’ goal in this postseason?

What do the KH Cannons want to achieve?

The marketing team leader explained that the postseason slogan should communicate this to everyone associated with the club, both internally and externally.

“I wanted to hear the manager’s opinion.”

Click.

The marketing team leader set down his coffee cup.

“How are you approaching this postseason, Manager? What’s the… theme, or message you want to convey to the players?”

“Hmm.”

After hearing Ji-seop’s translation, Manager Arthur Freeman nodded thoughtfully.

Then, he said something to the marketing team leader that even Ji-seop found a bit surprising.

“This postseason…”

He stroked his chin, covered with its prickly white beard, and continued.

“I hope our Cannons players can enjoy it to the fullest.”

* * *

Manager Arthur Freeman’s words hung in the air.

The marketing team leader and Director Seo Chang-gi exchanged glances.

It was an unexpected response.

“Enjoy… to the fullest?”

After a moment of silence, Director Seo Chang-gi spoke first.

“’If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it’… is that the sentiment you’re expressing?”

When Ji-seop translated Director Seo’s words, Manager Freeman chuckled and slapped his knee.

“No, Director.”

Manager Freeman turned his gaze to the whiteboard on one side of the manager’s office.

The whiteboard was covered with the KH Cannons’ current record, the first and second-team rosters, and their head-to-head records against the other 9 teams.

“I don’t know what Director thinks… but I believe our KH Cannons were very fortunate this season.”

“Lucky… you say?”

“Yes.”

Manager Freeman continued.

“Whether it’s based on the simulations from the pre-season power rankings or what I’ve witnessed directly on the field… frankly, it’s fair to say that the KH Cannons are probably around 6th or 7th in terms of overall strength among the 10 teams.”

They have key players in the batting lineup, but the overall squad depth is lacking.

The foreign starting pitchers form a solid one-two punch, but they lack reliable domestic starting pitchers to support them.

Manager Freeman summarized the common perception of the KH Cannons.

“Nevertheless, the fact that we’ve risen to 4th place in the season indicates that we’ve had luck on our side in many ways. The players may have performed well at crucial moments, and the coaching staff’s advice may have been effective….”

“So, what you’re saying, Manager…”

Director Seo Chang-gi was quick to grasp the point.

As he narrowed his eyes and trailed off, Manager Freeman nodded, saying, ‘That’s right.’

“I am not aiming for the championship in this postseason.”

The manager spoke with conviction.

“Our Cannons are a team in rebuilding. A team that is growing. Rather than trying to win the championship through unrealistic means, we should focus on the players’ development.”

Growth. The growth of the players.

Manager Freeman emphasized that word.

“For the young players of the Cannons, this postseason will undoubtedly be a valuable experience. The key is what kind of memory that experience leaves behind….”

There are several possibilities.

It could be remembered as a period of breathless tension.

It could be remembered as a time of physical exhaustion that made their legs tremble.

But the ‘memory’ that Manager Freeman desired seemed to be different.

“I hope that memory… remains as ‘enjoyment’ for our young players.”

“…Enjoyment.”

“The thrill of throwing the ball amidst intense pressure, the excitement of swinging the bat with the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd… memories like that.”

Manager Freeman straightened his posture.

“If these memories accumulate, little by little… at some point, that player becomes a ‘player who thrives in the fall.’ Some of them even become ‘players who look forward to the fall.’”

Manager Freeman’s eyes sparkled.

“My goal for this postseason is to cultivate such a player.”

A player who thrives in the fall.

A player who looks forward to the fall.

To create such a player, what the Cannons must do now is-

“Creating an atmosphere where players can enjoy the game to the fullest….”

I understand.

The marketing team leader nodded.

“We will develop the postseason slogan in accordance with the manager’s vision.”

* * *

A few days later.

Ji-seop received the postseason slogan from the marketing team.

[It’s a BOOM time!]

Boom.

In the dictionary, it signifies prosperity, a golden age, or a sudden gathering of people.

It also represents the sound of a cannon firing a shell.

“The slogan is well-chosen.”

That was Manager Arthur Freeman’s impression.

“It conveys a sense of gathering and enjoyment, and it fits the team name Cannons… um, tell them I like it.”

“Yes, Manager.”

As Ji-seop reached for his cell phone to message the marketing team, Manager Freeman turned to him and continued.

“Then… what’s the schedule moving forward?”

“I heard that the filming crew will be visiting the stadium this weekend.”

It was for taking photos and videos to be used during the postseason.

The photos and videos taken will be distributed to broadcasting stations, newspapers, and online portals to promote the series.

“This weekend… then I need to practice my facial expressions in advance.”

“Facial expression practice… you mean?”

“Yes, my wife in the United States saw the photos taken at the beginning of the season and had something to say.”

‘Why are you making such a face?’

‘You look like the bulldog next door.’

Manager Freeman’s wife had nagged him like that.

“I need to brighten up my expression this time. That way, I’ll get less nagging, right?”

“Then how about… should I book an appointment at a dermatologist for you?”

Ji-seop joked.

“If you get some skin care before the shoot, your impression will be much better, right?”

“Hehe, should I?”

Manager Freeman chuckled.

“I’ll think about it if you join me. A scene where two big men are lying side by side getting skin care… doesn’t that sound interesting?”

“…Come to think of it, it doesn’t seem like a particularly appealing scene. I think it’s better to postpone the visit to the dermatologist.”

“Right?”

Hahahahaha.

Manager Arthur Freeman burst into a loud laugh and turned his gaze back to the power analysis data.

Until then, the KH Cannons’ postseason preparations seemed to be progressing smoothly-

“Ji-seop, Ji-seop!”

A few days later.

Ji-seop received an unexpected report from the marketing team.

“I’m sorry, Ji-seop. The photo and video shoot that was scheduled for today… it looks like it will be postponed for a few days.”

“Postponed?”

Ji-seop tilted his head.

“Why the sudden postponement? Did something happen with the filming crew?”

“No, it’s not that.”

The marketing team employee hesitated and continued.

“The postseason slogan we showed you, right?”

“’It’s a Boom Time’?”

“Yes, that one.”

The marketing team employee scratched the back of his head.

“The manager approved it, and the director also gave it the green light… so we thought there wouldn’t be any problems and even finalized the filming schedule….”

“We were?”

“Until this morning… the final approval for the postseason slogan hasn’t been granted.”

As with any company, further work cannot proceed without approval.

Since the postseason slogan hasn’t been approved, the photo shoot is also postponed indefinitely.

It wasn’t uncommon in baseball, but at this point, Ji-seop couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion.

“Wait, but… who hasn’t approved it?”

“Yes?”

“You just said it. The manager approved it, and the director also gave the okay… then it’s practically been approved by the highest-ranking individuals in our baseball team, right?”

“It’s not confirmed, but the rumor is that only one person is withholding approval.”

Hoo.

With a long sigh, the marketing team employee revealed the truth.

“…The acting owner.”