A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 152

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good – Episode 152

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good 152

40. Game with No Time Limit (2)

“This is just between us… but frankly, I even considered this.”

These were the words of Manager Arthur Freeman.

“On the day the Boston guys come to play, how about we subtly hint to our front office staff…”

Don’t groom the field.

Leave the grass as it is.

It seemed like a somewhat random instruction, but the experienced coaching staff immediately understood what it meant.

“Hoo, this game… From the start, you were planning to win, Manager.”

Of course, no team does it openly.

However, it was a kind of ‘trick’ secretly used in baseball when a weak team absolutely wanted to beat a strong team.

If the field isn’t properly groomed, unexpected situations can occur throughout the game.

The ball might suddenly ‘hook’ in a strange direction, or a ball that was rolling smoothly might suddenly ‘stop’.

‘If that happens during the opponent’s defense, we’ll gain the equivalent of two or three hits.’

Of course, the reverse is also true.

If this happens during our defense, a game we would have lost 5-0 could turn into a disastrous 12-0 defeat.

But what does it matter? It’s a game we have no chance of winning head-on anyway.

A strategy to bet on the possibility of breaking the opponent, even if it means taking some risks.

Manager Arthur Freeman continued.

“That’s right. It could potentially lead to injuries, so I couldn’t actually go through with it… but in my heart, I wanted to win this game by any means necessary.”

The reason was simple.

“To give our players the pride of ‘defeating the Boston Red Sox.’”

Manager Arthur Freeman began to look at each of the coaching staff members.

“I think you all know. This season, we will face crises. It could be a terrible losing streak, or a tough match against an ace pitcher.”

“…….”

“But in those situations, the memory of ‘beating Boston’ will be a great source of strength for our players. Don’t you think so?”

The Cannon’s coaching staff had been quite angry at the Boston players’ rude attitude.

However, the moment they heard Manager Arthur Freeman’s words, a subtle change in their emotions could be detected on their faces.

“Ha, I guess so. The Boston Red Sox are one of the most prestigious teams in Major League Baseball… The fact that we beat such a team will remain a pretty strong memory.”

“If we beat Boston, what other team can’t we beat… If our players think that way, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

“There will be guys who make noise about how the starting members didn’t come out, or that it was a shortened game… But what does it matter? The important thing is that we beat Boston!”

The coaching staff nodded slowly, each offering a word.

The one word that Manager Arthur Freeman had been waiting for came the very next moment.

“If you think about it that way, it seems like a really good opportunity, just like you said, Manager.”

It was the pitching coach who spoke.

“A two-hour time limit in baseball… In a way, isn’t that a much more uncertain environment than a field that hasn’t been properly groomed?”

If you play the game in a stable environment, the victory or defeat will inevitably depend on skill.

However, if you play the game in an uncertain environment, victory goes to the side that uses that environment to their advantage.

“If there’s a time limit, the game will change. We’ll have to change the timing of pitcher substitutions, and the timing of when to take risks… I understand, Manager.”

The pitching coach said with a determined expression.

“Eric McConnell, was it? Let’s make that arrogant guy’s face turn pale.”

* * *

From that afternoon,

The Cannons shifted to ‘practical mode.’

“Considering that there’s a time limit, the important thing is definitely the first run. I think it’s necessary to actively use tactics from the beginning to secure at least one or two points.”

“Hmm, tactics… Then it’s right to have Min-sung and Young-chan as the table setters [the first few batters in the lineup]. They have basic sense and good tactical execution ability.”

The coaching staff began to gather in the conference room whenever they had a chance to establish a game plan.

What strategy should they use to defeat Boston in two hours? How should they organize the batting order, and when should they start using the bullpen [the relief pitchers]?

“It is said that Gonzalez will be deployed as the third baseman. He is a friend who joined Boston as an invited player during this spring training period.”

“Ah, then he wouldn’t have had much time to work with the other fielders? If we catch them off guard, should we target the third baseman’s side…”

After the Boston side sent the list of participating players, the Cannons’ power analysis team joined the meeting.

They analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing players and focused on discussing which points to exploit.

“Alright! As I said in advance, we will lower the pitching machine speed a bit from today. Everyone, don’t just pull the ball aimlessly, but focus on making accurate hits. Got it?”

“Wait a minute, Coach! Is it okay to lower the speed? I heard that the opposing starter’s speed is low… But the pitchers who come out after that will be throwing over 150 km/h [approximately 93 mph], right?”

“Erase the bullpen pitchers’ speed from your mind. We’re going to make a move early. If we take down the starting pitcher, we win!”

After the game plan was established, the players’ time followed.

Adjusting the batters’ timing to match the opposing starting pitcher, and determining the pitchers’ ball distribution to match the opposing lineup.

They trained with a focus on the Boston Red Sox for a day, two days, and three days.

Exactly on the morning of the fifth day, several team buses with a large, familiar logo arrived at the KH Cannons spring camp.

‘…They’re here.’

The Boston Red Sox.

The KH Cannons’ last practice game opponent of this spring camp.

* * *

“Last one!”

“Ball out! Ball out! Ball out!”

The Boston Red Sox players preparing for the top of the first inning.

Ji-seop was quietly watching the scene from the VIP room.

“Hmm? It’s the top of the first… Are we attacking?”

CEO Seo Chang-gi, who had returned after chatting with the Boston side, tilted his head as he sat next to Ji-seop.

“Special Assistant Kim, what’s going on? It’s our home game. So, shouldn’t we be attacking in the bottom of the first?”

“In principle, that’s true… But the Boston team suddenly requested it. They said they wanted to attack first.”

There’s a cold game rule [mercy rule].

Ji-seop said with a calm expression.

“If the score difference widens to 7 points or more at the end of an inning, the game ends immediately.”

“Oh, that’s strict. But what does that have to do with Boston attacking first?”

“Hehe, it’s a simple problem if you think from the Boston team’s perspective.”

Ji-seop smiled wryly.

“If they attack in the top of the first, they can’t go home until the Cannons’ defense in the bottom of the first is over, whether they score 10 points or 20 points in the top of the first, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But if they attack first, they only need to score 7 points. The moment they score 7 points, the game ends, and the Boston guys can pack their bags and go home right away.”

“Wh-what?!”

CEO Seo’s eyebrows shot up.

“So, those guys are just thinking about going home early? They didn’t even plan to play the full 2 hours from the start, and they’re thinking of crushing our Cannons with a cold game and then going home?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s not home. After today’s game, they’re planning to return to their home stadium and resume training…”

“Hey, is that important? What’s important is that those guys have no manners. Even if they’re major leaguers, how can they have so little respect for their opponents!”

CEO Seo was about to run out onto the field, but Ji-seop calmed him down with a gentle smile.

“No, CEO. Right now, it’s actually more beneficial if Boston doesn’t respect us.”

“What?”

“Hehe, isn’t that right? We’ve set up all our strategies under the assumption that the Boston guys will underestimate us, but if they suddenly respect us and get serious, that would be more troublesome.”

Look, CEO.

Ji-seop raised his finger and pointed towards the field.

“The Boston third baseman is currently playing normal defense, isn’t he?”

“Hmm, that’s right.”

“If they had done even a little bit of power analysis on us, the third baseman couldn’t be standing in that position.”

Ji-seop turned his gaze towards CEO Seo.

“Shin Min-sung, who was used as our first batter today… He’s the fastest guy in the Cannons.”

“That’s right, just looking at his size, anyone would think he’s a fourth batter [cleanup hitter].”

“Exactly.”

Ji-seop grinned.

“Just looking at his appearance, he’s a right-handed power hitter. The Boston third baseman must have positioned himself to defend against a strong hit. But Shin Min-sung is a first-batter style with excellent bat control.”

At that very moment,

CEO Seo Chang-gi’s eyes reflected the figure of Shin Min-sung.

The Cannons’ first batter quickly transitioned into a bunt stance just before the Boston starting pitcher’s first pitch was thrown.

Thump!

It was excellent bat control.

Shin Min-sung completely killed the ball with a technical bunt hit.

The ball that fell right in front of home plate rolled along the third base foul line.

“Darn it!”

The Boston third baseman, who belatedly realized the situation, hurriedly ran down and caught the ball with his bare hands.

He spun his body around and threw the ball with all his might towards the first baseman—whoosh—wham!

By the time his throw was sucked into the first baseman’s mitt, Shin Min-sung’s fast feet had already passed over first base.

Very naturally, the voice that CEO Seo Chang-gi heard in his ear at that very moment was this.

“Safe! Safe! Saaafe!!!”

The figure of the first base umpire spreading his arms wide and making a safe call.

It was at this moment that the atmosphere of the two teams diverged sharply.

“Alright! Lead batter on base!!”

“Hey, Shin Min-sung! What are you doing? You need to put in some fighting spirit, fighting!!!”

“Anyway, that guy is good at everything, but he gets shy at strange points? Hahaha!”

The KH Cannons players were clapping, stomping their feet, and shouting in joy.

“Hey, Mr. Ramirez! Don’t you know the basics of baseball? Where is there a third baseman who defends so deep against a first batter?”

“I-I’m sorry. I thought you would watch the first pitch even if you used a tactic… I’ll be careful.”

“Do it right, do it right! Are you thinking of playing baseball until sunset today?”

The Boston Red Sox players were sighing, clicking their tongues, and spitting on the ground in annoyance.

“The first tactic was successful.”

The corners of Ji-seop’s mouth lifted slightly as he watched this scene from the VIP room.

“Hehe, this is the first tactic… Then there will naturally be a second tactic.”

CEO Seo Chang-gi, whose mood had improved a little with the lead batter on base,

Poked Ji-seop in the side and asked.

“Special Assistant Kim, tell me. How far are the tactics prepared? Until this inning? Or until the batting order has gone around once?”

“Well, you don’t need to ask separately, do you?”

Ji-seop replied coolly.

“Until the Boston guys show some respect for the Cannons.”