A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 17

New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good – Episode 17

Chapter 6: Going to Work at the Baseball Team (2)

That day, the new training assistants of the KH Cannons ended up having lunch at a kimchi stew restaurant near the baseball field.

“Ah, that’s too bad. I thought becoming a training assistant meant we’d get to use the Cannons Field 선수 [Seonsu – Korean term for professional athlete] restaurant.”

“Oh, I’ve been there when I did my KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] internship! They have really good side dishes there… but I guess it can’t be helped since it’s the off-season for the players right now.”

With the bubbling kimchi stew in front of them, the people gradually got to know each other.

It was from this point that questions started pouring in for Ji-seop.

“Mr. Kim Ji-seop, do they also select players through tryouts in the American independent league?”

“Mr. Kim Ji-seop, how many Korean players are there in the Japanese independent league?”

“Mr. Kim Ji-seop, what’s the intensity of training like in the American independent league?”

Following Secretary Yang’s advice, Ji-seop hadn’t mentioned the Chinese league during his self-introduction.

He thought that would prevent him from drawing too much attention, but it seemed he was mistaken.

The fact that he had played in the American and Japanese independent leagues was enough to make Ji-seop the center of attention among the training assistants.

“I felt it during the self-introduction, but… you’re really amazing, Mr. Kim Ji-seop.”

One of the new recruits said.

“I have a lot of friends around me who used to play baseball… but most of them have quit now.”

“That’s right. If they don’t get drafted professionally, most of them choose a different path, right? In that respect, Mr. Kim Ji-seop, who even went to the independent leagues, is amazing.”

Ji-seop knew it all too well.

That half of what they were saying was just lip service.

But was there any need to point that out and ruin the good atmosphere?

Ji-seop simply said, ‘Thank you,’ with a bright smile, and was busy dividing the kimchi stew, which was now perfectly cooked, when-

“But you know, Mr. Kim Ji-seop.”

It seemed there was at least one person who didn’t like this atmosphere.

“Why did you go to the independent leagues?”

It was Oh Young-jin.

The very same friend who had led the self-introduction earlier.

The only one among the new training assistants who had been drafted professionally.

“What do you mean?”

Even at this point, Ji-seop hadn’t grasped Oh Young-jin’s intention.

“Even if you weren’t drafted professionally, there must have been plenty of ways to continue playing baseball in Korea, right?”

Oh Young-jin’s voice was full of sharp thorns.

“There was the option of joining a professional team as a developmental player, or you could have submitted an application to an independent baseball team in Korea…”

Ah!

Oh Young-jin feigned surprise and continued.

“Could it be that you didn’t even receive an offer as a developmental player… surely that’s not the case, is it? Around me, it seems like every Tom, Dick, and Harry gets an offer as a developmental player?”

The good atmosphere froze in an instant.

Half of the people were watching Ji-seop’s reaction, and the other half were glaring at Oh Young-jin.

Oh Young-jin had a triumphant look on his face, as if he thought he had landed a blow, but there wasn’t a hint of agitation on Ji-seop’s face.

‘It’s not like he’s the first guy to talk to me like that.’

Ji-seop was just curious.

Why is this guy being like this to me?

Why is a guy who even got drafted professionally picking a fight with me?

As he thought that and stared intently into Oh Young-jin’s eyes, Ji-seop let out a hollow laugh.

“What, you.”

Oh Young-jin glared.

“Are you saying what I said is funny?”

“Funny? Of course, it’s funny.”

Ji-seop didn’t bother trying to hide the corners of his mouth, which kept rising.

“Were you jealous, Oh Young-jin?”

Ji-seop asked.

“That my colleagues were only talking to me… were you that jealous?”

* * *

Ji-seop read Oh Young-jin’s inner thoughts as follows:

[Damn it, why is everyone only paying attention to that dimwit?]

[Japanese independent league? American independent league? What’s so great about that?]

[Isn’t it obvious that I’m the one who should be getting the most attention here? KBO Draft, 8th round, 76th pick!]

To have the focus to even recall his draft number in that short moment.

Ji-seop clicked his tongue inwardly and continued.

“Then wouldn’t it be better to just say it honestly? Please talk to me too. I also have a lot of stories I want to share… like this.”

As Ji-seop retorted with a straight face, sounds of stifled laughter came from the training assistants sitting on either side.

“Wh-what?!”

Of course, Oh Young-jin’s expression, having been ‘stabbed’ right in the heart, was quite a sight to behold.

His eyes were wide, his fingers were trembling, and a drop of cold sweat was ‘trickling’ down his long sideburns.

‘He’s the type whose emotions are all over his face… he must have had a hard time during his active career.’

Ji-seop had seen countless times over the past 20 years what fate awaited baseball players who couldn’t hide their emotions.

Perhaps that’s why he didn’t want to push this friend, Oh Young-jin, too harshly.

“Oh Young-jin, don’t you think there’s no need to be so anxious in a casual meal among ourselves…?”

Ji-seop said in a gentle tone.

“Aren’t the 2nd team coaching staff the ones we’ll be working closely with anyway? They’ll know all about your background… what’s the rush to make such a fuss, making people feel uneasy.”

“Th-that’s…”

It seemed that Ji-seop’s words made some sense upon hearing them.

Oh Young-jin trailed off, his expression subdued.

Ji-seop smiled at Oh Young-jin, but he didn’t forget to take measures to prevent him from rising up again.

“And Oh Young-jin.”

It was a bit underhanded, but it was the most reliable method among athletes.

“How old are you?”

“Me? Tw-twenty-six…”

At this moment, Oh Young-jin glanced at Ji-seop.

And reluctantly uttered a word.

“…Twenty-six, senior.”

“Okay, that’s enough.”

Ji-seop nodded.

“Then shall we eat, junior?”

“…Yes.”

Ji-seop used the ladle to fill Oh Young-jin’s plate with kimchi stew.

The other training assistants were suppressing their laughter at the sight of Oh Young-jin reluctantly accepting the kimchi stew.

* * *

After finishing lunch, a full-fledged orientation for the training assistants began in the KH Cannons Field Conference Room 1.

“You are training assistants, but I hope you will approach your roles with the mindset that you are the second coaching staff.”

Lectures from the baseball team’s staff continued, including the head of the development team, who could be considered the chief in charge of the 2nd team’s spring camp, as well as the 2nd team’s head coach, the public relations team leader, and the head of the trainers.

It was quite an interesting time for Ji-seop, who had always viewed baseball from a player’s perspective, except for his brief stint at [Superstar Baseball].

The new training assistants, who had become much more relaxed after lunch, were also attending the lectures with bright expressions.

Of course, Oh Young-jin, who had foolishly provoked Ji-seop and got a good smackdown, still had a face like he was chewing on a bug.

“…Damn it.”

The orientation scheduled for that day ended around 6 PM.

After a simple dinner at a Chinese restaurant near the baseball field, the new training assistants split into two groups.

One group consisted of the new recruits who would be using the accommodations provided by the baseball team, and the other group consisted of the new recruits who would go home for now and come back to work tomorrow.

Ji-seop, whose home was in Seoul, naturally chose the former, and was assigned accommodations for players located on the outskirts of Yeongsan City, guided by a member of the operations team.

“…It’s much better than I thought?”

The accommodations were usually used by 2nd team players, or players who were on the 1st team but hadn’t yet established themselves.

Ji-seop, who had thought that all accommodations for players were the same, was in for a pleasant surprise with the KH Cannons’ accommodations.

Compared to the accommodations during his American independent league days, where one or two cockroaches were considered cute, and some places even had bullet holes, this place was like heaven.

‘The view from the balcony is also great… it’s almost a waste to only stay here for one day.’

The accommodations for players that he couldn’t come to even if he wanted to during his active career.

Ji-seop, his eyes sparkling, finished looking around, took a shower, and sat on the sofa with a light heart.

He picked up the TV remote control next to him and was taking a moment’s rest while pressing various buttons when,

Click- Squeak-

Just as he thought he heard a sound from the front door, a large shadow ‘slid’ into the room.

“…Ah.”

The man blinked at Ji-seop, who was already there.

He was quite a large person.

He seemed to be about a fist shorter than Ji-seop, but overall, he had a plump build.

His eyebrows were thick, his dark stubble was thick, and he resembled a bear.

Ji-seop knew this man’s name.

“You’re Mr. Go Chang-deok, right?”

“Ah, yes. Mr. Kim Ji-seop?”

“Yes, it seems we’ll be sharing accommodations today.”

“Y-yes, that’s right. Please take care of me.”

Go Chang-deok bowed his head and was busy for a while, putting down his luggage, taking a shower, and changing his clothes.

Ji-seop was watching the basketball broadcast on cable TV, recalling the information he had heard about Go Chang-deok during the self-introduction.

‘Among the new training assistants who were selected this time… that man was the oldest, wasn’t he?’

Even as the oldest, he was only one year older than Ji-seop.

Thirty-three this year. He was already married and had a daughter.

‘At thirty-three, he’s a training assistant… I’m one thing, but that man has come a long way too.’

Although he didn’t say it out loud, Ji-seop felt a sense of camaraderie with Go Chang-deok.

A sense of kinship between people who started their social lives after the age of thirty.

Of course, just as Ji-seop had been a baseball player, he had a feeling that the man named Go Chang-deok also had a different story.

“Hoo.”

While Ji-seop was thinking that, Go Chang-deok, who had changed his clothes, let out a long sigh and revealed himself.

“You’ve worked hard today.”

“Haha, it’s nothing.”

Although there was only a one-year age difference, Go Chang-deok gave off a sense of being an ‘adult.’

His voice was booming as if he were speaking from a cave, and his actions were calm, unlike the other new recruits.

Even now, he was staring intently at his phone screen with a deep frown, as if something serious was going on.

‘Is it because he’s a father?’

It would be easier to talk to him if he were a former player like Oh Young-jin, but Ji-seop was slightly worried about how to approach such a mature person.

However, he couldn’t just stare blankly at the television for the rest of the time, so Ji-seop spoke first.

“Would you like a cup of coffee? There are some instant packs on the table.”

“Ah, coffee?”

Go Chang-deok also seemed awkward with Ji-seop, and hesitated without answering right away.

Ji-seop thought, ‘That’s even better,’ and gave a sly smile.

“I’m really good at making instant coffee. Would you like a cup? Unless you’re going to sleep right away.”

“W-would you?”

As Go Chang-deok nodded, Ji-seop turned off the TV and headed towards the electric kettle placed on one side of the room.

He put the water on and was tearing open the package of instant coffee to pour it into the coffee cup when it happened.

Suddenly, a sound that echoed loudly in the otherwise quiet accommodations.

-Minna-san, konnichiwa! Kyō mo watashi o mini kite kurete arigatō! [Japanese: Hello everyone! Thank you for coming to see me again today!]

A girl’s voice.