A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 54

The Newcomer in the Baseball Team is Too Good – Episode 54

Chapter 16: Throw with All Your Might to the Center (2)

An idea brought by Go Chang-deok.

To be more precise, it was an idea that the power analysis team had been consistently advocating since last year.

The gist was simple.

① Forkballs, due to their nature, are difficult to hit far even when hit squarely.

② KH Cannons’ home stadium, KH Cannons Field, has a wide outfield, making home runs rare.

The conclusion derived from these two premises:

③ Throw the forkball right down the middle to induce fly ball outs!

Of course, this was the work of the power analysis team, who lived buried in numbers 365 days a year.

Those data-obsessed folks wouldn’t bring up such a story without any supporting evidence.

“We collected and organized all the pitching data of forkball pitchers who appeared in our home stadium over the past 5 years,” said Go Chang-deok.

“During that period, there were approximately 1,200 forkballs thrown right down the middle… but only about 100 of them resulted in extra-base hits of doubles or more.”

“Less than 1%?”

Ji-seop was surprised by the much lower-than-expected figure.

However, a triumphant smile was forming on Go Chang-deok’s face.

“Hehe, don’t be too surprised yet.”

“Yes?”

“Out of those 100 or so extra-base hits, only two resulted in home runs over the outfield fence.”

“In 5 years… only two?”

“That’s right, and the player who hit those two home runs was Ryu Jang-ho from our team.”

“Jang-ho?”

Ryu Jang-ho, the ‘genius hitter’ of the KH Cannons.

Ji-seop couldn’t help but be amazed once again by his hitting sense, but the point to be discussed now was slightly different.

“So, what you’re saying is…”

Ji-seop opened his mouth, stroking his chin.

“…that the only person who has ever hit a home run off a forkball thrown right down the middle in our home stadium is… no one from another team?”

“Exactly, that’s it.”

Go Chang-deok’s eyes gleamed.

“Although not as dramatic as at KH Cannons Field, similar trends were observed in other stadiums as well.”

“…”

“We tend to consider a pitch thrown right down the middle as a ‘mistake’ and taboo it. But as you’ve seen, Ji-seop, the data tells a slightly different story.”

A forkball thrown right down the middle can be a surprisingly powerful weapon.

“If we equip closer Kim Jeong-gyu with this, I think we can solve our team’s chronic bullpen anxiety… What do you think, Ji-seop?”

“It seems like a much better option than clinging to a slider that’s not improving in quality…”

It was at this moment that a wry smile appeared on Ji-seop’s face.

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“Hehe, you seem to have already caught on. Why ask the obvious?”

You’re the manager’s translator.

Go Chang-deok winked.

“Couldn’t you subtly suggest our power analysis team’s idea to Manager Freeman?”

* * *

Within the power analysis team, it seemed to be regarded as a virtually discarded plan.

They had been steadily appealing since last year, but the stubborn coaching staff of the Cannons dismissed it as ‘nonsense’.

However, Go Chang-deok seemed to think it was too good of an idea to simply discard.

‘I’m in a position to directly express my opinions to Manager Freeman… so that’s why he’s been chattering away, explaining it all to me.’

Frankly speaking, this was a situation where Ji-seop of the past would have played it safe.

A clear hierarchy and a culture that values the reporting system, typical of athletes.

As Ji-seop, who had been accustomed to such a culture, the feeling of ‘sticking out’ was quite burdensome.

However, after listening to the nagging of ‘Sakhalin Park’ [a nickname referencing his origin and perceived stubbornness] Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju, Ji-seop realized that changes were needed in his behavior patterns.

‘What I need is a strong drive to trust my instincts and push forward… or so he said.’

If he was afraid of gossip among people, there wouldn’t be much room to climb higher from here.

What difference would it make from his playing days, when he was always watching the manager’s and coaches’ reactions while pitching?

To climb higher, to live a different life than during his playing days, it was sometimes necessary to close his eyes and move boldly.

‘Alright, what the heck… let’s give it a try.’

Having made up his mind, Ji-seop didn’t drag things out.

“Good morning.”

The next morning, Manager Arthur Freeman arrived at work.

Almost at the same time as a cup of coffee was being brewed, Ji-seop entered the manager’s office and said this.

“Manager.”

“Hmm?”

“Could you spare about 10 minutes?”

“10 minutes? Well, that’s fine… What’s up?”

Perhaps because Ji-seop rarely acted so proactively, Manager Freeman gave him a rather intrigued look.

“Actually, it’s about our team’s closer, Kim Jeong-gyu’s pitching mechanics…”

Ji-seop continued.

“I have something to report to you.”

* * *

Although limited to the minor leagues, Manager Arthur Freeman had been active in the American baseball scene for over 30 years.

Perhaps because he came from a place where the influence of data experts was strong, it didn’t take long to persuade him.

Not long after Ji-seop started talking, Manager Freeman ordered, ‘Bring the power analysis team employee who proposed this plan.’

“Hehe, this is interesting.”

Manager Arthur Freeman, who had been briefed in detail by Go Chang-deok, who had rushed into the manager’s office in a hurry.

He took off his reading glasses and placed them on the desk, nodding slowly.

“To summarize, you want to revamp our team’s closer JK’s pitching design… I think that’s roughly what it means.”

Pitching design.

The act of changing a pitcher’s pitching mechanics based on collected data.

It seemed that this was not an unfamiliar concept to Manager Arthur Freeman.

“Basically, I’m in favor. If this much data has already been accumulated, it would be strange not to try it.”

He continued.

“If you want, I can issue a directive to the coaching staff under my authority. To coach JK in the way you’ve suggested.”

“Th, thank you!!!”

Go Chang-deok’s face was filled with delight at the manager’s positive response.

However, Ji-seop didn’t miss the hidden meaning in Manager Freeman’s words.

“When you say you’re basically in favor… that means you might oppose it depending on additional conditions, doesn’t it?”

“Hehe, you’re sharp as always, Kim. You never just let a word pass by. Huh?”

Manager Freeman’s gray eyes turned to Ji-seop.

“Data experts come up with ideas, and pitchers’ pitching is redesigned based on these ideas… In fact, I know that this is not an uncommon concept in Korean professional baseball teams as well as in America. Is that not so?”

“Actually… that’s right.”

Go Chang-deok nodded.

“It’s been quite some time since each team in Korea started advocating ‘data baseball’.”

In fact, there are quite a few cases in Korean professional baseball where pitchers have been reborn through ‘pitching design’.

“Isn’t it strange? Everyone is shouting ‘data baseball’… but some teams revive even pitchers who were on the verge of dying, while others ruin pitchers who were throwing well.”

Manager Freeman straightened his back.

“What do you think is the source of this difference?”

“…”

“In my experience, it depends on the will of the coaching staff.”

The will of the coaching staff.

Manager Freeman tapped the desk as if to emphasize this.

“If the coaching staff accurately understands the team’s policy and, furthermore, believes that ‘this is the only way to save this player,’ then good results can be expected.”

The manager continued.

“On the other hand, if the coaching staff doesn’t accept it and thinks, ‘There are plenty of other good ways’… then the worst results will come out for the player.”

The manager says one thing, the coaching staff says another.

The player caught in between becomes confused and ultimately wastes time.

Ji-seop could vaguely grasp what Manager Freeman would say next.

“If you just want a one-time ‘try,’ I can issue a directive to the coaching staff right now, today.”

“…”

“But if you’re serious about strengthening our Cannons’ bullpen…”

At this time, Ji-seop didn’t bother to ‘stare’ into the manager’s eyes.

“Are you saying that we need to change pitching coach Do Jin-cheol’s mind first?”

“That’s right, exactly.”

Manager Freeman snapped his fingers.

“How about it, will you try… to persuade the pitching coach?”

The manager looked at Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok alternately with a strange expression.

* * *

Ji-seop’s answer was ‘YES’.

-I’ll give it a try, Manager.

Persuading pitching coach Do Jin-cheol to ‘throw forkballs down the middle’.

Although he had never had a proper conversation with that man, he could vaguely guess that this would be a difficult mission.

If Coach Do Jin-cheol was a reasonable person and open to new attempts, Go Chang-deok wouldn’t have come to him in the first place.

As expected.

“…Please leave.”

When Ji-seop and Go Chang-deok, who had accepted the manager’s ‘mission,’ visited the coach’s office for the first time, pitching coach Do Jin-cheol literally ‘slammed the door in their faces’.

They couldn’t even properly start the conversation.

As soon as he saw Go Chang-deok’s face, he roughly guessed what they were there for and waved his hand ‘haphazardly’ as if he were looking at a peddler.

“Are you here again to say something like throwing forkballs down the middle or trying to change our thinking…? That’s what you’re here for, isn’t it?”

Perhaps because the power analysis team had already tried to persuade him several times, Coach Do Jin-cheol’s face was full of annoyance.

“Look, I’m a busy man.”

Coach Do pointed to the files piled up on his desk and continued.

“Can’t you see these files? I have to review all of these and come up with a game plan for today within the next three hours.”

“Then, will you be able to spare some time after that?”

Ji-seop asked cautiously, but the response was cold.

“After that, there’s the game! After the game, there’s a coaches’ meeting!”

The pitching coach raised his voice.

“I’m already busy enough, so don’t come during work hours and distract me. Got it?”

With those words, Coach Do Jin-cheol ‘haphazardly’ left the coach’s office.

It was perhaps natural that Go Chang-deok’s expression darkened as he stared blankly at his retreating figure.

“Geez, that guy. What’s with that temper…”

Go Chang-deok clicked his tongue.

He turned his gaze to Ji-seop.

“What should we do, Ji-seop? I don’t know what our seniors did to Coach Do… but it seems like we won’t be able to have a conversation at all?”

“Well, I don’t think that’s the case at all.”

Unlike Go Chang-deok’s frustrated expression, Ji-seop’s expression was calm.

“Didn’t the coach say not to come during work hours?”

“…Huh?”

“Then, we can interpret that as meaning that we can visit him after he finishes work and goes home… or something like that, can’t we?”

“Re, really?”

Go Chang-deok blinked.

“Well, if it doesn’t work during work hours, we have to meet him even after he gets off work…”

He scratched the back of his head.

“How do you know where that guy will go after work, Ji-seop? Don’t tell me you’re going to… tail him?”

“Are you filming a movie? Tail him, my foot…”

Don’t worry.

Ji-seop shrugged.

“I’ll figure out where Coach Do Jin-cheol goes after work… somehow.”

It wasn’t that difficult for Ji-seop, at least.