A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 71

20. A Good Day to Watch Baseball (2)

Shim Sung-joon, a third-year player from Myeongju Cheonnam High School, possessed remarkable batting skills.

*Thwack!*

The sound of impact was truly intense, validating CEO Oh Soo-man’s assessment: ‘He’s as good as most pros.’

The way he perfectly supported and powerfully hit the ball, which came in at a deceptively low outside angle, was impressive.

*Whoosh-*

Even though it was a ground ball, the speed of the hit was incredible, threatening to break through the infield.

“……Huh.”

Ji-seop’s eyes widened in surprise.

The shortstop from Seoul Seongjae High School, CEO Oh Soo-man’s alma mater, dove with all his might, managing to block the tremendous hit.

“Oooooh!”

“Yiaaaaa!”

Due to the force of the hit, he couldn’t secure a clean catch. The ball initially went into the glove but then ‘tumbled’ out.

However, the Seongjae High School shortstop calmly recovered the ball and tossed it to the second baseman, who was rushing in to cover the play. The second baseman, in one fluid motion, spun his body around and threw the ball with all his might towards first base.

The result?

Out.

“Out! Ooooout!!!”

As the first base umpire emphatically raised his arm, signaling the out, the Seongjae High School cheering squad erupted in celebration.

Waaaaaa!!!

Waaaaaa!!!

Two outs with runners on second and third.

The batter was the opposing team’s cleanup hitter.

In a crucial situation where the game’s momentum hung in the balance, an amazing play unfolded, showcasing skill that surpassed the typical high school level.

The Seongjae High School alumni, a group of middle-aged men, were cheering, hugging each other, and enthusiastically singing the school anthem, creating an electric atmosphere.

“Hmm…….”

Although not a former player himself, CEO Oh Soo-man of ‘Superstar Baseball,’ a man who made his living from the sport, seemed to possess a keen eye for the game. He stroked his chin thoughtfully and tilted his head slightly.

“Coach Kim, right now…….”

CEO Oh glanced at Ji-seop.

“Of course, our juniors’ defense was excellent, but… I think that Shim Sung-joon’s baserunning was a bit careless, don’t you think?”

CEO Oh elaborated, “If he had sprinted towards first base immediately after hitting the ball, wouldn’t it have been an easy safe call?”

“Yes, I had a similar thought.”

Ji-seop nodded slowly in agreement.

“Shim Sung-joon is a left-handed batter… Considering the inherent advantage in speed for left-handed batters reaching first base, his initial burst seemed a bit slow.”

Shim Sung-joon was being touted as ‘likely to be a first-round pick in the pros’ within high school baseball circles.

However, Ji-seop, despite his involvement with a professional baseball team, had never even heard his name mentioned.

Ji-seop could vaguely understand the reason for this strange discrepancy.

‘Should I attribute it to a work ethic issue?’

* * *

Work ethic.

A term often defined as labor ethics or professional consciousness.

In the baseball world, it was primarily used when evaluating aspects of a player beyond their raw skills.

The mindset displayed during training or games, the attitude towards the manager or coach, and the evaluations from teammates all factored into this assessment.

Opinions on ‘work ethic’ varied within the baseball team, but the scouting department generally considered it a crucial factor.

‘Skills can be honed through training, but a player’s character is much harder to change… or so they say.’

After joining the baseball team, Ji-seop often pondered this concept.

Meeting and talking with the scouts often left him wondering if they were employees of a professional baseball team or moral education instructors at a school.

If those rigid, old-fashioned scouts had witnessed Shim Sung-joon’s ‘leisurely’ jog towards first base, Ji-seop could easily imagine the negative evaluation that would have followed.

‘They would have labeled him arrogant, perhaps even full of hot air.’

Of course, it was premature to jump to conclusions based on a single instance.

Shim Sung-joon had only displayed a potential issue with his ‘work ethic’ once that day.

However, first impressions often hold weight, and people’s perceptions tend to align.

‘……Hmm?’

It was shortly after the game concluded with Seongjae High School’s victory.

Ji-seop was heading to the restroom before joining CEO Oh for a drink.

Since the public restrooms in the spectator area were crowded, Ji-seop used his ‘Cannons employee ID’ to access the restricted area.

As he was about to enter the restroom, he overheard a voice from inside.

“Sung-joon, if you keep doing this… I can’t defend you anymore. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

The mention of ‘Sung-joon’ made Ji-seop pause.

He leaned against the wall, discreetly listening.

“I told you, our team leader is coming today. So, just for today, show us that you’re sprinting to first base.”

Team leader.

At this point, Ji-seop intuitively realized that the speaker was a scout from a professional team.

“Frankly, how would our scouts truly know your personalities? It’s already a bit awkward to have these face-to-face talks.”

The man paused, likely looking around to ensure privacy.

“So, the image you project during the game is crucial. In the dugout, cheer enthusiastically. While defending, dive even if you think you can’t make the catch, and above all…”

He emphasized each word clearly: “Sprint to first base.”

“This is really important. Some scouts base their entire personality evaluation on this alone. But what were you doing today? Anyone could see you were being lazy.”

“…….”

“When you got out, our team leader’s expression hardened. He said he understood why other teams don’t rate you highly.”

The man’s voice grew urgent.

“I’d rather deal with a school violence issue than have rumors spread that you’re playing baseball half-heartedly. No one in our industry will even consider you. If you keep this up, you might not get drafted into the pros. Is that okay? Is it okay if you don’t go pro?”

Just as the conversation reached this critical point, Ji-seop deliberately cleared his throat, ‘Ahem.’

He had a good understanding of the scouts’ concerns regarding Shim Sung-joon.

Now, he wanted to see Shim Sung-joon’s reaction.

“Ah…….”

As Ji-seop entered the restroom, the scout ‘flinched’ as if caught in the act.

“Anyway, think about what I said! Got it?”

The scout practically fled the restroom, allowing Ji-seop to finally see Shim Sung-joon’s face.

‘He has a more intelligent look than I expected.’

Ji-seop glanced at Shim Sung-joon’s expression and approached the urinal.

‘He seems like a guy who would understand if I talked to him…….’

Judging by the atmosphere, the scout who had just left seemed genuinely interested in Shim Sung-joon.

He likely approached him before the game, instructing him to ‘run hard to first base.’

‘Wait a minute, so even after receiving advice from a professional team scout… he still ran so leisurely?’

Why on earth?

Was there another reason?

Ji-seop’s curiosity about Shim Sung-joon grew.

However, he couldn’t openly question a guy he was meeting for the first time.

Revealing his identity might facilitate communication, but that would violate team rules, making him hesitant.

Ji-seop observed Shim Sung-joon’s expression as he finished his business.

*Whoosh-*

As Ji-seop finished and approached the sink to wash his hands, a voice came from behind him.

“……Is that true?”

“Hmm?”

Startled, Ji-seop raised his head.

In the sink mirror, he saw Shim Sung-joon standing next to him.

“Is sprinting to first base… really considered such an important thing in the pros?”

Just as Ji-seop was meeting Shim Sung-joon for the first time, the guy was likely meeting Ji-seop for the first time as well.

However, Shim Sung-joon spoke to him as if they were well-acquainted.

While pleased that he could finally engage in conversation, Ji-seop was also taken aback by the situation.

“Um… student, I’m not sure what you’re talking about?”

Ji-seop pumped liquid soap onto his hands and continued, “Do you know me? Are you asking me questions knowing who I am?”

“Yes, I know you.”

Shim Sung-joon blinked.

“Aren’t you the interpreter for KH Cannons’ manager, Arthur Freeman……?”

The guy continued, “I’ve seen you on TV often.”

Unbeknownst to him, Ji-seop had become a recognizable figure.

* * *

“Hmm, well…….”

Shim Sung-joon had recognized his identity.

Upon realizing this, Ji-seop’s first instinct was to assess the surroundings.

Just like the scout who had hastily left the restroom earlier.

If word got out that a professional team official had approached a high school baseball player, it could create complications.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that instead?”

After confirming that the area was deserted, Ji-seop questioned Shim Sung-joon.

“After hitting the ball, running to first base with everything you’ve got… is that really such a difficult thing to do?”

“…….”

“Of course, it might be a little annoying, and in some cases, it might seem pointless. But I don’t understand why you wouldn’t do it when the pro team scouts consider it important?”

Ji-seop pressed on, “To be blunt, you could just pretend to work hard in front of the scouts. You don’t strike me as someone incapable of acting, do you?”

“Th, that’s…….”

Shim Sung-joon hesitated, seemingly struggling to reveal his true feelings.

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the person standing before Shim Sung-joon possessed the ability to read people’s minds.

“……You weren’t running leisurely?”

“Yes?!”

“It wasn’t that you weren’t sprinting to first base, but that the time it took to start towards first base was slow in the first place?”

“H, how did you…….”

Shim Sung-joon’s eyes widened in astonishment.

However, Ji-seop was even more surprised.

The reason for the delayed start towards first base.

The reason he was being misunderstood as not sprinting.

‘To hit the ball further, he was deliberately extending his swing.’

Most young players release the bat immediately after making contact with the ball.

However, Shim Sung-joon appeared to be practicing a technique where he fully rotated the bat over his shoulder after hitting the ball.

This delayed his initial movement towards first base, but it also increased his power and accuracy, resulting in longer hits.

‘Even pros are hesitant to try that technique… and a third-year high school student is doing it?’

Honestly, the fact that he was engaging in this type of training wasn’t entirely surprising.

Unlike in the past, information is readily available.

You can access lectures from major league coaches on platforms like YouTube, so advanced training methods are easily accessible.

Only one thing stood out.

‘This guy… has incredible stubbornness?’

It was remarkable that he hadn’t abandoned his approach despite the instructions from a pro team scout.

Was it just the scout who had been nagging him earlier?

By this point, his team’s managers and coaches, and perhaps even his parents, would have exerted subtle pressure on him.

‘But he resisted all that pressure and stuck to the training method he believed was correct?’

This kind of guy has potential.

This kind of guy is valuable.

Ji-seop was almost grateful that pro teams, including the Cannons, were underrating Shim Sung-joon.

‘Even if the scouting team objects, I can nominate him if I secure the support of the manager or general manager.’

He was now in a position where he could easily influence such decisions.

With that in mind, Ji-seop began strategizing how to persuade Arthur Freeman.

Of course, he also needed to ensure that Shim Sung-joon’s ‘stock price’ didn’t rise too much before then.

“Shim Sung-joon.”

“Yes?”

“I hope you continue to pursue your own approach.”

“Is, is that so?”

Ji-seop continued with a confident expression, aiming to instill confidence in the slightly hesitant Shim Sung-joon.

“Yes, keep pushing forward.”

The KH Cannons will recognize Shim’s true value.