On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 110

Thwack!

The ball flew straight into the backstop behind the catcher.

“Foul.”

Kim In-hwan rotated his wrist.

*His stuff is definitely good.*

*In terms of pure stuff, he’s one of the best in the league.*

Goo In-sun threw another fastball for his second pitch.

Thwack!

“Another foul ball.”

“That was foul towards third base, right? It looks like Kim In-hwan is starting to get a feel for it.”

A foul ball going forward means the batter is timing the pitch.

The catcher called for a forkball.

Goo In-sun’s forkball was quite sharp.

The forkball actually helped to mask Goo In-sun’s shaky control.

The ball drops sharply just as the batter is gearing up to swing at his fastball.

They swing, thinking it’s coming right down the middle, only to whiff and retreat.

It’s a predictable repertoire, but it works even when you know it’s coming.

He’s already etched the fastball into Kim In-hwan’s mind with those two fastballs, so now all that’s left is to get him to swing and miss at the forkball.

“Hoo.”

Kim In-hwan took a breath and lowered his bat a little more.

The most important thing he’s focused on since changing his swing is the impact zone [the area where the bat makes contact with the ball].

He needs to lower his hitting position as much as possible within the range where he can still hit for power to widen the impact zone.

The wider the impact zone, the more time he has to hit the ball.

He’s down two strikes against a forkballer, so he needs to keep the forkball in mind.

Goo In-sun lifted his knee high and then released the ball.

Kim In-hwan’s shoulder wobbled and then rotated with all his might.

Ace Catcher

Awakening (2)

Bang!

“To right field! To right field! To right field! Ah! It’s foul.”

“The ball wasn’t that far off. It looked like it was only about two meters away.”

“Goo In-sun is breathing a sigh of relief. That was really dangerous.”

Goo In-sun turned his head and looked at the fence.

It was a ball that would have gone over even if it had gone to the center of the fence.

A chill ran down his spine.

*This is Kim In-hwan.*

“What was that swing just now? Was he trying to hit the forkball?”

“I think that’s possible. You can anticipate the forkball after two strikes.”

“Every team knew that Kim In-hwan was weak against breaking balls, but he’s come back having compensated for that weakness in this way.”

“This is giving the Wales battery [pitcher and catcher] a headache. If they throw another forkball, that last foul was just too enormous.”

“But this count is still a good time to throw in another forkball.”

Goo In-sun picked up the rosin bag.

*He was trying to hit the forkball?*

*Has Kim In-hwan developed that kind of plate discipline?*

Wales manager Song Jeong-nam also let out a groan.

“Kim In-hwan has definitely leveled up. Right?”

Assistant coach Kim Sang-jun responded.

“Yes. It’s going to be tiring from now on.”

“In the past, his on-base percentage improved because pitchers avoided him, but getting a hold of those breaking balls is a different story. In-sun is going to have a tough time today.”

“How about we just signal to walk him from now on?”

“Hmm… no. We have to compete. Let’s just walk Song Seok-hyun instead. If we avoid Kim In-hwan too, it’ll backfire.”

Wales catcher Jo Jin-yeol signaled for an outside fastball.

Goo In-sun’s pitch came in two or three balls off the plate.

Kim In-hwan didn’t budge.

“He threw a fastball first.”

“He’s showing him a fastball. He’s going to show him a fastball and then throw a forkball, right?”

Goo In-sun spread two fingers inside his glove.

The ball plummeted to the ground before reaching home plate.

“He’s getting impatient. The ball sank too quickly.”

“That’s what makes the forkball so difficult. It’s hard to throw, but it’s also not easy to control.”

The catcher signaled for another forkball.

A batter’s weakness isn’t easily overcome.

You have to keep at it relentlessly.

Goo In-sun took a few breaths.

*His pitches are on point today.*

*He doesn’t want to trip himself up from the first inning.*

Fast and strong, here it comes.

“Pitcher, windup!”

Goo In-sun’s forkball headed towards the batter’s knees.

A forkball that drops from knee height is the textbook definition of a forkball.

The ball flew like a fastball, but then began to sink as it approached home plate.

At the same time, Kim In-hwan swung.

Bang!

“Over the shortstop’s head! A hit! It’s a hit!”

“He finally pushed that breaking ball into the outfield. Kim In-hwan, wow, did he have this in him?”

“This gives cleanup hitter Song Seok-hyun a chance to continue the rally.”

Kim In-hwan’s single.

It was just a single, but Goo In-sun’s heart sank.

His forkball was hit.

More than the fact that he gave up a hit, the fact that Kim In-hwan pushed it to the opposite field was even more terrifying.

If he had hit a home run, it would have meant that he had anticipated the forkball and swung, but pushing it to the opposite field meant that he watched the ball all the way and hit it according to its trajectory.

“Ah… damn it.”

Goo In-sun tapped the mound with his foot.

The next batter is Song Seok-hyun.

The Wales bench signaled.

‘Walk him.’

Rather than face Song Seok-hyun, who’s been going crazy in the three-game series against Wales, it’s more economical to add another runner and compete against .250 hitter Choi Jae-wan.

Wales’ choice was ultimately correct.

– Out!

“Goo In-sun. He had a tough battle against Kim In-hwan and Song Seok-hyun, but he struck out Choi Jae-wan to escape the crisis on his own.”

“This is the painful reality for Goat. Even if Kim In-hwan comes alive, there’s no answer because they just walk Song Seok-hyun. But it’s hard to blame Choi Jae-wan, who’s only twenty-two years old. He’s a promising player who’s already rated as a top-notch third baseman. Originally, he should be gaining experience going back and forth between the minors and the majors, but he’s been a permanent starter since Kang Mun-gyu was traded.”

“Isn’t Choi Jae-wan Goat’s NFS [Not For Sale]? He can be called a big prospect, but he’s overshadowed by Kim In-hwan and Song Seok-hyun.”

“Looking at his record in the military team, he has good stamina and no minor injuries, as he played full-time in every game last year. But it’s a shame that he’s been criticized a lot lately and has become withdrawn.”

“He’s doing well enough compared to others his age, but the problem is that his comparison targets are Song Seok-hyun and Kim In-hwan, right?”

“I don’t know if Goat should like this or be sad about it.”

Choi Jae-wan came into the dugout with his head bowed.

The hitting coach just patted Choi Jae-wan on the back once and didn’t say anything.

“Bottom of the first. Ace Michael Fish comes up for Goat.”

“I’m curious to see how Wales will perform against Michael Fish.”

A textbook right-handed power pitcher.

Michael Fish showed how to face batters with just three pitches: fastball, curveball, and changeup.

First batter, curveball strikeout.

Second batter, high fastball infield fly.

Third batter, changeup infield groundout.

The fastballs, curveballs, and changeups that came out of his tall frame were impregnable to the Wales batters.

Top of the 3rd, 0-0.

Both teams’ batters made no progress in attacking the opposing pitchers.

“Michael Fish’s performance was expected, but Goo In-sun’s stuff is also great today. The Goat batters can’t even touch it.”

“People often call Goo In-sun a roller coaster, but that’s exactly what he is today. On a good day, he’s the best pitcher, no less than Jo Jin-hee.”

“His forkball is especially sharp today, right?”

“That’s right. He already has four strikeouts with his forkball. It’s still a problem that he has a lot of walks, but his stuff itself is heavy.”

The first batter in the top of the 3rd was the number 2 hitter, Seol Jin-il.

Goo In-sun threw a forkball from the first pitch.

Seol Jin-il pulled the breaking ball with all his might.

Bang!

“Shortstop! Line drive! Jo Yang-seon is breathing a sigh of relief. That was an incredibly fast ball.”

“It’s a bit questionable that he hit the first-pitch forkball, which was also a ball that was far out of the strike zone, but he hit it very well. If that had gone through, it could have been a double.”

“It’s only been one turn through the lineup, but has he already gotten used to the forkball?”

“Well, if it was that easy to get used to, there’s no reason why Goo In-sun’s forkball would be so powerful. I think he was trying to hit it.”

Seol Jin-il returned to the dugout with his bat on his shoulder.

Song Seok-hyun asked Seol Jin-il.

“Were you trying to hit it?”

“Halfway? He kept throwing forkballs, so I was thinking of hitting it if it came.”

Song Seok-hyun came out of the dugout and leaned his bat against his leg.

It’s hard to hit a forkball for extra bases unless you have an extreme uppercut swing.

In order to hit for extra bases, the launch angle must be at least 10 degrees, no matter how low.

You need at least 15 degrees to aim for a home run.

The moment you swing with an uppercut to hit the forkball, you become weak against high pitches.

As difficult as it is to handle, the forkball was a reliable asset for the pitcher.

“The next batter is Kim In-hwan. How will they compete this time?”

“He got one out, right? Kim In-hwan is hitting the forkball well today. So, one way is to send him to first base and compete against Song Seok-hyun. If Song Seok-hyun is also difficult, you can fill another base and compete against Choi Jae-wan. Choi Jae-wan can’t get a feel for Goo In-sun at all.”

“Isn’t it very dangerous to compete with two bases filled?”

“I’m not saying to send him off with an intentional walk, but to have a difficult battle. It’s good if the batter hits it, and it’s okay if he doesn’t, so you’re throwing a pitch that gently tempts the batter.”

The caster gave a bitter smile.

*Isn’t that just a pointless thing to say?*

“Strike. Kim In-hwan watched one outside fastball go by.”

Kim In-hwan nodded once.

A ball that came in on a good course.

There’s a reason why Goo In-sun is a specialist against left-handed hitters.

The ball suddenly appears from behind.

Kim In-hwan moved his foot a little more and moved to the front of the plate.

He’s going to hit the forkball before it drops.

The closer he gets to the plate, the more fierce Goo In-sun’s fastball will become, but he’s prepared for it.

‘Fastball, inside.’

The catcher held his mitt towards the batter’s body.

He needs a pitch to scare the batter who’s close to the plate.

Especially Kim In-hwan.

Goo In-sun put more power into his body and threw it at the sign for the inside pitch.

Thwack!

“Argh!”

Kim In-hwan screamed as he was hit in the side.

Kim In-hwan, whose knees buckled, couldn’t breathe properly.

“Ah… a hit by pitch.”

The caster and commentator held their breath.

Both teams have been on edge about hit by pitches since yesterday.

The Goat bench was also agitated, but Kim In-hwan quickly got up.

The conditioning coach came to check on his condition.

“Are you okay?”

“It hurts, but it’s not a bone.”

“Thank goodness. Can you take a deep breath?”

“A little now… ugh.”

“Should I replace you?”

“No. I’m okay with this much. I got hit a little on the back.”

Kim In-hwan grabbed his side and headed to first base.

Goo In-sun raised his hand to Kim In-hwan once.

Kim In-hwan didn’t see it and stood on first base as it was.

“…….”

Goo In-sun pushed his tongue against his cheek.

The next batter is Song Seok-hyun.

It wasn’t a bad situation for Wales.

If they can’t beat Song Seok-hyun, they can just face Choi Jae-wan.

“……!”

Wales catcher Jo Jin-yeol opened his eyes wide.

Song Seok-hyun stood in front of the plate like Kim In-hwan.

If Song Seok-hyun, who already has a longer bat than others, stands close to the plate, taking one or two outside pitches is just a delicious prey for Song Seok-hyun.

It’s also difficult to ask Goo In-sun, who has already given up one hit by pitch, for another inside pitch.

There have been a lot of hit by pitches during the three-game series.

Giving up one hit by pitch to Kim In-hwan can be said to be a mistake, but if another hit by pitch comes out here, the bench clearing will be quite brutal.

‘Forkball.’

The catcher decided to avoid Song Seok-hyun and compete against Choi Jae-wan.

If Song Seok-hyun gets hit too, things will get bigger.

Goo In-sun was also reluctant to throw inside pitches in a row, so he threw a forkball with peace of mind.

A forkball that goes to the middle and then drops.