On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 133

The players exchanged brief, regretful words and prepared to take the field.

Lee Geon-hoo rummaged in his pocket for a cigarette and walked behind the bench.

“Hoo.”

His sleepy, bloodshot eyes blinked in the red glow of the cigarette and the white smoke.

“Haa.”

Lee Geon-hoo could only return to the bench after smoking another cigarette.

* * *

Clap clap clap clap.

As Lee Ji-sung approached the plate, applause erupted from fans of both teams.

In the third base home team’s stands, fans proudly wore Lee Ji-sung’s Scorpion uniform.

Although his performance had become inconsistent after his injury, Lee Ji-sung still enjoyed the unwavering support of the Scorpion fans.

He was known for his fast feet, accurate hitting, wide defensive range, and strong arm.

Even after his injury, he was valuable as an outfield backup.

The fans also understood that it was unfair to expect Lee Ji-sung to remain an outfield backup.

Lee Ji-sung had even represented the nation on the national team at one point.

At twenty-seven, Lee Ji-sung was too young to be content with being an outfield backup, overshadowed by younger players after having once been at the top.

The fans knew this, and Lee Ji-sung was frequently discussed as a potential trade on baseball fan sites.

-Who could we get in exchange for Lee Ji-sung?

-What could we get with Lee Ji-sung + additional assets (represented by α)?

-We need to trade Lee Ji-sung while he’s still young to get at least a B-grade player.

-Lee Ji-sung is an A-grade outfield backup; is it really necessary to trade him?

He was a frustrating player now, but he had once been an indispensable starter.

Amidst the applause from the Scorpion fans, Lee Ji-sung removed his helmet and bowed toward the third base stands before stepping up to the plate.

Clap clap clap clap.

The starting pitcher on the mound, Kang Gu-il, tapped his glove a few times.

Lee Ji-sung put on his helmet and stepped into the batter’s box.

Lee Ji-sung smiled as he made eye contact with Kang Gu-il.

Kang Gu-il returned the smile.

“Who would have thought these two would face each other as opponents like this?”

“Indeed. Lee Ji-sung and Kang Gu-il, weren’t they both key contributors to the Scorpion’s past victories? They also went through rehab together.”

“Lee Ji-sung and Kang Gu-il both spent a long time in rehabilitation, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Lee Ji-sung injured his wrist, and Kang Gu-il injured his elbow. I heard they became close friends while undergoing nearly two years of rehabilitation. Kang Gu-il experienced a significant drop in speed, but he refined his splitter [a type of fastball that breaks sharply downwards] and joined the starting rotation. Lee Ji-sung, however, ultimately couldn’t return to his former level. His position also became uncertain as Hwang Gi-deok, a promising player, emerged as the league’s best center fielder.”

“They’re said to be like brothers, only a year apart, so I imagine both players are feeling a mix of emotions.”

As Lee Ji-sung stepped into the batter’s box, catcher Gu Seung-cheol said,

“Do your best.”

“Thank you, senior.”

“But I won’t take it easy on you.”

“Yes, of course.”

Lee Ji-sung stood close to the plate.

Gu Seung-cheol immediately signaled for an inside fastball.

If there was one pitch that Lee Ji-sung, with his wrist weakness, found most difficult to hit, it was an inside fastball.

It could be seen as petty, or it could be called professional strategy.

Kang Gu-il hesitated for a moment and then made eye contact with Lee Ji-sung.

Lee Ji-sung’s eyes were sharp.

Lee Ji-sung’s frequent words came to mind.

“A professional should act professionally.”

Professional.

The word Lee Ji-sung emphasized every time.

Kang Gu-il took his stance.

A half-hearted pitch would be an insult to Lee Ji-sung.

A professional simply does his best.

Even though his fastest pitch was only 145km/h [kilometers per hour], he threw it with all his might inside to Lee Ji-sung.

Thwack!

Lee Ji-sung turned his body and hit the ball.

The ball sailed over the second baseman’s head for a single.

“Lee Ji-sung hits the first pitch! Lee Ji-sung is on the offensive from the very start!”

“Haha, is he turning into Seol Jin-il? He usually takes a lot of pitches, but today he swung at the first one. And it was a pitch close to his body.”

Catcher Gu Seung-cheol stood up from his crouch and put his hands on his hips.

The catcher, pitcher, and fielders all smiled.

He hit the inside ball.

It wasn’t a long hit, and it wasn’t a fastball approaching 150km/h, but he hit the inside ball.

“You did it, hyung [older brother or respected senior].”

Kang Gu-il winked at Lee Ji-sung, who was heading to first base.

Lee Ji-sung smirked and pretended not to see it.

First baseman Jo Yang-cheol patted Lee Ji-sung’s butt.

“Nice hit, Ji-sung.”

“Thank you.”

“Is your wrist okay?”

“Yes, for now.”

“Okay. That’s good, then.”

The Scorpion’s manager, Lee Chang-hoon, watched Lee Ji-sung with his hands behind his back.

“Didn’t he used to not even touch inside balls when he was here?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm.”

Lee Chang-hoon smiled wryly.

“Yeah, that guy was something else too. It hasn’t been long since he went to Goat, and he’s already found a way.”

His head throbbed.

This three-game series is going to be quite difficult.

Success as a Catcher

Welcome Greetings

Lee Ji-sung, who was on first base, lowered his stance.

Half a step, half a step.

Lee Ji-sung increased his lead and glanced at Kang Gu-il.

“…….”

Kang Gu-il held his breath.

When was the last time he played a game with Lee Ji-sung on first base?

It felt like it was during a practice game a long time ago.

After being relegated to outfield backup, Lee Ji-sung’s stolen base attempts decreased.

After injuring his wrist, he avoided stealing bases.

Lee Ji-sung used to have the nickname Sonic, but now……?

Bang!

-Safe!

“Kang Gu-il attempts a pickoff.”

“If there’s a fast runner, a pickoff or two is inevitable.”

“Lee Ji-sung is testing the pitcher.”

“Lee Ji-sung’s steals have decreased since his injury, but his speed hasn’t diminished. He’s a runner who can steal at any moment.”

Lee Ji-sung lowered his body.

He subtly increased his lead.

Catcher Gu Seung-cheol signals to focus on the batter.

‘Splitter.’

It’s a breaking ball on the first pitch, but it’s not a bad choice because it’s Seol Jin-il.

Seol Jin-il swung at Kang Gu-il’s splitter.

-Strike!

“Kang Gu-il gets a strike with a splitter on the first pitch.”

“Everyone knows that Seol Jin-il likes the first pitch. If you go in too easily thinking you’ll get a strike on the first pitch, you’ll be an easy target for Seol Jin-il.”

“Seol Jin-il’s love for the first pitch is amazing.”

“Opposing pitchers take advantage of this and throw a lot of breaking balls on the first pitch, but the funny thing is, Seol Jin-il manages to hit the ball even if it’s a breaking ball that’s out of the strike zone and get a hit.”

“There are many opinions that Seol Jin-il’s contact ability has reached a high level, right?”

“Of course. Not just anyone can be a 30% hitter. There are many opinions that his eye [ability to judge pitches] isn’t great, but he hits the ball so well that his on-base percentage is over 40%. At this point, there’s no reason to say his eye is bad.”

“He’s a lucky player for Goat. He hasn’t completely filled Lee Nak-gyun’s void, but a player who used to wander around the minor leagues is now producing an OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging, a common baseball statistic] of over 0.8.”

The count is 2-1.

Seol Jin-il fouled off two of Kang Gu-il’s three consecutive splitters.

“…….”

Catcher Gu Seung-cheol pursed his lips.

It’s true that he likes the first pitch, but he’s not stupid.

Now it’s time for a fastball.

Kang Gu-il’s fastball isn’t that fast, and Seol Jin-il is a batter who can hit fastballs under 145km/h far.

‘Curveball.’

Go with a breaking ball one more time.

Throw another breaking ball.

Kang Gu-il nodded once.

His trust in veteran catcher Gu Sung-cheol was unwavering.

The ball that left Kang Gu-il’s hand began to drop.

Seol Jin-il swung his bat, but his timing was too early.

The ball passed the bat and went into Gu Sung-cheol’s mitt.

‘Strike!’

“Ah! Lee Ji-sung steals second base! Lee Ji-sung steals successfully with ease!”

“Lee Ji-sung timed it perfectly. His start was also quick, and it happened to be during the curveball. Maybe he predicted it. Weren’t they on the same team?”

“Haha, could that be?”

Catcher Gu Sung-cheol smiled wryly.

He had forgotten.

Daegu Sonic Lee Ji-sung.

Yeah, he was really fast.

“2-2. Now it’s a count that the pitcher can handle, right?”

Kang Gu-il’s choice is a splitter.

This time, Seol Jin-il swung.

-Strike! Out!

“Strikeout! Kang Gu-il finally gets a strikeout!”

“That’s Kang Gu-il. That sharp splitter is Kang Gu-il’s trademark.”

“Kang Gu-il must be relieved.”

Seol Jin-il shook his head and returned to the bench.

“Wow, nice.”

“That splitter is no joke.”

Was Yoo Seon-ho’s words a prediction?

Kim In-hwan struck out swinging at four consecutive splitters.

Kim In-hwan, who returned to the bench, burst into laughter.

“It’s brutal. Is he only throwing splitters?”

“Seung-cheol hyung is relentless. So don’t think too much and just go with the feeling.”

The next batter was Song Seok-hyun.

As Song Seok-hyun stepped in, Gu Seung-cheol sighed.

The scouting report said that he hits low breaking balls well.

Kang Gu-il’s breaking balls are splitters and curves.

Both are breaking balls that drop downwards.

Just because Song Seok-hyun hits low breaking balls well doesn’t mean you can’t throw any breaking balls at all.

‘Curveball.’

Song Seok-hyun is a batter who doesn’t hit the first pitch well.

He takes his time watching the ball and getting his timing.

He’s confident that he can get a hit even if he gets two strikes.

To face a batter like Song Seok-hyun, it’s better to get one strike with a pitch that you don’t throw often.

‘Okay.’

Kang Gu-il nodded.

Bang!

-Strike!

Song Seok-hyun watched the first pitch curveball go by.

Gu Seung-cheol gained confidence as things went as he expected.

‘Four-seam fastball.’

In this case, you have to mix it up.

He threw four consecutive splitters to the batter Kim In-hwan right before.

Since the splitter would be in his mind, there is a high possibility that he will let a fastball go by.

At this time, you surprise him with a fastball.

Kang Gu-il threw a fastball to the outside corner.

A beautifully controlled pitch.

Even though Kang Gu-il lost his speed, the reason he can be the team’s third starter is because his control has improved significantly.

Thwack!

“Left field fence! Left field fence! Left! Fence! It’s over! Home run! Song Seok-hyun hits a two-run home run!”

“He completely aimed for that. A lot of splitters were thrown in that location, but Song Seok-hyun timed it perfectly and hit it.”

“Song Seok-hyun shows off his presence to the Daegu fans. This is Goat’s cleanup hitter [the fourth batter in the lineup, typically a power hitter]. I am Song Seok-hyun!”

Gu Seung-cheol lowered his head with a blank expression.

It was perfect timing.

It was a swing without hesitation.

“……He read it.”

I thought he was a patient batter, but I didn’t know he would swing right away.